Tech Tip: What is the difference between Microsoft Office 2013 and Office 365?
Microsoft Office 2013 is a package of tools that help you do your work. They include Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, etc. We are all familiar with these tools because they have been around a long time and haven’t changed much. You can use any of these software applications on desktops, laptops and to even open documents on your phone. You can also download Office 2013 for Apple products like an iPad or a Mac. The software lives in an actual place on your device, like your desktop.
Office 365 is the avenue that allows you to use those tools in the Cloud. That means you can access any documents, email or Office 2013 product from anywhere, anytime on any device (laptop, iPad, desktop, smartphone). To the rest of the world, it’s not an actual application. It’s just the portal that gets you to your applications more quickly, more easily and more securely without having to login to the King County system to do your work. You just do it!
Office 365 allows seamless updates which means they can be deployed to everyone at the same time and no one is left behind with out-of-date software. It’s like updates automatically sent to your smart phone – patches, fixes, etc.
So – there is one of life’s great IT mysteries solved. It’s actually more complicated than this, but this is the basic explanation. If you do have an IT question, submit it to the IT explainer-in-chief, KCIT Communications Manager Jamie Holter.
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Social Media Spotlight: Recycle More. It’s Easy To Do. Facebook
The Recycle More. It’s Easy to Do campaign encourages increased recycling among residents and businesses in King County, Washington.
Follow Recycle More. It’s Easy to Do on Facebook today!
Click here to view all King County social media pages.
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Featured Job: 911 Communications Specialist
Closing Date/Time: Fri. 08/19/16 4:30 PM
Salary: $22.03 – $32.55 Hourly
Job Type: Civil Service, Full Time, 40/hrs Wk
Location: Regional Communications & Emergency Coordination Center (RCECC) – 3511 NE 2nd St, Renton, Washington
Department: King County Sheriff’s Office
Description: Excellent opportunity for a career in Law Enforcement, partnering with our men and women in the field! Make the difference in someone’s life, become a 911 Operator (Communications Specialist).
Communications Specialists serve as Call Receivers and Dispatchers. As a new Communications Specialists you will receive classroom and hands-on training and work as Call Receivers, answering a high volume of calls. Some are routine citizen calls of a non-emergency nature and call receivers offer advice or instructions to callers, make referrals to other organizations or persons and write routine police reports for less serious crimes. They also answer complex citizen calls that are often of an emergent nature and route the calls to the appropriate Dispatcher.
The KCSO Communications Center was recently featured in a KIRO 7 news story highlighting the dedication and passion of our 911 dispatchers. Read the story here.
Learn more about this position or view all available jobs.
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Third annual veterans and military spouses career expo, Aug. 10
The Third Annual Working with our Troops Career Expo will take place Wednesday, August 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Washington State Convention Center, 800 Convention Place, Sixth Floor, Seattle.
The event is a partnership between the King County Veterans Program, WorkSource Seattle / King County, and the Washington State Convention Center.
In addition to King County, more than 100 employers will be in attendance – including major corporations, small businesses, and Federal, State, County and City agencies.
There will also be one-to-one resume writing and review sessions tailored for veterans and military spouses.
Preregister and view the list of employers on Eventbrite.
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Kudos! FMD gets kudos for installing new ballot boxes
Crossposted from DES Express
King County Elections recently opened a number of new ballot drop boxes at locations all over King County, more than doubling the number of places where citizens can exercise their right to vote. This was a major undertaking, as many of those new boxes needed to be open in time for the August primary election.
The Facilities Management Division was tasked with installing the drop boxes, which they did in plenty of time for an “unveiling” ceremony in mid-July. Nate Valderas, an administrator for Elections, sent this note to Building Services:
I wanted to take a quick moment to acknowledge your staff and the assistance they provided to the Department of Elections over the past month. Your crew was instrumental in installing 18 new ballot drop boxes for the voters of King County and we thank them!
Specifically, I wanted to thank Van Pham, Eric Riedel, and Linda Romanovitch for coordinating with us and call out Dave, Eric, and Mike for their work as well.
We’ll have another 19 boxes to install in September and we look forward to working together again.
Thanks!
Congratulations and kudos to FMD Building Services!
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Turning Gold into Platinum
Crossposted from King County WTD
From Gold to Platinum, King County Wastewater Treatment Division is moving up the periodic table!
Each year the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) recognizes member agency facilities for their dedication in maintaining compliance of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) limits.
All of our plants are receiving awards this year, but we’re especially excited to announce that our Vashon Plant has now moved up the ranks from Gold to Platinum within NACWA’s Peak Performance Awards. The Platinum Awards category recognizes 100% compliance with permits over a consecutive five-year period.
Read more at King County WTD
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Influential Individuals: Developing Lean leaders to transform our organization
Crossposted from Lean in King County
Lean leaders aren’t always in a position of authority – but they are in a position to influence (as we all are to one degree or another). Regardless of their formal role, Lean leaders are trained to nurture continuous improvement through facilitation and coaching, which can positively impact and promote culture change.
Employees trained in Lean leadership have learned the comprehensive elements of Lean and the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle. Lean leaders can guide teams through improvement processes and teach them to use Lean tools to build the capability and capacity in agencies and promote a problem-solving culture.
Read more at Lean in King County
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Featured Job: Landfill Gas Operator I
Closing Date/Time: Tue. 08/09/16 5:00 PM Pacific Time
Salary: $27.59 – $33.56 Hourly, $57,387.20 – $69,804.80 Annually
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Location: Cedar Hills Landfill – 16645 228th Ave SE, Maple Valley, Washington
Department: Department of Natural Resources & Parks – Director’s Office
Description: This position is responsible for performing extensive and complex work with landfill gas extraction systems. This position operates, monitors, and maintains the landfill gas collection system at Cedar Hills Regional landfill and monitors and maintains landfill gas collection systems at closed landfills. The Landfill Gas Operator I position requires knowledge of active landfill operations, landfill gas extraction systems, environmental control systems, regulatory guidelines for landfill, applied engineering principles, physics and chemistry.
Learn more about this position or view all available jobs.
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Executive appoints Alex Fryer as new communications director
King County Executive Dow Constantine has appointed Alex Fryer to serve as his new communications director, effective Aug. 1, 2016.
Fryer has extensive background and experience in both public and private sector communications, most recently as Vice President of Public Affairs for The Fearey Group, a local media and government relations firm.
“Alex Fryer’s exceptional knowledge and expertise in communications, and in community outreach and engagement, will help advance our work on equity and social justice, climate change, regional mobility, implementing our groundbreaking Best Starts for Kids initiative, and continuing to build the best run government in the nation. He will be a great asset and a welcome addition to our team,” said Executive Constantine.
Read more in the official press release.
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Metro’s top bus driver praised for caring, positive attitude, customer service
“Try to stay positive, one day at a time, one trip at a time and enjoy your free time doing whatever makes you happy.” – Vicki Leslie, Metro Transit Operator of the Year
Known for her safe driving, quick wit and ability to brighten the days of her riders and coworkers, bus driver Vicki Leslie today was named King County Metro Transit Operator of the Year.
Metro officials and fellow bus drivers praised Leslie during a surprise ceremony in Bellevue, echoing commendations she received from customers over the years. Leslie has been driving Metro buses since 1981.
“Vicki is an extraordinary employee who gives her very best every day on the job – to her riders and to her co-workers,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “She is exceptionally deserving of this recognition, and a great example of how King County provides truly top-notch customer service.”
Read more in the official press release.
At the ceremony, a band also celebrated Vicki with an awesome rendition of Proud Mary, tailored to driving her bus on the east side. View video of the celebration and song below.
Employee News 