Policy Section Administrative Assistant (Administrative Assistant 3)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Policy Section Administrative Assistant (Administrative Assistant 3) within the Solid Waste Management (SWM) program.

Location:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• The successful candidate will be required to work in the office a minimum of two days/week (Wednesday and Thursday) through their probation period. After the probation period, an alternate flex schedule may be negotiated. This position also has the option of working five-days-week in the office. 
   
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: 

• Apply by March 4, 2026.
• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after the date above may not be considered.

Duties

In this role, you will be part of a dynamic and growing Policy Section team in the Solid Waste Management (SWM) program. You will work with peers who are passionate about recycling market development, food waste reduction, organic materials management, and product stewardship. You will also help keep the wheels on the bus by organizing and facilitating meetings, tracking legislative activities, and helping to make sure our public documents meet accessibility and plain language standards. Professional development opportunities include developmental job assignments and attending trainings to increase your knowledge and skills.

What you will do:

• Use plain language and complete document accessibility reviews.
• Schedule and facilitate virtual meetings with interested parties via Zoom or Teams.
• Work with Policy Section to format and send GovDelivery bulletins.
• Schedule travel arrangements and process travel paperwork.
• Work with contract managers to submit invoices for payment.
• Coordinate with other Solid Waste Management Administrative Assistants to ensure full coverage for the program. 
• Work with staff to ensure records are managed to meet retention requirements.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

High school graduation or GED. 

AND

Four (4) years of experience and/or education as described below:

Experience: progressively responsible experience in office/clerical, secretarial, bookkeeping, accounting, or general administrative work, which must include the following:

Experience drafting, editing, and formatting correspondence and reports following document accessibility and plain language requirements; delivering responsive, respectful service and building effective working relationships with staff, partners, and the public.

Experience coordinating schedules and supporting in-person and virtual meetings and events, preparing materials, and documenting outcomes to ensure productive collaboration and follow-up.

Experience prioritizing and managing multiple assignments; exercising sound judgment and problem-solving skills; maintaining confidentiality, ethical conduct, and accountability for work quality and timeliness.

Education: in business administration, public administration or closely aligned field

Examples of how to qualify:

• 4 years of experience.
• 3 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 2 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 1 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• Bachelor’s degree or above, in a related field.

Desired Qualifications:

Financial & administrative compliance experience: preparing, reviewing, and tracking purchasing, travel, grants, contracts, and related documentation to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with agency policies.

Use office software, collaboration tools, virtual platforms, and office systems to support efficient workflow and communication.

Experience providing high-level, confidential administrative support to managers and staff; coordinating daily operations to ensure efficient and effective program delivery.

Experience organizing, maintaining, and safeguarding electronic and paper records in compliance with retention schedules and confidentiality requirements.

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

Supplemental Information

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Our Commitment to DEIR

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology's work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.

Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.

Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.

Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.

We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.

Application Process

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• Resume 

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete.

For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Chery Sullivan at chery.sullivan@ecy.wa.gov
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at careers@ecy.wa.gov

About the Solid Waste Management Program (SWM)

The Solid Waste Management Program's mission is to reduce waste through prevention and reuse, keep toxics out of the environment; and safely manage what remains. The Solid Waste Management program's vision is to transition to a society where waste is viewed as inefficient, and where most wastes and toxic substances have been eliminated, contributing to economic, social, and environmental vitality.

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following: Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave, 11 Paid Holidays per year, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives, Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.  

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.