Description

The salary listed includes the scheduled 2% general salary increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2026.

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Central Region Water Quality Section Administrative Assistant (Administrative Assistant 3) within the Water Quality Program.

Location:

• Central Region Office in Union Gap, 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.
• A minimum of two days per week is required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: 

• Apply by June 25, 2026

 
Duties
 

You will support the mission of the Water Quality Program by serving as a confidential Administrative Assistant to the Water Quality Program (WQP) Central Region Office (CRO) Section Manager, and by providing quality support and service to internal and external customers. You will exercise independent judgement, initiative, and discretion in providing administrative and management support to the Section Manager, Industrial Unit Supervisor, the Municipal Unit Supervisor, Watershed Unit Supervisor, and section staff.

What you will do:

• Format, proofread and review documents for correct agency templates/standards usage.
• Monitor new staff onboarding process, paperwork, and timeframe requirements.
• Manage Records in accordance with applicable retention schedule.
• Draft/type memos, letters, reports, and other documents and make copies/scans, routing paperwork and sending mail.
• Provide technical assistance to other section employees regarding agency applications including: eTime, Outlook Calendars, LMS, PTS, Adobe Pro, HR Portal, and SharePoint. 
• Assist staff with travel and training requests, reservations, reimbursements, travel arrangements, and ensure staff are compliant with agency policies and procedures.
• Update and maintain the section home page SharePoint site.

Qualifications

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

Required Qualifications:

Four (4) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes at least one the following:

• Managerial Support Coordination – Experience managing schedules, communication, and priorities to keep managers organized and informed.
• Administrative Process Management – Experience applying and following administrative policies to keep operations consistent and compliant.
• Document Preparation & Editing – Experience reviewing, editing, and producing clear, accurate, and professional documents to support organizational communication.
• Travel & Training Coordination – Experience arranging travel and/or training to ensure staff follow state rules and receive timely support.
• Purchasing & Fiscal Support – Experience processing purchases and invoices to ensure accurate billing and efficient use of resources.
• SharePoint Site Maintenance – Ability to create, update, and organize SharePoint sites to help staff easily find information and work together effectively.
• Records & Information Coordination – Ability to organize, maintain, and retrieve records to ensure information is accurate, accessible, and ready for timely public disclosure responses.

Education involving a major study in business administration, public administration, or closely related 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.
• No experience AND a Bachelor’s degree or above.
   

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

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 [email protected]
• 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 Damon Roberts at [email protected]
• 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 [email protected]

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.