Watershed Management Section Administrative Assistant (Administrative Assistant 3)

The salary listed above 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 aWatershed Management Section Administrative Assistant (Administrative Assistant 3)within the Water Quality 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.
• A minimum of three days per week is required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by June 21 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Be a part of protecting Washingtons waters in this exciting administrative position! In this role you will provide essential support to the Watershed Management Section Manager and a diverse team of unit supervisors planners and scientists within. You will assist with formatting and editing key documents such as TMDLs (water cleanup plans) nonpoint reporting documents planning and guidance documents rule-making documents and a variety of correspondence. You will help organize and schedule meetings and public hearings relating to new rules rule changes and plan and guidance updates.

You will also serve as the section expert in purchasing timekeeping and equipment collaboration with section leadership you will organize and facilitate office environment teambuilding activities shared-space usage document accessibility and you will help new employees learn internal administrative procedures and tools.

This is a great opportunity to use and grow your problem-solving organizational communication and teamwork skills while building or advancing a career in environmental protection. You will be joining a supportive team invested in your growth and success. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail will be crucial as you manage multiple tasks.

What you will do:

• Provide confidential administrative support to the Section Manager and staff. Maintain confidentiality of information and records with personally identifiable information and/or legal issues.
• Performs complex word processing tasks such as proofreading formatting and editing letters memos technical reports program publications position descriptions evaluations program policies and procedures. Ensure final letters and memos meet Accessibility minimum standards and comply with ADA requirements as applicable.
• Support the Section Manager with their schedule and electronic time-sensitive projects keeping the section manager informed of significant issues and status of projects.
• Support the section as the subject matter expert on timekeeping and leave in the Agencys electronic system including training new employees and troubleshooting challenges running reports and sending reminders.
• Coordinates purchases with headquarters purchasing coordinator and manages office space for the section.
• Assist the section with scheduling and organizing meetings trainings and public events. Assist subject matter experts with meeting packets brochures and signage and assists with sign-in/attendee lists.
• Cultivate excellent professional relationships with program administrative staff and leadership.

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 the following:

• Administrative Coordination Experience organizing schedules meetings and tasks to ensure managers and staff can operate efficiently meet deadlines and stay focused on core program work.
• Communication Experience writing editing and reviewing correspondence documents and reports following document accessibility and plain language requirements to provide clear correct communication.
• Records and Information Management Experience maintaining organizing and tracking records and files to meet requirements and support easy access to information.
• Technology Use Experience using Microsoft Office SharePoint and standard office tools to complete daily work accurately and efficiently.
• Prioritization and Independent Judgment Experience evaluating requests and setting priorities to ensure important work is completed on schedule.

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 (Associates degree).
• 1 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• No experience AND a Bachelors degree or above.

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.

Our Commitment to DEIR

Diversity Equity Inclusion and Respect (DEIR)are core values central to Ecologys 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 Ecologys 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 thatDEIRis 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.

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 or
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-.

Questions

• For specific questions about the position location options schedule or duties please contact Ben Rauat
• 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

About the Water QualityProgram
The mission of the Water Quality Program is to is to ensure that all aquatic life and communities in the watershed experience cool clean water to refresh and sustain us in a changing climate.

The Watershed Management Section is housed in Ecologys headquarters office. Our section is composed of three units including 28 staff that work on protecting water quality in the following areas:

• Surface and groundwater quality standards
• Statewide water quality assessment & the list of impaired waters
• Nonpoint pollution: agriculture and forestry
• Water cleanup plans
• Hydropower facility compliance with water quality standards
• Underground injection control program
• Water quality data management

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washingtons environmental protection agency we are deeply committed to protecting preserving and enhancing Washingtons 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 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 Leave11 Paid Holidays per yearPublic Service Loan ForgivenessTuition Waiver Long Term Disability&Life InsuranceDeferred Compensation ProgramsDependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA)Employee Assistance ProgramCommute Trip Reduction IncentivesCombined Fund DriveSmartHealth*Click here for more information

To learn more about Ecology please visit ourwebsite explore Working at Ecology check out ourStrategic Plan and connect with us onLinkedInFacebookInstagramYouTube or ourblog.

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.

#LI-DNI