Technology and Operations Section Receptionist (Administrative Assistant 1)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Technology and Operations Section Receptionist (Administrative Assistant 1) within the Nuclear Waste Program.

Location:

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

Schedule: This position is required to work in the office Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and is not eligible for telework.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by December 16, 2025
• 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

As the Technology and Operations Section Receptionist, you will be the welcoming first point of contact at Ecology's Richland Field Office, providing professional, friendly, and responsive customer service to staff, external partners, and the public. You'll also provide essential organizational support, including administrative duties, managing calendars, scheduling meetings, coordinating travel, assisting with recruitment and hiring processes, and more. This role is exciting and unique, as it combines these traditional administrative office duties with several other customer service-related responsibilities, including serving as the program’s purchasing coordinator and timekeeper, maintaining supply room inventory and tidiness, acting as the primary contact for reserving conference rooms, and overseeing the program’s Business Travel Account log.

What you will do:

• Perform front-desk and reception duties for the Nuclear Waste Program in-person at the Richland Field Office, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Provide administrative support to the Technology and Operations section, including scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, taking notes, assisting with travel logistics, formatting and finalizing the section’s monthly report, etc.
• Perform purchasing duties for the program.
• Ensure all visitors sign in to the Visitor Log.
• Receive, process, and distribute incoming mail. 
• Participate as a member of the Administrative Support Team, assisting with team projects and assignments.
• Provide backup assistance to the program’s fleet coordinator.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Two (2) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience: in clerical, secretarial, bookkeeping, accounting, or general administrative office work.
• Education: a high school diploma or equivalent, or college credits toward a degree in business administration, public administration, or closely allied field.

Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Microsoft Office Proficiency – Skilled in using Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.

• Interpersonal and Communication Skills – Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, collaborate effectively with colleagues, and proofread, edit, and format documents for accuracy and clarity.

• Organizational and Customer Service Skills – Ability to manage multiple tasks in a front desk environment, greet and assist visitors in person, by phone, and in writing, respond professionally to internal and external customer inquiries, and ensure accuracy and attention to detail. 

Examples of how to qualify:

• 2 years of experience AND a high school diploma or equivalent.
• 1 year of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• No experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree) or higher.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license for the operation of state vehicles.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in an office setting providing direct administrative support to managers and staff.

• Experience formatting and editing documents, applying proper grammar, punctuation, and clear professional writing standards while ensuring accessibility.  

• Experience using Microsoft SharePoint.

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.

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 Christy Caldwell at Christy.Caldwell@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 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.

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.

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.

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 (Download PDF reader), 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.

Ecology Job Opportunities | Careers at Ecology