Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work. We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes. We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

This job is a commitment to reshape systems so they work better for everyone. If you’re ready to challenge the status quo and build meaningful connections, we want to meet you.

The Agency Operations Administration houses the Compliance and Contracts, Financial Services, and Human Resources Divisions. The Agency Operations Administration is responsible for long term agency strategic planning, financial oversight, Internal Audit Support, agency compliance, and general offices services via the assigned divisions.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), this position serves as the principal assistant to the COO and provides complex administrative and technical support ensuring daily operations run efficiently and effectively.

Required Position Qualifications:
Five (5) years of combined experience and/or education as described below:
Experience in four or more of the following areas or work related to the position:
• Drafting, editing, and finalizing executive correspondence
• Coordinating strategic calendar management and business operations for leadership positions
• Arranging travel logistics for executives and teams, including flights, accommodations and itineraries
• Providing complex, high-level support to one or more senior leadership positions
• Working with contracts, budgets, and fiscal management
• Project management and coordinating team-based activities

Education involves business administration, political science, public administration/policy or related field.
Qualifying education post High School or equivalent may be substituted year for year for experience.

Examples of how to qualify:
• 5 years of experience
• 4 years of experience and one year of education
• 3 years of experience and two years of education
• 2 years of experience and three years of education
• 1 year of experience and four years of education

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
• Experience in and/or familiarity with state government and state agency operations
• Familiarity with the Washington State legislature/understanding of Washington State legislative processes

Required Position Competencies:
• Advanced skill level in the Microsoft Office suite of products including OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to coordinate with internal and external stakeholders on a variety of issues
• Ability to meet multiple deadlines with competing priorities
• Demonstrated ability to work independently on multiple projects with little to no direction
• Maintain confidentiality on sensitive matters
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently during times of stress
• Ability to solve problems effectively and accurately independently

• A complete and detailed online application.
• A cover letter (enter online).
• At least three professional references (enter online).

This position must be based in the Seattle or Olympia offices though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.

Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at careershelp@des.wa.gov.

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity
The Washington State Department of Commerce 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 or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at Human.Resources@commerce.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Department of Commerce also offers a competitive benefits package including: medical and dental insurance benefits, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays each year, 14-25 vacation days per year (depending on length of employment), 8 hours of sick leave per month (if full time employed), bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, as well as other benefits. Please see the Benefits Tab for more details.