Confidential Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $86,712.00 - $96,347.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-EXEC5407-04411
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Division: Executive
Opening Date: 05/29/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is hiring a Confidential Secretarywithin the Executive Leadership Team
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 four days per week is required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by June 11, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties
As the Confidential Secretary to the Deputy Director of Policy and Operations, you will manage the daily operations, coordinate strategic and administrative activities across the Executive Leadership Team, and serve as a primary liaison for internal and external business partners. You will ensure the Deputy Director is well-prepared, well-briefed, and supported in achieving the agency's policy and operational priorities.
You will also provide back-up support to the Director, Deputy Director for Environmental Programs, and other managers whose work intersects with this office. This role is central to ensuring the smooth functioning of high-level decision-making and agency operations.
Why You'll Love This Role
This is a unique opportunity to contribute directly to Ecology's mission by supporting some of the agency's highest-impact work. In this role, you will:

• Work closely with executive leadership and observe firsthand how environmental policy, operations, and decision-making come together.
• Build strong relationships across the agency and with partner organizations.
• Make a meaningful difference by helping people stay connected, informed, and supported.
• Improve systems and processes that strengthen how the agency functions.
• Enjoy a role where every day is different, and where your ideas, organization, and judgment truly matter.
• Join a supportive culture that values collaboration, inclusion, and professional growth.

If you enjoy helping others succeed, bringing calm and clarity to complex situations, and being the person everyone trusts to get things done, this position offers a rewarding and purpose-driven career path.
Who We Are Looking For
The ideal candidate is a proactive relationship-builder, an exceptional communicator, and an expert at managing complex and dynamic work in a fast-paced environment. This position requires exceptional judgment, attention to detail, professionalism, tact, and the ability to maintain confidentiality at all times. If that sounds like you, apply to join the team today!
Key Responsibilities:
Executive Support

• Manage the Deputy Director's schedule, travel, meetings, and correspondence.
• Prioritize requests for the Deputy Director's time and ensure the right information is available for decisions and meetings.
• Prepare and review correspondence and documents for accuracy and completeness.
• Maintain confidentiality and keep the Deputy Director informed of important matters.

Coordination and Communication

• Serve as a liaison for employees, regional offices, program staff, partner agencies, and business partners.
• Help organize briefing materials and gather background information for upcoming work.
• Support coordination of policy, rulemaking, and agency-wide initiatives.

Administrative Processes

• Support procurement, contracting, travel, and Human Resources paperwork processes, ensuring correct routing and documentation.
• Assist with onboarding improvements and administrative coordination across the agency.
• Help develop and manage annual out-of-state travel plans.

Legislative and Rules Support

• Work with the Government Relations Office and regional staff during legislative session.
• Support Public Disclosure Commission reporting reminders and compliance.
• Assist Rules staff with scheduling and preparation of rulemaking materials.

Administrative Leadership Support

• Collaborate with the Senior Administrative Leadership Team (SALT) to standardize processes and strengthen administrative networks.
• Assist with planning and hosting agency-wide administrative trainings and events.

SharePoint Management

• Manage the Deputy Director's SharePoint sites, including permissions, structure, and content updates.
• Support records management, version control, and content lifecycle needs.

Qualifications
For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our
Required Qualifications:

• Seven years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:
  • Confidentiality and Informed Decision-Making- Proven track record safeguarding sensitive and confidential information using sound judgment to support timely and appropriate management decisions.
  • Relationship Building and Collaboration - Demonstrated ability to develop strong relationships and work collaboratively across teams to support the Deputy Director's priorities.
  • Clear and Respectful Communication - Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and respectfully to ensure effective interactions with internal and external business partners.
  • Executive Support, Time, and Priority Management - Demonstrated experience managing complex schedules, coordinating information flow, and serving as a key liaison on behalf of the Deputy Director. Effectively and proactively organizes, prioritizes, and responds to multiple requests in a fast-paced environment to ensure timely decision-making and support of executive operations.
  • Executive Calendar and Schedule Management - Demonstrated track record managing and optimizing the Deputy Director's calendar using Microsoft Outlook and Teams to ensure efficient scheduling, effective meeting management, working to foresee and minimize conflicts with time sensitive, complex, and competing priorities.
  • Advanced Outlook Optimization - Ability to use Outlook features beyond basic scheduling-such as rule creation, delegated mailbox management, or schedule analytics-to support executive workload forecasting.
  • Document and Correspondence Management - Demonstrated experience creating, reviewing, and editing management-level correspondence (including presentation development) for Deputy Director approval.
  • Procurement, Contract, Travel, and HR Process Coordination - Proven track record navigating procurement, contracting, travel authorization, and HR workflows to ensure documents move through required approvals accurately and efficiently.
  • Information Gathering and Synthesis - Demonstrated ability to collect, evaluate, and summarize key information to support Deputy Director briefings and responses, while ensuring completeness and accuracy.
  • SharePoint Site Management- Demonstrated experience designing, updating, and managing SharePoint pages to support effective content management and secure information sharing.
• Education involving a major study in business administration, public administration or closely allied field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 7 years of experience.
• 6 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 5 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate's degree).
• 4 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 3 years of experience AND a Bachelor's degree or higher.

Desired Qualifications:

• Government Organization and Administrative Procedures - Experience and in-depth knowledge of government organization and administrative procedures, including signature and approval processes for executive level authority.
• Event Facilitation - Ability to support the moderation or facilitation of workshops, conferences, or administrative events to maintain engagement and productivity.
• Advanced SharePoint Development - Ability to create workflows, automate tasks, or build more complex site functionalities to streamline administrative operations.
• Intercultural Communication - Ability to work effectively with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds to enhance inclusivity in agency interactions.
• Process Improvement and Risk Awareness- Ability to identify workflow gaps and recommend improvements to reduce risk and create more efficient, consistent administrative processes across the agency.
• Change Management Awareness - Ability to support teams through process or system changes to help maintain continuity and reduce disruption.

If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.
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 .
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 DEIRis 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
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
• 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 Jake Barkman at
• 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 curre...