Internship Remote Continuous Improvement Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $20.58 - $24.83 Hourly
Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA
Job Type: Internship
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-SWMA050-04113
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Division: Solid Waste Management
Opening Date: 05/21/2026
Closing Date: 5/28/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is hiring a Document Accessibility Coordinator (Administrative Intern 2)within the
This is a temporary position expected to last for six months.
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 one in-office day per week is required for meetings and trainings, with additional days as needed.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Duties
This internship position is part of an effort to clean up and update documents maintained by the Solid Waste Management Program. As the Document Accessibility Coordinator (Administrative Intern 2), you'll help ensure our information is organized, accessible, and easy for everyone to navigate. In this role, you will locate and inventory documents across digital platforms, assess files for retention and accessibility, and track progress as documents are updated or archived. You'll collaborate with staff to ensure documents meet agency standards and legal requirements, and work with teams across the agency to improve how we manage, share, and preserve information.
This internship offers meaningful on-the-job learning opportunities in document accessibility, information management, and state government operations. You'll gain insight into current and past projects and campaigns within Ecology's Solid Waste Program and learn how a state agency functions behind the scenes. It's a great way to get hands-on experience in state government, especially if you're interested in environmental science, policy, or public administration. If you're detail-oriented and want your work to make a real impact supporting transparency, efficiency, and inclusive public access to information, we'd love to have you on our team.
What you will do:

• Locate, organize, and track files across cloud platforms using established file management practices.
• Perform accessibility reviews using agency-approved software and checklists to identify documents that need updates to meet standards.
• Identify outdated, duplicate, or misplaced files and flag them for retention or removal decisions.
• Maintain accurate spreadsheets and logs to track files and prepare summaries and written updates.
• Communicate with staff to confirm file ownership, resolve document questions, and ensure materials meet established standards.
• Participate in trainings, workshops, meetings, and events to support increased awareness and professional development.

Qualifications
For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our
Required Qualifications:
Four (4) years of experience and/or education in public policy, environmental science, environmental policy, communications, informatics, statistics, economics, or a related field, which includes the following:

• Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely.
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with others to develop and align content across various platforms.
• Adaptability & Growth: Ability to adjust to changing priorities, identify potential bottlenecks, and suggest practical solutions to keep projects moving forward. Ability and willingness to learn new skills, tools, and processes and share ideas that support continuous improvement.
• Attention to Detail: Ability to follow procedures, naming conventions, and accuracy standards to ensure documents are correctly organized, labeled, and prepared for review.

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 year of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• No experience AND a Bachelor's degree or higher.

Desired Qualifications:

• Familiarity with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Strong command of editorial, grammatical, and writing skills, and the ability to edit and produce technical materials.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and Adobe Acrobat Pro and Creative Cloud.
• Familiarity with managing database information.

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 .
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 this internship and how it will support your professional growth
• 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 Jill Krumlauf 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 Solid Waste Management Program
The mission of the Solid Waste Management Program is to reduce wastes through prevention and reuse, keep toxics out of the environment, and safely manage what remains.
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 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.
Ecology employees may be eligible for the following: Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), , 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 , 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.
#LI-Hybrid
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of...