Salary: $19.64 - $26.10 Hourly Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA Job Type: Part Time - Non-Permanent Job Number: 2025-04953 Department: Dept. of Agriculture Division: Director's Office - Administration Opening Date: 07/22/2025 Closing Date: Continuous Description AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities - from ensuring food safety to environmental protection - touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad. The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our The Opportunity This position is the main receptionist for the Department of Agriculture and provides office support to the Director's Office and Agency Operations (Human Resources, Information Technology, Financial Services and other supporting programs). The agency receptionist is the initial contact for the public; the position receives frequent requests for information and assistance in person and by telephone and must ensure that customers are assisted in a professional, courteous, and timely manner. Primary duties include answering a multi-line phone and directing customers/visitors to the appropriate person, ensuring visitors are in compliance with agency security procedures. Important Notes WSDA is recruiting for a part-time non-permanent Office Assistant 3 position within the Directors Office Division for a 6-month appointment. This position is located in Olympia, Washington. Typical hours are 12:15 pm - 5:15 pm. This is a non-represented position. The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary for this position is: $19.64 - $25.45 hourly. Duties Some of the various responsibilities within this role:
- Respond to general inquiries from the public and agency staff, both in person and over the phone, regarding agency programs, issues, and functions. This involves following security procedures and sometimes dealing with difficult clients.
- Ensure agency visitors follow agency security procedures by signing-in upon entering the building. Maintain log sheets for visitors for security issues and contacts agency staff with whom the visitor is meeting.
- Demonstrate sound judgment in representing the agency to a wide variety of stakeholders.
- Coordinate the pick-up and delivery of express mail services (FedEx, UPS, etc.)
- Assist with other related clerical duties such as photocopying, faxing and filing.
- Maintain agency phone contact list; work with IT staff to regularly compare IT user reports to list of active current agency employees.
- Monitor incoming fax for Director's Office and Agency Operations staff and sending the fax via email to appropriate staff.
- Receive payments with a staff witness when visitors pay for WSDA services. Process checks received from private couriers with a staff witness and deliver the checks and transmittal form to Cashier Lead in Financial Services.
- Assist HR staff in administering a variety of human resource tasks while maintaining confidentiality to include filing of personnel paperwork, preparing confidential correspondence for mailing, creating, and maintaining personnel and position files, preparing new employee packets, tracking of employee anniversary dates for service certificates and pins, and working with the Governor's office to obtain retirement letters for employees.
- Assist Financial Services with various tasks such as affixing receipt stickers, preparing refund checks for mailing, and scanning federal grant documentation.
- Assist Information Technology with various tasks such as compiling reports of users, as well as database updates.
- Provide backup support for the Executive Office. This may include scheduling meetings and conference rooms; assist with travel arrangements and processing reimbursements for travel, preparing correspondence for mailing, ordering supplies, assisting the agency graphic designer with reconciling print orders and invoices, updating form and publication lists in excel, preparing purchase orders, and some ordering of standard print items such as business cards, envelopes, and letterhead.
- Must be able to track and organize project work and coordinate with another part-time receptionist.
QualificationsWho should apply? Professionals with:
- High School Diploma or GED.
- At least one (1) year clerical experience, including providing reception services (answering multi-line phones and directing visitors).
- Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office application, and other software as installed.
- Proficiency in time management and managing multiple activities.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills necessary to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Ability to effectively interact with diverse individuals and colleagues in a sensitive, respectful, and courteous manner.
- Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects with competing deadlines in a dynamic work environment and strong organizational skills.
- Maintains the highest standards of personal/professional and ethical conduct and support the agency's goals for a diverse workforce.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment in making decisions and completing tasks.
Preferred/Desired:
- Candidates must be able to acquire and maintain a valid Washington State Driver's License to travel independently in an official capacity.
Supplemental Information Employee Benefits
- A healthy work/life balance.
- WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.
- 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
- All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
How to apply: You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position: • A resume detailing experience and education • A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position • Three professional references By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. Applications with comments see attachments will be considered incomplete. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) ###-#### or email The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state's on-line recruitment system. WSDA uses a I-9 form to determine Employment Eligibility and Verification, once hired. This document is the authorization of an individual's ability to be hired for employment within the United States. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States. Equity at WSDA The Department of Agriculture recognizes, appreciates, supports, embraces, and respects all cultural identities and backgrounds while we collaborate in authentic ways. We hire amazing people that share in the commitment to our Pro-Equity Anti-Racist (PEAR) strategic plan, our Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act implementation plan, and our unique needs and desires for belonging, respect, and inclusion. We value the growth and development of our team members by providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for continuous learning, improvement, and advancement. We strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a productive and dedicated workforce that reflects the communities we serve while we are committed to a workplace that celebrates our differences and supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Contact Us Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position. The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months. Veteran's Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) ###-####. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service. For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov. 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 pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options. Social Security All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system. Public Service Loan Forgiveness If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Holidays Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year. Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information. Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday. Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave. Sick Leave Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday. Vacation (Annual Leave) Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave. Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday. As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165. Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave. Military Leave Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year. Bereavement Leave Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave. Additional Leave Leave Sharing Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Leave Without Pay Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits. Updated 07-21-2025 01 Please let us know where you learned about this job opportunity. 02 To be considered for this position you must attach a resume, cover letter and three professional references. Have you included or attached the required documents to your application?
03 Do you have a high school diploma or GED equivalent?
04 Do you possess at least one (1) year of clerical experience, including providing reception services (answering multi-line phone and directing visitors)?
05 Which Microsoft Office applications do you have demonstrated proficiency in (select all that apply):
- Microsoft Word
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- Outlook
- Microsoft Teams
- None of the above
06 The incumbent must be able to effectively interact with diverse individuals and colleagues in a sensitive, respectful, and courteous manner. Are you able to meet these requirements?
07 Do you possess demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects in a timely manner with competing deadlines while in a dynamic work environment?
08 If you answered yes to the question above, briefly describe what projects you've acquired and the organizational techniques you may have used, and whether your work environment played a role in meeting your deadline. If you do not have this experience, please enter N/A in the box below. 09 The incumbent must maintain the highest standards of personal/professional, and ethical conduct, and support the agency's goal for a diverse workforce. Are you able to meet these requirements?
10 The incumbent must possess outstanding interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal) necessary to establish and maintain effective working relationships. Are you able to meet these requirements?
Required Question