Description

About WSDOT
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is the steward of an integrated, multimodal transportation system that helps to ensure people and goods move safely and efficiently throughout the state. In addition to building, maintaining, and operating the state highway system, WSDOT operates the largest ferry system in the nation, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and recently completed the world's widest tunneling project.

The Opportunity
WSDOT is currently seeking a highly motivated and professional Executive Assistant in Olympia, WA. This position is responsible for the effective and efficient administrative operations and functions with the Office of Equity & Civil Rights (OECR). The Executive Assistant supports the Senior Director of Transportation Equity and Deputy Director of OECR in implementation and monitoring of a wide variety of programs including Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), Minority, Small, Veteran and Women’s Business Enterprises Programs (M/S/V/WBE), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and many others. The top candidate is expected to maintain strict confidentiality and provide guidance on WSDOT administrative policy; assist with prioritization of the Directors of OECR; coordinate office travel and budget; and provide guidance and support to other OECR administrative staff. This position requires the incumbent to use independent judgment in a high-pressure environment to manage the day-to-day administrative operations of the OECR Division. The incumbent will operate at the highest level of independence and requires an equally high level of knowledge, ethical and professional behavior, and achievement of performance goals.

What to Expect
This position plans and coordinates various community events and meetings. Therefore, there may be occasional travel that requires overnight stays.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you/the Executive Assistant will:

• 
  Perform varied administrative tasks, make decisions, and take action for the Senior Director of Transportation Equity on administrative office matters.
• Manage the Directors’ calendars, schedule complex appointments, prepare agendas, assist with meeting materials and speaking engagements, and arrange travel.
• Serve as the primary liaison for the Director with agency and division staff, other state agency colleagues, the Legislature, Federal Highway Administration, the management team and staff, and the public.
• Develop and understand material of a complex nature and disseminate to appropriate stakeholders and staff.
• Be responsible for confidential and time-sensitive material in an environment where professionalism, efficiency and communication skills are of high importance.
• Compose, edit, and proofread letters, emails, and memoranda using excellent communication and written skills with proper correspondence guidelines for the agency.
• Review, audit, and approve expenditure and requisitions for accuracy.
• Develop and maintain processes and procedures for OECR.
• Serve as the out-of-state coordinator including preparing the annual out-of-state travel budget and tracking trips for OECR and the agency travel report.

Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:

• High school degree or equivalent
• Five (5) years of demonstrated progressive experience as an Administrative Assistant or equivalent experience of providing professional-level administrative support to senior level manager(s).
• Demonstrated computer skills, including functioning at an advanced level with Microsoft Office products - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and high level of comfort working with various virtual meeting platforms including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Skype (or equivalent) for teleworking and hybrid office meetings.
• Demonstrated high level of ethical standards and integrity, and consistently use independent judgment.
• Demonstrated skill in being self-directed and able to work remotely; willingness to take initiative and exhibit consistently good judgement.
• Ability to communicate effectively and facilitate collaboration with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Experience in responding to complex, highly sensitive issues.
• Exceptional critical thinking skills and ability to generate innovative solutions.
• Exceptional communication skills in writing and orally.
• Proven ability to make decisions and act on behalf of the Director (or equivalent) regarding administrative matters.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Associate degree or higher
• Bilingual
• Professional experience working with diverse stakeholders

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code.
• Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 357-16-197 mandates that all employees who work for executive cabinet agencies (which includes the Department of Transportation) must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Compliance with this mandate is a condition of employment with WSDOT. Exemption may be granted for religious or medical purposes; however, accommodations will be subject to approval based on the essential functions required of the position.
• WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov

Why WSDOT

• Work-Life Balance – We offer flexible work schedules that allow you time for your life outside of this excellent opportunity.
• Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees can earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year!
• Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
• Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information.

Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT?

How to Apply
Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.
In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:

• An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.

Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in, or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.

WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter.

WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov

Contact us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, O. Dietrich, at DietriO@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 23DOT-HQ-0E231 in the subject line.