Administrative Assistant

Salary: $32.83 - $40.92 Hourly
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Career Service - Full Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26-00952
Department: Human Services
Division: HS-Administration
Opening Date: 09/21/2026
Closing Date: 9/27/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Hybrid, 2-3 days remote based on business needs.
Some potential for evening work to support some Boards, Commissions, and events in the Director's schedule.

Special Note: This is a grant-funded position. Continued employment is contingent upon job performance/evaluation, continued funding of the program, and other appropriate County procedures.
Summary
Why It's a Great Opportunity:

Are you a highly skilled administrative professional looking to make a difference and help make the communities and lives of the people in Pierce County better? If you want a dynamic opportunity to help Pierce County Human Services meet its commitment to move Forward Together, this is the opportunity for you. As the primary administrative support for the Director and Deputy Directors of Human Services, you will be responsible for coordinating meetings and correspondence, preparing briefing information, and providing general administrative support. You will draft emails and letters on behalf of the Department and coordinate follow-up activities. This position requires a high level of confidentiality, professionalism, and strong project management skills.

As the Administrative Assistant, you coordinate hiring efforts, including organizing interview panels, scheduling interviews, managing applicant communication, and updating our applicant tracking system, NeoGov.

Why It's a Great Department:

Pierce County Human Services exists to ensure that every person in our community has the opportunity to live with dignity, stability, and hope. As the county's community and human services department, we strengthen the local safety net by investing in programs that support people at every stage of life-from early childhood and youth development to housing stability, behavioral health, disability support, and services for seniors, veterans, immigrants, and refugees. Working alongside nearly 170 community-based organizations, local governments, and nonprofit partners, we respond to both urgent needs and long-term challenges with compassion, accountability, and collaboration. Whether helping families stay housed, supporting recovery and wellness, connecting people to food and transportation, or expanding access to opportunity, our work is grounded in the belief that strong communities are built when people are seen, supported, and empowered. Together with our partners, we are committed to creating an inclusive, responsive system of care that helps Pierce County residents not just survive-but thrive.
Learn more about the Human Services Department here.
How to be Successful in the Role:

Throughout the onboarding process, you will meet with the Director team and the senior leadership. You will meet with your supervisor regularly to discuss expectations, set goals, identify priorities, and gain familiarity with current policies, procedures, and strategic goals. Pierce County offers professional development through robust online learning and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success.

Your Future in this Role:

This is an opportunity to expand your current skillset in a department with a vitally important public service mission. You will be part of a small and dedicated, close-knit staff, reporting to a supportive management team and working with some of the most uniquely skilled people in the community. As you develop in this role, you will have an opportunity to participate in various Pierce County training courses that will strengthen your skills to be both a stronger member of our team and a more valuable member of our great Pierce County communities.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Provide administrative services to the head of a department or upper management; make arrangements for meetings and notify conferees, maintain calendar, arrange for travel, transportation, and accommodation, answer questions on status of current projects, exercising discretion in the type of information given, make appointments, relay messages of confidential nature.
• Maintain and update appointments to appropriate Boards and Commissions. Handle related correspondence; compose letters and responses to correspondence and memoranda.
• May attend and prepare minutes of meetings
• Assist in the management of the office. Develop and recommend office policies and procedures. Implement changes subject to approval of supervisor.
• Represent supervisor or department at meetings; address administrative and policy matters, explain and interpret complex rules, policies and operating procedures. Provide information and advice concerning specialized or technical services rendered and related office functions, including response to difficult problems and questions raised by the public or by employees.
• Perform purchasing functions including recommending necessary purchases, contacting vendors and comparing prices on large-scale outlay items.

This announcement is not intended to reflect all duties to be performed by our next team member, but shall present a descriptive list of the range of duties that may be performed. To view the complete classification, click

Minimum Qualifications

• Additional education or experience may substitute for the recruiting requirements.
• A cover letter is required for this position. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
• Three or more years of progressively responsible clerical/administrative experience which includes experience directly related to the duties of the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Project Management experience.
• Prior experience providing administrative support to senior leadership or elected officials is highly desired.

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case basis and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Supplemental Information
How to Apply:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or visiting www.piercecountywa.gov/jobs.
• If you have questions about this opportunity, email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov and include the job number and title.
• Individuals who need accommodation in the application or interview process may contact Human Resources at (253) 798-7480 at least two days prior to the need.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship.

Our Recruitment Practices:

This is a competitive and meritorious selection process. Pierce County applications are reviewed by human hiring staff in accordance with the qualifications listed for the positionPierce County understands applicants may use AI tools when preparing application materials. We recognize these tools can make the process easier; however, we ask that everything you submit genuinely reflects your own experience, skills, knowledge, and writing style.
During the interview process, you may be asked to demonstrate your skills, including writing and subject knowledge, and to speak to your experience in your own voice. Applicants should be prepared to respond to interview questions without relying on AI-generated responses or reading prepared answers from a screen. Any misrepresentation may result in disqualification or separation.
Applicants whose qualifications most closely align with the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status typically occurs within two to three weeks after the closing date. Some applicants may receive short notice to participate in additional selection steps, which may include assessments, phone screens, or interviews.
Upon offer, compensation is based on a range of job-related factors, including the requirements of the role, your skills and experience, and internal pay equity.
Our Welcoming Workplace Commitment:

Pierce County is committed to fostering a Welcoming Workplace where employees are supported, respected, and able to thrive. We believe a strong public workforce is representative of the community it serves and that fair and just access to opportunity strengthens public service.
Guided by the County Executive's Forward Together mission, Pierce County works to build communities that are safe, welcoming, and connected. This same commitment shapes how we recruit, develop, and retain our employees. County employees make a direct and visible impact in the lives of residents every day, and we invite you to join us in helping keep Pierce County a place people are proud to call home.
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
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. Pierce County offers a competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and peace of mind. We are proud to offer Employee Resource Groups, a focus on professional development in our , and a County Book Club.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of and , , staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Our benefits:

Vacation (Annual Leave)
After approximately six months, employees receive six days of vacation leave.
Since we value your experience, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Vacation accrues on a bi-weekly basis for full-time employees as follows:

Vacation Accruals:
During years 1-3, 12 Days
During years 4-7, 16 Days
During years 8-13, 20 Days
During years 14-18, 23 Days
During years 19, 24 Days
During years 20, 25 Days
During years 21, 26 Days
During years 22, 27 Days
During years 23, 28 Days
During years 24, 29 Days
During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days

A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next.
Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.

Military Leave:
Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.

Holidays:
Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows:
New Year's Day - January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday - Third Monday in January
President's Day - Third Monday in February
Memorial Day - Last Monday in May
Juneteenth - June 19
Independence Day - July 4
Labor Day - First Monday in September
Veteran's Day - November 11
Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
Christmas Day - December 25

Personal Holidays:
Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued.

Furlough:
Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 "furlough" days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays.

Sick Leave:
Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month.

Insurance Benefits:
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan, which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care and dependent care expenses. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in supplemental life and long term disability insurance plans. To view premium rates, summary of benefit coverage, and other information, please visit the website.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation:
Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washington's Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment will be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a supplemental retirement savings program 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 Pierce County employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The county and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
ORCA Passport Program
Pierce County employees may participate in the County's ORCA (One Regional Card for All) Passport program.
Your Pierce County issued ORCA card is loaded with an annual Passport pass. The pass automatically renews every year. The pass will provide you with free transportation on regularly scheduled service on several public transit systems.

Miscellaneous Benefits:
Please visit website for more information.

Telework/Remote Options:
Some departments allow for telework or work-from-home options dependent on the body of work. Learn more about our telework policy
**All employees are required to be WA State residents after 30 days of employment.
01

Have you attached a cover letter? Failure to attach one will result in an incomplete application.

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• No

Required Question