Administrative Assistant 3
State of WashingtonDescription
- Apply early! The first review of applications is scheduled for November 26, 2025. In order to be considered, please submit your application on or before November 25, 2025. The agency reserves the right to make a hire any time after the initial screening date.
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 Employment Page.
The Opportunity:
The Washington State Department of Agriculture's Commodity Inspection Division provides unbiased third-party inspections for a wide variety of Washington State agricultural products and assists agricultural companies in the movement and exporting of their products. The division is made up of roughly 365 FTEs through four statewide programs: Fruit and Vegetable Inspection, Grain Inspection, Grain Warehouse Audit, and Seed Inspection and Certification.
The Commodity Inspection Division (CID) administration team provides high level customer service, financial and human resource action oversight and project management to the four programs within the division. Our team ensures agency and division policies, and procedures are implemented consistently and accurately. CID Administration oversees division-wide initiatives such as rulemaking and budget allotments.
This position reports to the Business Administration & Operations Manager and provides administrative support to all four programs in the Division.
Important Notes:WSDA is recruiting for a full-time Administrative Assistant 3 within the Commodity Inspection Division. This position is located in Olympia, Washington. 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: $47,100 - $61,644 annually. Duties
Some of the various responsibilities within this role:
- Receive, examine and process procurement requests for supplies and equipment for all programs within the Commodity Inspection Division.
- Serve as the primary liaison between programs and financial services regarding purchasing.
- Work with program staff to obtain payment approvals and ensures Financial Services response deadlines are met.
- Complete all required agency, state and federal purchasing process requirements for division purchases.
- Work with vendors and program staff to reconcile all purchases and resolves purchase errors or vendor errors.
- Communicate procedures and interpret and apply purchasing and procurement policies.
- Compile data regarding purchasing issues to proactively improve internal processes as needed.
- Track, audit and process mileage usage and travel vouchers.
- Track and complete necessary administrative forms for travel.
- Assist division staff with making travel arrangements.
- Provide administrative support for the Grain Program Manager.
- Schedule meetings and takes meeting notes.
- Oversee division inventory and the EAR process documentation.
Qualifications
Who should apply?
Professionals with:
Three (3) years of clerical, office or administrative experience.OR
An associate's degree in business administration, public administration or a closely related field may substitute for experience and one (1) year experience providing clerical, office or administrative support.AND
One (1) year of experience as an Administrative Assistant 2 or two (2) years as an Administrative Assistant 1.
In addition to the above qualifications, the following knowledge, skills, and abilities will make a candidate highly desirable:- Knowledge of state government organization and administrative procedures, federal and local government functions.
- Travel and Expense Management System (TEMS), Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) – the Expenditure Portal as well as the Accounts Receivable System Portal, and agency-designated software.
Supplemental Information
Employee Benefits
- 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.
- Designated positions may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
- 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:
· Current 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) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.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.
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 UsShould you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at Recruitment@agr.wa.gov. 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, click here.
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) 664-1960. 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.