Administrative Assistant

Pierce-County-Washington; Tacoma (WA); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Pierce County Human Services is hiring an Administrative Assistant to support the Director and Deputy Directors. You will coordinate meetings, manage correspondence, and ensure confidential handling of information.

The role requires discretion, professionalism, and strong project management skills. You will also oversee hiring processes, including interview panels and applicant communications, using NeoGov, and provide essential administrative services across the department.

Qualifications

• Three or more years of progressively responsible clerical/administrative experience directly related to the duties of the position.
• Cover letter is required for this position.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) is expected.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative services to the head of department or upper management; coordinate meetings, maintain calendar, arrange travel and accommodations, and relay confidential information.
• Maintain and update appointments for Boards and Commissions; draft correspondence and responses.
• May attend and prepare meeting minutes and assist in office management; develop and recommend office policies.
• Represent supervisor at meetings; provide information and guidance on policies and procedures.
• Perform purchasing functions, contact vendors, and compare prices for large-scale outlays.

Skills

MS Office Suite

Project management

Senior leadership support

Tools

NeoGov

Job 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.

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 here.

• 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.

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 position. Pierce 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.