Administrative Assistant 2

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

Job Title: Administrative Assistant 2
Location: Castle Rock, WA
Closes: January 4th, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST.

Position Status: This is a permanent position.

About the position:
Under general supervision, this position provides support and oversight of daily administrative operations of the Upper Cowlitz Park area, supportive services to staff with the Park Area, and is the principle administrative assistant to the Park Area Manager. This position is the expert in the areas of customer service, financial compliance and oversight, administrative management, and is the point of contact for coordinating efforts with the park with region and headquarters staff. This position also has delegated authority to act for the Area Manager within defined program areas.

This position is not eligible to telework, as physical on-site presence is required to perform essential functions.

Our ideal candidate will have a passion for excellence and teamwork. We are looking for someone with proven initiative, a positive attitude, and who is self-motivated. You will be joining an established team of park professionals that includes Rangers, Interpreters and Maintenance staff. Working in the 'Gateway to Mount St Helens' means visitors from all around the world come to check us out. The position is located at the Mount St Helens Visitor Center however the teammate will spend time at each park in the Area supporting staff and customer service. Ike Kinswa and Lewis and Clark State Parks are in Lewis County and Seaquest State Park, and the Mount St Helens Visitor Center are in Cowlitz County.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assists with managing Area Managers calendar as well as maintenance of other calendars and scheduling of routine park activities and functions.
• Assists manager with the development and monitoring of budget information by evaluating budget reports and providing information; provides budget detail to area staff.
• Assists with confidential correspondence and sensitive paperwork.
• Functions as the hub for administrative communication for the area during regular business hours ensuring that mail and email are processed, phones are answered, and other inquiries are responded to.
• Independently operates Parks vehicles to carry out job duties.
• Assist the manager with the development and monitoring of budget information.
• Responsible for providing, managing, and coordinating customer service for the Park area and acts as the customer service manager and is the office interface with the public.
• Responsible for providing, managing, and coordinating customer service for the Park area.
• Responsible for scheduling and training staff in use of the reservation system (CAMIS) and resolving CAMIS problems, use of proper shift controls, and reconciliation of fiscal information within the system.
• Serves as the point of contact with headquarters and region staff.
• Responsible for day-to-day administrative operations for the Park area in the areas of Human Resources, Payroll, IT Services, Operations staff, etc. coordinating processes, resolving issues, and fulfilling Park area needs.
• Acts as the purchasing expert for the Park area in ordering, processing purchasing payments, and resolving purchasing and procurement issues.
• Responsible for inventory management to include routine ordering of supplies, equipment, retail merchandise, and park publications.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Option 1:

• Four (4) years of responsible office experience at the senior clerical level and a valid unrestricted (except for corrective lenses) driver's license and proficiencyusing Microsoft Office to include Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Option 2:

• Associate degree and two (2) years of responsible office experience at the senior clerical level or higher and a valid unrestricted (except for corrective lenses) driver's license and proficiency using Microsoft Office to include Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Option 3:

• A combination of education and responsible office experience at the senior clerical level or higher that equals up to four (4) years and a valid unrestricted (except for corrective lenses) driver's license and proficiency using Microsoft Office to include Word, Excel, and Outlook

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of state government, rules, and regulations.
• Work experience involving responsibility for financial data which requires mathematical calculations.
• Work experience providing direct customer service.
• Knowledge of State Parks' rules and regulations.

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to work independently while using good judgement and problem-solving skills in decision making.
• Promotes cooperation and an eagerness and capacity to learn new skills.
• Self-starter who can see a project through to completion.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

CORE COMPETENCIES:
Administrative Management & Organization:

• Ability to manage daily operations, maintain calendars, schedule activities, ensure records retention compliance,
• Functions as the "hub for administrative communication." This requires superior organizational skills to keep the area running smoothly.

Financial Acumen & Compliance:

• Responsibility for "revenue and expenditure processing and oversight," budget monitoring, grants management, purchasing, and managing the purchase card program.
• Strict adherence to financial policies (e.g., Agency Revenue Manual) is crucial.

Problem-Solving & Decision Making:

• Ability to apply policy and past practices to "resolve customer problems or complaints", troubleshoot IT/CAMIS issues, develop solutions for smooth operations, and act for the manager in their absence to respond to non-routine decisions.

Technical Proficiency (Systems & Software):

• Requires specific knowledge of the reservation system (CAMIS), web page maintenance, general computer hardware/software support, and using agency vehicles.

Interpersonal & Team Support:

• Serves as the main point of contact for headquarters and region staff (HR, Payroll, IT).
• Provides supportive services, training, and coordination to area staff.
• The ability to collaborate and communicate is vital.

The ability to take action to learn and grow:

• Identifying and innovating opportunities and solutions.
• Learning to navigate systems, processes, tools, and technology
• Taking responsibility for learning and adapting, rather than relying on others to fill gaps.

The ability to take action to meet the needs of others:

• Adapting communication and approaches to different communities and individuals.
• Collaborating with others to overcome challenges and find solutions.
• Welcoming and valuing different identities and perspectives.

Requirements:
Uniform information: All Administrative Assistants are required to wear a uniform. A complete and properly worn uniform helps establish the professional identity of an Administrative Assistant and promotes respect as a Washington State Parks employee. Administrative Assistants will receive 4 shirts within the first year (2 shirts per calendar year after the first year), 1 baseball cap every year, and 1 jacket every 5 years.

Working Conditions: Position works five days a week Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and generally, must be available during regular business hours. This position serves all Parks within the park area which may require driving to multiple locations, ferry and/or boat travel. The majority of work is performed in an office setting utilizing standard office tools and equipment such as computers, phone, fax machine, copy machine, etc.; occasional overnight travel may be necessary to attend off-site meetings or training. This position may require sitting or standing for long periods of time and will have frequent contact with internal and external staff and customers.

How to apply:
Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification. To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references. It is highly encouraged to attach:

• A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
• Current resume

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
• Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in
• For more information on Veteran's Preference and instructions on how to check your eligibility, click here.

About Parks:
Want to join a great organization? The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages one of the largest, most diverse-and most beautiful—parks systems in the country. With more than 120,000 acres, the system includes 124 developed parks, including 19 marine parks, 11 historical parks, 35 heritage sites, 13 interpretive centers and approximately 500 miles of long-distance recreation trails. Parks is staffed with nearly 1,000 employees (summers), who are some of the most passionate employees you'll find anywhere. For more information on Washington State Parks, click here.

Note: This position is covered by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). Once the listed position(s) is(are) filled, this recruitment announcement may also be used to fill additional position(s) for up to sixty (60) days.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment.

Diversity Policy Statement:

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to build a workplace culture that is welcoming and inclusive in which all employees feel respected and empowered to bring their unique ideas to the agency. At State Parks, we believe that embracing diverse backgrounds and experiences is essential to growing a strong workforce. We encourage applicants underrepresented in natural resources and outdoor recreation fields to apply, including but not limited to women, Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), individuals with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, persons over 40 years of age, and individuals who identify as a part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the human resources office at Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or

For information about the recruitment process and qualifications, please contact Jenee Kramer at

For information about this position, please contact Mischa Cowles at

All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

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