EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT - ELECTED OFFICIAL

The salary for this position is: $5,413.00 - $7,217.00 monthly.

The Thurston County Auditor is seeking an Executive Assistant . This position serves the elected official on a confidential basis and provides executive-level support to an Elected Official. This person also serves as a liaison between the Elected Official, Constituent(s), Commissioner's Office, and County offices and departments researching and resolving issues brought to the attention of the Elected Official's office. Public relations is a major element in the performance of assigned duties. Contact is in the form of meetings, correspondence, and telecommunication with employees, managers, Federal, State, and local elected officials, and other individuals inside or outside the County. Communications require knowledge of the Elected Official's activities and the programs and services provided by the Auditor's Office. Exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills are essential in handling sensitive issues with constituents.

This is an appointed, "at-will" position and serves at the pleasure of the Elected Official.

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Personally or through their elected official, is privileged to confidential or other highly sensitive information to include: employee relations issues, union negotiations, official documents, etc. May maintain notes and records of meetings and prepares and/or edits official documents of the elected office.
• Serves as a member of the Auditor's Executive team for strategic planning, policies and procedures and other administrative duties.
• Responds to inquiries from the public or other agencies on behalf of and as directed by the Auditor. Acts as liaison between the Elected Official and constituents; keeps informed of the Auditor's activities and agendas; answers inquires and provides information; gathers information from County sources and responds as directed; arranges meetings between constituents and the Elected Official as required.
• Develops and conducts in-depth research regarding current issues. Collects and analyzes background data on pending issues as requested; prepares reports, charts graphs and spreadsheets as necessary. Prepares statistical and narrative reports on issues as assigned. May be called upon to conduct legislative and/or legal research to include testifying in front of committees, bill research, RCWs, WACs and county codes.
• Performs a variety of administrative activities, such as: prepares agendas, minutes, speeches, and information packets for a variety of meetings; provides clerical support for advisory boards, councils, or committees, arranging meetings, itineraries and calendars, and makes travel arrangements, maintains schedules. Compiles cost information and processes travel reimbursement payments. Opens, reviews and distributes mail for appropriate action.
• Acts as representative of the Elected Official on boards, committees, and before citizen groups as assigned, including public speaking; works with employees in County departments as required.
• Develops and maintains records and file management systems ensuring ease of future accessibility.
• As needed, provides back-up coverage to other administrative support functions.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Environment – Work is performed in a fast paced, professional office setting. Essential tasks require typing/keyboard skills, communication skills face to face, via phone and e-mail, and lifting items up to 50 lbs. Certain tasks may require long periods of sitting or standing.
• Schedule - Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Workload demands may require work on evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Travel Requirements - Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings, trainings, conferences, or other locations. Exposure to a variety of weather conditions may occur while driving or conducting site visits.
Customer Interactions - Daily interactions occur via phone and e-mail with the public.

WHO WE ARE:
The Thurston County Auditor is hardworking and motivated to excel in providing the highest quality customer service, effectively communicate, demonstrate stellar teamwork, and maintain high standards of integrity in everything we do.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values.

HAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
• Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family.
• Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays .
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA ) : Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
  

Why you’ll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer’s markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com.

Message to potential applicants: We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associates degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field; and four years of increasingly responsible office experience, preferably in a public organization. Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or other closely related field is preferred. Additional experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Ability to utilize a personal computer with applicable software to perform the essential job functions of the position, which includes, word processing, spreadsheet design and analysis, creation of presentations, research, database management, etc.
• Valid Washington State Driver's License.
Must pass background check.

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DESIRED SKILLS:

OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:
Questions about this recruitment? Please contact: Diana Benson, Chief Deputy Auditor 360.786.5588 or diana.benson@co.thurston.wa.us

This position is:

• At-will
• Not represented by a union
• Eligible for benefits
• May be eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

Items requested for consideration:

• Application
• Letter of Interest
Resume

Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time, will remain open until filled and may close at any time.

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at (360) 786-5498. Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay