SWRO Receptionist (Customer Service Specialist 2)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a SWRO Receptionist (Customer Service Specialist 2) within the Southwest Region Office (SWRO).

Location: 

• Southwest Region Office in Lacey, WA.

• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule: 

• This position is required to work in the Lacey office Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Upon satisfactory completion of the probationary period and with supervisor approval, you may be eligible to telework one to two days per week.

• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by July 9, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties

In this role, you will serve as the primary point of contact for the Southwest Region Office, providing friendly, professional, and uninterrupted front desk and phone coverage during business hours. You will ensure high-quality customer service by managing incoming calls, visitors, and inquiries across multiple communication platforms and by helping customers connect quickly with the right staff or program. You will help keep daily operations running smoothly by coordinating reception coverage, assisting with shared office resources, and helping uphold emergency communication protocols. This work directly supports Ecology’s mission by strengthening how the region responds to community needs and maintains efficient internal operations.

You will also provide essential administrative support to regional staff through scheduling, document preparation, data compilation, and maintaining accurate records. As the region’s SharePoint site owner, you will facilitate communication and information flow while contributing to regional events, meetings, and planning efforts. In this role, you’ll have opportunities to collaborate with programs across the agency, build expertise in environmental programs and reporting systems, and contribute to long-term projects in records management and safety coordination. With responsibilities spanning customer service, operational logistics, and cross-agency teamwork, this position is ideal for someone who enjoys continuous learning and making a meaningful impact on organizational effectiveness. Overall, you will play a key role in ensuring an organized, responsive, and customer-focused experience for both the public and staff.

What you will do: 

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the Southwest Region Office during business hours Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., providing welcoming, professional, and knowledgeable assistance by actively listening, gathering complete information, assessing urgency, documenting concerns, and connecting internal and external customers with the appropriate Ecology programs, staff, or resources.
• Maintain consistent, reliable front desk and phone coverage by coordinating backup coverage, managing call routing, and supporting after-hours transitions to ensure continuous accessibility.
• Deliver timely, accurate customer assistance across all communication channels by answering calls promptly, providing courteous support to visitors, coordinating with Environmental Report Tracking System (ERTS) Coordinator on environmental spill reports and concerns, and managing multiple interactions with professionalism.
• Facilitate efficient daily operations by using Microsoft 365 tools to access information, prepare customer-focused documents, schedule meetings and conference rooms, and assist with forms, materials, and procedural guidance.
• Ensure timely information flow by accurately processing mail, packages, faxes, and payments; distributing materials promptly; and applying judgment to prioritize time-sensitive communications.
• Maintain organized, accessible records and workspaces by managing electronic and paper files, assisting with troubleshooting equipment, preparing documents, and helping staff locate information quickly.
• Contribute to consistent, high-quality customer service across the region by supporting leadership with contact updates, SharePoint site management, staff information accuracy, and administrative projects that strengthen communication and service delivery.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Four (4) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, such as providing assistance to customers regarding inquiries, complaints, or problems, which includes the following:

• Customer Service - Ability to assess and respond to customer needs to provide accurate, professional, and effective guidance that ensures positive interactions with the public, staff, and partner agencies.

• Communication - Ability to convey and clarify information to ensure messages are accurately relayed, inquiries are addressed promptly, and staff are informed for seamless service delivery.

• Administrative and Technical Support - Ability to manage documents, records, and information systems to maintain accuracy, accessibility, and operational efficiency in support of agency goals.

• Organizational and Time Management - Ability to prioritize tasks and manage competing demands to meet deadlines and maintain accuracy, ensuring smooth and efficient front-desk and office operations.

• Collaboration and Cross-Functional Support - Ability to coordinate and support multiple teams and functions to enhance overall team performance, anticipate operational needs, and maintain reliable coverage across reception, ERTS, fleet, and administrative services.

• Information Gathering - Ability to collect and accurately record detailed information from customers or staff and synthesize and transfer it to the appropriate staff or database to ensure timely and accurate follow-up.

• Microsoft Software - Ability to use Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and related technologies to create, track, and manage documents, communications, and data efficiently, while quickly learning new tools and systems to support operational needs.

Education: college-level coursework

Examples of how to qualify:

• 4 years of experience.

• 3 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.

• 2 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).

• 1 year of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher.

Desired Qualifications:

• Multi-line Telephones - Ability to answer and manage multiple incoming calls while engaging simultaneously with internal customers.

• SharePoint Experience - Ability to manage and update regional SharePoint site.

• Executive Correspondence - Ability to apply the agency’s Executive Correspondence Guidelines to create clear, professional, and accurate communications that meet organizational standards.

If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.

Supplemental Information

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Application Process

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position 

• Resume

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete. 

For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov 

• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Robin Fleskes at Robin.Fleskes@ecy.wa.gov

• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at careers@ecy.wa.gov

About the Southwest Region Office (SWRO)

The Department of Ecology's SWRO provides core environmental and natural resources services to the 12 counties of the Olympic Peninsula and Southwest Washington. The office is one of four regional offices and serves as the base of operations for 160 staff from multiple environmental programs. The SWRO also includes a field office in Vancouver which is base for 15 employees. From these locations, Ecology delivers a full spectrum of environmental services including water quality protection, water rights administration, toxic site cleanup, hazardous chemicals oversight, shorelines and wetlands protection, spill response, waste management, and environmental monitoring.

The Southwest Region Office Administrative Team is a supportive, growth-oriented, and enthusiastic group of individuals committed to the success of one another and the region. The team includes the Region Director, Region Director Assistant, Region Business Administrator, Receptionist, SWRO Customer Service Support, Environmental Reports Tracking System (ERTS)/State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Coordinator, Public Disclosure and Records Information Management Lead, and three Forms and Records Analysts. 

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology's work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations. 

We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued. 

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following: Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentive, Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.   

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

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