Executive Assistant to an Elected Office

The salary for this position is: $5,413 - $7,217 monthly.

Thurston County Auditor’s Office is seeking a highly organized, resourceful, and proactive Executive Assistant to serve as a trusted partner to the elected County Auditor and provide executive level support across the office. This pivotal role requires exceptional judgment, discretion, communication, and coordination skills, along with the ability to anticipate needs, manage competing priorities, and independently move work forward in a fast-paced, complex, and highly visible environment. 

The Executive Assistant plays a key role in connecting people, priorities, and operations across Elections, Financial Services, Licensing & Recording, and Administration Divisions. The ideal candidate is a skilled communicator and problem-solver who brings structure to complexity, takes initiative, follows through on commitments, and finds satisfaction in helping the entire office operate effectively in service to the public. 

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

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to:

• Provide comprehensive executive support to the County Auditor, including managing calendars, schedules, correspondence, briefings, meeting preparation, and follow‑up actions.
• Serve as the Auditor’s primary administrative liaison with internal departments, elected officials, external agencies, and community partners, maintaining strong professionalism in all interactions.
• Exercise the highest level of discretion and confidentiality while managing sensitive personnel, legal, financial, or election‑related information.
• Coordinate officewide administrative operations and support organizational efficiency across Auditor divisions, ensuring consistent workflow and communication.
• Monitor timelines, tasks, and priorities to support compliance with statutory deadlines, election cycles, financial reporting requirements, and organizational commitments.
• Assist with project coordination, research, and tracking of major initiatives on behalf of the Auditor.
• Support Elections, Financial Services, Licensing & Recording, and other divisions as needed, fostering collaboration and operational alignment across the department.
• Oversee or support departmental records management, document control, and public-facing communications as directed.
• Respond calmly and professionally to shifting priorities, high‑pressure situations, or urgent requests.
• Serve as a resource and support to staff and contribute to a positive, inclusive, and mission‑driven workplace culture.

To view the full job classification, click here:Executive Assistant to an Elected Office

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Environment – Quiet office setting located in Olympia, Washington. Work is primarily performed at a desk or workstation using a computer and standard office equipment. Hybrid and remote work options are available based on business needs and performance. 
• Schedule – Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional extended hours may be required to meet critical deadlines. Alternative work schedules may be available. 
• Travel Requirements – Limited travel may be required to attend meetings, trainings, or provide onsite support to other offices and departments. 
• Customer Interactions – Regular interaction with internal customers, including elected officials, department staff, and other government agencies. Communication occurs via phone, email, virtual meetings, and in-person consultations. 

WHO WE ARE:

The Auditor’s Office is a leader in implementing innovative solutions, a trusted source of financial information, and a catalyst for positive change. We are committed to embracing new technologies, delivering exceptional customer service, supporting ongoing employee development, and fostering open, honest, and respectful communication. 

Our core values guide how we work and collaborate with others: 

• Communication – We prioritize active listening and clear messaging to ensure consistent communication and managed expectations. 
• Integrity and Accountability – We uphold the highest standards, honoring our commitments and taking responsibility for our actions by providing transparent, honest, and impartial services. 
• Teamwork – We value collaboration and the collective contributions of all team members, fostering a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to achieve shared goals. 
• Respect – We honor diverse perspectives and treat everyone with civility and dignity, seeking common ground in all interactions. 
• Excellence – We are dedicated to achieving excellence through professionalism, integrity, and enthusiasm in all that we do. 
• Efficiency and Effectiveness – We continuously seek innovative, resourceful solutions that enhance our services while ensuring fiscal responsibility. 
• Customer Service – We are committed to providing courteous, responsive, and reliable service, sharing our expertise to support and empower our customers. 

As a vital part of Thurston County’s public service infrastructure, we support a broad array of stakeholders, including county departments, the Board of County Commissioners, citizens and taxpayers, other governmental agencies, vendors, financial institutions, and special districts. 

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. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage

WHAT 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. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plansfor more information.
• Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays.
• 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.
• Four (4) years of increasingly responsible office experience, preferably in a public organization. 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.

DESIRED SKILLS:  

• Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or other closely related field.  
• Exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate multiple workstreams, and ensure details and deadlines are consistently addressed. 
• Strong initiative, independent execution and follow-through, with the ability to take ownership of assignments, anticipate next steps, solve problems, and carry work through to completion. 
• Ability to coordinate work across divisions; anticipate organizational needs; and maintain momentum on office priorities. 
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and ethical decision-making when handling sensitive information and complex situations. 
• Strong written communication and editing skills, with the ability to produce polished, professional documents and correspondence. 
• Skilled at planning, coordinating, and producing meetings, events, and special projects, with enthusiasm for managing the details and logistics that bring ideas to life. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with leadership, colleagues, and other offices/departments, and the public. 
• Familiarity with Elections, Financial Services, Licensing & Recording, or other county operations is helpful.
• Experience supporting executive‑level functions in a complex organization.

OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

Questions about this recruitment? Please contact: Brandon Weber, Chief Deputy Auditor, at (360) 490-4211 or [email protected] 

This position is: 

• Not represented by a Union 
• May be eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) depending on salary placement
• Eligible for benefits 
• Required to pass a background check 

Items requested for consideration: 

• Application 
• Resume 
• Letter of Interest 

Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.

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.