Persons of disability needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this announcement in an alternate format, may call the Human Resources Office at (360) 664-7222 or TTY Relay Service at 711.

About DRS
Here at the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS), we are responsible for providing information, tools, expertise, and services that ensure our members receive the retirement benefits they earn while in public service. We administer eight public retirement systems, 15 retirement plans, and the Deferred Compensation Program, and serve over 848,000 current and retired public employees in Washington.

Our Customers
Our customers include fire fighters, teachers and school employees, state and local government employees, and public safety and law enforcement officers. Our customers expect to be treated respectfully, to receive responsive service, and for the information they receive to be right. We are dedicated to our customers and to meeting and exceeding these expectations.

Our Location
Our office is located in Tumwater, part of the Olympia/Tumwater/Lacey tri-city area on the southernmost tip of Puget Sound. We are part of a community rich in history, culture, and natural beauty.

Why Work for DRS?
At DRS, we are one team. Regardless of what our specific duties may be, we are all dedicated to serving our customers. We foster a diverse and inclusive environment where team members are fully engaged and supported in meeting (and exceeding) expectations. All DRS leaders are focused on providing the coaching, mentoring, resources and support that team members need to be successful.

At DRS, team members enjoy:

• A modern work environment
• Flexible and compressed work schedules
• Free parking
• Participation in Commute Trip Reduction
• Infants at Work Program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Access to LinkedIn Learning
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Opportunities for professional growth
• Commitment to team member safety and wellness
• Community involvement/charitable giving

Come join our team!

This recruitment is open until filled. Applications received for this job opportunity will be reviewed immediately. Your prompt response is encouraged. The hiring manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time during the recruitment process.

We are looking for a dependable, skilled Office Assistant to provide clerical support for a team of Retirement Specialists, who are the primary customer satisfaction link for the members, retirees, and participants of the retirement systems and plans administered by DRS.

Working in a professional office environment, you will independently review documents and forms submitted by our members for completeness and compliance with Washington State rules. You will determine and explain actions necessary to achieve compliance and accurately process submitted information.

You will also provide imaging services for DRS by prepping, scanning, indexing, and performing quality assurance of all incoming mail and internally created paperwork. You will visually identify and compare documents to a pre-authorized list of agency forms to determine type, then index them based on your independent determination. You will research DRS member information to resolve internal customer issues or to find missing or archived folders.

Additionally, you will maintain the inventory of forms/publications and submit orders when the inventory is low. You will compile forms, create labels, and make retirement packets to be mailed to members. You will also monitor the Office Support and Print Request inboxes on a daily basis.

NOTE: After successful completion of the review period and effectively demonstrating the ability to perform work independently, you may be eligible to telework up to one day per week, at the discretion of the Appointing Authority and with a telework agreement in place.

The ability to work remotely is dependent on the nature of the tasks performed and the presence of a remote work environment that is safe and has an appropriate level of reliable connectivity. You must live within a reasonable commuting distance (less than 50 straight-line miles) to the DRS building in Tumwater, WA, and must be willing and able to adjust your telework schedule at any time to attend mandatory meetings, trainings, etc., at the DRS building.

The qualifications for this position include:

• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel (version 2013 or newer);
• Demonstrated ability to read, understand and follow written policies and procedures;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups, both inside and outside the organization;
• Demonstrated ability to utilize multiple computer applications simultaneously; and
• Demonstrated proficiency in the following competency areas:

Customer Focus
Dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of customers. Delivers high quality services and products. Establishes and maintains effective customer relationships. Committed to continuous improvement and always acts with the customer in mind.

Dependability
Shows commitment, dedication and accountability in work. Works effectively and fulfills commitments made to customers, peers and team members. Is reliable in punctuality and attendance; can be counted on to get things done.

Accountability
Understands the link between job responsibilities and organizational goals. Manages their own performance to meet required expectations and achieve results. Holds self accountable for decisions, actions, and behaviors.

Attention to Detail
Plans and organizes time and resources efficiently. Follows processes and procedures in the completion of work. Carefully monitors the details and quality of work and double-checks work products to ensure accuracy and consistency.

Adaptability/Flexibility
Maintains effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment. Adapts easily to changing business needs, adjusting effectively to work within new structures, processes, requirements, or cultures to achieve successful solutions. Demonstrates openness to new and different ways of doing things.

Commitment to Diversity
Recognizes the value of diversity. Helps create an environment that embraces and supports diversity, equity and inclusion.

DRS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

Interested applicants who meet the qualifications and competencies in this announcement are encouraged to apply for this opportunity. Be sure to complete all sections of the electronic application and answer all supplemental questions.

Please attach the following to your online application:

• A letter of interest clearly describing how your knowledge, skills and abilities align with the job duties and qualifications of this position.

General suggestions for creating a good application packet:

• Read the job posting carefully. Find out as much as you can about the position.
• Make sure you are very diligent in following all the application instructions. Include all requested documentation.
• Make sure your application and supplemental question responses address how you meet each of the required and desirable qualification.
• Carefully read each of the supplemental questions and respond completely to each one. Pay careful attention to each component of the question, providing examples, and thoroughly describing when and where you achieved the proficiency level, and detail the types of work you performed, the work products, etc., to demonstrate “how”.
• Specifically include all of your work experiences doing the same or similar work, especially if you reference work in these jobs in describing when/where you gained proficiency.
• The quality and completeness of the application, along with the ability to follow stated application instructions, will be considered in determining whether applicants will move to the next phase of the screening process. Applications with comments such as “see resume/attachments” or “N/A” in the work history and/or supplemental question responses will be considered incomplete.

As part of our hiring process, we require an employment reference for the preferred candidate from their current or most recent supervisor. If the preferred candidate is a current or recent state employee, we will also review the personnel file as part of our process.

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, but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14 (Download PDF reader) , state employees, as a condition of employment, must be fully vaccinated with one of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccination status will be verified only after an offer of employment has been made to the preferred candidate. Failure to meet this condition of employment will result in revocation of the job offer absent a medical or religious accommodation.