Customer Service Specialist 2

Full Job Description

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Customer Service Specialist 2 within the Central Region Office.

Location:

• Central Region Office in Union Gap, WA.

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

Assignment Pay:

• This bilingual-designated role requires successful completion of a Spanish language proficiency assessment (written and spoken) as part of the hiring process.

• The salary listed includes 5% bilingual assignment pay.

Schedule:

• This position is required to work in the office five days per week, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and is not eligible for telework.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by March 15, 2026

• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after the date above may not be considered.

Requirements

In this bilingual position, you will serve as the primary front-line representative for Ecology’s Central Region Office, providing services in both English and Spanish.

Your responsibilities in this role go beyond traditional reception duties by independently managing complex customer inquiries, receiving and evaluating environmental incident reports, coordinating emergency notifications, and supporting key regulatory and operational functions.

If you are a flexible, professional, and solutions-focused individual with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate respectfully and effectively in both English and Spanish across a wide range of situations, you’ll thrive in this role.

This position offers valuable cross-functional experience, including providing backup support for environmental reporting systems, fleet coordination, and administrative operations.

You will gain meaningful exposure to multiple program areas, building a strong foundation for advancement within state government and environmental programs.

It’s an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys problem-solving, public service, and working in a fast-paced environment while making a meaningful impact.

What you will do:

• Serve as the primary front-line contact for the Central Region Office, delivering professional bilingual customer service (English and Spanish) by phone and in person, and independently routing complex inquiries to appropriate programs or staff.
• Screen, assess, and direct complex calls, in-person visitors, and written communications to appropriate programs or staff to ensure timely resolution.
• Provide backup support for the Environmental Report Tracking System (ERTS)/ State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Coordinator.
• Provide backup support for the Fleet Coordinator to ensure continuity of regulatory and operational services.
• Oversee facility access, monitor visitor activity, manage temporary keycards, and apply conflict resolution strategies to maintain a safe and secure environment.
• Coordinate facility operations including conference room scheduling, mail distribution, and logistical support to ensure smooth and efficient daily office functions.

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 as described below:

• Experience providing assistance to customers regarding inquiries, complaints, or problems.
• Education: college-level coursework.

Additional Required Competencies:

Bilingual Proficiency in English and Spanish: Ability to read, write, and speak fluently in both languages.

Customer Service: Experience providing professional, courteous, and patient customer service in person and by phone, using active listening and clarifying questions to understand needs, respond to inquiries, address complaints or problems, and provide appropriate assistance.

Microsoft Office and Technology Proficiency: Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Teams, PowerPoint, and basic Excel functions for tracking and routine tasks, with the ability to quickly learn new technologies and databases.

Communication: Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and professionally in person, in writing, and by phone with diverse groups, including staff and members of the public.

Office Support: Experience providing day-to-day support by helping customers and staff in coordinating information and office activities, while using knowledge of agency rules and processes to answer questions, solve problems, and support services.

Organizational and Time-Management: Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks, manage competing demands, meet recurring deadlines and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced front-desk environment.

Cross-Functional Support: Ability to work collaboratively with multiple programs, administrative staff, coordinators, and regional offices while providing reliable backup support for reception, ERTS, fleet, purchasing, and other administrative functions as needed.

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.
• No experience AND a Bachelor’s degree or higher.

Desired Qualifications:

• Proficiency with Microsoft SharePoint

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification.

At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

Additional 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.

Our Commitment to DEIR

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.

Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.

Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.

Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.

Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.

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.

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 Jessica Swift at Jessica.Swift@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 Central Region Office

Ecology’s Central Region Office serves Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, and Yakima counties.

This position is part of the Central Region Director’s program and reports directly to the Region Director’s Assistant.

The team works collaboratively across all programs within Ecology to support the public and ensure consistent, high-quality service.

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.

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 Incentives, 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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