Administrative specialist, senior

Note: This job will be posted through 11:59 PM of the day prior to the end date listed.

Current Washington County Employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Job Type:

Regular

Pay Range:

$28.38 - $34.50 Hourly

Department:

Housing Services

FLSA Exemption Status:

Non-Exempt

About the Opportunity:

The Housing Department is hiring for a Senior Administrative Specialist for our Rental Assistance Division to help further our mission of creating pathways out of homelessness, promoting housing stability, and investing in affordable communities for Washington County and our residents.

The Senior Administrative Specialist provides essential administrative, organizational, and customer service support to the Rental Assistance Division within the Department of Housing Services. This role provides administrative support to the Rental Assistance Division Manager and serves as a key point of contact for community members, applicants, program participants, and internal staff. The position is a balance of direct administrative support work for the Division Manager and more general support to the broader division’s operations.

Core responsibilities include coordinating and maintaining calendars; organizing meetings, agendas, and minutes; responding to in person and written inquiries with sensitivity and sound judgment; and supporting division/department projects and workflows. The position also functions as one of the primary liaison to county departments and services, assisting with onboarding new staff, coordinating events and trainings, updating webpages and department communications, purchasing and managing supplies, and facilitating mail and facilities related functions.

The Senior Administrative Specialist plays a critical role in maintaining smooth daily operations, fostering a positive and collaborative team environment, and reflecting the department’s values of access and opportunity, responsiveness, collaboration, accountability, and sustained impact in all interactions.

Ideal Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Friendly, patient approach to customer service with an understanding of trauma‑informed practices.
• Enthusiasm for supporting social service programs and helping teams across rental assistance, finance, and homeless services.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to contribute to a positive, supportive team environment.
• Ability to create, maintain, and improve office systems with light direction.
• Organized communicator who can prepare agendas, schedule meetings, update documents, and support daily administrative needs.
• Proactive problem‑solver who anticipates needs and offers creative, practical solutions.
• Comfortable coordinating office functions such as ordering supplies, organizing events or trainings, and managing mail or facility‑related tasks.

To review the complete classification, including the full list of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with this position, use this link: Administrative Specialist, Senior | Washington County, OR

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A high school diploma or equivalent. AND Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience providing administrative or clerical support.

Additional Requirements

Possession a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record per Washington County policy. Must complete a criminal background check post-offer.

About the Department/Division:

The Department of Housing Services (including the Housing Authority of Washington County) is an innovative organization responsible for administering Federal, State, and local programs that support rent assistance, affordable housing development, and homeless services across our community. Our teams work together to strengthen housing stability and improve access to essential services for individuals and families throughout Washington County.

The Rental Assistance Division is the largest division in the department and serves as the primary entry point for community members seeking support. This division administers multiple housing and rent assistance programs and provides direct, responsive services to applicants and participants. With a staff of approximately thirty-five team members, the division plays a central role in helping community members navigate available resources and achieve housing stability.

Selection Process:

You can review our standard selection process here.

Our commitment to you:

Washington County is an equal opportunity employer committed to using a merit-based system in which recruiting, selecting, and advancing employees is based on knowledge, skills, and abilities. Our organization embraces innovation, collaboration, and work-life harmony. We promote employee development and offer an award-winning benefits and wellness program as well as an opportunity to serve and support our vibrant community.

Veterans' Preference:

If you are a Veteran and would like to be considered for Veterans' preference for this recruitment, please review the instructions using this link: Veterans' Preference Points.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act:

Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in the selection process for this recruitment. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources 503-846-8606, or email: Careers@WashingtonCountyOR.gov at least 48 hours before any step in the recruitment and selection process for which you feel you need accommodation.

Status of Your Application:

You will be advised by email of your status at each step in the application process, from initial application to final employment disposition. Please note that Washington County communicates with all candidates via email.

Notice: Washington County is currently undergoing a comprehensive classification and compensation study. The purpose of this project is to create new job descriptions and create new classification and compensation systems. Outcomes of the project will include changes to classification titles, which could impact compensation structures. No one will have their pay rate lowered because of this project. For represented positions, appropriate bargaining processes will be utilized prior to implementation.

Questions?

Recruiter:

Gregory Garabedian

Email Address:

Gregory_Garabedian@washingtoncountyor.gov