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Office Administrator - TPU Customer Service
Salary
$71,448.00 - $100,588.80 Annually
Location
Tacoma, WA
Job Type
Non-Classified
Job Number
A0090-25B
Department
Customer Experience & External Affairs
Division
TPU Customer Service
Opening Date
09/15/2025
Closing Date
9/22/2025 5:00 PM Pacific
Description
Benefits
Questions
Position Description
Are you known for your attentional to detail and collaboration skills, and being an ambitious self-starter with a reputation for being the go-to person when something needs to get done? If so, Tacoma Public Utilities is looking for you! The Office Administrator will report to the Customer Services Division Manager, supporting 150 employees and 5 members of the senior management team.
This position significantly contributes to the mission of the organization by promoting administrative efficiency, maintaining high standards of service delivery, and supporting leadership in achieving strategic objectives by managing administrative and operational tasks, such as scheduling, correspondence, and compliance with Human Resources (HR) processes, allowing leaders to focus on high-level decision-making and strategic initiatives. Additionally, by organizing meetings, tracking business unit goals, and ensuring smooth coordination of travel and training, the position enhances efficiency and alignment across the division.
Primary Responsibilities:
Administrative Support
Provide direct administrative assistance to the Customer Services Division Manager and senior management team.
Manage complex scheduling and calendaring, ensuring efficient use of leadership time.
Draft, edit, and process sensitive correspondence, including threat letters, in collaboration with Legal, the Public Utility Board, and Executive Leadership.
Prepare high-quality reports, presentations, and briefing materials to support division initiatives and executive decision-making.
Serve as the central point of contact for administrative functions, ensuring timely response and follow-through.
HR Liaison
Act as the primary liaison between Customer Services leadership and Human Resources.
Create requisitions and role requests, ensuring accurate and timely entry into HR systems.
Maintain confidential personnel files and records in compliance with policy and legal requirements.
Coordinate onboarding and offboarding processes, including equipment setup, system access, and orientation.
Ensure adherence to HR policies, labor agreements, and employment regulations; escalate complex issues appropriately.
Finance Support
Support financial activities for the division, including travel authorizations, reimbursements, expense reporting, and invoice processing.
Monitor spending against approved budgets and highlight variances for management review.
Coordinate logistics for employee training, conferences, and professional development opportunities.
Arrange travel accommodations and maintain accurate financial documentation.
Partner with the Customer Services finance team to ensure alignment with TPU financial practices and controls.
Meeting Support
Organize, coordinate, and facilitate meetings, workshops, and special events involving internal staff, external customers, vendors, and intergovernmental partners.
Develop and distribute agendas, take detailed meeting notes, and track follow-up actions to completion.
Provide logistical support for hybrid/virtual meetings, ensuring technology and resources are in place for successful participation.
Support leadership in preparing for board meetings and executive briefings.
Business Unit Goals
Communicate Customer Services Division goals, initiatives, and performance expectations to staff.
Track, monitor, and report progress on quarterly and annual performance metrics.
Develop tools and processes for proactive exception handling and performance monitoring.
Schedule and facilitate quarterly business unit meetings to review performance, celebrate successes, and highlight areas for improvement.
Assist with drafting communications and updates that connect daily work to organizational priorities.
Qualifications
Minimum Education*
High School Diploma or GED
Minimum Experience*
5 years of office administration and/or program support experience including 1 year of prior advanced level experience
*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education
Desired Qualifications
Knowledge of customer service/call center operations
Administrative experience reporting to senior level management
Advanced user of Microsoft Office products
Knowledge & Skills
Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving - Ability to evaluate complex issues, recommend improvements, support effective solutions, and anticipate problems before they arise.
Independent Judgment - Skilled at making sound decisions and prioritizing in a fast-paced environment with limited supervision.
Initiative & Self-Starter - Proactive in anticipating needs, taking ownership of projects, and driving results without waiting for direction.
Process Improvement - Adept at identifying inefficiencies and recommending changes to improve operations and service.
Influence Without Authority - Experienced in coordinating work and achieving results by guiding and motivating others without formal supervisory authority.
Collaboration & Communication - Strong interpersonal and written communication skills to build trust and work effectively across teams.
Relationship Building. Demonstrated effectiveness interacting respectfully and sensitively with individuals and groups to develop and maintain productive relationships.
Selection Process & Supplemental Information
City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.
The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you're passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.
Apply
Interested individuals should apply online by completing the application and attaching a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process.
Compensation & Benefits
Pay Details:
Hourly Rate: $ 34.35 - $48.36
Annual Salary: $71,448.00 - $100,588.80
Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma (https://tacoma.gov/government/departments/human-resources/employee-benefits/)
Get Assistance
For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.
For technical difficulties using the NEOGOV system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.
Communication with the City of Tacoma
We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.
The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.
Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.
Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.
Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.
Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment @type.
Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.
Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.
Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.
Other Employment Information
Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.
Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.
Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.
Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
01
Do you have an equivalent combination to a high school diploma or GED AND 5 years of office administration and/or program support experience including 1 year of prior advanced level experience? *Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education
Yes
No
02
The Office Administrator position requires initiative and the ability to step in where support is needed, even if it's not formally assigned. Tell us about a situation where you anticipated a need and took action to support your team or leadership.
03
The Office Administrator is often asked to guide or coordinate the work of others without direct supervisory authority. Tell us about a time when you successfully influenced or organized colleagues to achieve a goal, even though they did not report to you.
04
This position often requires preparing sensitive correspondence and handling confidential information. Can you share an example of how you've managed sensitive information in the past, and how you ensured professionalism and discretion?
05
One of the City's Principles that guides us is Equity. Describe what equity means to you and describe any experience you have working with diverse groups of people.
Required Question
Employer
City of Tacoma
Address
Human Resources Department 747 Market Street Tacoma, Washington, 98402-3764
Phone
253-591-5400
Website
http://www.tacoma.gov
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