Program Assistant Jobs in Washington
Program assistant jobs in Washington are in consistent demand, with the strongest hiring concentrated in government agencies, higher education, nonprofit organizations, and healthcare systems. Seattle, Olympia, and Spokane anchor most of the openings, and employers like the University of Washington, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, and Boeing maintain steady program assistant headcount across administrative, research coordination, and grant management functions. The most in-demand specialties are public health program support, grants and contracts administration, and research program coordination. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Description
(Program Assistant)
- Occasional Weekends and Holidays as needed
NOTE:
Who We Are: The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) provides centralized business services to state government agencies; to other public entities such as cities, counties and tribes; and to Washington residents. DES’ mission is to strengthen the business of government for a sustainable and just future. Learn more about DES.
About the Opportunity:
Duties
Some of What You’ll Enjoy Doing Includes:
- Provide front-line customer service and build positive relationships with visitors, event attendees, and employees across the Capitol campus.
- Monitor tour and event inbox and phone lines, answering routine inquiries and routing complex requests to appropriate staff.
- Assist customers with the reservation system, lost-and-found intake and reunification, and accessibility or lactation room access.
- Direct or escort visitors throughout campus buildings and assist with the creation, posting, and removal of temporary signage.
- Coordinate school tour arrivals and departures, including bus zone management, and support civic education lunch programs.
- Support the planning, setup, and execution of campus events.
- Serve as a DES representative by explaining rules, policies, and WACs to visitors and employees, escalating issues as needed.
- Collaborate with Capitol Security, DES Buildings & Grounds, and stakeholders to manage public space usage and resolve conflicts.
- Support the overall Visitor Services Program to ensure a positive and seamless experience for all Capitol guests.
- Other duties as needed.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- One (1) year of progressive experience in any combination of the following areas:
- Community, youth and public engagement.
- Knowledge of civics, the legislative process and/or Washington State history.
- Customer Service.
- Leading tours or presenting information to an audience.
- NOTE: Education in Public Administration, Social Sciences, Communications or related field may be considered for experience, on a year-for-year basis.
Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Competencies
Incumbents to this position must possess and demonstrate the following competencies:
- Take action to learn and grow: Demonstrate a willingness to learn from new experiences, seek feedback, consider different perspectives, and continuously improve knowledge, skills, communication, and approaches to work.
- Take action to meet the needs of others: Seek to understand the needs and experiences of customers, coworkers, and communities. Identify barriers to access and participation and address them before they become obstacles for the people we serve, providing support that is respectful, timely, and effective.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite.
Supplemental Information
How to Apply:
Interested? We would love to hear from you! Click “Apply” at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions.
Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:
- A letter of interest that shows your personality and voice to describe why you are the successful candidate and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
- A current resume, detailing experience, and education
- A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information
Please Note: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not be substitute for completing the “duties summary” section of the online application. Please do not refer to the resume for detail or your application may be disqualified.
Background Check Notice: Prior to any new appointment into The Department of Enterprise Services, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted as a condition of employment. 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.
Union Inclusion: This position is in a bargaining unit and falls under the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the state of Washington and the Washington Federation of State Employees.
Opportunity for All:
The Department of Enterprise Services celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.
You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.
Contact Information:
For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact George Deguzman via email at jobs@des.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
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Find Program Assistant JobsProgram Assistant Jobs by City in Washington
Where Washington roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Program Assistant Job Market in Washington
A snapshot from current Washington openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What Washington Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in program assistant jobs across Washington.
- Associate or bachelor's degree in public administration, business, or a related field
- Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel and SharePoint
- Familiarity with grant tracking, reporting, or contract administration processes
- Strong written communication skills for correspondence, reports, and meeting documentation
- Ability to manage multiple deadlines and coordinate across teams or departments
- Experience with database entry, records management, or program data tracking systems
Program Assistant Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a program assistant in Washington?
Most program assistant roles in Washington require at minimum an associate degree, though a bachelor's degree in public administration, business, communications, or a related field is preferred by government agencies and universities. Washington does not require a state license for this role. Candidates pursuing positions with state agencies benefit from familiarity with Washington's enterprise systems like AFRS or statewide procurement processes, and completing coursework through a Washington community college or university strengthens applications considerably.
Which companies hire program assistants in Washington?
Companies currently hiring program assistants in Washington include Lutheran Community Services Northwest, State of Washington, and University Of Washington, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Washington's large public sector, anchored in Olympia, and its major research universities and healthcare systems in Seattle and Spokane make it one of the more active states for this role.
Which Washington cities have the most program assistant jobs?
Seattle, Spokane, and Bellevue have the most program assistant openings in Washington. Seattle's concentration of tech companies, hospital systems, and nonprofit headquarters drives the highest volume, while Olympia draws consistent demand from state government agencies, and Spokane's healthcare and higher education institutions support steady hiring on the eastern side of the state.
Are there remote program assistant jobs in Washington?
Yes, and more than many comparable roles, since program assistants in research, grants, and policy settings can often work remotely. About 0% of program assistant openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting the desk-based nature of the work. Research coordination, grant reporting, and communications-focused program assistant roles tend to offer the most remote flexibility.
How can I get hired as a program assistant in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for administrative coordinator or program specialist assistant roles within Washington state agencies or public universities, which regularly hire at the entry level. The University of Washington and Washington State University both post entry-level program support positions suited to recent graduates. Moving from roles like office coordinator, data entry specialist, or departmental receptionist at a state agency or nonprofit gives candidates a practical bridge, and completing a certificate in project management or public administration through a Washington community college adds a measurable credential.
Where can I find and apply to program assistant jobs in Washington?
You can find and apply to program assistant jobs in Washington on Migrate Mate, which lists current Washington openings across government, healthcare, higher education, and nonprofit sectors. Search the listings to find roles that match your background and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 46 Program Assistant Jobs in Washington
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