Employment FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Find answers to common questions about the application process, where to find accommodations for submitting an application, how to calculate work experience and more.
If you need an accommodation in the application and/or screening and interviewing process, please contact the Ecology Recruitment Team at (360) 407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov for assistance.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.
Qualification requirements are skills and experiences that the hiring manager has indicated are transferable and/or directly related to successful performance in the role. You are not required to possess the desired qualifications to qualify for the role. Having desired qualifications can help you stand out in a competitive applicant pool, so it is beneficial to demonstrate them in your application if you have them.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. If the position interests you and you have the skills and experiences to succeed in the role, we encourage you to apply whether you possess any of the desired qualifications or not.
- Review the Required Qualifications section of the job posting.
- Pay close attention to the field(s) of experience that are listed as well as qualifying major studies for college coursework.
- Review your resume and determine if your combined experience and/or education match the requirements listed in the job posting.
Please note that part-time experience will be prorated into full-time-equivalent experience. Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, education, and volunteer experience.
- Click “Apply” at the top of the job posting you’re interested in applying for.
- Complete the entire application, including your full work history and responses to all supplemental questions.
- A resume will not substitute for completing the “work experience” section of the application.
Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application, describing your experience and education to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities that address the required and desirable qualifications listed in the job posting that you are applying for.
For all applications, please attach:
- A cover letter describing why you are interested in the position.
- A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
When attaching documents to your application, please:
- Be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc.
- Do not attach documents that are password-protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded
- Do not include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.
The years of required experience indicated in position qualifications apply to years working a full-time position.
Any part-time experience, where working hours were less than 40 hours per week, will be prorated to meet the equivalency of full-time. We calculate this by looking at the total hours worked per week, dividing this by 40, and then multiplying by the total number of months worked.
Examples of the proration calculations are below:
- 30 hours worked per week for 20 months: (30/40) x 20 months = 15 months full-time equivalent
- 20 hours worked per week for 12 months: (20/40) x 12 months = 6 months full-time equivalent
Many of our positions are listed as open-continuous, meaning that we will continue to accept applications for the position until the position is filled.
- To be sure that your application is considered, please apply prior to the date listed under “Application Timeline” in the job posting.
If it is already past the date in the application timeline and you’re interested in the position, contact a recruiter at (360) 407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov to inquire about the status of the position.
References will only be contacted during the final steps of the recruitment process for candidates selected as finalists. References will not be contacted without the candidate’s formal authorization. Prior to references being contacted, we will ask you to fill out a Reference Authorization Form. References will not be contacted prior to receiving your signed authorization.
The necessary information will be submitted as part of your application by:
- Answering the agency-wide questions regarding your status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service,
- Listing the Department of Ecology for question 2, and
- Inputting your personnel ID for question 3
If you are unsure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.
To learn more about a position before applying, you can request a copy of the full position description by emailing careers@ecy.wa.gov
In the email, please indicate the position title and job number listed in the job posting that you are interested in. One of our recruiters will respond with a copy of the requested position description.