Chief Information Officer (EMS Band 4)

The salary listed above includes the scheduled 2% general salary increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2026.

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Chief Information Officer (EMS Band 4) within the Executive Leadership Team.

Location:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of three days per week is required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: 

• Apply by July 16, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties

We are looking for a transformational technology leader who is ready to team with a large group of dedicated professionals to modernize the systems, platforms, data, and digital services that power Ecology’s scientific, regulatory, and operational work. You will guide the agency through major technology and organizational change while building a secure, resilient, cloud-forward, data-driven, and service-oriented technology environment that advances Ecology’s mission.

In this role, you will serve as Ecology’s Chief Information Officer and the executive leader for enterprise technology, cybersecurity, data and analytics, digital services, and modernization strategy. You will ensure that technology becomes a strategic capability that accelerates scientific discovery, strengthens environmental protection, supports staff, and improves service delivery to the public. You will provide strategic decision-making and deliver policies with broad, agency-wide impacts that shape how Ecology delivers its mission.

Responsibilities include:

• Planning, leading, organizing, and directing Ecology’s statewide enterprise technology strategy, modernization initiatives, cybersecurity program, cloud transformation, data and analytics platforms, and digital service delivery.
• Establishing and executing a long-term enterprise technology vision that aligns with Ecology’s environmental mission, statewide policy direction, and emerging industry practices.
• Guiding agency-wide modernization efforts, including cloud adoption, enterprise architecture, application modernization, automation, responsible AI, and sustainable technology practices.
• Managing the agency’s technology investment portfolio, enterprise operating and capital budgets, and modernization resources while ensuring transparent fiscal stewardship.
• Ensuring enterprise cybersecurity, digital risk management, operational resilience, and compliance with statewide and federal requirements.
• Hiring, mentoring, and developing technology leaders and teams while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, innovative, and high-performing technology workforce.
• Representing Ecology on statewide technology issues with WaTech, OFM, OCIO, Tribes, local governments, federal partners, universities, and regulated entities.

Who are we looking for?
 We are looking for an experienced technology executive who is ready to team with a diverse group of professionals across scientific, regulatory, administrative, and operational domains. You will need to be able to:

• Problem-solve, anticipate emerging technology trends, and adapt strategies to meet evolving mission and cybersecurity needs.
• Communicate effectively with diverse partners, including Tribal governments, scientific communities, the public, technology leaders, research institutions, industry partners, and elected officials.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of state technology governance, cybersecurity mandates, cloud practices, enterprise architecture, AI governance, accessibility requirements, and public-sector operational constraints.
• Recognize and understand how technology affects environmental programs, public services, agency staff, and the communities we serve—and identify what is needed to achieve durable, mission-aligned outcomes.

A Key Member of Ecology’s Executive Leadership Team

This position serves as a key member of Ecology’s Executive Leadership Team and plays a critical role in advancing the agency’s mission to protect, preserve, and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations.

It is essential that you consistently demonstrate the highest standards of personal, professional, and ethical conduct in support of transparent, accountable, and effective government.

This is a highly visible executive role responsible for guiding agency-wide technology strategy, cybersecurity, digital transformation, enterprise data and analytics, cloud operations, and modernization. You will represent Ecology’s technology interests with Tribes, environmental justice advocates, community organizations, academic partners, regulated businesses, state and federal agencies, and elected officials. The role requires applying advanced executive direction, technical strategy, and change-management principles to balance complex priorities while delivering secure, resilient, modern, and mission-driven technology services.

As a key member of the Department’s Executive Leadership Team, you will:

• Represent the Director and agency on statewide and national technology issues, working with federal, state, local, Tribal, academic, and private-sector partners.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on technology, cybersecurity, AI governance, data strategy, and modernization, providing plain-language guidance to support executive decision-making.
• Advise the Executive Leadership Team on strategic technology investments, policy development, enterprise risk, and operational readiness.
• Collaborate across programs to align technology and data priorities with Ecology’s environmental mission, scientific needs, and operational goals.
• Foster a diverse, equitable, inclusive, respectful, and innovative workplace that supports learning, accountability, transparency, and staff engagement.

This position is an Exempt Management Service (EMS) Band IV position. The minimum and maximum salary for EMS Band IV positions is $100,692 - $173,472.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

• Nine years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:

  • Enterprise Technology Leadership - Successful track record providing strategic vision and direction, executive oversight, and operational accountability delivering tools and solutions to support evidence-based decision making aligned with organizational mission and priorities.
  • Modernization & Digital Transformation - Proven track record leading cross-functional teams using AGILE methodology and Product Owner roles to align business goals with IT execution to accomplish complex modernization or digital transformation initiatives involving cloud adoption, enterprise system renewal, automation, or operational redesign.
  • Strategic Technology Planning - Demonstrated ability to develop and execute enterprise technology, data, and modernization roadmaps that improve interoperability, sustainability, and long-term operational maturity.
  • Data, AI, and Emerging Technology Governance - Proven track record of governing or implementing data platforms, analytics, automation, or AI technologies in a responsible, ethical, and transparent manner.
  • Cybersecurity & Resilience Leadership - Experience overseeing cybersecurity programs, managing digital risk, and supporting incident response or continuity of operations to protect systems and data.
  • Enterprise Governance & Compliance - Demonstrated experience managing centralized and distributed technology functions to establish and maintain organizational governance structures, policy frameworks, and compliance processes that ensure transparency, accountability, and operational alignment.
  • Fiscal Stewardship & Technology Investment Management - Significant experience overseeing divisional-level technology budgets, portfolio management of third-party IT service providers, vendor contracts, and investment decisions to ensure measurable ROI and business sustainability.
  • Workforce & Organizational Leadership - Successful track record leading diverse, multidisciplinary teams; mentoring leaders; and building work cultures that support inclusivity, collaboration, innovation, accountability, and esteem continuous learning.
  • Change Leadership & Organizational Transformation - Proven track record guiding organizations through significant change, adopting new technologies, and enhancing workforce readiness for modernization to achieve business strategy and goals.
  • Communication, Collaboration & Partner Engagement - Demonstrated ability to build trusted partnerships and translate complex technology, cybersecurity, and operational topics into clear, plain-talked language for executives, policymakers, oversight committees, and staff.
  • Interagency & Public-Sector Collaboration - Progressive experience working within regional or national organizational structures with central IT partnering with external private sector organizations and strategic business partners that may include statewide entities: Tribal governments: federal agencies: or interagency councils on technology or policy matters.
  • Risk-Based Decision-Making - Demonstrated ability to evaluate technology, cybersecurity, fiscal, and operational risks to make sound, evidence-based executive decisions that protect mission delivery and public trust.
• Education involving a major study in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, Business Administration, Public Administration, Engineering, Environmental Science, Data Science, or a related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 9 years of experience.
• 8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 3 years of experience AND a Master’s degree or higher.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess a valid driver's license or provide alternate reliable transportation for travel within the state of Washington.
  Regular travel is required between Ecology headquarters, regional offices, and partner agency locations (WaTech, OFM, and others).
• Out-of-state travel may occasionally be required for executive meetings, conferences, or training related to leadership, cybersecurity, or modernization.
• This position is designated critical to Ecology's Continuity of Operations (COOP) plan and may be required to work extended hours during emergencies, system outages, or disaster recovery events.
• The CIO must remain available to coordinate with WaTech, state emergency management, and executive leadership during high-impact incidents.
  ·Confidentiality and Security:
• Must maintain strict confidentiality regarding sensitive information, including security incidents, personnel data, and protected environmental or regulatory data.
• Expected to maintain current knowledge of emerging technologies, cybersecurity frameworks, public-sector governance, and leadership practices.

Desired Qualifications:

• Strategic Foresight & Emerging Technology Scanning  - Ability to monitor evolving technology landscapes, industry trends, and environmental-tech innovations to anticipate future opportunities and threats.
• Public-Sector Legislative Navigation  - Ability to understand legislative cycles, funding mechanisms, and policy influences to optimize timing and support for major modernization initiatives. 
• Advanced Procurement & Contract Negotiation  - Ability to negotiate complex technology contracts and manage vendor relationships to secure favorable terms and reduce long-term risk. 
• Human-Centered Design Mindset  - Ability to apply user research, journey mapping, and accessibility practices to create digital services that are intuitive, equitable, and user-focused. 
• Data Literacy Coaching & Enablement  - Ability to mentor staff on data fluency, analytics usage, and responsible AI practices to increase agency-wide data confidence and adoption. 
• Advanced Cloud Financial Optimization (FinOps)  - Ability to apply cost modeling, forecasting, and optimization techniques to help reduce cloud waste and improve financial predictability.

If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.

Supplemental 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 Jake Barkman at Jake.Barkman@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 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.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency.

Ecology Job Opportunities | Careers at Ecology