IT Application Developer - Journey (Two Positions)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring two IT Application Developer – Journey positions within the Water Quality Program.

Location:

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

Schedule:

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

Application Timeline: 

• Apply by February 11, 2026
• These positions will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after the date above may not be considered.

Duties

Are you curious, detail-oriented, analytical, and passionate about making systems work better? Join our team to play a key role in ensuring the accurate and efficient use of environmental data for state systems. You will work closely with Water Quality business teams and subject matter experts to support both new and existing data collection, analysis and reporting needs. You'll help troubleshoot complex issues, ensure compliance with federal data standards, and identify long-term, sustainable solutions - not just quick fixes.

What you will do:

• Business analysis: Work with business teams to identify data, analysis, and reporting needs.
• Support data collection and workflows. 
• Data analysis: Review of data element needs for Water Quality’s permit systems. 
• Development: Work with an agile development team to develop and maintain systems and support data integration. 
• Troubleshoot existing data workflows, code fixes, or create user stories for other developers in the team 

Qualifications

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

Required Qualifications:

Four (4) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in computer application development, which must include demonstrated proficiency in all the following:
  • Independent contributor with demonstrated experience in Back-end development which must include .Net Core or ASP.Net.
  • Hands-on experience (with guidance) in Front-end development which may include: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, or Angular.
  • Hands-on experience (with guidance) in database knowledge which may include: SQL, relational databases, MySQL, SQL Server, or PostgreSQL.
• In addition to the above experiences, all the following competencies are required:
  • Continuous Professional Development – Ability to stay current with new technologies and apply them to improve software development outcomes.
  • Analytical Thinking – Ability to break down complex problems to design logical, efficient solutions.
  • Communication - Ability to clearly explain technical concepts to team members and partners to facilitate collaboration and understanding.
• Education involving a major study in Computer Science, Information Technology (IT), Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), or closely related field; OR completion of a two (2) year accredited vocational training program in IT or related program.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 4 years of experience.
• 3 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 2 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 2 years of experience AND completion of a two (2) year accredited vocational training program in IT or related program.
• 1 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 1 year of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree or above.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with focus on programming/software development and/or engineering.
• Hands-on experience (with guidance) in: 
  • Version control tools which may include Git or SVN 
  • Testing and QA which may include unit testing, integration testing, and automated testing frameworks. 
  • DevOps practices which may include tools such as Jenkins, GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps or similar platforms

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

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. It must be in PDF format and use the naming convention: Lastname_coverletter.pdf
• Resume. It must be in PDF format and use the naming convention: Lastname_resume.pdf
• Attachments not following the above file format or naming convention may be rejected.

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 Lester Power at Lester.Power@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 Water Quality Program

Help Shape the Integrity of Environmental Data! Join a mission-driven agile team of developers supporting critical environmental decision making. You’ll design and maintain applications that ensure environmental data are accurate, accessible, and well-integrated across state systems. Working closely with scientists, permitting staff, and business teams, you’ll troubleshoot issues, implement solutions that uphold state and federal data standards, and help deliver reliable tools that inform public policy and resource management. This role is ideal for someone curious, analytical, and detail-oriented who enjoys solving complex challenges with sustainable, long-term solutions, not quick fixes. If you’re motivated by improving systems, achieving measurable results, and advancing the performance of applications that directly support environmental stewardship and community outcomes, this opportunity is for you.

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.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.  

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

Ecology Job Opportunities | Careers at Ecology