Data Systems Developer (IT Data Management – Journey)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Data Systems Developer (IT Data Management – Journey) within the Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response program.

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 one day per week is required in the office.

• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: 

• Apply by July 26, 2026

• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties

In this role, you will assist in the development, maintenance, and evolution of the program’s mission-critical information systems. This role is ideal for a seasoned professional who enjoys solving complex technical problems, building sophisticated databases and application ecosystems, and shaping modern technology solutions that directly support environmental protection.

You will serve as part of a team to provide data management and application development services for the program. You will independently design and manage advanced databases, build and maintain custom applications used by spill responders and regulatory staff, and deliver technical solutions that enable fast, accurate decision-making in high-stakes oil spill prevention and response scenarios. You will also influence program strategies, participate in architecture discussions, and ensure that technical systems are reliable, scalable, secure, and aligned with business needs.

What you will do: 

• Design, development, testing, and implementation of highly complex custom applications using modern development tools and agency standards.
• Design, develop, optimize, and maintain Spills Program databases, including schema design, stored procedures, integrations, and performance enhancements.
• Provide technical guidance and consult with program staff to improve business workflows, ensure high-quality data, and contribute to long-term data and application strategies.
• Develop user interfaces and mobile application components that support daily work of spill responders, inspectors, plan reviewers, and public users.
• Build and maintain reporting environments and advanced data retrieval systems, including SSRS reports, spatial data integrations, and sustainable ETL processes.
• Analyze and resolve complex technical issues across applications, ensuring smooth system interoperability and uninterrupted service for all end users.
• Support oil spill risk modeling and analysis teams by designing and maintaining specialized data systems, preparing datasets, and developing custom scripts and queries.
• Collaborate with agency IT teams (ITSO, ITSS, Application Developers, Enterprise Architects) to ensure system security, SQL ecosystem alignment, architectural consistency, and successful project delivery.

Qualifications

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

Required Qualifications:

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

• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving – Ability to assess complex data and system issues to develop solutions that keep information systems reliable and aligned with business needs.
• Collaboration and Communication – Ability to work effectively with staff, IT teams, and partners to translate needs, share information, and ensure systems function well for all users.
• Decision Making and Judgment – Ability to independently make sound technical and workflow decisions to ensure data systems and applications meet program, agency, and industry standards.
• Business Process and Workflow Improvement – Ability to evaluate how data and applications support work processes and recommend clear, practical improvements to increase efficiency and data quality.
• Database Design and Development , SQL and Data Processing – Ability to design, build, and maintain databases to ensure program data is well-structured, secure, scalable, and accessible. Ability to write and optimize SQL queries, stored procedures, and ETL routines to support reporting, system integration, and analytical work.
• Application Design and Development – Ability to build and maintain applications using standard development tools (e.g., C#, ASP.NET, JavaScript, SQL Server) to support program operations and external user needs.

Education involving a major study in Computer Science, Information Technology (IT), Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), or closely related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 5 years of experience.

• 4 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.

• 3 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).

• 2 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.

• 1 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
  
  

Desired Qualifications:

• System Integration and Troubleshooting – Ability to connect data and applications across systems and resolve technical issues to prevent disruptions and maintain reliable service.
• Reporting and Data Visualization – Ability to create and manage reporting tools and environments (such as SSRS) to support decision-making, analysis, and QA/QC activities.
• GIS and Spatial Data Integration – Ability to incorporate spatial datasets into databases and applications to support environmental analysis and program operations.
• Project and Solution Planning – Ability to plan, scope, and lead development efforts—from requirements through implementation—to deliver dependable databases and applications.
• Data Governance and Quality Management – Ability to define data requirements, standards, and practices to ensure program information is accurate, consistent, and usable.

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 Adam Byrd at Adam.Byrd@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

Program Mission: The Spills Program’s mission is to protect, preserve, and restore Washington’s environment. Our vision is to create a zero spills world.

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 Incentive, 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.

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