Information Management Section Manager (IT Application Development - Manager)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring an Information Management Section Manager (IT Application Development - Manager) within the Water Resources 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 January 07, 2026
• This position 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.

As the program's Information Management Section Manager, you will serve as a senior leader in the Water Resources Program (WRP) with direct responsibility for the strategic direction, implementation and modernization of key applications and data management systems that are foundational to the essential business of the Water Resources Program. You will supervise a team of developers, data managers, customer service and project management staff providing tactical and strategic guidance and support to the Section and the WRP more broadly. This role is critical to ensure that applications and data management systems meet the needs of today and into the future.

What you will do:

• Lead, develop and support Water Resources Information Management (IM) Section staff, overseeing, coaching and mentoring staff, planning for future staffing needs in an evolving technical environment. 
• Utilize specialized technical application development skills as the technical advisor to Water Resources Information Management Section.
• Guide the development and implementation of strategic direction for the Water Resources Information Management Section. 
• Serve on the Water Resources Program Leadership Team representing the Section, advising the program leadership on relevant information technology and information management issues, challenges and needs 
• Oversee and direct all WRP-IM vendor management activities. 
• Oversee data governance, including ensuring applications comply with state policies, accessibility requirements and security mandates.

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 as described below: 

• Experience: Progressively responsible experience in enterprise software or application development. 
  Experience must include: 
  • At least one year of demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience overseeing technical or information management staff, including setting expectations, managing performance, mentoring, and supporting staff development.
  • Three years of professional experience in full application lifecycle activities, including planning, requirements gathering, development or configuration, testing, deployment, and operational support for large enterprise applications. 
  • Two years of demonstrated experience using Agile Methodologies. 
  • Experience overseeing: 
    • Application and data integration with internal and external systems. 
    • Leading cross-functional collaboration with program owners, business analysts, testers, and vendors. 
    • Support operations and incident management for production applications. 
• Education: involving a major study in an Information Technology program or closely 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 or higher.

Desired Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree with focus on programming/software engineering.
• Two years of education or experience of water resource management and permitting data systems.
• Professional level experience consulting, designing, programming, maintaining and/or supporting IT work for moderate or large size organization.

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.

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.

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.

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 Dave Christensen at Dave.Christensen@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 Resources Program

The mission of the Water Resources Program is to manage water resources to benefit all Washingtonians and to protect the natural environment for current and future generations.

Our values are: Public service, innovation, teamwork, equity, and excellence.

Read about our Strategic Plan here WRP Strategic Plan

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Salary : $107,364 - $144,372