Protecting Washington State’s environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, and believes in the fun factor, Ecology is a good fit.

Ecology is currently looking for an IT professional to join our team as a Unit Supervisor (ITS/AS 6) for our Environmental Systems Support Unit, tasked with the mission to provide application architecture, development, implementation, and maintenance support for agency-wide environmental data systems as well as supporting the Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) and Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) program applications and data systems.. This position will be located in our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA.

As a senior member of the Information Technology Services Office team, this position works with Ecology and State information technology (IT) managers and staff to develop integrated solutions for managing environmental data. This position is responsible for working in partnership with the Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) and Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) leadership teams to manage, direct, and administer information technology activities and initiatives that support the programs’ strategic plans. This position serves as the agency authority for designing, building, and maintaining systems for environmental monitoring and shoreline management. This position partners with multiple Ecology programs to participate in and lead IT initiatives that modernize agency information technologies and services.

As an agency, we invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability. Maybe you’ve seen some of our recent stories on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at: www.ecology.wa.gov.

Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts

Duties

The Information Technology Services Office (ITSO) is the central provider of strategic and tactical support for the use of IT within Ecology. The mission of ITSO is to create and support useful technology services that adapt for the future and support Ecology’s mission. The Environmental Systems Unit Supervisor provides leadership, management and supervision of the Environmental Systems Support Unit to effectively develop, implement, and maintain critical systems that support the protection and restoration of Washington’s air, land, and waters.

As a member of the Department’s Central IT program, this position serves as the highest level authority on designing, building, and maintaining systems for environmental monitoring and shoreline management. This includes:

• Directing development and support of environmental monitoring and shoreline management systems.
• Providing technical and business expertise to other Ecology programs and consulting with peers and ITSO architects on enterprise standards and best practices.
• Providing leadership in initiating enterprise systems to increase agency efficiencies and eliminate redundant systems and services.
• Leading and participating on program, agency, and statewide workgroups.

As  the Environmental Systems Unit Supervisor providing IT services this position has the primary responsibility for managing, directing, and administering information technology activities and initiatives in support of the program’s strategic plan, initiatives, and legislative mandates. This includes:

• Utilizing expert professional technical skills and business knowledge to provide consulting services to senior business managers, IT managers and/or executive management on cost, impact, planning, design, development, and technical needs of the Environmental Assessment and Shorelands programs.
• Working in partnership with program management, Business Planning Committee, Priority Setting Committee, executive management and key stakeholders to identify, prioritize, and schedule IT development initiatives.
• Developing business plans, decision packages, and development strategy for large, complex information technology initiatives that support multiple lines of business as well as encompassing multiple programs and external entities.
• Preparing and presenting recommendations to senior business and IT managers for decisions on technical and business issues.
• Developing or providing consultation for grant proposals, Request For Proposals (RFPs), Request For Information (RFIs), and work requests.
• Managing grants, vendor contracts, and senior level IT development staff.
• Directing the design of agency information management systems using advanced application development techniques.

Direct the activities of the Enterprise Environmental Systems Unit. This includes:

• Managing the planning, staffing, organizing, and evaluating the strategic direction of the Enterprise Environmental Systems Services Unit.
• Coordinating with business management and leads to identify and prioritize work for assigned staff.
• Coordinating unit’s activities to ensure a smooth operational flow and guarantee desired outcomes. Setting priorities and establishing goals for staff consistent with the goals of the agency, program, and section strategic goals.
• Communicating job expectations, determining standard work practices for unit, setting priorities, scheduling work assignments, and directing the work of employees so that staff have established guidelines and know what is expected of them to be successful.
• Monitoring and evaluating the work performed by the unit to ensure timely completion of projects assigned.
• Monitoring and documenting employee performance as needed, providing on-going feedback.
• Serving as technical mentor, coach, and trainer to others.
• Conducting performance evaluations, coaching, correcting, and recognizing staff as appropriate.
• Ensuring proper labor relations and conditions of employment are maintained so the Collective Bargaining Agreement is adhered to.
• Applying organization policies, guidelines and standards to maintain productive and functional workforce.
• Recruiting, interviewing, making selections and hiring IT staff so that the unit has the “right” people to support the work of protecting and restoring Washington’s air, land, and waters.

Serves on the agency’s Strategic Architecture Team (SAT) to govern the planning and direction of the technical activities relating to project management, application architecture and development lifecycle, and database/data administration activities. This includes:

• As SAT voting member, participating in review and approval of proposed system architecture, design, and standards.
• Identifying Ecology’s technology requirements to support financial and administrative systems, advising senior IT management, and assisting in the preparation of long and short-term strategic and tactical plans.
• Evaluating new software products to determine advantages and limitations.
• Developing recommendations for acquisition, and implementing accepted recommendations.
• Leading and participating on agency, statewide, and/or federal workgroups.
• Monitoring industry developments in application development methodologies and tools.

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be November 28, 2018.  In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before November 27, 2018. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree in an Information Technology program or closely related field, AND five years (full time equivalent) of professional experience in one or more of the following IT disciplines: consultation, systems development, systems analysis, database management, technical support troubleshooting, project management, IT supervisor or team lead.

OR

An Associate’s degree or higher in an Information Technology program or a closely related field AND six years (full-time equivalent) of professional experience in one or more of the following IT disciplines: consultation, systems development, systems analysis, database management, technical support troubleshooting, project management, IT supervisor or team lead.

Additional years of experience can substitute, year for year, for education.

OR

Six years (full-time equivalent) of professional experience in one or more of the following IT disciplines: consultation, systems development, systems analysis, database management, technical support troubleshooting, project management AND two or more years (full-time equivalent) experience as an IT Supervisor or team lead.

Desired Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree with a focus on programming/software engineering.
• Education and knowledge of environmental sciences and supporting science based business areas.
• Professional level experience consulting, designing, programming, maintaining and/or supporting work for moderate or large size organization.
• Experience supervising, leading, or mentoring IT professionals in a team and individual capacity.

Why work for Ecology?

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State’s environment.

A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping the health and financial security of you and your family a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to work/life balance.

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 (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth

Student debt and how working for Ecology can help
Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.

*See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information

Supplemental Information

Application Instructions:

To be considered for this position, the following must be included in your online application:

• A letter of interest describing how your experience, skills, and abilities are aligned with what we are looking for in the qualifications section of this announcement. 
• A detailed chronological resume.
• A list of three professional references.

Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including “please see resume” may disqualify you from further consideration.

Department of Ecology employees, please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources at (360) 407-6186.

If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on “Look for Jobs” and select Dept. of Ecology under the “Department” search list. Click “Apply Search.”

Other Information:

If you need assistance applying for this job, please call Human Resources at (360) 407-6186 or e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not call this number or send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile’s main page.

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Mark Solie at: Mark.Solie@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Mark to inquire about the status of your application.

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

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 or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.