Data Engineer (IT Data Management - Senior/Specialist)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Data Engineer (IT Data Management - Senior/Specialist) within the Information Technology Services Office (ITSO).

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.
• You may telework most of your work time with occasional in-person meetings and activities.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by August 25, 2025
• 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.

Duties

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Washington State Department of Ecology as a Data Engineer, playing a key role in transforming how data is used across the agency. In this role, you will apply your data engineering expertise to identify business requirements, design and implement robust data storage solutions, and develop processing pipelines that ensure data from multiple sources is collected, cleansed, organized, stored, and made available for insightful analysis, scientific computing, and agency-wide decision-making.

As the Ecology technical resource and subject matter expert for data integration, transfer, and storage best practices, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams to create scalable and resilient ETL/ELT processes, optimize data pipelines to facilitate complex data integrations, and ensure quality assurance throughout the data lifecycle.

This role is ideal for someone passionate about data engineering, experienced with languages such as SQL and Python, and eager to make a meaningful impact by collaborating with customers and IT teams to develop innovative data solutions that improve data availability and transparency, while fostering a data culture that supports the agency's mission of protecting Washington's environment.

What you will do:

• Develop and maintain data pipelines so that data is delivered securely, reliably, and consistently to support analytics, reporting, and decision making.
• Execute ETL/ELT operations to efficiently deliver data to centralized repositories supporting enterprise data accessibility and trust.
• Design, develop, and maintain scalable storage solutions and tools that can be used for data warehousing, analytics, and reporting.
• Integrate data quality and integrity into transformation workflows to enable trusted operational use.
• Provide technical support and consultation on data engineering best practices to agency teams, ensuring that data solutions are robust, scalable, and future-oriented to provide continuity and high value.
• Create and maintain thorough technical documentation and metadata, making data systems well-documented, transferable, and sustainable across changes in technology and personnel.
• Support statewide coordination and data governance efforts to share and collaborate on innovations and align with WaTech and agency standards.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Seven (7) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience within the last 12 years in: SQL programming, experience with entity relationship modeling and notation, or database report development. Experience includes but not limited to independently analyzing, designing, implementing and maintaining databases, and experience with data extraction and transformation (e.g. ETL).
  Experience must include one (1) year of leading IT professionals or consulting as a technical lead, which may be obtained concurrently to other experience.

• Education: College credits or degree 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 computer programming and database design, database administration, data administration, or data analysis.

Examples of how to qualify:

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

Desired Qualifications:

• Data Engineer Certificate (AWS or Azure).
• Ability to distill end-user requirements into a data management or technology solution which is centered primarily on Microsoft technologies.
• Demonstrated initiative to improve skills through training or other learning opportunities.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skill to effectively identify critical information for data analysis.
• Knowledge of versioning control and automated deployment tools.
• Knowledge of Azure Cloud development.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skill to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Knowledge of Geographical Information System (GIS).

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.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

This position requires training to keep consistent with industry best practices. Leadership works with industry leaders to forecast changes in information technology and lists required training in this position’s yearly Performance Development Plan (PDP). Staff within this division are provided two (2) hours per week for training. It is expected that this position will take what is learned in their training and apply it to their daily work.

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.

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 Christina Kellum at Christina.Kellum@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 Information Technology Services Office

The mission of the Information Technology Services Office (ITSO) is to empower the Department of Ecology through secure, reliable, and innovative technology, data, and spatial solutions that accelerate scientific discovery, enhance operational efficiency, and support environmental protection for all Washingtonians.

Our vision is to transform ITSO into a strategic enabler of Ecology’s mission – where technology is seamlessly integrated across science and operations, data is accessible and actionable, and innovation is embedded in how we protect Washington’s environment.

About the Enterprise Data Section

The mission of the Enterprise Data Section is to support, promote, and continuously improve data management and usage best practices to protect sensitive information and foster sound and efficient data informed decisions that strengthens Ecology’s mission. 

Our vision is that data is fully utilized across the organization to meet Ecology’s mission.

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 (Download PDF reader), 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.