IT App Development - Senior/Specialist

Salary : $99,300.00 - $133,608.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-AQ2236-08386
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Division: Air Quality
Opening Date: 10/08/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is hiring an IT App Development - Senior/Specialist within the (AQP)
Location:

• Headquarters Office in
• 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.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by October 19, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties
As the Information Technology and Telemetry Unit (ITTU) Application Development Senior/Specialist you will provide thoughtful, strategic, and compassionate technical and programming expertise for a highly collaborative 8-person team of IT professionals in the development, implementation, and maintenance of information technology systems critical to the Air Quality Program's efforts to equitably protect and improve air quality in Washington. The information technology systems developed and maintained by the ITTU support the secure collection, storage, and reporting of vital information on air pollution levels, sources, and emissions as well as information regarding air quality permitting.

In this role, you will be responsible for leading and providing the highest level of programming expertise in information technology services to the Air Quality Program (AQP) by developing applications and systems used by AQP staff and the regulated public. You will provide independent, expert, professional-level IT services to the program and agency. You will also be responsible for leading the application development efforts and developing architecture plans to implement the IT programs and systems for the AQP.

Do you enjoy working in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment full of supportive colleagues all with a common goal? If so, this may be the perfect job for you. Our IT & Telemetry Unit Application Development Senior will work with a team of eight IT professionals as they develop information technology solutions to help the Air Quality Program equitably protect and improve air quality in Washington. We are an Agile/Scrum team and have an unbroken record of successfully completing IT projects in scope, on time, and within budget for the last 10+ years. This will be the perfect fit for anyone wanting to use their application development and Agile project management expertise in a vital development role on a highly cohesive and successful team!
What you will do:

• Serve as the highest authority on application/systems development and provide technical and architectural leadership in the area of information systems integration supporting the agency's information technology initiative of integrating AQP information systems with agency systems to facilitate cross-media solutions.

• Coordinate IT activities with the Unit Manager and work with other Ecology program's development teams, Information Technology Services Office (ITSO), and participate and is highly active in agency wide technology initiatives.

• Serve as the highest-level development authority and provides technical leadership in planning, designing, and implementing highly complex, large- and medium- scale, environmental systems that provide tools to assess air quality in Washington State.

• Conduct research and assess Information Technology industry direction related to software development methodologies and collaborates with other senior agency application development leads to make recommendations to advance software development best practices within the agency.

• Conduct business analysis to capture application business requirements as needed when working with BA/PM on team to ensure applications that are developed align with business needs and provide the services that are required. To understand how an organization works, find root causes of problems, and guide smart decisions.

Qualifications
For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our
Required Qualifications:
Seven (7) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following: Computer application development and maintenance, analyzing, designing, implementing, maintaining and/or programming software applications.

Skills must include:

• Conflict Resolution - Ability to mediate technical or operational disagreements to maintain positive relationships and keep projects moving forward.
• Risk Management - Ability to identify and assess technology risks to ensure system designs appropriately balance innovation, reliability, and security.
• Data Driven Decision Making - Ability to collect, review and interpret data to support transparent decisions about IT projects and resources.
• Collaborative Planning - Proven capability to work effectively with leaders, technical teams, statewide partners and program staff to support coordinated planning and problem solving.
• IT Governance - Ability to apply governance frameworks to ensure technology decisions, standards, and investments align with agency priorities and compliance requirements.
• Prioritization & Sequencing - Ability to analyze competing initiatives and schedule work effectively to ensure resources are focused on the highest-value outcomes.

Education: in Computer Science, Information Technology (IT), Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), or closely related field.

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).
• 4 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 3 years of experience AND a Bachelor's degree or higher.

Desired Qualifications:

• Education - with focus on programming/software engineering.
• Programming Experience - computer application development and maintenance.
• Leadership Experience - in leading IT professionals or consulting as a technical lead.
• Database Management - Professional experience consulting, designing, programming, maintenance and/or support work for moderate risk applications and databases.
• Familiarity - with Washington's air quality laws and codes.

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
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
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 and select #2 for Recruitment or email
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact David Jimenez at
• 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

About the Air Quality Program

Clean air is vital for everyone. We manage smoke, vehicle pollution, industrial emissions, and other pollutants so communities have healthy air to breathe. We do this through permits, regulations, and reporting systems intended to keep air pollution at healthy levels.
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: , , *, *, , , & , , , , , , , *Click here for more information
To learn more about Ecology, please visit our , explore , check out our , and connect with us on , , , , or our
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.
#LI-Hybrid
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026
01

How did you hear about this job?

• Community Based Organization
• Community / Technical College
• Ecology Employee
• Ecology Recruiter
• Ecology Jobs Page
• Facebook
• Job Board
• Job Fair
• LinkedIn
• Newspaper
• Other State Agency
• Other Website
• Professional Association
• University Job Board
• WorkSource
• Other

02

If you selected Community Based Organization, Community / Technical College, Job Board, Job Fair, LinkedIn Group, Newspaper, Other State Agency, Other Website, Professional Association, University Job Board, WorkSource, or Other, please share which one.
03

Have you ever worked for the Department of Ecology in any capacity including: Permanent, Non-Permanent, Project, Intern, or Volunteer?

• Yes
• No

04

How many years of experience do you have related to the duties of this position? This may include the following: Computer application development and maintenance, analyzing, designing, implementing, maintaining and/or programming software applications. Please include any experience gained through employment, internships, and/or volunteer positions. Note that experience gained from academic coursework, class projects, or other degree requirements is assessed in later questions.

• One year
• Two years
• Three years
• Four years
• Five years
• Six years
• Seven years or more
• None of the above

05

Please provide additional details to support your response above. The following information is needed: position title(s), specific duties, and periods of employment. Make sure your response specifically addresses the qualification above. An incomplete answer, including "please see resume" may remove you from further consideration.
06

What is your level of education in Computer Science, Information Technology (IT), Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), or closely related field?

• 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits
• 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate's degree)
• 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Ph.D.
• None of the above

07

If you have college credits or a degree, please list your major(s) or field(s) of study and any degree(s) earned. If you don't have this education, put N/A.
08

The State of Washington and the Department of Ecology, play a vital role in fostering a Diverse, Equitable, Inclusive, and Respectful (DEIR) workplace and contributing to equitable outcomes for the communities we serve. We view DEIR 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. We believe it is everyone's job to contribute to a DEIR workplace. What experiences have you had working with people whose backgrounds are very different from your own? What impact did those experiences have on how you worked?
09

I understand that Ecology does not use the E-Verify system and is unable to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT).

• Yes
• No

10

When technical or operational disagreements arise, how effectively do you guide the parties toward understanding and agreement so that progress continues?

• None - You have not participated in resolving disagreements of this type.
• Foundational - You can recognize when a disagreement is slowing work and contribute basic input but rely on others to guide the discussion.
• Intermediate - You help clarify issues and support structured conversations with some guidance from others.
• Advanced - You independently guide discussions, reduce tension, and help the group reach workable solutions that allow work to continue.
• Expert - You are sought out to lead challenging discussions, teach others how to handle disputes, and consistently achieve durable agreements that keep efforts on track.

11

How effectively do you identify and evaluate technology-related risks to help ensure solutions balance innovation, reliability, and security?

• None - You have not participated in identifying or evaluating technology risks.
• Foundational - You can recognize basic risk categories when they are described to you.
• Intermediate - You assist in identifying risks and help assess their impact with some guidance.
• Advanced - You independently identify, evaluate, and document risks and recommend actions to address them.
• Expert - You lead risk-assessment activities, mentor others, and shape approaches that ensure consistent, high-quality risk evaluation.

12

How effectively do you collect, analyze, and interpret data to support decisions about IT work and resources?

• None - You have not used data to support decisions.
• Foundational - You can review basic data sets and understand simple metrics when explained.
• Intermediate - You gather and interpret data with some guidance and use it to inform recommendations.
• Advanced - You independently collect, analyze, and present data to support clear, well-reasoned decisions.
• Expert - You guide data-use practices, mentor others in analytical approaches, and develop methods that increase decision transparency.

13

How effectively do you work with leaders, technical teams, statewide partners, and program staff to support coordinated planning and shared problem solving?

• None - You have not participated in collaborative planning efforts.
• Foundational - You contribute basic information when others organize the planning effort.
• Intermediate - You participate actively, helping define needs and coordinate tasks with some guidance.
• Advanced - You independently coordinate planning efforts, integrate diverse viewpoints, and support joint problem solving.
• Expert - You lead complex planning activities, teach others effective coordination practices, and shape long-term planning approaches.

14

How effectively do you apply governance frameworks to support technology decisions, standards, and investments that align with agency goals and requirements?

• None - You have not used any governance framework or process.
• Foundational - You are aware of governance expectations and follow basic procedures when instructed.
• Intermediate - You apply governance requirements with some guidance and help ensure decisions meet defined criteria.
• Advanced - You independently interpret and apply governance frameworks, ensuring alignment with agency direction.
• Expert - You shape governance practices, mentor others, and guide the use of frameworks to improve technology decision quality.

15

How effectively do you evaluate competing work and schedule tasks so that resources are focused on the highest-value outcomes?

• None - You have not participated in prioritizing or sequencing work.
• Foundational - You understand basic priority criteria when explained and can follow established schedules.
• Intermediate - You help evaluate options and propose schedules with some guidance.
• Advanced - You independently assess competing needs, choose logical priorities, and sequence work to maximize impact.
• Expert - You design prioritization approaches, mentor others, and guide complex scheduling decisions to ensure clarity and alignment.

16

Please describe your experience with and use of Angular, AzureDevOps, Windows PowerShell and running commands in GIT. If you do not have this experience, put N/A
Required Question