DSHS FTAA IT Data Management - Senior Specialist

Salary: $94,620.00 - $127,248.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-07061
Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: FTAA
Opening Date: 09/02/2026
Closing Date: 9/9/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description
We are seeking a Senior IT Data Management Specialist to join the Client Services Data Unit (CSDU) within the Research and Data Analysis Division (RDA) at the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

RDA empowers partners across government by transforming raw data into trusted, well-governed, and actionable insights enabling effective data exploration, analysis, and decision-making that support problem-solving, risk management, continuous improvement, and strategic outcomes.

We are seeking a senior data professional to lead the design and management of advanced data systems that support social and health services research. You will build and maintain complex data infrastructure and integrations across multiple service areas such as economic assistance, housing, education, behavioral health, justice, developmental disabilities, long-term care, and child welfare.

You will set standards, plan and implement data pipelines, build and maintain interactive dashboards, and create analytical datasets used for program evaluation, performance measurement, and financial and predictive modeling. Your work will directly inform policy and service decisions made by DSHS leadership, partner agencies, the Governor's Office, and the State Legislature.

This opportunity has a hybrid schedule, requiring one day in office per week on Thursdays, and additional in office days as needed.

Some of what you'll do:

• Independently design, develop, troubleshoot, maintain, and enhance several complex, cross-agency databases, with a focus on a specified subset of social and health services.
• Create outcome evaluation and program monitoring databases and analytic applications using multiple data systems.
• Provide consultation and technical assistance to researchers across RDA, DSHS and other agencies to provide the highest level of research and data analytics throughout state social and health services.

Who should apply:

• A bachelor's degree including 9 semester or 15 quarter hours of computer science courses and 7 years of progressively more responsible IT work experience with large, complex administrative databases.

Or,

• AA in computer science, statistical programming, or related program and 9 years of progressively more responsible IT work experience with large, complex administrative databases.

Or,

• Eleven years as an Information Technology Data Management technician or equivalent or higher experience level technician.
• A master's degree will substitute for one year of the required experience.

The following required experience may have been obtained concurrently:

• Five years of work experience managing, programming and analyzing data for research and evaluation purposes using SAS or another statistical analysis software, including substantial experience with complex statistical methods, longitudinal data analysis, data mining, logic modeling, and case mix adjustment.
• Four years or more of experience performing quantitative data analyses and database administration using complex administrative data systems, preferably in a health or human service area.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, develop and implement propensity score modeling and/or related methods for creating statistically comparable groups based on demographic, clinical and service history variables; OR demonstrated ability to prepare SAS-ready data sets to generate statistically comparable groups efficiently and effectively.

What we're looking for:

• Advanced skills using SAS for data management and analysis.
• Five years of experience managing and analyzing data with SQL, or another high-level data management programming language.
• Experience building and maintaining interactive PowerBI dashboards.
• Ability to function both independently and as a team member in a highly dynamic environment.
• Exceptional communication skills and demonstrated project management experience.

Interested? Along with your completed online application, please attach a current resume, letter of interest and three professional references.
The Department of Social and Health Services' (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency's vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Questions? Please contact the recruiter, Chris, at and reference job number 07061 in the subject line.

Supplemental Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at . Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.
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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