Database Administrator (IT Data Management - Senior/Specialist)

Salary : $92,760.00 - $124,752.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-ITSO2382-04090
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Division: Information Technology Services
Opening Date: 05/15/2026
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 a Database Administrator (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 May 26, 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.

Duties
As the Senior Enterprise Database Administrator, you will lead the design, engineering, and modernization of Ecology's enterprise database and reporting infrastructure. This includes architecting secure, scalable solutions across cloud and on-premises environments, optimizing performance for agency-wide systems, and building automated data pipelines that support environmental science, operational efficiency, and statewide decision-making. You will work directly with development teams, program leaders, and technical experts to solve complex issues, implement new technologies, and ensure every employee can reliably access the data they need.

In this role, you will actively shape the direction of enterprise data services by driving strategic upgrades, researching emerging cloud technologies, mentoring technical staff, and directing high-impact engineering and migration projects. You will engage closely with business stakeholders to understand evolving needs and translate them into innovative, sustainable technology solutions. This is an opportunity to influence organization-wide systems, grow deep expertise in cloud data platforms and enterprise architecture, and contribute to mission-critical technology that supports environmental protection across Washington State.
What you will do:

• Manage the engineering, design, and implementation of Ecology's enterprise database infrastructure, including high-risk, mission-critical systems that support agency-wide operations.
• Architect, configure, maintain, and optimize hybrid and cloud data platforms (Azure SQL, Synapse, Cosmos DB) and build secure, automated data pipelines using Azure Data Factory and Azure DevOps.
• Serve as the agency's highest level of database infrastructure expertise, providing advanced troubleshooting, Tier-3 support, performance tuning, and root-cause analysis for complex data issues.
• Conduct research on new and emerging cloud technologies, evaluate proposals, and advise on solutions to advance Ecology's data infrastructure capabilities.
• Guide data infrastructure and migration projects, including planning, strategic upgrades, cloud modernization efforts, and statewide database infrastructure initiatives.
• Collaborate with development teams, business stakeholders, and IT leadership to align database and reporting solutions with strategic program needs and future technology direction.
• Mentor and guide junior technical staff, assign technical tasks, review work for accuracy, and provide expert consultation across the agency.
• Develop and maintain technical standards, architecture documentation, diagrams, and how-to resources for enterprise database and reporting systems.

Qualifications
For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our

Required Qualifications:
Seven 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 may include independently analyzing, designing, implementing and maintaining databases, and experience with data extraction and transformation (e.g. ETL).
  • Experience must include at least one year of leading IT professionals or consulting as a technical lead, which may be obtained concurrently with the other required experience.
• Experience must also include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:
  • Enterprise Database Architecture & Administration - Demonstrated ability to design, implement, secure, and manage enterprise database environments to ensure availability, performance, and scalability.
  • Cloud Data Services & Automation - Demonstrated ability to deploy, automate, and support cloud platforms (e.g., Azure SQL, Synapse, Cosmos DB) and data pipelines to enable modern, scalable data solutions.
  • ETL Engineering & DevOps Release Management - Demonstrated ability to develop automated data transformations and manage code-driven deployment pipelines to ensure consistent, repeatable database releases.
  • Systems Analysis, Modeling & Documentation - Demonstrated ability to analyze requirements, model system designs, and maintain documentation to improve clarity, reduce defects, and support long-term maintenance.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Demonstrated ability to analyze complex technical issues and evaluate alternatives to implement secure, reliable, and efficient solutions.
  • Project & Resource Management - Demonstrated ability to plan, prioritize, and coordinate medium- to large-scale infrastructure projects to deliver stable, high-performing solutions on time.
  • Leadership & Staff Development - Demonstrated ability to guide, mentor, and review the work of technical staff to build team capability and ensure consistent, high-quality technical work.

• Education involving a major study 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.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• This position is designated as overtime exempt because of its functions, the range of critical tasks performed by this technology position, and the impact of the independent actions that the position must administratively perform to directly support technology business operations.
• 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.
• A valid driver's license is required for the operation of state vehicles.

Desired Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree with focus on computer science, or computer hardware engineer.
• At least two years of experience within the last 4 years.
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate, Azure Data Engineer Associate (Data Factory/ETL focus), or Azure Solutions Architect.
• MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Certification
• Data Governance & Stewardship - Ability to apply data governance principles to improve data quality, lineage, and lifecycle management across systems.
• Advanced Security Architecture - Ability to design secure database and cloud architectures using Zero Trust, encryption strategies, and identity management best practices.
• Enterprise Service Integration - Ability to integrate database services with enterprise messaging, API platforms, and workflow engines to support cross-system interoperability.
• Data Modeling & Metadata Management - Ability to design conceptual, logical, and physical data models and manage metadata for consistent system understanding.
• Innovation & Emerging Technology Scanning - Ability to identify, evaluate, and experiment with new database and cloud technologies to inform future agency capabilities.
• Business Intelligence & Reporting Infrastructure - Ability to architect and support enterprise reporting and analytics platforms to deliver accurate, actionable insights.

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 DEIRis 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 or
• 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 Kayleen Sesna 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 Information Technology Services Office

Program Mission: The Information Technology Services Office (ITSO) is the central provider of strategic and tactical support for the use of Information Technology (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.

Section Mission: The Infrastructure and Optimization (INO) section designs, delivers, and operates secure, resilient, and scalable enterprise platforms and services that enable Ecology staff to protect Washington's environment. We lead datacenter and telecommunication operations, hybrid cloud infrastructure, enterprise SaaS administration, endpoint management, print services, unified communications, the Help Desk, and Regional Information Technology Services (RITS) for field site support. We embed end-to-end monitoring and observability across all platforms, services, and environments to ensure reliability, performance, and predictive operational support. INO advances platform-based service delivery and automation using AI and DevOps, using modern, proactive, and mission aligned IT for all programs statewide. This position resides within the Enterprise Platform Services unit.
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: Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), , 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 , 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.
#LI-Hybrid

#LI-DNI
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
• Twitter
• 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, within the last 12 years, in SQL programming, experience with entity relationship modeling and notation, or database report development?Experience may include independently analyzing, designing, implementing and maintaining databases, and experience with data extraction and transformation (e.g. ETL).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 or more years
• None of the above

05

What is your level of education?

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

06

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.
07

How would you rate your experience designing, implementing, securing, and managing enterprise scale database environments to ensure availability, performance, and scalability?

• None - No exposure to enterprise database administration or architecture.
• Foundational - Some basic awareness of database administration concepts; limited exposure to enterprise environments.
• Intermediate - Able to perform common administrative tasks with guidance; some hands on experience in database configuration or maintenance.
• Advanced - Independently designs, configures, secures, and manages enterprise database systems with consistent reliability.
• Expert - Serves as a recognized subject matter authority who leads enterprise database architecture, mentors staff, and sets standards or strategy.

08

How would you rate your experience developing automated data transformation processes and managing code driven deployment pipelines for database releases?

• None - No exposure to ETL development or DevOps deployment pipelines.
• Foundational - Basic understanding of ETL or release automation concepts; limited hands on experience.
• Intermediate - Able to build or maintain ETL processes or pipelines with some guidance; growing practical experience.
• Advanced - Independently builds automated ETL processes and manages CI/CD pipelines to deliver consistent, repeatable database releases.
• Expert - Leads ETL and DevOps architecture, optimizes pipelines, and mentors others in automation best practices.

09

How would you rate your experience analyzing system requirements, modeling database or infrastructure designs, and producing technical documentation?

• None - No exposure to systems analysis, modeling methods, or technical documentation.
• Foundational - Basic awareness of requirements gathering or system modeling; limited experience creating technical documents.
• Intermediate - Able to capture requirements, create simple models, and produce clear documentation with some guidance.
• Advanced - Independently performs system analysis, creates detailed models or diagrams, and maintains comprehensive technical documentation.
• Expert - Leads requirements analysis and modeling efforts, establishes documentation standards, and mentors others in analytical methods.

10

How would you rate your ability to analyze complex technical issues and evaluate alternatives to develop secure, reliable, and efficient solutions?

• None - No exposure to technical problem solving in complex environments.
• Foundational - Recognizes common issues and applies basic troubleshooting steps with direction.
• Intermediate - Diagnoses moderately complex issues and recommends solutions with some expert guidance.
• Advanced - Independently analyzes complex problems, evaluates options, and implements effective solutions.
• Expert - Serves as a technical problem solving authority, resolves high risk or high impact issues, and mentors others in analytical practices.

11

How would you rate your experience guiding, mentoring, and reviewing the work of technical staff to support team development and high-quality outcomes?

• None - No experience leading or mentoring technical staff.
• Foundational - Occasional informal mentoring; limited exposure to leadership responsibilities.
• Intermediate - Provides task guidance and feedback with some support; beginning to develop supervisory skill sets.
• Advanced - Independently mentors staff, assigns technical work, and ensures quality and consistency of team outputs.
• Expert - Provides strategic technical leadership, develops staff capabilities, and sets direction for team performance and growth.

12

How would you rate your experience integrating database systems with enterprise services such as APIs, messaging systems, or workflow platforms to support interoperability?

• None - No exposure to integrating databases with other enterprise systems.
• Foundational - Basic awareness of integration concepts; limited experience with APIs or messaging systems.
• Intermediate - Able to perform integration tasks with guidance; growing experience with service to database connections.
• Advanced - Independently integrates database services with APIs, messaging platforms, or workflows to support enterprise operations.
• Expert - Architects enterprise wide integration strategies, sets standards, and mentors staff on cross system interoperability.

13

Please provide additional details to support your responses to questions 7 - 12. The following information is needed: specific duties or activities where skills were developed, and the capacity in which they were developed (education, employment, volunteer or lived experience).Make sure your response specifically addresses the qualification below:1. Enterprise Database Architecture & Administration - Demonstrated ability to design, implement, secure, and manage enterprise database environments to ensure availability, performance, and scalability. 2. ETL Engineering & DevOps Release Management - Demonstrated ability to develop automated data transformations and manage code driven deployment pipelines to ensure consistent, repeatable database releases.3. Systems Analysis, Modeling & Documentation - Demonstrated ability to analyze requirements, model system designs, and maintain documentation to improve clarity, reduce defects, and support long term maintenance.4. Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Demonstrated ability to analyze complex technical issues and evaluate alternatives to implement secure, reliable, and efficient solutions.5. Leadership & Staff Development - Demonstrated ability to guide, mentor, and review the work of technical staff to build team capability and ensure consistent, high quality technical work.6. Enterprise Service Integration - Ability to integrate database services with enterprise messaging, API platforms, and workflow engines to support cross system interoperability.An incomplete answer, including "please see resume" may remove you from further consideration.
14

Please describe any experience you have with cloud-hosted database technologies. If you do not have this experience, put N/A.
15

In your own words, not to exceed 200, please describe your experience or knowledge of leading large-scale technology projects.
16

Do you have at least one year of leading IT professionals or consulting as a technical lead?

• Yes
• No

17

Are you able to obtain and maintain a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

18

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?
19

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

• Yes
• No

Required Question