Information Technology and Telemetry Unit (ITTU) Manager

Salary : $109,500.00 - $147,252.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-AQ0843-04940
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Division: Air Quality
Opening Date: 06/15/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description

The salary listed above includes the scheduled 2% general salary increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2026.

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is hiring an Information Technology and Telemetry Unit (ITTU) Managerwithin the (AQP).
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.
• A minimum of one day per week is required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by June 28, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties
In this Information Technology and Telemetry Unit (ITTU) Manager role, you will provide thoughtful, strategic, and compassionate leadership 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 directing information technology services in the Air Quality Program (AQP) by developing/updating the AQP Information Strategic Plan and leading the implementation of that strategy. You will provide independent, expert, professional-level IT services to the program and agency. You will also be responsible for organizing project teams and developing project plans to implement the IT strategy for the AQP.
What you will do:

• Serve as the highest level of authority and provides technical and organizational 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 all IT activities within the AQP that intersect with other Ecology programs and the Information Technology Services Office (ITSO) and the agency Chief Information Officer (CIO) as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), other state agencies, local clean air agencies, local health departments, and Tribes.
• Serve as the highest-level authority and provides technical and organizational leadership in planning, designing, and implementing highly complex, large- and medium- scale, environmental systems that provide tools to assess air quality in Washington State and respond to public information requests.
• Responsible for the day-to-day management of the ITTU, which includes hiring and managing professional-level technical staff, mentoring staff, and reviewing technical work products and staff performance.

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

Required Qualifications:
Nine (9) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:

Experience in one or more of the following IT disciplines: consultation, systems development, systems analysis, database management, technical support troubleshooting, project management.

Required Competencies

• Leadership and Team Management - Ability to lead, support, and develop technical staff to build a strong, engaged team that delivers high-quality IT services.
• Strategic Planning and Decision Making - Ability to set direction, prioritize work, and make sound, timely decisions to ensure technology efforts align with program and agency goals.
• Communication and Collaboration - Ability to explain technical information in clear terms and work effectively with staff, leadership, and external partners to build understanding and support shared solutions.
• Project and Program Management - Ability to plan, lead, and deliver complex, high-impact technology projects to meet business needs, manage timelines and resources, and achieve successful outcomes.
• Systems and Data Architecture - Ability to design, guide, and oversee application, data, and system architectures to ensure systems are secure, compatible, scalable, and support long-term program needs.
• Mission-Critical System Operations - Ability to manage and improve essential IT systems, including real-time and telemetry systems, to ensure reliability, security, and continuous delivery of public-facing services.

Education involving a major study in an Information Technology program or closely related field.
Examples of how to qualify:

• 9 years of experience.
• 8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate's degree).
• 6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor's degree.
• 3 years of experience AND a Master's degree.
• 2 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience supervising, leading, and mentoring IT professionals in a team and individual capacity.
• Education involving computer science, project management or related field.
• Four years of Agile project management, experience.
• Education and knowledge of environmental sciences and supporting science based business areas.

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 .

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 Sean Lundblad 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

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 Manager will lead 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 use their application development and Agile project management expertise in a vital leadership role on a highly cohesive and successful team!

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 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.
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.
Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency.
#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
• 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 in one or more of the following IT disciplines: consultation, systems development, systems analysis, database management, technical support troubleshooting, project management.?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
• Eight years
• Nine years
• 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 involving a major study in an Information Technology program or closely related field.?

• 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

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

Please describe your experience supervising, leading, and mentoring IT professionals in a team and individual capacity.
09

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. Please tell us, what does it mean for you to have a commitment to DEIR in the workplace? What steps or actions have you taken to demonstrate your commitment previously?
10

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

• Yes
• No

11

How would you rate your experience leading, supporting, and developing technical staff to create a strong and engaged team that delivers high-quality IT services?

• None: No experience leading or supporting technical staff.
• Foundational: Limited exposure; may have provided informal guidance or supported team tasks.
• Intermediate: Has led small teams or delegated tasks with some guidance; developing skill in coaching and performance support.
• Advanced: Independently leads and develops technical staff, sets expectations, and manages performance with consistent success.
• Expert: Recognized leader who mentors other supervisors, builds high performing teams, and sets direction for team leadership practices.

12

How would you rate your ability to set direction, prioritize work, and make sound decisions to ensure IT efforts align with program and agency goals?

• None: No experience contributing to strategic decisions or prioritizing IT work.
• Foundational: Basic awareness of strategic planning concepts; limited involvement in decision making discussions.
• Intermediate: Participates in planning and prioritization with some guidance; developing skill in evaluating options and risks.
• Advanced: Independently makes informed decisions, sets priorities, and aligns work with strategic goals.
• Expert: Provides strategic leadership, mentors others in decision making, and influences program or agency level direction.

13

How would you rate your ability to communicate technical information clearly and work effectively with staff, leadership, and external partners?

• None: No experience communicating technical information in professional settings.
• Foundational: Basic awareness of communication practices; limited experience interacting with technical or non technical audiences.
• Intermediate: Communicates effectively with guidance; developing skill in bridging technical and business understanding.
• Advanced: Independently communicates complex concepts in clear terms and collaborates effectively across teams and organizations.
• Expert: Sought after communicator who builds consensus, facilitates partnership decisions, and guides communication strategies.

14

How would you rate your ability to plan, lead, and deliver complex, high impact IT projects that meet business needs?

• None: No exposure to IT project or program management.
• Foundational: Basic awareness of project management practices; limited experience supporting project tasks.
• Intermediate: Leads portions of projects with guidance; developing experience managing scope, timeline, or resources.
• Advanced: Independently manages complex IT projects from planning through delivery with consistent, successful results.
• Expert: Recognized project leader who directs cross program initiatives, mentors others, and establishes project management practices.

15

How would you rate your ability to design, guide, or oversee system, application, or data architectures that are secure, scalable, and compatible?

• None: No experience with system, application, or data architecture.
• Foundational: Basic awareness of architecture concepts; limited exposure reviewing system or data design.
• Intermediate: Contributes to architectural design with some guidance; developing skill in evaluating technical options.
• Advanced: Independently designs or guides system, application, or data architectures that meet long term program needs.
• Expert: Recognized architecture authority who sets standards, mentors others, and leads enterprise level design decisions.

16

How would you rate your experience managing or improving essential IT systems, including real time or telemetry systems, to ensure reliability and security?

• None: No experience supporting mission critical or real time operational systems.
• Foundational: Basic awareness of system operations; limited exposure monitoring or supporting critical systems.
• Intermediate: Provides operational support with guidance; developing skill in troubleshooting and reliability practices.
• Advanced: Independently manages mission critical systems, ensures uptime, and maintains secure, stable operations.
• Expert: Recognized system operations expert who leads mission critical environments, directs operational strategy, and mentors others.

Required Question