Salary: $94,620.00 - $127,248.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Multiple Locations, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 2026-09238
Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: FTAA
Opening Date: 11/12/2026
Closing Date: 11/19/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
DescriptionAre you a hands-on technical leader ready to direct and elevate the technology that powers 24/7 care?
Join our team as the Senior IT System Administrator and Supervisor for the State Operated Living Alternatives (SOLA) program within the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). In this critical, high-impact role, you will serve as both a hands-on technical authority and a working supervisor, overseeing the 24/7 mission-critical IT infrastructure that supports specialized disability services across Washington State.
Reporting directly to the Deputy IT Director, you will manage a distributed team of IT professionals across three regions, ensuring the reliability, security, and continuity of networks, servers, and systems for 11 field offices and 80 plus residential adult and children's homes. You will act as the vital bridge between SOLA facility operations and enterprise technology partners (including Division of Information Technology (DIT), Finance, Technology and Analytics Administration (FTAA), and ), directly impacting the safety of staff, residents, and the community by keeping vital clinical and administrative operations running seamlessly.
You will lead and supervise State Operated Living Alternatives (SOLA) IT staff covering systems administration, networking, telecommunications,user account management, and computing services across all field offices and residential homes statewide for (Region 1: Spokane and Yakima); (Region 2: Lynnwood and Everett) and; (Region 3: Bremerton and Tumwater)
The official workstation for this position is in Tumwater and offers limited flexible hybrid remote work.
You can be based anywhere in Pierce, Kitsap, Thurston, or Lewis counties.
This position will require travel to each of the field office locations lited above to understand technical challenges unique to each location. This position is a working supervisor.
Some of What You'll Do:- Senior Technical Authority: Supervise and guide local IT staff supporting systems administration, networks, telecommunications, end-user accounts, and computing services.
- Personnel Leadership & Supervision: Provide comprehensive supervision, workload prioritization, and performance management for a statewide, geographically distributed team of IT professionals and systems administrators.
- 24/7 System Reliability & Security: Ensure all architecture and configurations deliver high availability, resiliency, and performance standards appropriate for 24/7/365 secure clinical environments.
- Enterprise Liaison & Advocacy: Act as the primary point of contact between SOLA operations and external or enterprise entities (including Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA), Facilities, (FTAA), (DIT), WaTech) to align with enterprise standards while advocating for program-specific needs.
- Incident Response & Service Delivery: Oversee service request and incident queues, directing troubleshooting efforts for complex or high-impact technical issues to minimize customer downtime and ensure exceptional customer service.
- Platform Operations & Compliance: Manage the deployment, imaging, patching, configuration, and capacity monitoring of server and workstation environments in strict compliance with DSHS and OCIO security policies.
- Identity & Access Administration:Administer identity services (Active Directory), group policies, shared storage, and access controls to secure sensitive data while ensuring seamless local and remote access for authorized staff.
- Lifecycle Management & Procurement: Identify technology needs based on system lifecycles, develop technical justifications for executive procurement approvals, and oversee the strategic rollout and tracking of IT assets.
- Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery: Lead system resiliency planning, vulnerability mitigation, and hands-on service restoration efforts during extended outages, emergencies, ensure local technology frameworks meet strict security, operational continuity, and compliance requirements tailored for round-the-clock care environments.
What we are looking for- Professionals with a bachelor's degree or above with major emphasis in IT system/network administration and programming and seven years of consultative, administrative, or leadership experience in IT, network administration, programming, system maintenance, or IT systems troubleshooting/problem resolution experience.
Or,
- Eleven years* of IT system/network administration and programming, in addition to consultative, administrative, or leadership experience in IT, network administration, programming, system maintenance, or IT systems troubleshooting/problem resolution experience.
*Additional education or experience may substitute for the other experience on a year by year basis.
Preferred Knowledge, skills, and abilities:- A Master's degree in computer science or closely allied field.
- Experience supporting information technology systems in healthcare, behavioral health, correctional, or other secure residential environments.
- CompTIA Network+ certification
- CompTIA Security+ certification
- Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL current version)
We are seeking a calm, focused, and action-oriented individual who excels at critical thinking and multi-tasking. As a skilled communicator, you will be driven to help peers and customers resolve technical issues, leveraging your curiosity and experience to overcome environmental and product challenges. In this role, you will collaborate with the team to deliver high-quality, timely, and thoroughly tested system enhancements, ensuring our products and applications connect seamlessly and function perfectly.
If this is your area of expertise and interest, come partner with us in doing this meaningful and critical work. We encourage you to apply!
To be considered for this opportunity please include the following:- Current chronological resume
- Cover letter
- Three professional references with current contact information
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? Contact the recruiter, Reema Goyal at and reference job number 09238
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 Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.
E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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 BenefitsEmployees 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 CompensationState 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 SecurityAll 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 ForgivenessIf 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 LeaveWashington 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 LeaveLeave 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
.png?format=webp)
