Database Administrator (IT Data Management – Senior/Specialist)

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 Recruitment website.

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 www.uscis.gov.

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 Recruitment website.

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 360-407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Kayleen Sesna at Kayleen.Sesna@ecy.wa.gov 
• 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 careers@ecy.wa.gov

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), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave, 11 Paid Holidays per year, 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 Working at Ecology, 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.

Ecology Job Opportunities | Careers at Ecology