IT Application Development- Journey
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Solid Waste Management (SWM) program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill an IT Application Developer (IT Application Development - Journey) position. This position can be located in any of our four main offices:
Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
Northwest Region Office (NWRO) in Shoreline, WA.
Central Region Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA.
Eastern Region Office (ERO) in Spokane, WA.
Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
In this role, you will be responsible for medium to large scale, state-wide, highly-complex information systems that are relied upon by agency staff, management, and external stakeholders such as the regulated community and the public. You will use advanced technical knowledge to develop and maintain program information systems (applications/databases), and support users in areas of assigned responsibility in response to statewide program needs. You will also independently perform business analysis, system design, development, installation, maintenance, programming, quality assurance, troubleshooting, problem resolution, and consulting tasks for Solid Waste Management's complex technical applications and databases.
We need someone who has excellent people skills as they need to be able to work directly with staff to determine requirements for data systems and have ongoing communication to make sure the data systems are working correctly.
The mission of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) program is to reduce wastes through prevention and reuse, keep toxics out of the environment, and safely manage what remains.
Tele-work options for this position: This position will be eligible for up to a 80% tele-work schedule. Applicants with questions about position location options, tele-work, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.” Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.
Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled; we will review applications on April 29, 2024. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before April 28, 2024. If your application isn't received by this date, it may not be considered. The agency reserves the right to make a Hire any time after the initial screening date.
Please Note: We will review all applications received before the date above. Additional reviews after this date typically only occur if we have a small applicant pool, or if a successful Hire was not made.
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 (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information
About the Department of Ecology
Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embraces the value of people. To learn more, check out our Strategic Plan.
Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:
- A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
- An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
- Continuous growth and development opportunities.
- Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.
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.
Duties
What makes this role unique?
As a developer for the Program, this position is responsible for the design, development, maintenance and testing of multiple medium to large scale, mission critical, complex environmental data systems in the Solid Waste Management Program.
What you will do:
Tasks include, but are not limited to:
- Design, develop and implement custom information systems using Ecology's standard software development platform which adheres to industry best practices and agency software development standards. Web application development that leverages technologies including: MS SQL Server (T-SQL, SQL Server Reporting Services SSRS, SQL Server Integration Services SSIS), Microsoft .NET (ASP.Net Web Forms, ASP.NET MVC, .NET Core, C#), Bootstrap, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Azure DevOps and Github.
- Independently develop user-interfaces (UI), develop and implement specification packages from start to finish; code, test, and implement complex application components and web services; write reusable code using the C#, programming language; document information systems using the Unified Modeling Language (UML) or similar methodologies.
- Support, maintain, and enhance existing information systems.
- May assist program business analyst with the development of software test plans to include unit testing methods and end-user acceptance testing.
- Ensure data migration from older systems is successfully completed.
- Ensure adherence to industry standard Object Oriented Design constructs, recommended Microsoft software patterns and practices, and agency development standards.
- Participate in Agile Software Development projects following LEAN principles.
- Communicate effectively - verbally and in writing, with system users, co-workers and agency staff.
- Support and participate in team and group processes as needed.
- Determine the causes of system failure; notify system users of abnormal terminations.
- Formulate and execute resolutions to system problems.
- Recover or recreate files for which data integrity has been compromised by system errors; prepare and presents alternatives to prevent system errors from reoccurring to system users, management, and other technical personnel.
Participate in gathering end-user requirements to best meet business needs and translate to technical requirements.
Tasks include, but are not limited to:
- Collaborate with the project team to clarify complex and critical business processes and to assure a clear understanding of business system requirements that support these processes.
- Consult with the project team to analyze technology needs and define the problem; follow an agency-standard structured process; participate in requirement gathering sessions, know the questions to ask, determine needs, and solve problems effectively. This guarantees high-quality deliverables and satisfied users.
Conduct testing and resolve issues.
Tasks include, but are not limited to:
- Identify IT-related problems, including defining and analyzing the problem, identifying and testing solutions, choosing and implementing the best solution, documenting the changes as needed, and evaluating the outcome. This work translates to all SWM applications and includes meeting all agency accessibility and security requirements. Engage others in the process to attain highest level of understanding of problems and potential solutions.
- Resolve issues in the programming code and the user interface before releasing the application to business users for testing so that user frustration is minimized and user satisfaction is maximized.
- Compile issues reported by tester, prioritize fixes with input from business users and project leader; resolve these issues before rereleasing applications.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Years of required experience indicated below are full-time equivalent years. Full-time equivalent experience means that any experience where working hours were less than 40 hours per week will be prorated in order to meet the equivalency of full-time. We would calculate this by looking at the total hours worked per week, divide this by 40, and then multiply by the total number of months worked. Examples of the proration calculations are:
- 30 hours worked per week for 20 months: (30/40) x 20 months = 15 months full-time equivalent
- 20 hours worked per week for 12 months: (20/40) x 12 months = 6 months full-time equivalent
Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, education, and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.
Option 1:
Four (4) years of recent professional experience in computer application development and maintenance. Experience includes but not limited to analyzing, designing, implementing, maintaining and/or programming medium to large scale software applications.
Option 2:
Two (2) years of recent professional experience computer application development and maintenance. Experience includes but not limited to analyzing, designing, implementing, maintaining and/or programming medium to large scale software applications And
An Associate’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology (IT) or closely related field; OR completion of a two (2) year accredited vocational training program in IT or related program.
Option 3:
One (1) year of recent professional experience in computer application development and maintenance. Experience includes but not limited to analyzing, designing, implementing, maintaining and/or programming medium to large scale software applications And
A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Information Technology (IT) or closely related field.
All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:
Possible Combinations
College credit hours or degree - as listed above
Years of professional level experience - as listed above
Combination 1
No college credit hours or degree
4 years of experience
Combination 2
30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits
3 years of experience
Combination 3
60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree)
2 years of experience
Combination 4
Two-year accredited vocational training program in IT or related program
2 years of experience
Combination 5
90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits
1 year of experience
Combination 6
A Bachelor's Degree or higher
1 year of experience
Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.
- A Bachelor's degree with focus on programming/software engineering.
- Four (4) years of information technology experience developing information systems architecture using Microsoft development technologies such as MS SQL Server (T-SQL, SQL Server Reporting Services SSRS, SQL Server Integration Services SSIS), Microsoft .NET (ASP.Net Web Forms, ASP.NET MVC, .NET Core, C#), HTML, and JavaScript. At least three (3) of the four (4) years of experience should be within the last four (4) years.
- Professional experience consulting, designing, programming, maintenance and/or support work for moderate risk software applications and databases.
- Background in GIS.
Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.
Supplemental Information
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 candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?
- Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist.
- If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
- If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up on the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.
- If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology.
Application Instructions:
It's in the applicant's best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.
- A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
- A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
- Three professional references.
Note: References will only be contacted during the final steps of the recruitment process for candidates selected as finalists. References will not be contacted without the candidate’s formal authorization.
Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.
For Your Privacy:
When attaching documents to your application (such as Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):
- Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc.
- Do not attach documents that are password-protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded.
Additional Application Instructions for Current Ecology Employees:
Please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.
Application Attestation:
The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.
Other Information:
If you have specific questions about the position, please email Albert Salvi at: albert.salvi@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Albert to inquire about the status of your application.
To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov
Why work for Ecology?
As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.
Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment. A career in public service 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.
To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.
Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.
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. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
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.