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GIS Application Development - Manager

Washington State Department of Ecology
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Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen


 

 

The Department of Ecology is hiring a GIS Application Development - Manager 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 13, 2025
  • 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 May 13, 2025, may not be considered.

 


 

 


 

 

Duties

 

In this role, located within the Information Technology Services Office (ITSO), as the manager of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) unit, you will spearhead the architecture, development, and maintenance of agency-wide geographic and environmental data systems. This critical management position will guide the stewardship of key state datasets, including Washington’s National Hydrography Dataset (3NHD), ensuring data integrity and availability to support decision-making at all levels—from staff to legislators, partner agencies, and the public.

What you will do:

  • As a senior leader in the Information Technology Services Office (ITSO), the GIS Unit Manager is responsible for not only overseeing current GIS operations but also championing the adoption of cutting-edge GIS technologies, such as cloud computing, AI-driven geospatial analysis, and mobile GIS applications. This position will direct modernization efforts that align with organizational goals to enhance the scalability, performance, and resilience of Ecology’s GIS services.
  • Serve as a mentor and leader for a growing team of GIS professionals, promoting a culture of innovation, continuous learning, and inclusion. The GIS Unit Manager fosters an environment where modern leadership principles—such as servant leadership and emotional intelligence—are applied to enhance team performance and job satisfaction.
  • Foster collaboration, partner engagement, and staff development to enhance the agency’s GIS capabilities and ensure strategic alignment with organizational goals. This role is responsible for coordinating IT activities across programs, prioritizing GIS workload effectively, and promoting continuous learning within the GIS team.
  • Support the agency and ITSO mission by providing effective direction, management, and supervision of the GIS Unit to develop, implement, and maintain critical systems that support business goals and initiatives. Ecology staff, management, legislators, partner-agencies, and the public rely upon these complex geospatial information systems, to accurately identify, examine, and reflect the environmental conditions of Washington State.
  • Serve as the primary advisor to ITSO management on all GIS-related technology, providing expert guidance on integrating cutting-edge solutions such as containerization (Docker/Kubernetes), microservices architecture, and real-time data processing tools. This ensures that GIS systems are both scalable and adaptable to future demands.
  • Serve as the agency’s foremost authority on Geographic Information Systems (GIS), providing visionary leadership and advanced technical guidance. This position embodies expert-level knowledge and specialized skills in GIS technology architectures, fostering a deep understanding of how these technologies can strategically support and enhance Ecology’s business practices
  •  Serve as an executive member of the Washington State Geographic Information Council (WAGIC). The purpose of the WAGIC is to foster the advancement of the geospatial information infrastructure (data, people, technology, and policy) and its use across governmental entities within and around Washington State.

 

 

 

Qualifications

 

 

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

 

Required Qualifications:

 

Nine years of experience and/or education as described below:

  • Experience in one or more of the following, IT disciplines: Geographic Information Systems, consultation, systems development, systems analysis, database management, technical support troubleshooting, project management, or server management. Experience must include:
    • 5 or more years of experience using Geographic Information Systems
    • 3 or more years of experience using Azure DevOps.
    • 3 or more years of experience using Agile Methodologies.
  • Education involving a major study in an Information Technology program, geography/GIS, computer science, a natural sciences field, or a 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 or higher.

 

Desired Qualifications:

  • A Bachelor’s degree with focus on geography/GIS, computer science, or a natural sciences field.
  • Four years of software development experience, including project management, application architecture, C# or comparable programming experience and database administration. At least two of the four years of experience should be within the last 4 years.
  • Education and knowledge of environmental sciences and supporting science-based business areas.
  • Professional level experience consulting, designing, programming, maintenance and/or supporting work for moderate or large size organization.
  • Experience supervising, leading, mentoring IT professionals in team and individual capacity.
  • 3 years of experience using GitHub.

 

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

 

 

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.

 

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 Eric Sabisch at Eric.Sabisch@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 (ITSO)

The Information Technology Services Office’s (ITSO) mission is to create and support useful technology services that are adaptable and support Ecology’s mission. 
 
With an eye on the future, this position plays a pivotal role in driving the development of resilient and scalable systems that enable precise environmental analysis and monitoring. By providing visionary leadership and fostering innovation, you will ensure that Washington State continues to rely on robust geospatial information systems to protect and restore its air, land, and waters. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of environmental data management, supporting EBTS, ITSO, and Ecology’s broader mission to address the challenges of tomorrow.

 

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 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.

 

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 

 

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.

 

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency.