IT Project Management (Senior/Specialist) Olympia

Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy—thriving physically, emotionally and educationally, nurtured by family and community."

Job Title: IT Project Management (Senior/Specialist) Olympia

Location: Thurston County – Olympia, Washington (Hybrid)

Closes: August 25th, 2026

Salary: $99,300.00 - $133,608.00 Annually

IT plays an important role in helping DCYF support children, youth, and families by providing the technology and systems staff need to deliver effective services. From supporting social workers and Juvenile Rehabilitation facilities to developing innovative solutions, DCYF IT helps staff work more efficiently and improve outcomes for children and families across Washington.

Click here to learn more about DCYF .

The Opportunity:

This position provides senior-level project management services for complex IT development, enhancement, maintenance, and infrastructure projects that support enterprise-level and mission-critical systems directly impacting public health and safety. Drawing on advance knowledge, independent judgement, and industry best practices, the role ensures effective application of project management standards throughout the project life cycle. It involves close collaboration with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to ensure project success from initiation to completion.

Some of what you will get to do:

Assemble and lead project teams through the complete project lifecycle. Apply project management processes, tools, and best practices to assigned projects. Identify project stakeholders and develop project stakeholder registers in collaboration with project sponsor(s). Work with project Sponsor(s) to identify and allocate resources necessary for achieving project goals. Manage testing and quality assurance depending on system complexity, risk and impact. Provide leadership, guidance and mentoring to teams in the values, principles and practices of Agile and Scrum. Ensure Agile Teams follow established DCYF Agile practices. Provide leadership in team development, productivity, and process improvement. Promote team empowerment, ensuring that each team member is fully engaged in the project and making a meaningful contribution. Work with other Scrum Masters to increase the effectiveness of the application of Scrum within the IT department.

Required Qualifications:

Seven (7) years of relevant experience in the field of information technology, such as managing projects, consulting, analyzing, designing, programming, installing and/or maintaining computer software applications, hardware, telecommunications or network infrastructure equipment, or providing customer/technical support.

OR

A bachelor’s degree or higher in computer science, data management, information systems or related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) or the Council for Higher Education (CHEA) AND five (5) years of experience with progressively increasing responsibilities

AND

The ability to take action to learn and grow The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Additional Qualifications:

Senior-level project management experience leading the end-to-end implementation and supporting the ongoing operations and maintenance of complex enterprise information systems, including ERP or comparable agency-wide systems. Strong interpersonal skills include mentoring, coaching, collaborating, and team building. Strong analytical, planning, and organizational skills and an ability to effectively manage and prioritize competing demands. Advanced knowledge of both Agile and traditional project management principles and practices and the ability "to blend them together. Experience leading complex SQL Server upgrade initiatives and managing domain migration projects in state government or large public sector IT environments. *Experience may be gained concurrently.

Preferred Qualifications:

Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Manager Professional (PMP) Certification. Certified Scrum Master (CSM). Experience with production support processes and procedures. Experience managing data, analytics, or AI-related Initiatives. Understanding of risks associated with AI systems (e.g., bias, data quality, transparency). Experience working with vendors providing AI or analytics services (e.g., IBM, Accenture). Infrastructure & technical certifications. e.g. SQL Server/Database Administrator or equivalent. Experience with Washington State policies and procedures regarding IT projects.

How do I apply? Complete your applicant profile on careers.wa.gov and attach the following documents:

Current resume detailing experience and education. Letter of Interest that details how you meet the qualifications for the position.

Supplemental Information:

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

For more information about this position or if you need an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, please contact DCYF recruiter. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or [email protected]. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, NGB Form 22 or Predischarge Certification (issued not more than 120 days prior to End of Term of Service (ETS) by date of submission). If claiming preference based on Predischarge Certification, individual will be required to provide their official discharge documentation, such as a DD form 214, NGB form 22, or equivalent, within 30 days after the date of discharge. Please blackout (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here .

DCYF participates in the federal E-Verify program. The selected candidate must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States, consistent with E-Verify requirements, on their first day of employment.