IT System Administration - Senior/Specialist

Our vision is to ensure that "Washington state's children and youth grow up safe and health-thriving physically, emotionally and academically, nurtured by family and community"

Job Title: IT System Administration – Senior Specialist Location: Olympia WA, Thurston County (Flexible/Hybrid) Closes: November 19th, 2026 Salary: $94,620- $127,248.00 Annually

As a DevOps Engineer, you will help DCYF modernize and improve how technology is delivered by creating automation that makes systems more reliable, secure, and efficient. You will support teams across the agency by automating application and infrastructure processes, monitoring system health, and providing technical guidance on Linux and automation. This work helps DCYF maintain the technology needed to effectively serve children, youth, and families across Washington.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:

This DevOps Engineer reports to the DevOps Architect and provides technical guidance to other DevOps engineers, with a focus on Linux systems and automation. The position works closely with development teams and other DCYF divisions to improve how software is developed, tested, released, and supported. This role helps connect development and IT operations by improving processes, managing infrastructure and system configurations, and using automation to make work more efficient and reliable.

Some of what you'll get to do:

• Provide a high level of expertise in proper configuration and maintenance for enterprise Linux systems.
• Interface with software vendors and industry partners to make tactical decisions related to the procurement and implementation.
• Install, configure, customize, and document application build and release tooling.
• Design, develop, and maintain custom automation to work with and/or augment vendor-provided tools.
• Manage permissions within the agency’s chosen platforms for various portions of the SDLC.
• Partner with our operations to provision and configure infrastructure for hosting applications.
• Assist in the hardening of these application platforms.
• Coach, mentor, and assist DCYF IT staff and other stakeholders to understand and implement DevOps processes and practices across all phases of the SDLC.

Required Qualifications:

• Seven years of progressively complex problem-solving experience developing, maintaining, and/or deploying .NET and Java-based applications and SQL databases.

OR

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or closely allied field including at least 9 semesters hours or 15 quarter hours in computer science courses; with two years of progressively complex problem-solving experience developing, maintaining, and/or deploying .NET-based applications and SQL databases.

AND

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

Additional Required Qualifications:

• Experience with modern tools and practices for the acceleration and improvement of SDLC processes including CI/CD tools and patterns (including pipelines- as-code), pipeline-integrated automated testing, and declarative infrastructure- and configuration-as-code
• Expert knowledge of application development principles, concepts, technologies, and industry standards.
• Expert knowledge of the values and principles of Agile and DevOps conceptual frameworks.
• Experience working in a highly regulated environment where IT assets are subject to state and federal IS requirements and regulations.

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all the following:

• Experience directly developing and maintaining applications using .NET, Java, and/or COBOL.
• Experience in database administration.
• Experience installing and configuring JBoss EAP, Internet Information Services (IIS) and/or other web server technologies.

How do I apply? In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position:

• Cover Letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.
• Current resume detailing experience and education.

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 recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment or if you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact Cole Alford (Talent Acquisition Specialist) at [email protected]. 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. 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.