Information Technology Specialist 4 (In-Training)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

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. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, and believes in the fun factor, Ecology is a good fit.

The Waste 2 Resources (W2R) program is looking to fill an IT Specialist 4 (In-Training) position. This position will be located in our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA .

The IT Specialist 4 position is a senior level application developer 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. This position uses 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. This position independently performs analysis, system design, installation, maintenance, programming, quality assurance, troubleshooting, problem resolution, and consulting tasks for Waste 2 Resources 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.

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. Maybe you’ve seen some of our recent stories on Twitter , Facebook , Instagram or our blog .

To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at www.ecy.wa.gov .

Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts

DUTIES:
The position is located within our Waste 2 Resources (W2R) program. The program’s mission is to reduce wastes through prevention and reuse, keep toxics out of the environment, and safely manage what remains.

Some of the key work activities at the IT Specialist 4 level are:

As a senior 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 Waste 2 Resources Program.

Tasks include, but are not limited to:
Designs, develops and implements custom information systems using Ecology’s standard software development platform which adheres to industry best practices and agency software development standards. Current development platform includes: C# programming language, Active Server Pages.Net (ASP.Net), HyperText Markup Language-5 (HTML5), JavaScript, Team Foundation Server and Microsoft SQL Server.

Independently develops user-interfaces (UI), develops and implements specification packages from start to finish; codes, tests, and implements complex application components and web services; writes reusable code using the C#, programming language; documents information systems using the Unified Modeling Language (UML).

Supports, maintains, and enhances existing information systems.

Develops software test plans to include unit testing methods and end-user acceptance testing.

Ensures data migration from older systems is successfully completed.

Ensures adherence to industry standard Object Oriented Design constructs, recommended Microsoft software patterns and practices, and agency development standards.

Participates in Agile Software Development projects following LEAN principles.

Communicates effectively – verbally and in writing, with system users, co-workers and agency staff.

Supports and participates in team and group processes as needed.

Determines the causes of system failure; notifies system users of abnormal terminations.

Formulates and executes resolutions to system problems.

Recovers or recreates files for which data integrity has been compromised by system errors; prepares and presents alternatives to prevent system errors from reoccurring to system users, management, and other technical personnel.

Gathers end-user requirements to best meet business needs and translate to technical requirements.

Tasks include, but are not limited to:
Collaborates 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.

Consults with customers to analyze technology needs and defines the problem; follows an agency-standard structured process; participates in requirement gathering sessions, knows the questions to ask, determines needs, and solves problems effectively. This guarantees high-quality deliverables and satisfied users.

Conducts testing and resolves issues.

Tasks include, but are not limited to:
Identifies 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. Engages others in the process to attain highest level of understanding of problems and potential solutions.

Resolves 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.

Compiles issues reported by tester, prioritizes fixes with input from business users and project leader; resolves these issues before rereleasing applications.

SharePoint Site Collection Administration and First Line of Support to Program Staff – Mitigate agency risk by facilitating consistent use and security management of SharePoint services based on agency policies and best practices to ensure that SharePoint is used in a way that protects agency confidential information.

Tasks include, but are not limited to:
Serves as a subject matter expert and first line of contact to program staff on SharePoint use including best practices, creation and management of sites, permissions, and trouble shooting.

Manages site collection for the program (top level program site).

Manages the SharePoint Security Groups within the site collection ensuring only trained site owners have full control of the appropriate sub sites and permissions are configured based on who needs access to what information so that information that needs to be confidential, remains confidential.

Assists W2R’s public disclosure coordinators on searching SharePoint in response to public disclosure requests.

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be May 5, 2017. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before May 4, 2017. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date .

To broaden the candidate pool, we will consider candidates that qualify at the IT Specialist 2, 3 and 4 levels. Please read the qualifications section below to learn more about this exciting career growth and in-training opportunity.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Qualifications:
At the IT Specialist 2 Level: Pay Range 54 – ($3907-$5126) Monthly

An Associate’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field, OR completion of a two (2) year accredited vocational training program in information technology or related field

AND

One (1) year recent professional experience in computer application development and maintenance.

A Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field may substitute for all of the above.

OR

Three (3) years recent professional experience in computer application development and maintenance. Experience includes but is not limited to analyzing, designing, implementing, maintaining and programming computer software applications.

Desired Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology or Computer Science.

Experience in consulting, design, programming, maintenance and/or support work for moderate risk software applications and databases.

Experience with Microsoft programming languages and Microsoft SQL Server.

Familiarity with commonly accepted IT industry standards and best practices.

Demonstrated initiative to improve skills through training and or other learning opportunities.

Working understanding of Oriented Program Concepts and IT project life cycle.

Required Qualifications:
At the IT Specialist 3 Level: Pay Range 58 – ($4313-$5657) Monthly

An Associate’s degree or higher in Computer Science; Information Technology OR completion of a two (2) year accredited vocational training program in information technology or related program

AND

Two (2) years recent professional experience in computer application development and maintenance of small to medium scale web-based applications.

A Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field may substitute for all of the above except one (1) year of the required experience.

OR

Four (4) years recent professional experience in computer application development and maintenance. Experience includes but not limited to independently analyzing, designing, implementing, maintaining and/or programming small to medium scale web-based applications.

Desired Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree with a focus on programming/software development.

Four years of professional information technology experience programming web-based software applications using Microsoft development technologies such as C#/ASP.Net, SQL Server, and HTML5/Javascript for mobile applications.

Professional experience transferring end-user requirements into technology solutions centered primarily on Microsoft technologies.

Required Qualifications:
At the IT Specialist 4 Level: Pay Range 62 – ($4762-$6247) Monthly

An Associate’s degree or higher in Computer Science; Information Technology OR completion of a two (2) year accredited vocational training program in information technology or related program

AND

Two (2) years recent professional level experience in computer application development and maintenance of medium to large scale systems.

OR

Four (4) years recent professional experience in computer application development and maintenance. Experience includes but not limited to independently analyzing, designing, implementing, maintaining and/or programming medium to large scale software applications.

Desired Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree with focus on programming/software development and/or engineering.

Four (4) years of information technology experience programming web-based software applications or developing information systems architecture using Microsoft development technologies such as C#/ASP.Net, SQL Server, and HTML5/Javascript for mobile applications. At least two (2) of the four (4) years of experience should be within the last four (4) years.

Professional experience programming, maintenance and/or support work for moderate risk software applications and databases.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Application Instructions:
Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile’s resume text field.

Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including “please see resume” may disqualify you from further consideration.

Department of 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.

If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on “Look for Jobs” and select Dept. of Ecology under the “Department” search list. Click “Apply Search.”

Other Information:
If you need assistance applying for this job, please call Human Resources at (360) 407-6186 or e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov . Please do not call this number or send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile’s main page.

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Al Salvi at: asal461@ecy.wa.gov . Please do not contact Al to inquire about the status of your application.

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.

This position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union bargaining unit for the Department of Ecology. All employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the WFSE will, as a condition of employment, either become members of the WFSE and pay membership dues or, as non-members, pay a representation fee as described in the CBA, no later than the 30th day following the effective date of this CBA or the beginning of their employment.

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 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.