Data Manager Jobs in Federal Way, WA (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $90,096.00 - $121,176.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-ITSO5433-06144
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Division: Information Technology Services
Opening Date: 07/30/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is hiring an EIM Data Manager (IT Data Management - Journey)within the Information Technology Services Office (ITSO).
Location:

• Headquarters Office in
• 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 August 12, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties
In this position, you will serve as Ecology's subject matter expert for the Environmental Information Management System (EIM), Ecology's authoritative repository for environmental monitoring data. You will have the unique opportunity to lead technical and strategic initiatives and projects, manage complex scientific reference tables and data schemas, and ensure data integrity and interoperability across agency, state, and national standards. As chair of the EIM Steering Committee, you will facilitate collaboration and high impact decision making among Ecology's environmental programs. You will collaborate with diverse teams, including scientists, developers, and external partners, and help shape the direction of environmental data management agencywide. The role is both intellectually and operationally challenging, requiring skills in environmental science, database design, and customer service, while providing experience in cross-agency collaboration, governance, and continuous learning. You will find opportunities for professional growth, leadership development, and exposure to innovative projects that directly impact regulatory, scientific, and operational outcomes across the agency. You will also contribute to the reliability and accessibility of environmental data, gain expertise in technical documentation and user support, and play a key role in advancing Ecology's mission to protect and enhance the state's environment
What you will do:

• Serve as the agency's technical expert and point person for environmental data management.
• Manage key system metadata in 60+ EIM reference tables per request or need, including parameters, field and analytical lab methods, taxa, and units.
• Lead technical documentation efforts spanning multiple system applications and types of environmental monitoring data.
• Lead customer service efforts, including managing system accounts and responding to a wide variety of technical and scientific questions.
• Lead coordination, research, and identification of valid values based on best available science for new collection methods and devices that collect environmental data stored in EIM.
• Define data requirements for system upgrades or new functions.

Qualifications
For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our
Required Qualifications:

• Five years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:
  
  • Environmental Data Modeling and Schema Management -Demonstrated experience designing, assessing, and refining environmental data schemas to support standardized, scientifically credible, and structurally sound environmental data storage.
  • Environmental Valid Value and Metadata Management - Demonstrated ability to evaluate scientific methods, parameters, units, and taxonomic values to maintain accurate and consistent metadata and reference tables that support data integrity.
  • Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving - Demonstrated ability to evaluate complex environmental datasets and reference resources to identify issues, interpret scientific implications, and ensure credible, accurate environmental data.
  • Technical Coordination for System Integrations and Data Quality - Proven track record collaborating with partners to resolve technical issues and maintain alignment across integrated systems.
  • Advanced Querying and Data Analysis - Demonstrated ability to perform complex database queries, diagnostics, and statistical evaluations to identify data issues, support system improvements, and resolve user inquiries.
  • Strategic and Systems Thinking - Demonstrated ability to align environmental data management activities with agency, state, and national standards to guide long-term direction, improve systems, and support governance decisions.
  • User Training and Documentation Development - Demonstrated ability to create and maintain technical documentation, training materials, and guidance to help users correctly use EIM systems and submit compliant data.
  • Customer Service and Issue Resolution - Demonstrated ability to respond to inquiries, diagnose data-related issues, and prioritize customer service needs to ensure users and data submitters receive timely, accurate support.
• Education involving a major study in Computer Science, Information Technology (IT), Environmental Science, or another closely related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 5 years of experience.
• 4 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 3 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate's degree).
• 2 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 1 year of experience AND a Bachelor's degree.

Desired Qualifications:

• Ability to understand environmental sampling approaches, laboratory analyses, and monitoring program structures to support accurate interpretation of reference values and data issues.
• Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial data.
• Ability to understand or work with API specifications, XML/JSON formats, or data exchange tools to support modern, scalable system interoperability.
• Knowledge of federal National Hydrography Data (NHD) or 3D Hydrography Data (3DHP).
• Ability to guide staff and partners through procedural, technical, or standards-related change to ensure smooth adoption of new data practices.
• Ability to lead collaborative technical conversations across agencies, laboratories, and external partners to support shared data standards and problem resolution.

If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.
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
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
• Technical Writing Sample

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
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 or
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Christina Kellum at
• 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

About the Information Technology Services Office
The mission of the Information Technology Services Office (ITSO) is to empower the Department of Ecology through secure, reliable, and innovative technology, data, and spatial solutions that accelerate scientific discovery, enhance operational efficiency, and support environmental protection for all Washingtonians.
Our vision is to transform ITSO into a strategic enabler of Ecology's mission - where technology is seamlessly integrated across science and operations, data is accessible and actionable, and innovation is embedded in how we protect Washington's environment.
About the Enterprise Data Section
The mission of the Enterprise Data Section is to support, promote, and continuously improve data management and usage best practices to protect sensitive information and foster sound and efficient data informed decisions that strengthens Ecology's mission.
Our vision is that data is fully utilized across the organization to meet Ecology's mission.
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: , , *, *, , , & , , , , , , , *Click here for more information
To learn more about Ecology, please visit our , explore , check out our , and connect with us on , , , , or our
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.
Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.
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.
#LI-Hybrid
#LI-DNP
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washing