Description
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 cole.alford@dcyf.wa.gov. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or emailsupport@neogov.com.
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.
Benefits
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. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave) Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave Leave Sharing Parental Leave Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 01-07-2026