DSHS FTAA IT System Administration Senior

State of Washington; Yakima (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is seeking a Senior IT System Administrator to lead and elevate technology for Residential Habitation Center Region 1, including Yakima Valley School and Lakeland Village. This role combines hands-on technical leadership with supervisory responsibilities to ensure secure, continuous technology services for residents and staff.

You will supervise IT staff, manage enterprise systems, and act as the primary liaison with enterprise

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher with emphasis in IT system/network administration and programming; seven years of leadership/administrative IT experience.
• Eleven years of IT system/network administration and programming with leadership experience; education/experience can substitute year-for-year.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and guide local IT staff supporting systems administration, networks, telecommunications, end-user accounts, and computing services.
• Architect, maintain, and troubleshoot enterprise systems, server environments, and core infrastructure while leading daily operations.
• Serve as the primary liaison between facility leadership and enterprise technology partners.
• Ensure local technology frameworks meet security, continuity, and compliance requirements for round-the-clock care environments.
• Maintain regular onsite presence with travel between Yakima Valley School and Lakeland Village; occasional coordination with other state regions.

Skills

IT system administration

Network administration

Programming

Leadership experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in IT / computer science or related field

Master’s degree in computer science or closely allied field

Tools

CompTIA Network+ certification

CompTIA Security+ certification

Job description

Are you a hands-on technical leader ready to direct and elevate the technology that powers 24/7 care? The Finance, Technology, and Analytics Administration (FTAA) of The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, is looking for a Senior IT System Administrator to serve as the senior technical and supervisory authority for Residential Habitation Center (RHC) Region 1 —covering both the Yakima Valley School and Lakeland Village.

In this vital role, you won't just manage servers and networks, you will directly ensure that residential facilities supporting vulnerable adults and children have seamless, secure, and continuous technology services.

Some of What You’ll Do:

• Supervise and guide local IT staff supporting systems administration, networks, telecommunications, end-user accounts, and computing services.
• Architect, maintain, and troubleshoot enterprise systems, server environments, and core infrastructure while leading daily operations.
• Serve as the primary liaison between RHC R1 facility leadership and enterprise technology partners.
• Ensure local technology frameworks meet strict security, operational continuity, and compliance requirements tailored for round-the-clock care environments.
• Maintain regular onsite presence with scheduled travel between Yakima Valley School and Lakeland Village, plus occasional coordination with other state regions.

What we are looking for

• Professionals with a bachelor’s degree or above with major emphasis in IT system/network administration and programming and seven years of consultative, administrative, or leadership experience in IT, network administration, programming, system maintenance, or IT systems troubleshooting/problem resolution experience.

Or,

• Eleven years* of IT system/network administration and programming, in addition to consultative, administrative, or leadership experience in IT, network administration, programming, system maintenance, or IT systems troubleshooting/problem resolution experience.

*Additional education or experience may substitute for the other experience on a year by year basis.

Preferred Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• A Master’s degree in computer science or closely allied field.
• Experience supporting information technology systems in healthcare, behavioral health, correctional, or other secure residential environments.
• CompTIA Network+ certification
• CompTIA Security+ certification

We are seeking a calm, focused, and action-oriented individual who excels at critical thinking and multi-tasking. As a skilled communicator, you will be driven to help peers and customers resolve technical issues, leveraging your curiosity and experience to overcome environmental and product challenges. In this role, you will collaborate with the team to deliver high-quality, timely, and thoroughly tested system enhancements, ensuring our products and applications connect seamlessly and function perfectly.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at [phone]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Neboti?) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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