IT Application Development (Senior Specialist)

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 97,000 - 131,000; Full time

Job summary

The DCYF Application Development team in Olympia, WA seeks a Senior/Specialist .NET Developer to design, build, and support critical applications. Lead on a collaborative team delivering secure, high-availability solutions, with emphasis on SDLC discipline and AI-enabled features.

Responsibilities include transforming requirements into functional apps, integrating with state agencies and partners, and ensuring robust, compliant software delivery. Hybrid work arrangement preferred.

Qualifications

• 11+ years of progressively more complex problem solving as a developer designing, developing or maintaining large-scale applications.
• 9+ years of progressively more complex problem solving as a developer with .NET C#, SQL Server, SSRS, and web programming.
• 7+ years of progressively more complex problem solving with .NET C#, SQL Server, and related tools.

Responsibilities

• Independently creating, upgrading, maintaining, enhancing, testing and replacing existing applications.
• Participates in iterative SDLC process improvements.
• Designs and develops interfaces with business partners and third parties.
• Uses tools to integrate and support COTS software and services.
• Translates high-level requirements into functional specs.
• Troubleshoots and resolves complex application, interface and data issues.
• Ensures security and privacy requirements are met.
• Monitors health and function of applications and responds to problems.
• Provides technical leadership to the development team.
• Develops applications integrating AI capabilities such as text analysis and automation.

Skills

Technical leadership

SDLC knowledge

Secure, high-availability apps

AI capabilities integration

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in computer science or closely allied field

Associate’s degree or higher in computer science or closely allied field

Tools

.NET C#

SQL Server

SSRS

Transact SQL (T-SQL)

Web development

Job description

Description

Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy—thriving physically, emotionally and educationally, nurtured by family and community.”

• This position is being reposted. If you have already applied, you do not need to apply again.

Job Title: IT Application Development – Senior/Specialist (Olympia)

Location: Olympia WA, Thurston County (Flexible/Hybrid)

Closes: July 1st, 2026

Salary: $97,356.00 - $130,992.00 Annually

The Opportunity

The DCYF Application Development team is seeking a skilled .NET Developer to help design, develop, and support mission-critical applications that directly support the agency’s mission to protect children and strengthen families. This role serves as a technical lead on a collaborative team, working on secure, high-availability applications, mobile solutions, and system integrations that support critical child welfare and business services across Washington State.

Some Of What You Will Get To Do

• Independently creating, upgrading, maintaining, enhancing, testing and replacing existing applications
• Participates in iterative process improvements regarding the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC.)
• Designs and develops of interfaces with business partners (state agencies as well as third party.)
• Uses software development methods and tools to integrate and support custom-off-the-shelf (COTS) software and services.
• Decomposes high-level business and user requirements into functional requirements
• Troubleshooting and resolving complex application, interface and data related issues.
• Ensures security and privacy requirements are met.
• Monitors health and function of applications, reacts and responds to problems.
• Provides technical leadership to application development team
• Develops applications integrating AI capabilities such as text analysis, automation, or decision support

Required Qualifications

• Eleven (11) years of progressively more complex problem solving as a developer designing, developing or maintaining large-scale applications with mission critical business functions using .NET C#, SQL Server, SQL Reporting Services, Transact SQL, Web based programming, and supporting tools. Expert knowledge of application development principles, concepts, technologies, current industry standards and the Microsoft technology stack including Windows, Visual Studio, IIS, .NET C#, SQL, TFS, SharePoint, etc.
• Associate’s degree or higher with a focus on computer science or closely allied field. AND Nine (9) years of progressively more complex problem solving as a developer designing, developing or maintaining large-scale applications with mission critical business functions using .NET C#, SQL Server, SQL Reporting Services, Transact SQL, Web based programming, and supporting tools.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in computer science or closely allied field. AND Seven (7) years of progressively more complex problem solving as a developer designing, developing or maintaining large-scale applications with mission critical business functions using NET C#, SQL Server, SQL Reporting Services, Transact SQL, Web based programming, and supporting tools.

• The ability to take action to learn and grow
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Experience may be gained concurrently.

Desirable/Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Unisys COBOL, UCOB MCB TIP Programs interfacing with Web Services, 2200 Executive Control Language (ECL), DMS 2200 database software, and SSG.
• Experience maintaining and supporting IT applications in a 7 day a week / 24 hour a day availability situation.
• Agile Training or Certification
• .NET Developer training or certification
• Familiarity with concepts in Machine Learning or Natural Language Processing.

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 [e-mail]. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at [phone] or [e-mail].

“Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214 or NGB Form 22, or other verification of military service. 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.”

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.

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