State Data Center Infrastructure Specialist

Salary: $90,000.00 - $115,200.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-WaTech-0388-04740
Department: Washington Technology Solutions
Division: ETS SDC
Opening Date: 10/06/2026
Closing Date: 10/20/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Description
State Data Center Infrastructure Specialist (EMS 2)

This recruitment has been reposted to expand the applicant pool. Applicants who previously applied do not need to reapply.

WaTech: Leading the way in technology!

Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech) is a national leader in adopting new, innovative technologies that transform the way Washingtonians receive state services. As the state's central technology agency, WaTech is responsible for core IT services and guides the strategic direction of technology across multiple programs and domains.
About the opportunity:
This position is part of the State Data Center (SDC) facility operations team. The State Data Center (SDC) program is responsible for directing and coordinating all activities related to implementing and operating SDC services. This includes: securing and managing the critical environmental systems; developing and implementing business processes; designing the information technology architecture; engineering enterprise IT services; and coordinating the many projects necessary to implement SDC services. This position reports directly to the State Data Center Facility Manager.

As a State Data Center Infrastructure Specialist , you will serve as the assistant to the manager responsible for managing the electrical and mechanical systems, as well as the hardware installation/de-installation needed to effectively operate systems within the state data center(s).

Duties
Some of what to expect with this role:

• Develop and document plans in Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) tool for equipment power as hardware requirements are identified and projected to ensure standards are being followed and limits are not being exceeded.
• Work with Space Management team to ensure all required calendar entries including work plans, power configuration, access and notifications of installations and decommissioning of equipment are entered, followed and documented accurately.
• Plan for and oversee installation of data center hardware for all customers moving equipment into the Olympia State Data Center and Quincy Data Center.
• Coordinate installation activities for internal Critical Environment staff and provide input to the installation and removal of data processing hardware as necessary into the Olympia State Data Center and Quincy Data Center.
• Provide tactical data in the preparation of acquisition plans.
• Provide oversight and serve as the lead for all Moves/Adds/Changes (MAC) about the Critical Environment (CE) to ensure standards are met and work is completed as planned.
• Request and review quotes from vendors for repairs needed to maintain the data centers.
• Respond to incidents in a timely manner and take appropriate actions to limit damage and avoid costly repairs.
• Primary point of contact for scheduling all preventive maintenance and service call activities.

Qualifications
Here's what we're looking for:

• Nine years of experience in data center operations or a similar facility. A bachelor's degree in construction management, industrial maintenance, or a similar area of study, or completion of a certificate program, may substitute on a year-for-year basis for up to four years of the required experience. The nine years must also include:
  • Three years of data center facilities experience in Critical Environment (CE) infrastructure (electrical, mechanical, generator, and fire suppression systems), including day-to-day operational knowledge.
  • Two years' experience with basic Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) rules and general workplace safety awareness and injury prevention methods as it pertains to office building and data center environments.
• Strong written/verbal skills.
• Experience with Microsoft products (Word, Excel, Visio, etc.).
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Preference may be granted to applicants with the following:

• Experience in managing staff and contractors engaged in supporting all data center facilities critical environments.
• Experience overseeing major projects to upgrade or implement data center critical environment equipment and facilities infrastructure.
• Data center facility construction project management experience.

Supplemental Information
Telework: This position requires daily onsite/in person presence at WaTech's Olympia, Washington office. This position periodically requires being on standby, responding to time-sensitive issues during non-business hours, and on weekends and holidays.
We value diversity and different perspectives:

WaTech is committed to providing equal access and opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees. We seek to attract and retain a diverse staff and welcome your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. We invite you to include your preferred name and pronouns in your material to ensure we address you correctly throughout the application process.
What WaTech offers:

As an employee of WaTech, you'll have access to an outstanding that includes medical and dental plan options for you and your family, paid leave and holidays, retirement plan options and more.
While WaTech is headquartered in Olympia, Washington, which is near some of the country's most , we are able to offer many of our positions telework and flexible schedule options to help support a healthy work-life balance.
To learn more about WaTech and what our employees enjoy about working here, please .
Additional information about this role:

• This position requires a background check. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability to perform in the position and is a continued condition of employment.

How to apply:

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Please select the large "apply" button at the top of this announcement. In addition to completing your online application, please also include the following attachments:

• A current resume detailing your applicable experience, training and/or education.
• A letter of interest highlighting how your experience aligns with the outlined job posting.

Top candidates will be asked to provide a list of their professional references with contact information.
Reminders:

• A real person is reviewing your application material. It is in your best interest to complete the application in its entirety and review thoroughly before submitting. You will not be eligible to re-apply for this posting for 30 days.
• Applications with missing or incomplete fields, or supplemental question responses such as "see resume" may be considered incomplete and removed from consideration.
• WaTech complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal Form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States. WaTech does not use the E-Verify system. We are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practice Training (OPT) opportunities. For more information, please visit
• Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. (Please redact any personally identifiable data such as social security number and date of birth prior to submittal.)

By submitting your materials, you affirm that all information is true and correct. Any untruthful information is cause for removal from the applicant pool. If hired as a result of this recruitment, the discovery of incorrect or falsified information may lead to disciplinary action or dismissal.
Recruitment process:

The first round of application assessments will be conducted seven days after the initial job posting date. The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time after the initial seven-day job posting date. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions.
The salary range reflected above reflects the full potential for this position. The base pay offered to the selected candidate will consider the candidate's specific qualifying experience and internal equity of the existing team.
Contact us: For inquiries about this position, please contact Rebekah Wilkes at or email to
If you'd like to request an accommodation for any part of the selection process, or to receive the application material in an alternate format, please contact Human Resources at or .Persons of disability or those who are deaf or hard of hearing can call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-.
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 (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 (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 , 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

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
01


Please select the option that best describes how you meet the required qualifications:

• I have nine years of experience in data center operations or a similar facility
• I have bachelor's degree in construction management, industrial maintenance, or a similar area of study, or completion of a certificate program AND experience in data center operations or a similar facility that totals 9 years.
• I do not have the required experience and/or education, but I am willing to learn.

02


Please explain how you gained the experience in question #1. If this does not apply, use "N/A"
03


Do you have three years of data center facilities experience in Critical Environment (CE) infrastructure (electrical, mechanical, generator, and fire suppression systems), including day-to-day operational knowledge?

• Yes
• No

04


Please explain how you gained the experience in question #3. If this does not apply, use "N/A"
05


Do you have two years of experience with basic OSHA and WISHA rules and general workplace safety awareness and injury prevention methods as pertained to office building and data center environments?

• Yes
• No

06


Please explain how you gained the experience in question #5. If this does not apply, use "N/A"
07


Do you have Experience with Microsoft products (Word, Excel, Visio, etc.)?

• Yes
• No

08


Do you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status or F1 OPT, etc.)?

• Yes
• No

09


How did you learn about this WaTech opportunity? Select all that apply.

• Business Resource Group (BRG)
• Careers.wa.gov
• Governmentjobs.com
• Public job sites (e.g., Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, Monster, etc.)
• Job Fair
• LinkedIn
• WaTech employee
• WaTech website
• WorkSource
• Other

Required Question