Network Administrator (IT Network & Telecoms - Journey)

Salary : $85,800.00 - $115,416.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-ITSO4597-08334
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Division: Information Technology Services
Opening Date: 10/12/2026
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 a Network Administrator (IT Network & Telecoms - 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 October 19, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

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
Duties
In this role, you'll serve as an advocate and technical resource for the agency's on-prem and Public Cloud networking infrastructure. You'll combine hands-on network engineering with project management to plan, implement, operate, and maintain the converged and integrated network services that keep Ecology's applications and staff connected across the state, directly supporting our work to protect Washington's air, water, and land.

This is a journey-level position (one level below Senior). You'll work with a high degree of independence on complex on-prem and network infrastructure while collaborating closely with senior technical staff, ITSO's IT Security team, Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech), and external vendors.
What you will do:

• Provide primary network engineering support for Ecology's on-prem and cloud infrastructure by installing, configuring, and maintaining Layer 2/3 components, gateways, and firewalls, and coordinating work with internal teams and external partners.
• Monitor LAN/WAN performance and operational health across all agency sites, identifying anomalies, bandwidth issues, outages, and security-related events and ensuring timely follow-up with ISPs and the IT Security team.
• Deliver Tier 2 and Tier 3 support statewide, resolving complex wired and wireless networking issues, authentication failures, and WAN disruptions, and conducting root cause analysis to prevent recurrence.
• Perform routine maintenance to keep network infrastructure secure and optimized, including software updates, patching, password rotations, certificate management, and compliance with ITSO/State standards.
• Maintain accurate and current network documentation, including IP address assignments, topology diagrams, configuration guides, and full inventory records for network hardware.
• Provide technical consultation on network design and implementation, serving as a subject matter expert for planning, guiding technology choices, and mentoring support staff.
• Build vendor relationships and research emerging on-prem and cloud networking technologies to recommend solutions that support business needs and maintain high reliability.
• Lead and support project planning and implementation by analyzing dependencies, designing work plans, strengthening network security, and coordinating timelines across service delivery teams.

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:
  
  • Project Coordination - Ability to plan and organize tasks and timelines to support the successful delivery of network-related projects.
  • Documentation Management - Ability to keep accurate and up-to-date network records, diagrams, and instructions to support troubleshooting and compliance.
  • Network Engineering & Troubleshooting - Ability to install, configure, maintain, and repair network equipment and connections to ensure reliable, secure communication across the agency.
  • Infrastructure Maintenance & Optimization - Ability to update software and equipment, manage certificates and configurations, and keep systems current to reduce downtime and security risk.
  • Network Design & Evaluation - Ability to assess business needs, evaluate options, and recommend network designs that balance cost, resiliency, security, and performance.
  • Documentation Management - Ability to keep accurate and up-to-date network records, diagrams, and instructions to support troubleshooting and compliance.
• Education involving a major study in IT, Computer Science, or 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:

• A Bachelor's degree with focus on computer science, or Network hardware or architecture.
• Four years of information technology experience designing and maintaining Cisco wireless controllers, Cisco Core Infrastructure, Cisco Prime Infrastructure, ISE (Identity Service Engine), and Data Center experience.
• Proficient with Cisco iOS and working knowledge of routing protocols and services required to support wired/wireless network infrastructure.

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

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 Senthil Masilamani 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 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. 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


How did you hear about this job?

• Community Based Organization
• Community / Technical College
• Ecology Employee
• Ecology Recruiter
• Ecology Jobs Page
• Facebook
• Job Board
• Job Fair
• LinkedIn
• Newspaper
• Other State Agency
• Other Website
• Professional Association
• Twitter
• University Job Board
• WorkSource
• Other

02


If you selected Community Based Organization, Community / Technical College, Job Board, Job Fair, LinkedIn Group, Newspaper, Other State Agency, Other Website, Professional Association, University Job Board, WorkSource, or Other, please share which one.
03


Have you ever worked for the Department of Ecology in any capacity including: Permanent, Non-Permanent, Project, Intern, or Volunteer?

• Yes
• No

04


How many years of experience do you have related to the duties of this position? Please include any experience gained through employment, internships, and/or volunteer positions. Note that experience gained from academic coursework, class projects, or other degree requirements is assessed in later questions.

• One year
• Two years
• Three years
• Four years
• Five or more years
• None of the above

05


What is your level of education?

• 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits
• 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate's degree)
• 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Ph.D.
• None of the above

06


If you have college credits or a degree, please list your major(s) or field(s) of study and any degree(s) earned. If you don't have this education, put N/A.
07


How many years of experience do you have working with public cloud networking, such as Azure or Amazon Web Services (AWS), if any.

• Less than 1 year
• 1 - 2 years
• 2 - 3 years
• 3 or more years
• I do not have this experience.

08


What is the most challenging Cisco infrastructure project you have been responsible for? If you do not have this experience, put N/A.
09


How would you rate your ability to plan and organize tasks and timelines to support successful project delivery?

• None - I have no experience planning or coordinating project tasks.
• Foundational - I can organize basic tasks with guidance.
• Intermediate - I regularly coordinate several tasks or work streams and track timelines.
• Advanced - I independently manage complex, multi-step project plans and adapt them as conditions change.
• Expert - I am relied upon to coordinate large, complex projects with interdependent tasks, ensuring timely delivery.

10


How would you describe your ability to maintain accurate and current technical documentation, including diagrams, inventories, or instructions?

• None - I have no experience maintaining technical documentation.
• Foundational - I can update documentation with guidance.
• Intermediate - I routinely maintain and update technical documents, ensuring accuracy.
• Advanced - I independently create, organize, and keep documentation current to support troubleshooting and audit needs.
• Expert - I design and maintain comprehensive documentation systems that improve reliability and compliance.

11


Please describe a situation where you installed, configured, or repaired network equipment or connections. What actions did you take, and what was the result? If you do not have this experience, enter N/A.
12


Please describe your ability to maintain and optimize technical infrastructure, including updating software or equipment, managing certificates, and maintaining configurations.

• None - I have no experience with technical infrastructure maintenance.
• Foundational - I can perform routine updates or configuration changes with guidance.
• Intermediate - I regularly maintain systems and apply updates or fixes to reduce downtime.
• Advanced - I independently manage certificates, configurations, and system updates across multiple components.
• Expert - I design and implement infrastructure optimization strategies to improve security, reliability, and performance.

13


How would you describe your ability to assess business needs and recommend technical designs that balance cost, resiliency, security, and performance?

• None - I have no experience evaluating or designing technical systems.
• Foundational - I can assess basic needs and provide input with guidance.
• Intermediate - I regularly evaluate options and recommend practical, effective solutions.
• Advanced - I independently develop design recommendations considering cost, security, performance, and resiliency.
• Expert - I am relied upon to design complex, resilient systems balancing multiple organizational priorities.

14


Please describe your ability to maintain accurate and up-to-date technical documentation, such as diagrams, inventories, or instructions that support troubleshooting and compliance.

• None - I have no experience maintaining technical documentation.
• Foundational - I can update existing documents with guidance to ensure accuracy.
• Intermediate - I routinely maintain and update technical documents and inventories, ensuring they stay current and useful for troubleshooting.
• Advanced - I independently create, organize, and continuously improve documentation that supports troubleshooting and compliance requirements.
• Expert - I design or manage documentation systems, ensuring high levels of accuracy, clarity, and accessibility across complex technical environments.

15


If you feel you have not already demonstrated your proficiency in the required competencies elsewhere in your application, you are encouraged to use this space to provide any additional details that help illustrate your experience and capabilities in the areas listed below. While this question is optional, providing clear evidence of your competence in these fields will strengthen your application.Please share any additional information that further demonstrates your proficiency in the following required competencies:1. Project Coordination - Ability to plan and organize tasks and timelines to support the successful delivery of network-related projects.2. Documentation Management - Ability to keep accurate and up-to-date network records, diagrams, and instructions to support troubleshooting and compliance.3. Network Engineering & Troubleshooting - Ability to install, configure, maintain, and repair network equipment and connections to ensure reliable, secure communication across theagency.4. Infrastructure Maintenance & Optimization - Ability to update software and equipment, manage certificates and configurations, and keep systems current to reduce downtime and security risk.5. Network Design & Evaluation - Ability to assess business needs, evaluate options, and recommend network designs that balance cost, resiliency, security, and performance.6. Documentation Management - Ability to keep accurate and up-to-date network records, diagrams, and instructions to support troubleshooting and compliance.
16


The State of Washington and the Department of Ecology, play a vital role in fostering a Diverse, Equitable, Inclusive, and Respectful (DEIR) workplace and contributing to equitable outcomes for the communities we serve. We view DEIR 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. We believe it is everyone's job to contribute to a DEIR workplace. What experiences have you had working with people whose backgrounds are very different from your own? What impact did those experiences have on how you worked?
17


I understand that Ecology does not use the E-Verify system and is unable to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT).

• Yes
• No

Required Question