Chief Information Officer

Chief Information Officer

Salary

$127,260.00 - $149,724.00 Annually

Location

Thurston County - Lacey, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-09167

Department

Utilities and Transportation Commission

Division

ITSD

Opening Date

11/05/2026

Closing Date

11/19/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

Respect. Professionalism. Integrity. Accountability.

Chief Information Officer

Range of Consideration: The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates' qualifications within the budgeted salary range of $127,260 - $149,724 annually, within Washington Management Service (WMS) Band 3. However, there is an ability for growth and progression increases within the approved budget.

This recruitment is open until November 19, 2026, at 11:59pm.

UTC reserves the right to make a hiring decision and/or choose to close or extend this recruitment at any given time.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process may contact the recruiter via telephone at (360) 664-1130 or email the UTC HR office at humanresources@utc.wa.gov. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Services at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

The Opportunity:

The UTC is seeking to fill the role of the Chief Information Officer within Administrative Services Division. This role provides direction and guidance to the commission on all matters related to information technology, including IT strategic planning, enterprise architecture, enterprise shared services, security planning, disaster recovery planning, and additional areas. Reporting to the Operations Director, the CIO serves as the highest-level information technology (IT) position within the commission.

Hybrid:

Although this is a hybrid opportunity, the successful incumbent must reside within Washington state and must be available to report to the Lacey, Washington headquarters building as needed. The position requires in person work related to legislative session and legislative activities.

Travel:

May require occasional travel for statewide meetings and training.

Who We Are:

Our mission is to protect the people of Washington by ensuring that investor-owned utility and transportation services are safe, equitable, available, reliable, and fairly priced.

We protect consumers by regulating the rates, services, and practices of private or investor-owned utilities and transportation companies to ensure they are safe, equitable, reliable, and affordable. The UTC is continually recognized for its excellence and integrity as a regulatory agency, as we challenge the status quo and ourselves to ensure equitable outcomes for our customers and the people of Washington State.

We recognize that our employees are the key to the agency's success. We are committed to our work but value balance with our personal lives. We demonstrate our commitment to employees by providing an environment that stimulates professional growth, and offers continuing learning opportunities, meaningful work, and a comprehensive benefits package. For more information about our benefits or working at UTC, please visit our website.

What We Offer Our Employees:

• UTC fosters an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, while striving to hire and retain a workforce from the communities we serve.
• We place importance on a healthy balance between personal and professional lives; offering flexible work schedules, wellness programs, and mobile/telework opportunities.
• Through the state, our employees (and their families) are offered options for medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance.
• We offer enrollment into the state retirement programs and a deferred compensation plan.
• Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

For more information about our benefits or working at UTC, please visit our website.

Duties

Some of what you'll do:

Manage and oversee the commission's Information Services portfolio. Typical work will include planning, developing, and directing long-range IT strategy, and supporting all aspects of the commission's information technology services.

Manage the commission's enterprise systems architecture and ensure systems and services support business requirements and commission applications. Provide support and consultation to stakeholders in the development of the strategic direction of IT architecture and services. Inform decision making and planning.

Responsible for Enterprise Architecture decisions and strategies related to the IT infrastructure needed to support operations and application development efforts. Consult and assist in the development of commission strategic business plans.

Additional duties include, but aren't limited to the following:

• Supervise the Information Services section, including the commission's enterprise services, server, applications, network infrastructure, IT security, helpdesk, data governance, artificial intelligence modernization, GIS services and desktop support functions.
• Responsible for recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and disciplining staff. Assign and evaluate work to ensure the section is meeting objectives and key results.
• Advise commission leadership and staff in the development of policies and procedures involving information technology.
• Develop, maintain and implement the commission's IT security program to ensure a safe IT environment complaint with the OCIO IT Security Standards. Directly responsible for managing and coordinating the commission's IT security program, including the commission's security and disaster recovery plans, IT security audits, and disaster recovery exercises.
• Serve as the chair of the commission's Information Technology Steering Committee to develop and implement IT strategies and initiatives. In addition, serve as a member of the commission's extended leadership team. As a member of the states CIO Forum, participate in the development and implementation of the states IT direction and policies.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

The commission values diverse career paths and recognizes that competencies may be acquired through a combination of education, training, certifications, research, volunteer service, lived experience, military service, professional practice, or other demonstrated accomplishments.

• Bachelors degree or higher in computer science, information technology or related field AND at least six years senior level IT management experience managing large, high risk, IT projects; including leading and managing senior IT resources.

OR

• Associates degree in computer science or related field AND at least eight years senior level IT management experience managing large, high risk, IT projects; including leading and managing senior IT resources.

OR

• At least 10 years senior level IT management experience managing large, high risk, IT projects; including leading and managing senior IT resources.

Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow: Takes responsibility for knowing their own strengths and weaknesses and uses their learning to make government programs and processes more efficient and effective to serve all in Washington.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others: Flexible, adaptable, customer-service focused, and willing and able to empathetically respond to the unique needs of the people they work with and serve.

UTC Core Competencies:

• Accountability
• DEI Knowledge, Understanding, & Commitment
• Self-Awareness and Commitment to Growth
• Cultivating Mutually Beneficial and Trusting Strategic Partnerships
• Inclusive Excellence & Allyship
• Measuring Success and Improvement
• Customer Focus

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

One or a combination of the following:

• Master's degree in computer science or information technology.

• Expert knowledge of:

• Software development practices, processes, and procedures.

• State contracting and procurement laws, policies, requirements, and contracting/procurement best practices.

• Project management principles and practices.

• Enterprise level information management systems and technology related subjects, including networking, server environments, hardware/software upgrades, and disaster recovery planning and software release/configuration management.

• Experience with:

• Configuring and maintaining network infrastructure.

• SharePoint, Exchange, SQL Server, Microsoft Windows server operating systems and Active Directory Account Administration.

• Budgeting, planning, and allocating resources to support organizations mission and business priorities.

• Leading IT infrastructure/architecture planning and applying enterprise level IT best practices.

• Managing diverse project teams composed of IT, business users, and vendors.

• Applying current IT security and system standards.

• Communicating complex issues effectively and adjusting communication to audience needs.

• Addressing conflict and leading teams to resolution.

• Prior state or government CIO job duties.

• Successfully planning and leading enterprise level business process transformation projects.

• Strategic planning.

Supplemental Information

READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION COMPLETELY:

• The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 80.01.020 limits the UTCs ability to employ any person who owns stock in any company the UTC regulates or is otherwise financially interested in such company. Such interests include those of an employees spouse.
• UTC does not use E-Verify. Therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

How to Apply:

Interested in joining the UTC team? Click the "Apply" button at the top to begin! To be considered for further screening, ensure you attach the following documents to your completed application:

• Letter of Interest - Please provide a specific example from your professional experience demonstrating how you have led IT initiatives. Describe how you proactively identified needs, organized and prioritized work, established milestones and deliverables, communicated progress, and ensured accountability for results. We are interested in understanding how you bring structure, collaboration, and momentum to complex initiatives and translate organizational priorities into successful outcomes.
• Resume - chronological detailing your applicable competencies, experience and education.
• References - At minimum, three (3) professional references with current telephone numbers and email addresses must be included with your application; one (1) contact MUST be your current or most recent supervisor.

The initial screening of candidates will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the application materials, including answers provided to the 'Supplemental Questionnaire', along with the additional application materials submitted as part of the application process. NOTE, indicating 'see resume' will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section or supplemental questionnaire of the application packet and may result in your submission being marked incomplete.

If you are viewing this recruitment on any website other than www.careers.wa.gov, please note the recruitment title and apply through Washington state's official portal. Your application may be received incomplete when using a third-party website. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

If you have gotten this far and are thinking you do not qualify, consider again! Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the UTC, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. If you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may just be the candidate needed for this or other roles.

All information may be verified; additional documentation may be required. Candidates may be disqualified if the education and/or work experience does not include information used to meet the minimum qualifications of the job.

The UTC is an equal opportunity employer. We want to make sure you have an equal opportunity to join our team. Our commitment is making sure current and future employees are treated fairly and equally without regard to age, sex (including gender identity), race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, or religious or political affiliation.

Veterans Preference

For information about YesVets click here.

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach to their application a copy of their redacted DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as Social Security numbers. For further information, contact UTC Human Resources at humanresources@utc.wa.gov.

For more information about the UTC, please visit:

www.utc.wa.gov, www.twitter.com/wautc and www.facebook.com/wautc

The State of Washington:

http://access.wa.gov

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. Thats 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

01

Have you attached the required materials for consideration to your application? This includes your letter of interest written using the prompt provided in the How to Apply section, chronological resume, and three (3) professional references, one (1) being your current or most recent supervisor. Failure to attach the requested materials may result in your application being marked incomplete.

• Yes, I have attached a cover letter, resume, and provided three (3) professional references as indicated.
• No, I have not attached a cover letter and a resume. I understand my application may be marked incomplete.

02

Which of the following statements best represents your qualifications as it relates to this position?

• I possess a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology or related fields AND six (6) years of senior-level IT management of large, high-risk, IT projects and/or leading, supervising and/or managing senior IT resources.
• I possess an associate degree in computer science or related field AND eight (8) years' senior-level IT management of large, high-risk, IT projects and/or leading, supervising and/or managing senior IT resources.
• I possess ten (10) years of senior-level IT management of large, high-risk, IT projects and/or leading, supervising and/or managing senior IT resources.
• I do not possess the qualifications as outlined.

03

Please briefly describe your experience, knowledge, and or/education related to question two (2) above. Provide dates, agency/company, and position/role held. Please indicate N/A if none.

04

How many years of relevant experience do you have in developing and implementing IT strategies, policies, or procedures?

• I have less than one (1) year of experience or training.
• I have one (1) year to three (3) years of experience.
• I have four (4) to six (6) years of experience.
• I have seven (7) or more years of experience.

05

Please provide an example of how you aligned technology initiatives with organizational priorities, addressed competing needs, and advised executive leadership.

06

How many years of relevant experience do you have overseeing IT operations, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and mission-critical systems?

• I have less than one (1) year of experience or training.
• I have one (1) year to three (3) years of experience.
• I have four (4) to six (6) years of experience.
• I have seven (7) or more years of experience.

07

Please provide an example demonstrating how you managed technology risks, maintained system security and availability, or ensured continuity of operations.

08

Which of the following statements best represents your experience with leading large, complex, or high-risk IT projects?

• I have less than one (1) year of experience or training.
• I have one (1) year to three (3) years of experience.
• I have four (4) to six (6) years of experience.
• I have seven (7) or more years of experience.

09

Please provide an example demonstrating your project management approach, including how you managed scope, timelines, budgets, risks, and resources to achieve organizational objectives.

10

Which of the following statements best represents your experience of resolving competing priorities or addressing conflict among staff?

• I have less than one (1) year of experience or training.
• I have one (1) year to three (3) years of experience.
• I have four (4) to six (6) years of experience.
• I have seven (7) or more years of experience.

11

Please provide an example demonstrating how you communicated effectively, built collaboration, and incorporated equity and accessibility into your leadership decisions.

Required Question

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov