IT Project Manager-Journey/Hybrid
Salary
$90,096.00 - $121,176.00 Annually
Location
Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
Job Type
Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment
Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number
2026-05774
Department
Employment Security Department
Division
Office of Modernization
Opening Date
07/21/2026
Closing Date
7/28/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information
The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description
This position is mainly virtual but requires the flexibility of the incumbent to come into the office in Olympia infrequently or as business needs arise.
The salary listed above includes the scheduled 2% general salary increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2026.
The ideal candidate for the IT Project Manager - Journey role is an experienced agile practitioner who thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.
They bring a strong foundation in Agile project management, including hands-on facilitation of ceremonies such as sprint planning, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, retrospectives, and backlog grooming. As described in the position, this role "works with and leads the scrum teams to define and to scale agile processes appropriate for project technology teams" and requires someone who can confidently guide multiple scrum teams through complex, multi-sprint delivery cycles while maintaining alignment with agency priorities.
This candidate excels at removing impediments, driving resolution of issues, and ensuring that teams operate efficiently and predictably. They demonstrate skill in monitoring development inputs and outputs, analyzing sprint reports, and using data to identify improvement opportunities-reflecting the position's requirement to "identify any gaps and correct impediments to performance." They partner seamlessly with Product Managers and Technology Managers to align backlog priorities, support defect remediation, and maintain delivery continuity across competing workstreams. Their communication skills allow them to work effectively with customers, stakeholders, external agencies, and technical teams, ensuring transparency and trust throughout the software development lifecycle.
Finally, the ideal candidate embodies ESD's values of Access, Love, Equity, Belonging, and Stewardship. They demonstrate curiosity, adaptability, and a commitment to meeting the needs of others-qualities reflected in the required equity competencies. They champion continuous improvement, helping teams adopt new tools, workflows, and best practices while minimizing disruption. With experience in Azure DevOps or similar tools, and ideally certifications such as CSM, SAFE, PMP, or PMI-ACP, they contribute to a resilient, innovative organization where "employees are optimistic and empowered to improve how they work and the organization." Their work directly supports the financial systems that underpin critical statewide programs, making accuracy, quality, and reliability central to their professional identity.
Duties
Application of agile tools and processes. This includes:
Ensure scrum teams operate efficiently. This includes:
Partners with the Product Manager to align backlog priorities and ensure the team focuses on the right things in the right order by ensuring defect remediation is planned and executed
Collaborates and contributes to schedule management, requests and reviews backup plans for delivery of work, so that work continues to progress, and Ensures development support for all deployments
Encourages and supports effective development operations practices, including encouraging stakeholder engagement
Leads and facilitates agile retrospectives and continuous improvement sessions to enhance team performance and delivery outcomes
Drives continuous improvement and best practices in software deployment. This includes:
To request a detailed position description, click here.
Qualifications
AND:
Required equity competencies:
The required experience includes:
Technical Problem-Solving and Analysis: Ability to analyze and solve highly complex problems through a methodical process. Fixes application errors or failures on extremely complex applications or processes.
Systems Analysis: Ability to understand business processes or portions of large and extremely complex projects and propose technical solutions that can improve those processes; design information systems to automate business processes.
Ability to demonstrate and adhere to the following ESD Employee Competencies:
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Please submit only the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) such as Social Security numbers etc. are edited out of your materials for privacy. Additionally, we ask that you not include photographs or external links within your documents. Any documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted electronically to support application review.
Please submit your Cover Letter and Resume with your Online Application through the "Add Attachments" field. 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 attachments" may be considered incomplete.
Supplemental Information
Our agencys mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others, and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship. We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; thats why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.
Opportunity for All
We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact Caleb Baldwin or at 253-306-2999 or the Talent Acquisition Team, prior to the position closing. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact careershelp@des.wa.gov or (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960, Washington Relay 711.
This Organization Participates in E-Verify
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
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02
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03
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04
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05
Which of the following required qualifications do you have experience with? (choose all that apply)
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07
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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