It project manager-journey/hybrid

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: Facilitates agile ceremonies, contributing input and enforcing standards and policies such as Definition of Ready and Definition of Done Assist the team in removing impediments and driving escalation resolution, while protecting the team from external distractions and interruptions Ensure key agile ceremonies are conducted well and are responsive to team needs.
• Sprint teams should successfully conduct key ceremonies with regularity, including Team stand-ups, Sprint team backlog grooming, Sprint planning, Sprint reviews, retrospectives, solutioning, and release planning Analyze sprint reports/ retrospective notes to identify areas for improvement and collaborate with the technology manager on potential resolution strategies 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: Supports the team in researching and recommending development and testing tools that strengthen software quality and delivery outcomes Guides the team in adopting new processes, tools, and workflows while minimizing disruption and maintaining delivery continuity.

To request a detailed position description, click here.

Qualifications

• 6 years of IT experience that includes agile project management for software delivery OR Associate’s degree in computer science, information technology or closely related field AND 4 years of IT experience, that includes agile project management for software delivery OR Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology or closely related field AND 2 years of IT experience, that includes agile project management for software delivery AND: 4 years of IT experience that includes agile project management and facilitating Agile ceremonies (Sprint Planning, Daily Stand-ups, Sprint Reviews, Retrospectives, etc)
• Experience in tracking software execution and work item management using Azure DevOps or similar tools Experience driving end-to-end project execution, from initiation through delivery, ensuring scope, quality, and deadlines are met Communication skills: Ability to clearly communicate and understand information based on the knowledge of the audience Required equity competencies: The ability to take action to learn and grow The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• 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. Seeks opportunities to resolve problems and presents recommendations for review Works independently to analyze complex problems, communicating findings and recommendations Reviews and evaluates existing systems for potential improvements or re-architecture Collaborates with stakeholders to resolve technical challenges impacting applications and systems.
• 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. Understand portions of business processes of extreme complexity by reviewing the documentation of others The methods used to perform the analysis are often innovative in nature Ability to demonstrate and adhere to the following ESD Employee Competencies: Accountability: Accept personal responsibility for work and actions Communication Effectiveness: Effectively convey ideas and information Critical Thinking: Use purposeful and reflective judgment to process, analyze, interpret, explain, evaluate, illustrate, and compare information Customer Service: Commit to providing value-added services to external and internal customers Inclusiveness: Actively contribute to a work environment that embraces diversity and uses diverse perspectives to help achieve organizational goals Interpersonal abilities: The ability to relate to your co-workers, mitigate conflict, and inspire others to participate.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must be able to pass an Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Paid Family Medical and Leave (PFML) claim and fraud check This position has access to federal tax information and therefore, per RCW 41.04.821 and the IRS publication 1075, is required to have a criminal history record check throughout the Washington State Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigations.

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 agency's 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; that's 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