Salary: $104,304.00 - $140,268.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:Department: Dept of Children, Youth, and Families
Division: Information Technology
Opening Date: 11/04/2026
Closing Date: 11/18/2026 12:00 AM Pacific
Description Job Title: IT Network and Telecommunication - Manager
Location: Olympia, WA, Thurston County (Flexible/Hybrid)
Closes: November 18th, 2026
Salary: $104,304.00 - $140,268.00 Annually
This position leads the Network Services function and provides enterprise-level direction for network infrastructure, telecommunications, application delivery services, and network security operations. The role ensures consistent availability, performance, security, and resilience of network services supporting DCYF offices, staff, and business systems statewide
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The Opportunity:The Network Operations Manager provides strategic leadership, governance, and operational oversight for DCYF's enterprise network and telecommunications environment. This position ensures the ongoing availability, security, reliability, and performance of network infrastructure, telecommunications services, application delivery platforms, and related technologies that support statewide operations.
Some of what you will get to do:- Develop and implement strategic plans, roadmaps, and operational priorities for enterprise network and telecommunications services.
- Establish service delivery standards, performance measures, policies, procedures, and governance practices.
- Lead infrastructure modernization, lifecycle planning, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Evaluate emerging technologies and industry trends to support organizational objectives.
- Provide consultation and recommendations to leadership, stakeholders, and project teams regarding network-related investments, risks, and opportunities.
- Direct the operation, administration, and continuous improvement of enterprise network infrastructure, telecommunications, application delivery services, and related technologies.
- Ensure the availability, reliability, performance, security, and resiliency of network services supporting statewide operations.
- Oversee network monitoring, incident response, problem management, service restoration, and operational support activities.
- Provide oversight and governance for network architecture, security controls, firewall operations, application delivery platforms, and supporting infrastructure technologies.
- Establish performance expectations, accountability measures, and workforce priorities.
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and professional development opportunities.
- Conduct performance evaluations and address employee performance issues.
- Manage staffing resources, succession planning, and workforce development activities.
- Identify opportunities to improve network operations through automation and AI technologies
- Manage and support enterprise network infrastructure technologies, including application delivery controllers (e.g., F5 or equivalent), enterprise routing and switching, wireless
networking, next-generation firewalls, and network monitoring platforms.
Required Qualifications:Equivalent combination of education and experience in Information Technology, totaling ten (10) years.
ORAn Associate's degree or completion of an accredited vocational training program in an information technology or related program
AND eight (8) years of progressively more complex Information Technology experience such as consulting, analyzing, design, programming, installing and/or maintaining computer software applications, hardware, telecommunications, or network infrastructure equipment.
ORBachelor's degree in computer science, networking, information systems or a related field
AND six (6) years of progressively more complex Information Technology experience such as consulting, analyzing, design, programming, installing and/or maintaining computer software applications, hardware, telecommunications, or network infrastructure equipment.
AND- The ability to take action to learn and grow.
- The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
Additional Required Qualifications:- Three (3) years of experience leading, supervising, or managing (network) technical staff, projects, or enterprise technology services.
- Two (2) years of recent experience (within the last five (5) years), managing or supporting enterprise network infrastructure and telecommunications services in a medium to large organization with multiple locations.
- Experience developing technology roadmaps, lifecycle management plans, infrastructure modernization initiatives, or technology investment recommendations.
- Experience working with vendors, service providers, and business stakeholders to deliver technology solutions and network services.
- Knowledge of network infrastructure technologies, telecommunications services, network security principles, application delivery services, and infrastructure monitoring tools.
- Experience establishing operational standards, policies, procedures, or governance practices related to technology services.
- Demonstrate experience managing or supporting enterprise network infrastructure technologies, including application delivery controllers (e.g., F5 or equivalent), enterprise routing and switching, wireless networking, next-generation firewalls, and network monitoring platforms.
- Knowledge of emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, automation, cloud networking, and intelligent IT operations (AIOps).
*Experience may be gained concurrently.
Preferred Qualifications:- Professional certifications such as CCNA, CCNP, ITIL, CISSP, PMP, or equivalent.
- Experience supporting government, healthcare, human services, or other highly regulated environments.
- Experience managing enterprise network services in a large, geographically dispersed organization.
How do I apply?Complete your applicant profile on careers.wa.gov and attach the following documents:
- Current resume detailing experience and education.
- Letter of Interest that details how you meet the qualifications for the position.
Supplemental Information:The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington's children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.
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 BenefitsEmployees 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 CompensationState 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 SecurityAll 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 ForgivenessIf 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 les