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Data Engineer

Internal Number: DOH8822

The Opportunity

This position plays a key role in supporting statewide public health data systems that inform decision making across Washington. The team manages enterprise data pipelines, reporting environments, and business intelligence platforms that support critical programs, federal reporting requirements, and public facing dashboards.

Working within a highly collaborative technical environment, this role supports the movement, transformation, automation, and governance of large data sets across on premises, cloud based, and vendor supported systems. The work directly enables reliable analytics, reporting, and visualization for internal teams, local health jurisdictions, healthcare partners, and federal agencies.

At the Journey level, this role independently designs, builds, and maintains complex data pipelines and integration processes. At the Entry In Training level, the role develops foundational skills under supervision while contributing to database management, ETL processes, and system implementation activities.

The goal classification for this position is Journey level.

In-Training Classification Information:

This position may be filled at either the Data Management  Entry In-Training or Journey level, depending on the selected candidate’s qualifications. The Journey level is the fully qualified, independent performing classification and is the goal level for this role. If hired at the Entry In-Training level, the employee will work under closer supervision while developing the knowledge and skills necessary to advance to the Journey level. Advancement is based on demonstrated competency and successful completion of training requirements.

Key Responsibilities Include:

  • Data Engineering and Pipeline Development
    • Design, build, and maintain data pipelines supporting BI and analytics platforms
    • Develop and manage ETL and ELT processes across OLTP and OLAP environments
    • Map and transform operational data into analytical environments
    • Implement data schemas and structures to support high usage reporting engines
    • Automate data processing workflows to improve reliability and efficiency
  • Business Intelligence and Reporting Support
    • Support Power BI, SSRS, and related reporting technologies
    • Ensure accurate, secure, and timely delivery of data to dashboards and reporting tools
    • Partner with analysts and subject matter experts to translate business needs into technical solutions
  • Database and Application Management
    • Maintain and optimize database environments
    • Conduct capacity planning and performance monitoring
    • Participate in IT Risk Assessment and Security Review processes
    • Support application lifecycle management and migration strategies
  • Testing and Quality Assurance
    • Develop and execute unit, integration, and performance testing
    • Implement quality control processes to reduce defects and production issues
    • Troubleshoot complex data and pipeline failures
  • Implementation and Collaboration
    • Support system deployments and implementation planning
    • Coordinate with project teams, architects, vendors, and technical partners
    • Assist during public health emergencies as assigned

What Changes Between Levels

Entry In Training

  • Works under general supervision
  • Assists with database development and ETL processes
  • Supports testing, documentation, and system implementation
  • Builds foundational knowledge in data governance, integration, and analytics systems

Journey Level

  • Works under general direction
  • Independently designs and implements complex data solutions
  • Leads data pipeline troubleshooting and optimization
  • Makes tactical decisions regarding production processes and data delivery
  • Provides technical guidance to entry level staff

Why You’ll Love This Role:

  • The data systems supported by this role inform statewide reporting, federal compliance, public transparency efforts, and mission critical public health operations. Reliable data directly supports healthcare partners, laboratories, and local health jurisdictions across Washington.
  • The environments include hundreds of databases and applications supporting a large statewide workforce and significant public funding. The systems are complex, visible, and relied upon daily.
  • The role builds and maintains pipelines, automates data movement, manages integrations across cloud and on premises systems, and solves foundational data challenges.
  • Entry level hires build toward independent engineering work. Journey level engineers operate with autonomy and influence technical direction. The path is clear and competency based.
  • When data flows correctly, programs function. When it doesn’t, operations slow down. This role sits directly in that critical space and helps ensure continuity, reliability, and security of high value systems.

What You Bring:

You bring strong technical and professional competence in data engineering, database systems, and data pipelines, along with a clear achievement orientation that adds measurable value to team outcomes. You use sound analysis and problem-solving skills to address complex data challenges and communicate technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences. You demonstrate cultural competency, customer service orientation, and strong interpersonal skills when working across business and technical teams. At the Journey level, you provide informal leadership and help align technical work with agency priorities. Above all, you maintain professional conduct, accept feedback, collaborate effectively, and contribute to a positive and accountable work environment.

Required Qualifications 

There are multiple pathways to qualify for this position. You must meet one of the options provided and any additional criteria listed. Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile. Experience may have been gained concurrently.

Entry Level/In-Training Requirements:

  • Option 1: Four (4) years of professional experience in one or more of the following data disciplines: Data pipeline, Data processing, Data migration, ETL, Database development, Application development.
  • Option 2: An Associate’s degree or higher in Information Technology program or a closely related field; and two (2) years of professional experience in one or more of the following data disciplines: Data pipeline, Data processing, Data migration, ETL, Database development, application development. 
  • Option 3: A bachelor’s degree in Information Technology program or a closely related field; and one (1) year of professional experience in one or more of the following data disciplines: Data pipeline, Data processing, Data migration, ETL, Database development, application development.

Preferred Qualifications

While these aren’t required, having them can help you stand out as a candidate.

  • One (1) or more years of using Python or Machine Learning.
  • Knowledge of ETL processing
  • Knowledge of replication, high availability, and clustering technologies
  • Familiarity with version control and deployment processes
  • Knowledge of Salesforce or completed Salesforce training
  • Knowledge of HL7

Journey Level Requirements:

  • Option1: Eight (8) years of full-time equivalent, professional experience in one or more of the following IT disciplines: Systems development, data administration, database management, data pipeline engineering.
  • Option 2: An Associate’s degree or higher in Information Technology program or a closely related field; and six (6) years of full-time equivalent, professional experience in one or more of the following IT disciplines: Systems development, data administration, database management, data pipeline engineering.
  • Option 3: A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Information Technology program or a closely related field; and four (4) years of full-time equivalent, professional experience in one or more of the following IT disciplines: Systems development, data administration, database management, data pipeline engineering.

Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience

  • Two (2) or more years, of professional experience in the software development field.  
  • Experience in the SQL Data Administration at an Enterprise level demonstrating the ability to perform SQL Server 2012/2014/2016/2019 database administration.
  • Building and maintaining reports in SSRS
  • Developing SSIS packages, Building Cubes and Datamart in SSAS.
  • Experience in data architecture, data administration, data analysis, data modeling, reports development, data pipeline development or database administration
About Washington State Department of Health
Our programs and services help prevent illness and injury, promote healthy places to live and work, provide information to help people make good health decisions and ensure our state is prepared for emergencies. To accomplish all of these, we collaborate with many partners every day. We help ensure a safer and healthier Washington by: Working to improve health through disease and injury prevention, immunization, and newborn screening Providing health and safety information, education and training so people can make healthy choices Promoting a health and wellness system where we live, learn, work, play and worship Addressing environmental health hazards associated with drinking water, food, air quality and pesticide exposure Protecting you and your family by licensing healthcare professionals, investigating disease outbreaks and preparing for emergencies
Connections working at Washington State Department of Health
More Jobs from This Employer
https://govphcareers.astho.org/jobs/22071239/data-engineer

Date Posted
02/23/2026
Job Reference
22071239
Organization
Washington State Department of Health
Location
Tumwater, WA
Category
Engineering
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