IT Project Managment – Entry

Posting number: 2026-06410

Department: Dept. of Retirement Systems

Division: Information Services

Job classification: IT PROJECT MANAGEMENT - ENTRY

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: IT and Computers, Project Management

Summary

Are you energized by leading teams through business and technical changes to deliver results that support organizational operations while providing excellent customer support?  Do you thrive when you can bring order to moving parts, keep people aligned, and see a project through from planning to completion? If you have a knack for working with collaborative teams, managing competing priorities, and translating strategy into action, then the role of IT Project Manager – Entry in PMO may be the ideal next step for you!

This recruitment will be open until filled. 
Applications received by 8 am on Monday, August 17, 2026, will get first consideration so your prompt response is encouraged.
The hiring manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time during the recruitment process.

Examples of duties

 The Opportunity:
 As an entry-level IT Project Manager, your primary focus will be leading annual processes — cyclical, mission-critical activities that keep the agency operating in compliance with state and federal requirements. You will also lead small-to-medium cross-divisional project teams that include developers, business analysts, testers, communications staff, and subject matter experts, guiding them from project initiation through a successful go-live.

Some of What You'll Do:

• Lead annual processes by planning and coordinating the business activities, system changes, and communications needed to deliver critical services on time and in compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Lead cross-divisional project teams — including developers, business analysts, testers, and business subject matter experts — by setting clear project expectations, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and keeping the team motivated and on track.
• Build and maintain project planning documents that define scope, schedule, budget, and approach, and use these documents to guide project teams to successfully deliver projects on time, in scope, and according to business requirements. 
• Track and manage project risks, issues, and decisions using the agency's RAID log, and ensure that standard project governance is used to facilitate decision making. 
• Prepare and deliver regular project status updates to sponsors, agency leaders, and team members, keeping everyone informed and aligned.
• Collaborate with the organizational change management team to make sure people-side impacts are identified and addressed throughout the project.
• Support the Project Management Office by analyzing proposed legislation, estimating resource and timeline impacts, and contributing to fiscal note development when assigned.
• Participate in developing and improving project management standards, tools, and practices used across the agency's PMO.

Telework Information: After effectively demonstrating the ability to perform work independently, incumbent may be eligible to telework up to four (4) days per week, at the discretion of the Appointing Authority and with a telework agreement in place. The ability to work remotely is dependent on the nature of the tasks and projects assigned and the presence of a remote work environment that is safe and has an appropriate level of reliable connectivity. You must live in Washington State and within a reasonable commuting distance to the DRS building in Tumwater, WA, and must be willing to adjust your telework schedule to attend mandatory meetings, trainings, etc., at the DRS facility.

Qualifications

What we’re looking for (Required Qualifications): Experience can be gained through various combinations of professional employment and volunteer/personal experience.

• Demonstrated experience performing project management or project coordination responsibilities;
  This experience is typically gained by at least one (1) year of full-time professional experience
• Demonstrated ability to lead, direct, and support team members;
• Proven ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally to both technical and non-technical audiences;
• Strong analytical, problem solving, and consultative skills; and
• Demonstrated proficiency in the following competency areas:

Project Management - Directs