IT Security – Journey – Internal

Description

AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.

The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.

The Information Technology Office provides full scope IT service to all staff and resides under the Director’s Office division. The IT Office is staffed under four main groups – Service Desk Support, Application Development, Infrastructure & Systems Support, and Security.

Duties

Include but not limited to:

Establish security routines and practices to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of agency resources and data. Conduct security evaluations, audits and reviews, including penetration testing exercises and implement corrective actions. Act as the agency’s expert for security architecture systems

• Conduct yearly audits in accordance with the Washington State Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) policy.
• Evaluate current and potential software and hardware to maintain security baselines from National Institute of Standards and Technology, Center for Internet Security, and Washington State Office of Cybersecurity.
• Perform risk and vulnerability assessments of current and potential information systems to identify vulnerabilities, risks, and suitability for the agency infrastructure.
• Apply advanced technical security knowledge in network and systems design to ensure implementation of appropriate systems security policies, plans and procedures.
• Operate and manage daily aspects of the agency’s Information Systems Security Program.
• Develop innovative solutions for a defensive posture against known and unknown threats.
• Facilitate, train, and promote activities for the agency wide security awareness program.
• Apply breadth of knowledge of all aspects of information technology such as Systems and Network.
• Administration to describe and diagram issues relating to the agency.

• Utilize complex processes to detect network and computer anomalies related to malicious behavior.
• Analyze complex data generated by the security logging systems to detect intrusion, contamination, exploitation, unauthorized behavior and other malicious indicators of compromise against agency’s information systems.
• Perform network forensic analysis of compromised systems to determine scale and scope of exploitation.
• Conduct vulnerability analysis of information systems and interpret results using industry accepted tools and practices to ensure information systems are maintained in a high state of security and hardened again common exploits.
• Audit active directory user, group and computer objects for accuracy.
• Audit endpoint security policies, tasks and all related processes to ensure they are utilizing industry best practices.

• Respond to initial and emergent incidents identified internally and externally. For critical information incidents acts as a first responder and incident command for agency staff.
• Act as the point of contact for and coordinates with governing agencies such as OCIO, WaTech and SAO to respond to statewide incidents.
• Act as the subject matter expert with other technical staff and incident stakeholders (internal and external), the CIO and operations manager to provide expert security intelligence.
• Act as a subject matter expert in information security operations requirements for agency projects and efforts including assessing security risks and providing technical expertise based on comprehensive knowledge of system, network, and security knowledge to solve security issues.

• Create documentation for Disaster Recovery and Backup/Recovery systems.
• Administrate backup and recovery solution for systems data backup, data retention and systems recovery.
• Coordinate and document process and procedures for Disaster Recovery.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues when necessary.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in computer science.

• Five (5) years of related experience and/or training in Information Technology with a minimum of One (1) year continuous, dedicated, and professional computer security work experience, where computer security was your primary responsibility and comprised more than 51% of your work.

• Equivalent combination of education and professional experience.

• Demonstrated experience and proficiency in network log analysis, network forensics, security incident management, and/or security device administration.
• Demonstrated experience and proficiency in network log analysis, network forensics, security incident management, and/or security device administration.
• Demonstrated experience with enterprise security analysis.
• IT Security Knowledge – knowledge of current security risks, network security, business continuity, disaster recovery, intrusion detection, risks and risk mitigation methods.
• Network Security Certifications – CompTia Security +, CEHCertified Ethical Hacker, GSEC-SANS GIAC Security Essentials, CISSP and CISM.

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in information security.
• Demonstrated experience and proficiency in a programming language or writing computer scripts.
• Demonstrated organization and time management skills.

Supplemental Information

Employee Benefits

• A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules.
• WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.
• 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.

How to apply:

You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:
     

· A resume detailing experience and education

· A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position

· Three professional references

By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.
  
Applications with comments "see attachments" will be considered incomplete.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state's on-line recruitment system.

WSDA uses aI-9 form (Download PDF reader)Download PDF reader) to determine Employment Eligibility and Verification, once hired. This document is the authorization of an individual’s ability to be hired for employment within the United States. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

Equity at WSDA

The Department of Agriculture recognizes, appreciates, supports, embraces, and respects all cultural identities and backgrounds while we collaborate in authentic ways. We hire amazing people that share in the commitment to our Pro-Equity Anti-Racist (PEAR) strategic plan, our Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act implementation plan, and our unique needs and desires for belonging, respect, and inclusion. We value the growth and development of our team members by providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for continuous learning, improvement, and advancement.

We strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a productive and dedicated workforce that reflects the communities we serve while we are committed to a workplace that celebrates our differences and supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

 
Contact Us

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at Recruitment@agr.wa.gov.
 
Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
    
The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.
     

Veteran's Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here. 

Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.