IT Security Journey

AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washingtons 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 1000 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 Administrative Services division. The IT Office is staffed under four main groups Service Desk Support Application Development Infrastructure & Systems Support and Security.

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 agencys expert for security architecture.
• 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 agencys Information Systems Security Program.
• Develops innovative solutions for a defensive posture against known and unknown threats.
• 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 agencys information systems.
• Perform network forensic analysis of compromised systems to determine scale and scope of exploitation.
• Conducts 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.
• Act as the agencys expert for security operations and IT related incidents.
• Responds 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.

• A bachelors degree in computer science.

• Five (5) years professional experience and/or training related to the Information Security Technology field.

• Equivalent combination of education and professional experience related to the Information Security Technology field.

• Five (5) years experience 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.
• The ability to demonstrate experience and proficiency in network log analysis network forensics security incident management and/or security device administration.
• The ability to demonstrate experience with enterprise security analysis.
• Network Security Certifications - CompTIA Security CEH-Certified Ethical Hacker GSEC-SANS GIAC Security Essentials CISSP or CISM.

• Bachelors Degree or higher in Information Security.
• Experience and proficiency in a programming language or writing computer scripts.
• Demonstrated organization and time management skills.

Employee Benefits

• A healthy work/life balance which mayinclude flexible work schedules and teleworking.
• 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 herefor more information.
• 12 paidHolidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
• Commute Trip Reduction Program.

For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture visit us at.

How to apply:

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

Current 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 or email.

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. 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 applicants 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.

Veterans Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veterans 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 Veterans Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligibleclick 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 . TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.