The Information Technology Services Office (ITSO) is the central provider of strategic and tactical support for the use of Information Technology (IT) within Ecology. The mission of ITSO is to create and support useful technology services that adapt for the future and support Ecology’s mission.

The Information Technology Security Services team is focused on ensuring the security of and protecting access to all of Ecology’s data and information technology assets. These positions perform advanced security threat analysis and assists the Chief Information Security Officer in forensic data gathering, analysis, and security policy development.

Some of the key work actives of the IT Security Administrator positions are:

• Manages services that mitigate security risks to Ecology’s network, systems and data.
• Administers agency Firewall services.
• Coordinates Vulnerability Management service.
• Administers agency Managed Detection and Response services.
• Manages interfaces and data that flows between the Agency’s local and statewide, enterprise security services.
• Provides IT security research, consultations and technical guidance.
• Raises the knowledge and cultural maturity of Ecology staff about security and risk management.
• Standardizes the security processes that manage the health and stability of Ecology’s network and data, through mature firewall and vulnerability management services.
• Institutionalizes the use and understanding of the IT security review process across the ITSO division and Ecology’s environmental programs, for all IT development efforts.
• Remediates security incidents and threats on the Ecology networks and computer environments.
• Resolves vulnerabilities and issues, identified by enterprise IT security monitoring utilities. This includes: vulnerability scans, the Security Event and Information Monitoring (SEIM) alerts, Intrusion Detection alerts and Intrusion Prevention alerts.
• Creates, designs, optimizes, and implements integrated security technology platform solutions.

Staying marketable in IT Security gets more challenging with each passing year. High-profile data breaches are more commonplace than exception. Tools, techniques and approaches used by bad actors improve every year. New IT areas, technologies and paradigms go to market each year. The Department of Ecology offers the opportunity to continually sharpen your skills and knowledge of new and evolving IT Security tools, services, utilities and techniques.  Competent, IT Security Professionals who love setting new directions and learning new skills, will be an excellent fit for these positions. This year, our program has the unique opportunity to rebuild IT Security Services and the team from the ground up.  If you like the opportunity of shaping your own career, while helping to shape the direction of IT Security Services at the Department of Ecology, this job is for you.

These positions are expected to work additional hours (after normal business hours, at night and on the weekends), on occasion, as necessary to meet project deadlines or to minimize impacts of service interruptions during the implementation of new services.

To maximize coverage and team flexibility, for the full scope of services offered by the IT Security Services section, each team member is assigned one or more primary areas of responsibility, and is expected to serve as back up for other service areas.  Cross-training opportunities are provided for areas that are not part of these positions’ primary responsibility.

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be March 25, 2021.  In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application and all required materials on or before March 24, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make appointments any time after the initial screening date.

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:

Six years of (full time equivalent) of professional experience in one or more of the following IT disciplines: IT security, firewall administration, vulnerability management, malware detection/response, end-point security,  penetration testing, server administration, network administration, or systems analysis.

Option 2:

An associate degree or higher in an information technology program or closely related field AND four (4) years (full time equivalent) of professional experience in one or more of the following IT disciplines: IT security, firewall administration, vulnerability management, malware detection/response, end-point security, penetration testing, server administration, network administration, or systems analysis.

Option 3:                                           

A Bachelor’s degree in an Information Technology program or closely related field AND two (2) years (full time equivalent) of professional experience in one or more of the following IT disciplines: IT security, firewall administration, vulnerability management, malware detection/response, end-point security,  penetration testing, server administration, network administration, or systems analysis.

Please Note: Professional IT certifications can be substituted for years of experience at a rate of one year for every two certifications.

Certifications:
CompTIA (A+, Network+, Security+)
SANS (GSEC, GCFW)
CISCO (CCNA or CCNP)
Microsoft (MCSA or MCSE),

Desired Qualifications:

We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

Bachelor degree with a focus in Cybersecurity, Cybercrime & fraud investigation, computer forensics or computer science.

Certifications:
CompTIA (A+, Network+, Security+)
SANS (GSEC, GCFW)
CISCO (CCNA or CCNP)
Microsoft (MCSA or MCSE)

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

Why work for Ecology?

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State’s environment.

A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping the health and financial security of you and your family a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to work/life balance.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS),  Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth

Student debt and how working for Ecology can help
Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.

*See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information

Application Instructions

Please complete the short on-line application, supplemental questions and upload:

• Your current chronological resume;
• A cover letter explaining how you fit the requirements of the position;
• Three professional references with current contact information.
•  A one (1) to four (4) page technical report or paper that you produced, as a verification of your communication style and skills.

Important Note:

When attaching documents to your application (Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):

• Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc.
• Do not attach documents that are password protected as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded.

Please to do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.  

Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including “please see resume,” may disqualify you from further consideration.

It is in the candidate’s best interest to submit all of the documents requested above. Applications without these documents may be declined.

Department of Ecology employees, please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.

If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on “Look for Jobs” and select Dept. of Ecology under the “Department” search list. Click “Apply Search.”

Other Information

If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile’s main page.

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Cliff Schiller at: Clifford.Schiller@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Cliff to inquire about the status of your application.

This position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union bargaining unit for the Department of Ecology.

This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.