IT Security Specialist 1 (Cybersecurity Specialist

Job Description

This Individual Position is Exempt from the Hiring Freeze.

Welcome to the Department of Health!

We’d be delighted to have you join our team.

This position is open to Alaskan Residents only.

Please check out the

residency definition

to determine if you qualify.

This position is currently located in Anchorage and Haines

.

The position may be filled statewide

depending upon the location of the most qualified candidate.

In this role, you will support the department’s information security program by performing hands-on assessments of systems, networks, and applications to identify vulnerabilities and verify security control implementation. Additionally, they will facilitate secure code reviews, analyze security logs, coordinate penetration testing activities, and assist technical teams in applying remediation measures to strengthen system defenses.

Their work will ensure compliance with required security and privacy frameworks such as HIPAA, HITECH, APIPA, IRS Pub 1075, PCI-DSS, and CJIS while helping maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of departmental data.

The position also supports continuous monitoring efforts, triages alerts, and supports incident investigations through evidence gathering and documentation.

Through these activities, the successful applicant will contribute to the department’s overall information assurance posture by applying established methods and tools to protect systems and ensure secure operations.

The Department of Health’s core mission is to “Promote and protect the health and well-being of Alaskans.” As a member of the Department Security Office (DSO), your goal will be to work through the Department CISO to enable the Department to make informed decisions on the risks associated with the systems it employs. We strive to thoroughly assess each system that the Department engages, to ensure we can critically assess any associated risks and remediate those risks, where possible.

To that same mission, we continually engage with peer agencies to monitor and remediate any security events or vulnerabilities that are identified, maintain currency in the security space, and protect the health and privacy data of the citizens of this great state.

There is a worldwide shortage of cybersecurity professionals; our goal is to build a close-knit, collaborative environment where cyber professionals can learn and develop their skill sets in the above-mentioned areas, all while enjoying the security and peace of mind being a state employee affords. The team is constantly reviewing training mechanisms and coursework to ensure that each team member can build out their knowledge sets in all facets of information technology.

The team is highly connected and strives to continually collaborate and train each other when a hole is identified. Lastly, as experienced and trained security professionals, DSO staff enjoy benefits like the option of telecommuting and flexible working hours.

The Anchorage DSO is centrally located in midtown Anchorage at the Frontier building. Local restaurants and even a movie theater are just around the corner. Midtown Anchorage offers plenty of amenities and is centrally located to afford an easy commute to all regions of the Anchorage Municipality and the Matanuska Valley. Juneau DSO is located in the Alaska Office Building in downtown Juneau.

Close to restaurants and a quick jaunt to the waterfront. This position has been approved for 100% telework in other cities in Alaska, as long as you have the bandwidth connectivity to perform the duties.

The ideal candidate will possess some or all of the following position-specific competencies in addition to the minimum qualifications listed below:

Integrity/Honesty

:
Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner. Shows consistency in words and actions. Models high standards of ethics.

Reasoning

:
Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws…