IT Security Manager

Position: IT Security Manager – Washington State Department of Agriculture

Salary: $ – $ annually

Location: Thurston County – Olympia, WA

Job Type: Full Time – Permanent

Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number:

Department: Dept. of Agriculture

Division: Directors Office – Information Technology

Opening Date: 04/15/2026

This position oversees the Agency's Information Technology security and risk management functions for new, existing, and enhanced services critical to the agency. The role provides leadership, direction, and oversight to implement and maintain a comprehensive agency-wide IT plan that aligns with business strategy and advances shared information systems and security‑compliant enterprise architecture throughout the agency.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop and maintain the Agency Cybersecurity Program, aligning with State and Agency level strategies.
• Evaluate staff recommendations for new information security technologies and countermeasures.
• Identify information technology security initiatives and standards for the State Enterprise and develop Agency policy and strategies.
• Manage the development, implementation, and maintenance of WSDA information security policy, standards, guidelines, and procedures.
• Develop access and authorization controls, audit trails, event reporting, encryption, and integrity controls.
• Keep abreast of latest security legislation, regulations, advisories, alerts, and vulnerabilities pertaining to WSDA's IT investments.
• Provide bill analysis for proposed legislation impacting Cybersecurity, IT, and Agency‑related operations.
• Develop and implement an ongoing risk management program targeting information security and privacy matters.
• Act as Agency IT Risk Manager and manage vulnerability detection, remediation, and testing.
• Lead security assessments and audits to identify vulnerabilities in the WSDA computing environment.
• Control testing of security procedures, mechanisms, and measures.
• Collaborate with Federal and State auditors, Agency managers, and subject matter experts for compliance and audit completion.
• Act as Incident Commander and manage all aspects of cybersecurity emergency response.
• Develop incident objectives, manage incident operations, and coordinate technical resources.
• Oversee incident reporting, investigate breaches, and develop after‑action reports.
• Represent WSDA on information security matters to external auditors and agencies.
• Create and promote information security awareness and training throughout the organization.
• Supervise and mentor technical staff to build an effective, motivated team.
• Set strategic goals, performance measurements, and standards; monitor work progress.
• Develop performance development plans, update position descriptions, and document employee performance.
• Address personnel issues, conflicts, absenteeism, and performance matters.
• Implement staff training and development plans, including cross‑training and job‑specific training.

Required: Bachelor's degree in computer science.

Desired:

• Five (5) years of experience and/or training related to Information Security Technology.
• Equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Six (6) or more years of recent experience with cybersecurity risk assessment methodologies (NIST, HITECH, RMF).
• Six (6) or more years of recent IT experience including vulnerability scanning, risk assessments, and incident response.
• Working knowledge of industry security standards (CISSP, SANS, CISA).
• Demonstrated experience with NIST Risk Management Framework or other NIST standards.
• CISSP certification required within first six months of employment.
• Experience in cloud-based environments (AWS, Azure).
• Experience operating and analyzing logging and monitoring systems, antivirus solutions, and security configurations.
• Knowledge of Washington State Security Standards and Office of the Chief Information Office policies.

• A healthy work/life balance with flexible work schedules and teleworking.
• State benefits package including Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation,…