IT Security Specialist II

Job Responsibilities

The SC Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA) is the administrator and co-trustee of retirement and insurance programs for over half a million active and retired public employees of the State of South Carolina and their dependents.

Under limited supervision, this position plans, monitors, documents, and maintains the agency's security software, network infrastructure, and cloud environments.

• Monitoring security tools and dashboards (endpoints, email, identity, network, cloud), triaging alerts and prioritizing by risk and business impact, and escalating per established procedures.
• Providing incident response: documenting findings, collecting and preserving evidence, identifying affected systems/accounts, and assisting senior staff with containment and remediation activities. Maintains incident records, timelines, metrics, and audit documentation.
• Supporting vulnerability management by reviewing scan results, validating findings, tracking corrective actions, and coordinating with technical teams to resolve identified risks. Develops, assesses, and measures baseline security configurations for on-premises and hosted (i.e., cloud) technology services, operating systems, applications, networking, and related equipment.
• Intaking and triaging reported security concerns (phishing, suspicious activity, compromised accounts, lost devices), and routing/escalating cases per standard operating procedures.
• Following security policies and procedures, assisting with access reviews and security-awareness activities, and maintaining knowledge of emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and recommended defensive practices. Consults with users and management to implement and improve security controls, processes, and routines.

A bachelor's degree in information technology systems, computer science, or a related field and at least three years of experience in the information technology field to include experience in a security-focused role. Relevant experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis.

Working knowledge of computer systems, server visualization environments, web filtering, firewall administration. Experience with administering and maintaining Windows/Linux servers and workstation operating systems. Ability to independently deploy, manage, measure, and audit system and network security. Broad knowledge of application, hosted service, and cloud security principles. Knowledge of information risk concepts and principles, with the ability to relate them to business needs and security controls.

Must have excellent written and oral communication skills, problem solving skills, strong analysis and troubleshooting skills, and experience working in a technical team environment.

In addition to 13 paid holidays, this position is eligible for comprehensive insurance programs, retirement plans, and a generous paid leave program.

The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.