Security Operations Specialist

Job Description and Duties

The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation is recruiting for one Permanent, Full-time Information Technology Specialist I position within the Information Technology Services Division's Security Unit . This position is to be located in the Sacramento office. This recruitment may be used to fill subsequent vacancies of this position within the next 180 days.

Under the general direction of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO, IT Manager I) the Information Technology Specialist I will serve as department's Security Operations Specialist.

The SOS will ensure DFPI IT systems are protected from threats, monitor systems and respond to alerts, perform investigations and analysis, and implement solutions to improve the Department's security posture. The SOS will assist the CISO and the Operations Manager in maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations including California Civil Code, the State Administrative Manual (SAM), the Statewide Information Management Manual (SIMM), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This job requires reporting on site a minimum of 4 days per week, with the option of one day of telework with an approved agreement.

Sacramento Location:

The Sacramento office is in the new state-of-the-art May Lee State Office Complex in Sacramento's River District, conveniently located next to Light Rail. On site parking is available for a fee.

Special Requirements

Please do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your State application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver’s license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications (MQ) will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting MQ’s with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification . Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet the MQ’s, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.

Applicants who completed their education outside of the US (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of U.S. course/degree equivalency. Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at .

Additional Filing Instructions

• If applying with a hard copy application, please reference “JC-528679/RPA# ITS 27-040” in the Job Title section of your State application in order to be considered for this vacancy. 
• Emailed and faxed applications will not be accepted.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

Experience monitoring and assessing security controls in the information system, including review of server logs, firewall activity, systems activity, and security alerts.

Experience investigating system alerts and security incidents or attacks, taking appropriate actions to reduce exposure and secure systems and data.

Ability to work independently and under direction in small teams as a technical specialist to test, enhance, and maintain network infrastructure to reduce risk and protect data.

Knowledge of procedures for incident handling, particularly for analyzing incident-related data and determining the appropriate response.

Experience conducting research into security vulnerabilities, suggesting solutions, and implementing risk mitigation strategies through patching and system configuration.

Ability to effectively communicate both in writing and verbally.

Benefits

State employees may be eligible for health, dental, vision and leave benefits, as well as retirement programs and other benefits. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and may be subject to collective bargaining agreements, which are contracts negotiated between the State of California and employee organizations that define employees’ wages, hours and conditions of employment. Other possible benefits include:

• Alternate Work Schedules
• Telework
• Reimbursement Accounts

Benefit information can be found on the website and the website.

Statement of Qualifications

APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT A STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS (SOQ) / SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE (SQ) WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. NOTE : Resumes, cover letters, and other materials will not be accepted in place of the required SOQ/SQ.

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). The SOQ must be no more than three pages in length, single-spaced, using a 12-point font. It must have the applicant's first and last name and "Security Operations Specialist" in the upper left corner.

1. Describe your working experience in providing information security support services in an information technology environment.

2. Describe how you stay up-to-date with the latest security vulnerability and attack techniques.

3. Describe what steps you would take in response to an active security threat on your network.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications -

  A Statement of Qualifications is REQUIRED and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD. 678). Applications received without an appropriate Statement of Qualifications based on the instructions below will be rejected for being incomplete and will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, and other documents will not be considered as a response to the Statement of Qualifications. Please refer to the “Statement of Qualifications” section below for specific requirements.