OAISD Cybersecurity Analyst - Grant Funded

Job Summary:

This position is grant funded through 9/30/2027. It is expected, at this time, the grant will continue.

The Cybersecurity Analyst will be pivotal in safeguarding digital assets and ensuring student & staff data privacy and security for all districts in the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District service area. The ideal candidate will play a critical role in identifying, analyzing, and responding to cyber threats, ensuring the security and integrity of our information systems. This position requires a strong understanding of cybersecurity principles, technical skills, and a commitment to protecting sensitive information.

Job Identification:

Job Title: Cybersecurity Analyst
Department: Innovation Technology Information and Security (ITIS)

Essential Job Functions:

- Threat Assessment:
- - Conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities and threats to the district's IT infrastructure.
Threat Hunting:
Proactively identify and investigate previously unknown, or ongoing non-remediated threats and vulnerabilities within the organization's Information Technology ecosystem using advanced detection techniques
- - Develop and implement threat-hunting hypotheses based on current threat intelligence and emerging attack vectors.
  - Utilize a variety of tools and methodologies to analyze and interpret security data from various sources.
Threat Detection Engineering:
- - Design, develop, and enhance detection rules and analytics for security information and event management (SIEM) systems.
  - Collaborate with other teams to refine detection capabilities and ensure comprehensive coverage of the threat landscape.
  - Continuously evaluate and improve existing detection mechanisms to reduce false positives and increase detection efficiency.
- Incident Response:
- - Support the incident response team in investigating, mitigating, and recovering from security incidents.
  - Analyze security breaches and provide detailed reports on findings and recommendations.
  - Participate in post-incident reviews to enhance future detection and response strategies.
- Collaboration and Communication:
- - Work closely with IT staff, administrators, and other stakeholders to ensure security best practices are integrated into systems and applications by addressing cybersecurity concerns and implementing effective solutions.
  - Present findings and recommendations to technical and non-technical stakeholders in a clear and actionable manner.
Continuous Improvement:
- Stay current with the latest cybersecurity trends, tools, and techniques to enhance threat detection and hunting capabilities.
- Contribute to the development of training materials and programs for other team members.
- Assist in creating, implementing, and maintaining comprehensive cybersecurity policies and procedures.
Security Awareness:
- Develop and deliver cybersecurity awareness training programs for staff and students to promote best practices and prevent security incidents.
Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or a related field.
2-3 years of experience in cybersecurity or information technology, with a focus on threat hunting, detection engineering, or incident response.
Relevant cybersecurity certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM, CISA, CySA+) preferred.

Required Skills and Abilities:

Experience in the education sector or with K-12 IT environments.
Knowledge of cloud security and cloud-based applications.
Familiarity with data privacy regulations specific to education.
Extensive experience with EDR platforms.
Strong understanding of cybersecurity principles, including network security, application security, and data protection.
Proactive mindset, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work collaboratively within a dynamic team environment
Strong customer service and teamwork skills
Technical proficiency in network and system administration and experience with security tools and technologies.
Experience with programming/scripting languages (Python, PowerShell, etc.) for automation and analysis.
Ability to analyze complex technical problems and develop effective solutions.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with diverse teams.
Strong ethical principles and a commitment to protecting sensitive information.

Additional required skills:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
Ability to manage multiple projects at one time with minimal errors
Creative problem-solving skills
Patience
Empathy
Regular and predictable attendance working one’s fully scheduled hours
Engage with colleagues and the public in-person
Accept and apply feedback
Able to work independently and apply critical thinking skills to tasks and projects

Physical and Environmental Requirements:

Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods of time.
Ability to use a computer, keyboard, mouse, telephone, and other standard office and technology equipment for extended periods.
Ability to frequently communicate verbally and exchange information with colleagues, administrators, vendors, and other stakeholders.
Ability to occasionally stand, walk, bend, reach, and move throughout office, school, and technology environments.
Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or move technology equipment, supplies, or materials weighing up to 25 pounds with or without mechanical assistance.
Ability to travel between OAISD facilities and member districts as required to perform job responsibilities.
Ability to maintain concentration and attention to detail while working under time constraints and responding to cybersecurity incidents or other urgent matters.
Work is performed in a variety of environments, including office spaces, school buildings, server/technology areas, and other district facilities.
Work is performed in-person within the OAISD footprint of school districts.

Compensation and employment details:

Compensation: Salary range of $71,552-$89,440 commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Schedule: Full-time, year-round, first shift (7:30AM to 4:30PM or 7:00AM to 4:00PM, 1 hour unpaid lunch).
Benefits: Full benefits package, including health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance. MPSERS provided retirement plan.

Grant funded through 9/30/2027.

Job Description Changes: Job descriptions may be subject to change based on the OAISD’s needs. This is meant to describe a basic overview of qualifications, role, and duties. It is not an exhaustive or fully comprehensive list as other duties may be assigned.

Ottawa Area Intermediate School District (OAISD) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, genetic information, or any other legally protected category (collectively “Protected Classes”), in its programs and activities, including employment. Civil Rights Coordinators are located at OAISD, 13663 Port Sheldon St. Holland, MI 49424 to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and grievance procedures. Telephone (616) 738-8940. Ext: 4091