SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR SENIOR

State of Arizona; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 53,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ASRS retirement

Paid holidays

Paid vacation & sick leave

Parental Leave

Tuition Reimbursement

Remote work option

Transit subsidy

Job summary

Department of Economic Security in Arizona is hiring for a Senior Systems Administrator/Junior Security Architect. The role focuses on cloud security, governance, risk assessment, and architecture.

Remote-work options may be available based on performance and business needs. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of experience in IT security and systems administration, and the ability to meet ARIZONA background and E-Verify requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and 5+ years of related experience.
• Experience with security architecture and IT policy development or implementation.
• Ability to pass background checks and obtain required ARIZONA clearances.

Responsibilities

• Assess and mature cloud security services and protect agency assets.
• Collaborate to implement security controls and risk mitigation strategies.
• Maintain and improve agency security standards and governance.
• Document findings and communicate security posture to stakeholders.
• Ensure alignment with NIST, CIS, and MITRE frameworks and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Security automation

Cross-functional collaboration

Documentation & architecture mapping

Network security concepts

Threat modeling

MFA & least privilege understanding

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Tools

Linux

Windows

Job description

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Your Partner For A Stronger Arizona.
DES works with families, community organizations, advocates and state and federal partners to realize our collective vision: A thriving Arizona.
DES serves more than 3 million Arizonans. Our Mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life.

SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR SENIOR (JUNIOR SECURITY ARCHITECT)

Job Location:

Division of Technology Services (DTS)
1400 West Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Posting Details:

Annual Salary: $53,497.60 - $74,811.56
Grade: S25
Closing Date: 08/20/2026

Job Summary:

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps Arizonans thrive? At the Department of Economic Security (DES) we strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life. DES is looking for individuals who are committed to service, community, and teamwork. To learn more about DES please visit des.az.gov. The Department of Economic Security (DES) and the Division of Technology Services (DTS) are seeking an experienced and highly motivated professional to join our team as a Systems Administrator Senior. The Systems Administrator Senior or Junior Security Architect will support IT Security management in the technical assessment of new and existing services and solutions within the agency. This includes documentation of solutions, as well as providing recommendations and guidance concerning proper Security Architecture implementation. This role regularly reviews existing agency IT policies and procedures, identifies deficiencies, and recommends changes based upon current regulations and best practices. Active participation in the development, maintenance, and improvement of agency Security standards is required.
This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.
The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Job Duties:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Actively assist with the enablement and maturation of Cloud Security Services.
• Assist Security Analysts and other technical operations teams with posture management prioritization and implementation recommendations concerning controls to block or mitigate attack techniques.
• Actively manage the agency baseline hardening program to ensure all agency systems meet the agency minimum security configuration standards.
• This includes conducting system assessments, identifying weaknesses, and implementing remediation strategies to reduce risk.
• Actively participate in the maintenance and assessment of existing and future agency security solutions. Ensures security services are optimally configured, deployed, and maintained.
• Evaluate proposed agency services and solutions to determine the adequacy of security design and architecture in relation to agency requirements.
• Document and communicate findings to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop, review, and update security policies and standards that align with organizational requirements and regulatory compliance.
• Stay current on industry best practices and emerging threats to continuously improve the quality of these standards.
• Assess security risks, ranking the risk of various digital assets, and suggesting basic mitigation controls.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Cloud Architecture & Security
• OWASP Top 10 + OWASP Top 10 for LLMs
• Networking Fundamentals & Architecture
• Cryptography & PKI
• Threat Modeling & Risk Assessment
• Governance, Risk, and Compliance Frameworks [NIST]
• Computer networking concepts and protocols, and network security methodologies
• Cyber threats and vulnerabilities, including potential impacts of security lapses
• Infrastructure technologies and in-house developed applications utilized in the enterprise
• Security and privacy principles relevant to confidentiality, integrity, availability, authentication, and non-repudiation
• New and emerging information technology (IT) and cybersecurity technologies.
• IT configuration management standards

Skills In:

• Analytical and Critical Thinking
• Scripting and Security Automation
• AI Input/Output Guardrails and Prompt Engineering
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Solid Written and Verbal Communication
• Document Creation and Architecture Mapping
• Applying and incorporating information technologies into proposed solutions.
• Translating operational requirements into protection needs (i.e., security controls).
• Setting up physical or logical sub-networks that separate an internal local area network (LAN) from other untrusted networks.
• Identifying cybersecurity and privacy issues that stem from connections with internal and external customers and partner organizations.

Ability to:

• Map organizational systems to frameworks [NIST CSF, MITRE ATT&CK, CIS Controls] to understand compliance and risk posture.
• Understand and translate the appropriate usage of core networking protocols [TCP/IP, DNS, routing] and operating systems [Linux, Windows]
• Apply an organization's goals and objectives in the security assessment of solution designs.
• Comprehend access control models, Multi-Factor Authentication [MFA], and Least Privilege enforcement
• Translate complex, technical security metrics into clear, actionable, and business-friendly updates for cross-functional teams
• Work collaboratively in teams and across organizations
• Synthesize feedback and adjust plans accordingly.
• Apply network security architecture concepts including topology, protocols, components, and principles (e.g., application of defense-in-depth).
• Articulate communication with peers and senior-level personnel on a range of security-related issues

Selective Preference(s):

• CompTIA Security+
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
• AWS Certified Security

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree plus 5 or more years of experience in systems administration, Information Security Analysis (or equivalent experience).
• Employees shall obtain and maintain a valid Level One fingerprint clearance card that meets DES requirements for a Level One card pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 41-1969.
• Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
• If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

Benefits:

The Arizona Department of Economic Security offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child.
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Stipend Opportunities
• Infant at Work Program
• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the state-sponsored retirement contribution plan, and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for lifelong income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.
On or shortly after your first day of work, you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines, and effective dates.

Contact Us:

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact Shannon Anguiano at [phone] or by email at [e-mail].
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting [e-mail]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.