Senior Threat Validation Specialist

Job Description - Senior Threat Validation Specialist (26142249)

Position Title:

Senior Threat Validation Specialist - (26142249)

Why live in Helena, Montana?

• Helena is surrounded by rolling hills and lofty mountains and is tucked below the Continental Divide.
• It is a relatively quiet place to call home where small-town living collides with outdoor adventure.
• Helena has a rich history and was originally founded as a gold camp during the Montana gold rush.
• Learn more about moving to and/or living in Helena, Montana here.

In this position you will be afforded the opportunity to telework, however there will be required weekly in-office day(s) in Helena. Specific conditions will be outlined as part of the job offer and must adhere to state policy.

Why should you keep reading and consider working here?

The State Information Technology Services Division - Office of Information Security provides security services and support to all state government agencies, our mission is to protect citizen's data. We utilize best practice standards and frameworks to deliver high quality security services to state agencies. We value collaboration, teamwork, and respect; and we promote a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion to provide a safe environment for our employees to grow their skills. We invest in our employees by providing professional development opportunities that lead to career advancement and fulfillment. We use exciting technologies and solve complex issues. Our team has visibility into the State's network and systems, and our actions have a direct impact on the State's cybersecurity posture. Security Services is a fun place to do serious work. (You can learn more about SITSD here.)

What is this career opportunity?

Do you want to help Montana protect and defend our citizen's data from cyber threats? Are you naturally curious? Are you a critical thinker? Do you have a strong interest in finding threats? If you answered yes to all these questions, then this might be the perfect job for you! Whether you are transitioning from a technical career, already a cybersecurity veteran, or wanting to start down the exciting path of cybersecurity, you might be able to join our team as a Senior Threat Validation Specialist. This position is primarily responsible for vulnerability assessments, vulnerability consultation, red teaming and penetration testing.

If you are experienced in penetration testing of web application, cloud, and/or database security, consider joining our team as an Senior Threat Validation Specialist and lead the team in offensive security tactics, teach efficient techniques for responding to threat actors, facilitate attack/defense exercises within the Bureau, and recommend controls to reach desired security posture. You will also be able to analyze malware, provide subject matter expertise to agencies and substantially impact enterprise security.

You will also use artificial intelligence (AI) and large language model (LLM) tools to work faster and dig deeper across engagements-accelerating reconnaissance, code and log analysis, tooling and script development, and reporting-while rigorously validating AI-generated output and safeguarding sensitive state data.

What are we looking for?

Education and Experience:

Alternate combinations of education, experience, and certifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Required for the first day of work, including alternatives:

• Associates degree in Information Security or Technology; AND
• 6 years' experience in a security-related role

Preferred:

• Bachelors degree in Information Security or Technology; AND
• 4 years' experience in a security-related role; AND
• OSCP, Pentest+, KLCP, GCFE, GCFA, E|CIH, or CISSP
• CPENT AI, Offsec OSAI, CompTIA SecAI+, or comparable AI-integrated offensive security training

Competencies:

Knowledge of:

• Cyber threats and vulnerabilities.
• Network traffic analysis methods.
• Database, Cloud, and/or Web Application Security
• Vulnerability assessment
• Cyber-attack stages (e.g., reconnaissance, scanning, enumeration, gaining access, escalation of privileges, maintaining access, network exploitation, covering tracks).
• Website types, administration, functions, and content management system (CMS).
• Attack methods and techniques (DDoS, brute force, spoofing, etc.).
• Host-based security products and how those products affect exploitation and reduce vulnerability.
• Internal tactics to anticipate and/or emulate threat capabilities and actions.
• Network protocols such as TCP/IP, Dynamic Host Configuration, Domain Name System (DNS), and directory services.
• Intrusion detection methodologies and techniques for detecting host and network-based intrusions.
• Web Application Security Risks (e.g., Open Web Application Security Project Top 10 list)
• Generative AI and large language model (LLM) fundamentals and architecture, including models and model selection, tokens and context windows, prompting, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), agentic (tool-using) AI, the Model Context Protocol (MCP), and the trade-offs between cloud-hosted and locally hosted models.
• How AI and LLM-assisted capabilities apply across the penetration testing lifecycle, including reconnaissance and open-source intelligence (OSINT) synthesis, code and configuration review, script and exploit development, log and data analysis, and reporting, as well as AI-augmented and semi-autonomous testing platforms.
• Limitations and risks of generative AI in security work, including hallucination and the need to independently verify output, data-handling and confidentiality constraints, tool licensing, and applicable law and policy.
• How threat actors use AI to accelerate their own operations, such as generating phishing and social-engineering content, developing or obfuscating malware, and automating reconnaissance.

Skill in:

• Conducting research using our threat intelligence tools.
• Social engineering techniques
• Defining and characterizing all pertinent aspects of the operational environment.
• Evaluating information for reliability, validity, and relevance.
• Identifying cyber threats which may jeopardize organization and/or partner interests.
• Using security event correlation tools.
• Detecting host and network-based intrusions via intrusion detection technologies.
• Conducting trend analysis.
• Reading, interpreting, developing, and deploying signatures.
• Prompt engineering and integrating AI and LLM tools into offensive security workflows to improve speed, coverage, and quality.
• Critically evaluating and validating AI-generated code, findings, and recommendations before acting on them or including them in deliverables.
• Using AI tools without exposing sensitive, confidential, or regulated state data to unauthorized or third-party services.

Ability to:

• Communicate complex information, concepts, or ideas in a confident and well-organized manner through verbal, written, and/or visual means.
• Accurately and completely source all data used in intelligence, assessment and/or planning products.
• Evaluate, analyze, and synthesize large quantities of data (which may be fragmented and contradictory) into high quality, fused targeting/intelligence products.
• Function in a collaborative environment, seeking continuous consultation with other analysts and experts-both internal and external to the organization-to leverage analytical and technical expertise.
• Think critically.
• Think like threat actors.
• Develop or recommend analytic approaches or solutions to problems and situations for which information is incomplete or for which no precedent exists.
• Apply techniques for detecting host and network-based intrusions using intrusion detection technologies.
• Conduct forensic analyses in and for both Windows and Unix/Linux environments.
• Interpret the information collected by network tools
• Apply AI and LLM-assisted techniques to accelerate offensive security work while maintaining accuracy, scope discipline, and data protection.
• Evaluate, pilot, and responsibly adopt emerging AI-assisted offensive security tools, and advise the team on appropriate and authorized use.
• Explain AI and LLM capabilities, limitations, and risks to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Does this sound like you?

Please tell us how and why by submitting your resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, provide an example of how you've directly contributed to the security of an environment you were responsible for in a technical or advisory capacity. (Please Note: You do not need to complete the "work experience" or the "education & certifications" portion of the application process in our recruiting system. You only need to upload the requested documentation.)

What can you expect from us in return for your hard work?

Ø Look here to see the additional benefits! They include:

o Work/life Balance

o Health Coverage

o Retirement plans

o Paid Vacation and Sick Leave and Holidays

o And more…

Ø Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF. Look here to learn more and see if you may qualify!

Other important information to be aware of.

• This position requires the successful completion of a criminal background check.
• Only online applications are accepted. By applying online, you are able to receive updates and monitor the status of your application.
• The Department of Administration participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov/.

Applicant Pool Statement: If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment: Not Applicable

Salary: $

88,000.00 - 95,000.00 Yearly

Telework Eligibility: Telework Eligible (Full-time telework is not available. Telework schedule must be supervisor approved.) Benefits Package Eligibility: Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Number of Openings

: 1 Employee Status: Regular Schedule: Full-Time

Job Type

: Standard

Shift

: Day Job

Travel

: Yes, 5 % of the Time

Primary Location

: Helena

Agency: Department of Administration Union: 000 - None

Posting Date

: Sep 10, 2026, 8:13:57 PM

Closing Date (based on your computer''s timezone)

: Sep 25, 2026, 11:29:00 AM

Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume

Contact Name: Megan M. Stearman | Contact Email: Megan.Stearman2@mt.gov | Contact Phone: 406-444-4620 Anyone who needs to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.