Cyber Security Officer

The Panther Group is seeking a W2 Contract (long term) Statewide Cyber Security Officer with one of our partners, a state government OIT, hybrid in Augusta, ME (2x's monthly).

• Work Location: Hybrid - Majority Remote with an on-site requirement of every other Tuesday to the office in Augusta Maine. The selected individual will be required to come on-site to obtain their equipment and have a tour of the facility upon their start. There may be a few occasions when an extra on-site day may be needed (example: on-site audits).
• Does not offer Visas or sponsorship now or in the future (Including OPT, H1B, etc).
• The Panther Group does not work with C2C (Corp to Corp) or third party recruiters

Top Skills Required:

• Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach
• Strategic Planning and Coordination
• Vendor Management
• Previous Government Experience preferred (State, local or federal)

Job Summary:

• The Statewide Cybersecurity Coordinator is a critical role designed to enhance cybersecurity coordination and outreach across local governments and statewide partners. This position will focus on creating and maintaining a consistent approach to cybersecurity awareness, readiness, and best practices at various government levels and affiliated organizations throughout the state.
• The Coordinator also plays a vital role in supporting election security initiatives—ensuring the protection, resilience, and integrity of systems that support
• our state's election processes through collaboration, training, and coordination with election officials and partners.
• The role addresses significant vulnerabilities by providing much-needed resources, knowledge, and support to local governments and other entities that may lack the capacity to implement effective cybersecurity measures independently.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver educational materials, workshops, and outreach programs tailored to varying levels of cybersecurity understanding and readiness across local governments and statewide partners.
• Coordinate and oversee statewide cybersecurity outreach initiatives, ensuring alignment, collaboration, and consistent messaging among all stakeholders to achieve shared cybersecurity objectives.
• Manage vendor relationships and contracts supporting the delivery of cybersecurity education, outreach, and training services—ensuring vendor compliance, accountability, and performance in accordance with state procurement and cybersecurity standards.
• Perform grant management functions as required, including coordination of deliverables, budget tracking, compliance monitoring, and reporting for programs such as Homeland Security and the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP).
• Advocate for and promote the adoption of cybersecurity best practices across local governments and organizations, leveraging federal and state resources to strengthen local cybersecurity resilience.
• Identify gaps in cybersecurity resources among local governments and develop strategic recommendations—including vendor or grant-supported solutions—to enhance their cybersecurity posture.
• Collaborate with the Secretary of State’s Office and election officials to strengthen cybersecurity preparedness for election systems, voter registration databases, and supporting infrastructure. Ensure coordination between statewide cybersecurity programs and election security initiatives.
• Lead strategic planning efforts and foster collaborative relationships with federal
• partners, state agencies, local governments, industry associations, community
• organizations, and vendors to execute a comprehensive cybersecurity outreach and engagement strategy.

Experience:

• 3-5 years of experience in roles involving strategic planning, project management, or coordination of large-scale initiatives, ideally with a focus on cybersecurity or public sector projects.

Education & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Public Administration, Emergency Management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with federal programs, particularly in managing or administering federal grants or funding initiatives related to cybersecurity or emergency management, is beneficial.
• Professional certifications in cybersecurity, Emergency Management or Resilience (e.g., CEM, CBCP, ARM, or equivalent) are preferred and may substitute for a portion of required experience where applicable.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Comprehensive knowledge of cybersecurity principles, practices, and frameworks, including risk management, incident response, and information assurance.
• Understanding of federal and state cybersecurity initiatives, such as the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) and related Homeland Security resources.
• Familiarity with election security principles, including protection of critical election infrastructure, incident coordination with election officials, and alignment with CISA and EI-ISAC guidance.
• Knowledge of grant management processes, including application development, budgeting, compliance monitoring, and performance reporting.
• Knowledge of vendor management and procurement practices, including contract negotiation, performance oversight, and service delivery evaluation to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements.
• Strong program and project management skills, with the ability to coordinate complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives and track deliverables against timelines and objectives.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities, capable of conveying complex cybersecurity and risk management topics to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to develop and deliver educational and outreach programs, fostering cybersecurity awareness and readiness among diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain collaborative relationships with federal partners, state agencies, local governments, academic institutions, vendors, and private sector organizations.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills for assessing cybersecurity maturity, identifying capability gaps, and recommending practical, scalable solutions.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail, documentation, and compliance requirements associated with grant and contract administration.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment, while effectively prioritizing tasks in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Work Environment & Travel Requirements:

• While the position is primarily remote, there will be a need for in-person attendance at meetings and events, as well as occasional travel to various locations across Maine. The selected candidate should be prepared to travel as needed to effectively coordinate cybersecurity efforts and engage with stakeholders statewide.