Information Technology Specialist (Security)

Duties

• Analyze cyber threat intelligence and indicators of compromise to evaluate potential security risks across enterprise network architectures.
• Advise technical leadership on hardware and software requirements to align computing systems with regulatory cybersecurity standards.
• Assess security configurations of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and virtual private networks to identify operational vulnerabilities.
• Coordinate vulnerability remediation strategies with system engineering teams to eliminate identified technical weaknesses.
• Investigate security breaches, unauthorized intrusions, and malicious software incidents to isolate compromised assets and thwart active threats.
• Perform technical diagnostics and troubleshooting on servers, routers, and data communication equipment to restore secure network operations.
• Establish objective performance standards and evaluate technical work products of subordinate personnel to maintain operational readiness and quality compliance.
• Counsel employees on professional development, standards of conduct, and workplace safety rules to resolve personnel issues and foster equitable career progression.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access for the duration of employment.
• Position is subject to random drug testing. Incumbent must pass a drug test.
• May require TDY travel CONUS and OCONUS up to 15% of the time
• In accordance with DoDM 8140.03 and supplemental Army guidance, the employee must obtain and maintain the following requirements for each Cyber work role (except Data, AI, and/or Software Engineering) at the assigned proficiency level:
• 1) Foundational qualification requirements within 9 months, 2) Resident qualification requirements within 12 months, 3) 20 hours of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) per work role code (which can overlap).
• This is an Information Assurance Workforce position. Incumbent must meet position requirements for certification at Level II in Information Assurance Technical (IAT-II) within six (6) months or less of entrance on duty.
• (Certification requirements may be found in DOD 8570.01-M Information Assurance Workforce Improvement Program)
• Appointment to this position is subject to a one year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 11. While probationary the incumbent can be terminated with limited appeal rights.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is .

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience in: Analyzing enterprise security telemetry and threat intelligence to identify vulnerabilities across enterprise computing environments; investigating enterprise security incidents and unauthorized intrusions to mitigate malicious activity and execute system remediation; evaluating technical configurations of security systems, including endpoint security platforms, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, access controls, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, and Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) systems, to maintain compliance with established cybersecurity standards; and coordinating technical remediation workflows across cross-functional teams to resolve complex security incidents. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-12).

The specialized experience must include, or be supplemented by, information technology related experience (paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training, as appropriate) which demonstrates each of the competencies, as defined:

(1) Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. Examples of IT-related experience demonstrating this competency include: completing thorough and accurate work independently, even in the most difficult or stressful situations; occasionally reviewing work completed by others.

(2) Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services. Examples of IT-related experience demonstrating this competency include: resolving routine and non-routine problems, questions, or complaints; developing and maintaining strong, mutually supportive working relationships with customers; conducting evaluation of support to determine quality of services and customer satisfaction, and recommending procedural changes based on customer need or changes in policy and/or regulation.

(3) Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Examples of IT-related experience demonstrating this competency include: convincingly conveying complex information to customers; presenting thoughts that are well-organized and demonstrating confidence in the facts and ideas; adjusting style when working with individuals with different levels of understanding; using various methods to explain and convey information.

(4) Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. Examples of IT-related experience demonstrating this competency include: solving complex or sensitive problems by developing and proposing strategic alternatives; identifying possible conflicts and shared benefits; helping team anticipate problems and identifying and evaluating potential sources of information; providing feedback and coaching to others to help solve problems; engaging appropriate stakeholders when developing solutions in order to understand and incorporate multiple perspectives and needs; evaluating the effectiveness of decisions and adjusting future decisions as appropriate.

(5) Information Management - Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems.

(6) Interpersonal Skills - Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations.

(7) Teamwork - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.

(8) Technical Competence - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.

(9) Decision Making - Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the information sheet.
• This is a(n) Information Technology Career Field position.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
• Incentives such as student loan repayment, advance in hire, relocation, and recruitment MAY be authorized for qualifying selectees.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests : If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: