Computer Scientist (Cyber)

Defense Information Systems Agency; Fort Meade (MD); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) in Fort Meade, MD seeks a Senior Cybersecurity Analyst to lead remote and on-site assessment operations, identifying vulnerabilities and documenting remediation strategies for mission systems.

You will analyze intrusion detection, network performance, and risk, evaluating architectures and configurations to produce actionable findings for stronger cyber-defense postures across the agency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or related with math/statistics coursework.
• Experience planning and developing IT cybersecurity solutions for networks.
• Ability to conduct vulnerability, intrusion, or penetration testing assessments.

Responsibilities

• Conducts remote and on-site cybersecurity assessment operations across DISA.
• Leads technical analyses of intrusion detection, network performance and risk.
• Analyzes networks, devices, and traffic to identify anomalies and risks.
• Evaluates architectures and security controls to mitigate incidents.
• Examines data flows to identify vulnerabilities and remediation paths.

Skills

Vulnerability testing

Intrusion detection

Network analysis

Cyber risk assessment

Education

Bachelor's in Computer Science

Math/Statistics coursework

Tools

Protocol analyzers

Job description

Summary

This position is being recruited under 10 USC 1599f into the Cyber Excepted Service and does NOT convey eligibility to be converted to the Competitive Service. It has been identified as a position necessary to carry out and support the mission of the US Cyber Command. It is in the Professional Work Category at the Senior Work Level within the CES Occupational Structure. It is located in the DISA - Risk Management Directorate (RE42).

Duties

• Conducts remote and on-site cybersecurity assessment operations across the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), using approved adversary-emulation methods to identify and document technical and non-technical vulnerabilities for remediation.
• Leads technical analyses of intrusion detection, network performance, vulnerability, and cybersecurity risk issues, using computer-science methods to develop findings and recommendations that improve cyber-defense operations.
• Analyzes applications, operating systems, device configurations, network traffic, and associated metadata to identify anomalous or threatening activity and document findings for investigation or mitigation.
• Analyzes cybersecurity architectures, network interfaces, and security controls to identify incident causes and recommend mitigations that reduce risk to network operations.
• Examines network topologies and data flows using protocol analyzers and related diagnostic tools to identify communication paths, anomalous behavior, and potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

Requirements

In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the requirements described below.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service.
• This national security position, which may require access to classified information, requires a favorable suitability review and security clearance as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination.
• In accordance with the DoD 8140 policy series, the position is subject to completing Foundational Qualifications in 9 months and completing Residential Qualification requirements overall in 12 months.
• Individuals tentatively selected for drug testing designated positions at the Defense Information Systems Agency will be required to submit to urinalysis for illegal drugs prior to appointment or placement.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the requirements described below.

Basic Requirements

A bachelor's degree in computer science or bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.

Computer Science Series 1550

A bachelor's degree in computer science or bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.

Qualifying Experience

To qualify at the GG-14, your resume must describe at least one year of experience that demonstrates the competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Experience refers to any paid or unpaid experience, including volunteer work and Military service, that would be considered equivalent to work normally performed at the next lower grade level in the federal service.

• (1) Planning and developing IT cybersecurity solutions for network systems;
• (2) Conducting vulnerability, intrusion, or penetration testing assessments;
• (3) Analyzing network traffic and architectures to identify and mitigate security threats;
• (4) Designing test and evaluation plans for cybersecurity software and network systems.

Volunteer Experience

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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Candidates must describe how they meet the qualifying experience and/or selective placement factor(s) within the body of their resume. All qualifications must be met within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement.

Education

To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. You must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Foreign Education

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services at the time of application. National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.

There is no substitution of education for the qualifying experienceat the GG-14 grade level.

Additional information

• This position is in the Excepted Service and does NOT convey eligibility to be converted to the Competitive Service. It is being recruited under 10 U.S.C. 1599f into the Cyber Excepted Service (CES) personnel system.
• If you are a current Federal Career/Career-Conditional employee, you will be placed on an Excepted appointment.
• This appointment does not confer eligibility to be non-competitively converted to an appointment in the competitive service.
• Salary range includes a Target Local Market Supplement (TLMS) in accordance with Section 1599f of Title 10 U.S.C. and Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1400.25, Volume 3006.
• A three year trial period may be required if you have not previously completed a trial or probationary period in the excepted or competitive service.
• Telework availability will be based upon the mission requirements and supervisory determination.
• Individuals tentatively selected for drug testing designated positions at the Defense Information Systems Agency will be required to submit to urinalysis for illegal drugs prior to appointment or placement.
• We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of the closing date.
• Moving costs MAY be paid.
• The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here.
• Recruitment, relocation, or retention incentives MAY be authorized.
• This position is covered under DoD Manual 8140 which will be subject to future Cyber Workforce requirements as defined by the Manual.
• Because this position is in the Cyber Excepted Service, Veterans' Preference will be applied to preference eligible candidates, as defined by Section 2108 of the Title 5 U.S.C. in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 3005, "CES Employment and Placement." If you are a veteran claiming veteran's preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must submit documents verifying your eligibility with your application package.
• For more information on the Cyber Excepted Service Personnel System, click here.
• For more information on veterans' preference, click here.
• For more information regarding qualifications requirements, click here.
• If selected, the authorized rate of pay may exceed the stated maximum salary rate range under certain circumstances.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.