Cybersecurity Defensive Operations – Leadership

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (DOHS); Chandler (AZ); On-site; USD 124,000 - 208,000; Full time

Job summary

DHS Cybersecurity Service in Chandler, AZ is hiring for leadership roles in Cybersecurity Defensive Operations – Intelligence Collection & Analysis and Planning, Execution & Analysis. These permanent, federal positions require strong cyber defense expertise and proven leadership to guide teams across DHS and partner agencies.

Salary ranges from $123,600 to $207,500 per year, with a focus on national security objectives and occasional travel.

Qualifications

• Leadership track across a range of career levels.
• 5–15 years of cybersecurity work experience.
• 0–5 years of cybersecurity leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creation and implementation of end-to-end cyber defense operations plans based on technical cybersecurity expertise and policy.
• Oversee remediation and containment actions.
• Develop primary and contingency action plans and organize teams to select effective defense methods.
• Provide leadership and expertise to cyber intelligence collection and analysis to inform DHS or Federal operations.
• Deliver intelligence briefings to senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• Supervise subordinates’ development and ensure alignment with DHS cyber defense objectives.

Skills

Cybersecurity leadership

All-source defense

Intelligence analysis

Team supervision

Job description

Summary

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is recruiting professionals to support a range of leadership roles in Cybersecurity Defensive Operations – Intelligence Collection & Analysis as well as Planning, Execution & Analysis, including Cyber Operations Lead, All Source-Collection Manager, All Source-Collection Requirements Manager and Network Operations Security Center Lead. All positions are in the DHS Cybersecurity Service.

Overview

Location
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Chandler, AZ
Washington, DC
Pensacola, FL
Idaho Falls, ID
Stennis Space Center, MS
Arlington, VA
Springfield, VA

Work arrangements

• Telework eligible: No
• Remote job: No
• Relocation expenses reimbursed: No

Salary

$123,600 – $207,500 per year

Pay scale & grade

DC 3

Promotion potential

None

Work schedule

Full-time

Travel Required

Occasional travel – You may be expected to travel for this position about 1 to 5 days a month.

Appointment type

Permanent

Occupations and job series

• 2212 Cybersecurity Defensive Operations ICA (DHS Only)
• 2213 Cybersecurity Defensive Operations PEA (DHS Only)

Supervisory status

Yes

Federal service type

This job is in the Excepted Service

Represented by a union

No

Drug test

Yes

Security clearance

Sensitive Compartmented Information

Position sensitivity and risk

• Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
• Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
• Background check type: National security

Financial disclosure required

Yes

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number

27-13099541-CBWQ

Control number

890963500

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

DHS Cybersecurity Service (DHS-CS) uses a multi-phase assessment process to qualify applicants seeking employment through the DHS-CS. Given the ever-advancing nature of cybersecurity and the ongoing need for cybersecurity talent, DHS-CS uses “Talent Pools” to pull qualified applicants (i.e., individuals who have successfully completed the multi-phase assessment process for their capability and career track/level) for consideration for these jobs.

This announcement is being used to fill the Cybersecurity Defensive Operations Talent Pool. By applying to this job announcement, you are opting to be part of the DHS-CS Talent Pool for ongoing consideration for employment for relevant open jobs and will remain eligible for consideration for up to one year from the date of completion.

There are a variety of Cybersecurity Defensive Operations – Intelligence Collection & Analysis as well as Planning, Execution & Analysis opportunities across the Department, including supporting several specialized programs at the DHS Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans (PLCY), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), DHS Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Secret Service.

Depending on your career level and role, DHS Cybersecurity Service employees in the Leadership Career Track, with a technical capability in Cybersecurity Defensive Operations, may apply their expertise to perform a range of tasks, including:

• Leading the creation and implementation of end-to-end tactical and strategic level cyber defense operations plans based on technical cybersecurity expertise, applicable policies, and rules of engagement.
• Overseeing and directing actions and reports around immediate remediation and containment processes.
• Leading development of primary and contingency action plans, organizing teams to select the most appropriate and effective methods of defense/attack that align with operational protocols.
• Employing senior-level knowledge of national strategies, plans, policies, and directives for offensive and/or defensive cyber operations including but not limited to U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 3600.1, Director of Central Intelligence Directives (DCIDs), National Security Presidential Directives (NSPDs), Homeland Security Presidential Directives (NSPDs).
• Maintaining and leveraging a robust network of cyber defenders as well as other intelligence components to better understand identified intrusion sets and deviations and to build better defensive cybersecurity strategies.
• Supervising teams, projects, and employees in the application of reverse malware analysis and engineering techniques to prevent incidents or mitigate threats to DHS or Federal systems and networks.
• Managing teams and efforts to identify, gather, and disseminate information on cyber threats from security data and all-source intelligence.
• Organizing and supervising the collection of information needs and requirements of customers and overseeing the execution of plans and strategies to meet those needs.
• Providing leadership and subject matter expertise to cyber intelligence collection and analysis efforts to inform and execute DHS or Federal government-wide cyber operations.
• Managing and contributing expertise to the development of high-level intelligence products – including written reports or briefings – coordinating with teams and counterparts in the intelligence community to report to a variety of audiences, including government officials and other decision makers, planners, or network defenders.
• Delivering intelligence briefings and other relevant communications to senior Department leaders, external stakeholders, and high-level officials in federal agencies or entities that influence policy making (e.g., Congress, OMB, White House councils) on matters of security and cyber defense to explain and defend policies and programs or guide alternative courses of action.
• Serving as leader and administrative supervisor to subordinate cyber defense teams, overseeing subordinates’ technical development and work and ensuring their impact is focused on DHS cyber defense objectives.
• Driving the development and tracking of cybersecurity defensive operations team goals, ensuring both alignment with DHS’s strategic goals and individual accomplishments and outcomes.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or national.
• You must be 18 years of age.
• Must be registered for the Selective Service (if you are a male).
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. Security clearance levels may vary.
• Must be able to submit to a drug test and receive a negative result.
• Must be able to comply with ethics and standards of conduct requirements, including completing any applicable financial disclosure.
• May be required to serve a 3 year probationary period.

Qualifications

This position is in the Leadership Track across a range of career levels. Employees in this career track generally:

• Have between 5-15 years of cybersecurity work experience.
• Have between 0-5 years of cybersecurity leadership experience.
• Are capable of serving as a seasoned cybersecurity manager who oversees multiple DHS or Federal cybersecurity programs or DHS organizations, including employees and contract resources, through subordinate managers.

DHS Cybersecurity Service employees with a technical capability in Cybersecurity Defensive Operations will generally:

• Integrate, manage, and execute all aspects of the cyberattack lifecycle to inform cyber defense operations.
• Plan and execute cybersecurity defense operations to protect assets.
• Facilitate the flow and assessment of key intelligence data.
• Determine system security monitoring and incoming intelligence feeds based on dynamic security environment.
• Oversee immediate remediation and containment processes.

DHS Cybersecurity Service employees start at career levels and salaries matching their experience and expertise. To learn more about DHS Cybersecurity Service career tracks and levels, visit our application portal.

This position is focused onCybersecurity Defensive Operations- Intelligence Collection & Analysis and Planning, Execution & Analysis .

DHS Cybersecurity Service jobs are structured cybersecurity specializations – called technical capabilities. To learn more about technical capabilities, visit our application portal.

Education

Degrees are not required for jobs in the DHS Cybersecurity Service, but DHS is interested in your level of education and the topics you studied. As you submit initial application information, you will be asked questions about your education.

Additional information

Salary: Listed salary ranges reflects typical starting salaries available to employees in most of the United States across applicable career levels. Within the provided range, average salaries vary for each career level.

Lead Cybersecurity Specialist: $123,600- $158,500

Cybersecurity Manager: $143,300 – $184,000

Senior Cybersecurity Manager: $167,800 – $207,500

The starting salary range reflects what most U.S. employees receive in 2026. However, certain areas with a local cybersecurity labor market supplement, such as metro Washington, D.C. (10% supplement), have higher average starting salaries.

Actual salaries of individual employees may be higher or lower than provided figures. For an overview of the salaries available in the DHS Cybersecurity Service, visit Resources.

Benefits: DHS Cybersecurity Service employees receive a range of federal employment benefits designed to support their professional and personal lives. To learn more about benefits, visit our application portal.

More information about the specific benefits available to you will be provided as you progress through the application process.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for a security clearance as a condition of placement in this position. This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.

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.

Benefits

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.

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.

Agency contact information

DHS Cybersecurity Service Talent Team

[e-mail]

Cybersecurity Talent Management System

245 Murray Lane SW

Washington, DC 20528

US