Cybersecurity Information Technology Specialist

U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is seeking an Information Technology Cybersecurity Specialist (INFOSEC), GS-2210-12/13, under Direct Hire Authority (DHA).

The resume must demonstrate IT-related experience meeting the competency requirements for GS-12/13 and may involve a one-year probationary period. The position emphasizes leading IT/cybersecurity projects, collaborating across organizations, and developing cybersecurity policies and plans aligned with agency priorities and regulatory

Qualifications

• IT-related experience meeting competency requirements as described for GS-12/13.
• Specialized experience requirement: at least one year at the next lower grade or equivalent.
• GS-12 requires one year at GS-11; GS-13 requires one year at GS-12 performing listed duties.

Responsibilities

• Leading IT/Cybersecurity projects by developing and monitoring project plans.
• Coordinating cross-organizational cybersecurity operations and incident response practices.
• Developing and implementing cybersecurity policies, strategies, and plans aligned to priorities and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Customer Service

Decision Making

Information Management

Interpersonal Skills

Oral Communication

Problem Solving

Teamwork

Technical Competence

Job description

This announcement is issued under the Direct Hire Authority (DHA) to recruit for positions for which there is a critical hiring need. Selectee(s) will receive a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service and may be required to serve a one year probationary period.

The official title of this position is Information Technology Cybersecurity Specialist (INFOSEC), GS-2210-12/13. Do NOT copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. Your resume must describe your work and experience, in your own words.

To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required proficiency level of competencies and experience for the respective grade level in which you are applying. COMPETENCY REQUIREMENT: Experience must be Information Technology (IT)-related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate. You must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the required competencies listed below and must meet or exceed the minimum proficiency level established for each by grade level. For more information, see Competency-Based Qualification Standard for the Information Technology Management Series, 2210.

1. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. (For GS-12 and GS-13, Minimum Proficiency Level: 4)
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. (For GS-12 and GS-13, Minimum Proficiency Level: 4)
3. 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. (For GS-12 and GS-13, Minimum Proficiency Level: 3)
4. Information Management - Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems. (For GS-12 and GS-13, Minimum Proficiency Level: 4)
5. 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. (For GS-12 and GS-13, Minimum Proficiency Level: 4)
6. 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. (For GS-12 and GS-13, Minimum Proficiency Level: 3)
7. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. (For GS-12, Minimum Proficiency Level: 3 and for GS-13, Minimum Proficiency Level: 4)
8. Teamwork - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals. (For GS-12 and GS-13, Minimum Proficiency Level: 4)
9. 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. (For GS-12, Minimum Proficiency Level: 3 and for GS-13, Minimum Proficiency Level: 4)

You qualify at the GS-12 and GS-13 grade level, if you have the following competencies:

AND Specialized Experience: In addition to meeting the competency requirement listed above, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower GS-grade level (or equivalent). Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Such experience is typically gained in the IT field or through the performance of work where the primary concern is IT.

You qualify at the GS-12 grade level, if you have:

At least one (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level (or equivalent) performing all the following duties:

1. Documenting risks and providing status updates;
2. Analyzing cybersecurity technical requirements; AND
3. Developing cybersecurity plans to ensure alignment with organizational initiatives.

You qualify at the GS-13 grade level, if you have:

At least one (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level (or equivalent) performing all the following duties:

1. Leading Information Technology (IT)/Cybersecurity projects by developing and monitoring project plans;
2. Leading cross-organizational collaboration to align cybersecurity operations, incident response practices, and information sharing processes; AND
3. Developing and implementing cybersecurity policies, strategies, and plans aligned to organizational priorities and regulatory requirements.

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 directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.