Information Technology Specialist (INFOSEC) – Direct Hire Authority

Department of State Headquarters (DOS); Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 122,000 - 158,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of State Headquarters (DOS) is seeking a cybersecurity professional to lead IET initiatives within the DS/TIE/ET division. You will plan and execute research, evaluation, and testing of IT/OT solutions, performing security reviews and control evaluations for the department.

Applicants must have IT-related experience with the four core competencies and at least one year at the GS-12 level. A Top Secret clearance may be required for assignments with national security scope.

Qualifications

• Experience conducting cybersecurity assessments to identify, evaluate, and prioritize vulnerabilities and threats.
• Experience recommending safeguards and corrective actions to reduce risk and strengthen protections.
• Experience delivering cybersecurity consulting and advisory services to stakeholders on secure IT/OT implementations.
• IT-related experience demonstrating competencies in detail, service, oral communication, and problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Leads assigned Innovation and Emerging Technology initiatives within the Emerging Technologies Division (ETD).
• Plans, coordinates, and conducts research, evaluation, testing, and assessment of IT/OT solutions proposed for Department use.
• Conducts comprehensive security reviews of IT/OT solutions to identify vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with laws, policies, and standards.
• Performs cybersecurity assessments, vulnerability analyses, configuration reviews, and security control evaluations.
• Develops and recommends cybersecurity policies, standards, guidelines, and procedures.

Skills

Cybersecurity assessments

Vulnerability analysis

Security policy development

Threat assessment

Job description

Summary

This position is located in the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Office of Technology Innovation and Engineering, Emerging Technologies Division (DS/TIE/ET).

This serves as public notice for the use of OPM’s Direct Hire Authority. Applicants who meet the qualification requirements will be forwarded to the selecting official for consideration. We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.

For more information about this Bureau, visit: DS.

Learn more about this agency

Summary

This position is located in the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Office of Technology Innovation and Engineering, Emerging Technologies Division (DS/TIE/ET).

This serves as public notice for the use of OPM’s Direct Hire Authority. Applicants who meet the qualification requirements will be forwarded to the selecting official for consideration. We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.

For more information about this Bureau, visit: DS.

Learn more about this agency

Overview

Help Accepting applications This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more Location 1 vacancy in the following location: Arlington, VA 1 vacancy No matching locations found. Work site options

Yes—as determined by the agency policy.

No

No

$121,785 – $158,322 per year

GS 13

13

Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Full-time

25% or less – Domestic and international travel may be required.

Permanent

• 2210 Information Technology Management

No

This job is in the Competitive Service

Yes

Top Secret

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 Credentialing Suitability/Fitness National security

• Credentialing
• Suitability/Fitness
• National security

M/DS-DHA-2027-0001

890842900

This job is open to

Help

The public

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

Clarification from the agency

This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

Duties

Help

• Leads assigned Innovation and Emerging Technology (IET) initiatives within the Emerging Technologies Division (ETD).
• Plans, coordinates, and conducts research, evaluation, testing, and assessment activities involving emerging information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) solutions proposed for Department use.
• Conducts comprehensive security reviews of IT and OT solutions to identify vulnerabilities, assess risks, evaluate security controls, and determine compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, standards, and security frameworks.
• Performs cybersecurity assessments, vulnerability analyses, configuration reviews, and security control evaluations of hardware, software, cloud-based services, communications technologies, and integrated systems proposed for Department use.
• Develops, coordinates, and recommends cybersecurity policies, standards, guidelines, and procedures governing the secure implementation and use of emerging technologies, IT systems, and OT solutions.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• Obtain/maintain eligibility to access Sensitive Compartmented Information
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement.

Applicants applying for the GS-13 grade level must meet the following requirements:

Have IT-related experience demonstrating EACH of the four competencies AND specialized experience listed below:

1. Attention to Detail – Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail;
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;
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;
4. Problem Solving – Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations;

AND

Have at least 1 full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service which provided you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

• Experience conducting cybersecurity assessments to identify, evaluate, and prioritize vulnerabilities and threats;
• Experience recommending safeguards and corrective actions to reduce risk and strengthen security protections; AND
• Experience delivering cybersecurity consulting and advisory services to stakeholders on secure implementation of IT and Operational Technology systems.

NOTE: In order to qualify for this position, your experience MUST be 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.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

• To request a reasonable accommodation for additional time on the timed sections of the assessment, please submit your request using the “Request a Reasonable Accommodation” button within the Assessment Application.

For all other reasonable accommodations at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations (OAA) at [e-mail].

OAA is responsible for reviewing and adjudicating reasonable accommodation (RA) requests for the Assessment Battery being used for this announcement. The following applies to all RA requests:

• RA requests cover additional time on timed sections only.
• Applicants submitting a RA request MUST attach supporting medical documentation signed by a licensed, treating medical provider. The documentation should describe the nature, severity, and expected duration of the condition, identify the relevant medical condition or diagnosis, and explain the basis for the requested extension. RA requests that do not contain supporting medical documentation attachments at the time of initial request may be subject to further review.
• Note: the following documents do not, on their own, qualify for automatic approval of the RA request: Schedule A letters, VA benefits letters, or SSA letters.
• Applicants MUST submit their application before the vacancy closes, even if pending an accommodation decision.
• Applicants are encouraged to carefully follow instructions related to medical documentation provided in the vacancy announcement prior to beginning the RA process.
• Applicants will have 48 hours after their RA request is adjudicated to complete the assessment battery. Scores generated after the allotted timeframe will not be admissible and the applicant will not be considered further for the vacancy.
• If a different type of RA is needed, please contact OAA directly at [e-mail].
• If eligible, situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.
• Under the provisions of the Direct-Hire Authority, veterans’ preference and traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply.
• Agency & Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP & ICTAP): View OPM’s CTAP & ICTAP eligibility website for more information. You must be rated in the Well-Qualified category and submit supporting documents under the required documents section of this announcement to receive selection priority consideration. To be considered Well-Qualified applicants must: score an 85 or above, meet Minimum Qualifications, and demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all major aspects of the position.

Expand Hide additional information

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

Help

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

The evaluation process consists of the ApplyGov Competency Based Assessments for which applicants will be assigned a score between 70 and 100. A resume review by subject matter experts will be conducted for the top qualified candidates based on total score. Resumes longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.

All applications that meet the required qualifications and the cutoff score will be referred to the selecting official in the order in which the applications were received.

You will be assessed on the following job-related competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

Non-Supervisory: Oral Communication, Writing, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Technology Orientation, Customer Service, Attention to Detail and Self-Management.

Set aside at least 2 hours to take the external assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. There are timed sections that must be completed within the allotted timeframe.

Your score from the external assessment (i.e., Non-supervisory) will remain on file for 180 days, allowing you to apply for multiple DOS-announced positions without the need to retake the assessments.

Top applicants may be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration. The assessment is used to measure the degree in which your background matches the competencies and KSAs required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies:

• Knowledge of cybersecurity laws, regulations, policies, standards, frameworks, and guidance.
• Skill in project coordination.
• Skill in conducting cybersecurity assessments.
• Ability to recommend effective corrective actions and compensating controls.
• Ability to advise on cybersecurity principles, concepts, methods, standards, and practices.
• Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners.

Resume review: Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. Your resume should demonstrate how you meet all aspects of the specialized experience statement. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., links embedded in your resume will not be opened.). If meeting basic qualifications through education only or a combination of education and experience, applicants will not be referred to the SME panel but will be reviewed by the HR Specialist for referral.

In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We do not make assumptions regarding your experience. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application may result in your removal from consideration.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Benefits

Help

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.

Required documents

Required Documents

Help

All required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted to our automated system by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

1. Resume limited to two pages showing relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training. Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours per week worked/volunteered. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must support your answers to the completed online assessment questions. Resumes longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.
2. Other Qualification Documentation (e.g. certificates, certifications, etc.), if applicable. See the Qualification section of this announcement for more information.
3. Veterans’ Preference Documentation , if applicable. Veterans’ preference does not apply to this vacancy. Any supporting documentation received from veterans will be retained to document veteran’s status for appointment purposes, if selected.

• To claim 5-point preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
• To claim 10-point preference, submit all required documentation outlined on the SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) to support your claim (e.g., DD-214, official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs, etc.). If we cannot verify your 10-point preference claim, your application will be reviewed for 5-point preference.
• To claim 10-point ++derived++ preference (i.e., spouses, widows, widowers or mothers of veterans), submit a completed SF-15 ++and++ all required documentation listed on the SF-15 to support your claim.
• To claim 0-point Sole Survivorship preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 or another form of official documentation showing that your discharge or release from active duty occurred on or after August 29, 2008 and was based on a sole survivorship discharge.
• For all preference claims:
• DD-214 Member 4 copies are preferred and must show the dates of