Information Technology Specialist (Security)

US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Information Technology Division (ITD) is seeking a Cyber Security Engineer to administer a program that integrates cybersecurity throughout the IT solution development lifecycle and provide full life cycle vulnerability assessment for all APHIS IT systems.

The role requires evaluating secure design, conducting static and dynamic scans, and communicating risks and remediation steps to stakeholders.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12 level demonstrating secure design and SDLC principles.
• Experience evaluating technical solutions for secure design and configuration through the SDLC.
• Performing static and dynamic source code scanning reviews and remediation per IT guidelines (OWASP Top 10, NIST).
• Communicating potential and confirmed risks and vulnerabilities to stakeholders with remediation steps.
• Participating in cyber incident response and remediation efforts related to application or network security incidents.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate current and proposed technical solutions to ensure secure design across the SDLC.
• conduct static and dynamic scanning reviews and remediation per OWASP Top 10 and NIST guidelines.
• Communicate risks and remediation steps to stakeholders.
• Participate in cyber incident response and remediation efforts for security incidents.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Customer Service

Oral Communication

Problem Solving

Tools

OWASP Top 10

NIST guidelines

Job description

The mission of the Information Technology Division (ITD) is to acquire and use IT resources to improve the quality, timeliness, and cost effectiveness of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) service delivery. You will serve as Cyber Security Engineer administering a program that integrates cybersecurity throughout the IT solution development lifecycle (SDLC); provide full life cycle vulnerability assessment for all MRP-ITD IT systems.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Evaluating current and proposed technical solutions, processes, and architectural changes to ensure secure design and configuration principles are implemented throughout the IT system development lifecycle (SDLC).
• Performing static and dynamic source code scanning reviews and code level remediation of vulnerability findings in compliance with IT guidelines such as OWASP Top 10 standards and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines.
• Communicating potential and confirmed risks and vulnerabilities to stakeholders and providing remediation steps.
• Participating in cyber incident response and remediation efforts related to application or network security incidents.

In addition, all applicants qualifying based on experience must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below. Applicants must demonstrate possession of these competencies within the body of the resume; no separate statements addressing them are required.

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

Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.

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 and provides valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.