IT Cybersecurity Specialist (Information Security)

US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs invites applications from qualified cybersecurity professionals to join the Office of Information Security (OIS) under the Office of Information Technology (OIT). The role focuses on enhancing VA’s cybersecurity program, protecting Veteran data, and guiding enterprise-wide strategy, policy, governance, and defenses.

Applicants must show one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12, including planning and operating network security

Qualifications

• Thorough in performing work and meticulous about details.
• Works with clients and customers to assess needs and provide information.
• Able to express information clearly and adapt to audience.
• Identifies problems and uses judgment to evaluate alternatives.

Responsibilities

• Enhance the security posture of VA IT systems and data.
• Protect the privacy and trust of Veterans and their families.
• Provide cybersecurity guidance and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with VA and OIT to implement security controls and RMF processes.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Customer Service

Oral Communication

Problem Solving

Job description

Join the Office of Information Security (OIS) service line under OIT and be part of VA's digital transformation. OIS manages VA's cybersecurity program to protect Veteran data and VA information systems. Delivers enterprise-wide strategy, policy, governance, and network defense through collaboration with VA and OIT. As an IT Cybersecurity Specialist, you will enhance the security posture and resilience of VA's IT systems and data and protect the privacy and trust of Veterans and their families.

You must meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements, Specialized Experience and Selective Placement Factors to qualify for this series as described below.

Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/20/2026.

Minimum Qualifications Requirements

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.

Specialized Experience

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-12 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Experience planning, implementing, and operating network security systems to protect information from unauthorized access, including diagnosing connectivity issues and patching vulnerabilities; perform security reviews, identified gaps in security architecture, and contributed to risk management plans in alignment with established frameworks such as NIST RMF; and administer specialized cyber defense applications and provide cybersecurity recommendations and technical guidance to stakeholders based on emerging threats and security requirements.

Selective Placement Factor

• Selective Placement Factor: Experience in performing network routing, load balancing, stateful firewalls in addition to implementing cybersecurity countermeasures within an enterprise network environment, to include configuring or administering at least one of the following: firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and/or packet brokers.

Evidence of all of these requirements must be reflected in your resume.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those who have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.