IT Cybersecurity Specialist (INFOSEC)

USPTO; Alexandria (VA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in Alexandria, VA seeks a senior professional to lead its cyber threat intelligence and analysis program. You will advise the Security Operations Center, incident response, and vulnerability management teams, applying CTI outputs to detection engineering, threat hunting, and defensive playbooks.

This role requires meeting OPM IT Management Series 2210 qualifications and at least one year of specialized experience at the GS-13 level.

Qualifications

• OPM IT Management Series 2210 qualifications must be met.
• 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-13.
• Education cannot substitute for specialized experience at this grade level.

Responsibilities

• Advise SOC, incident response, and vulnerability management teams to integrate CTI outputs into detection engineering, threat hunt operations, and defensive playbooks.
• Champion recommendations and validations of security controls and counter measures to mitigate threats.
• Support red team/blue team exercises with current threat intelligence scenarios and adversary simulations.
• Review and evaluate security policies and identify needed changes based on new threats or technologies.
• Serve as senior technical authority for planning, developing, and managing USPTO's cyber threat intelligence and analysis program.

Skills

SOC collaboration

Threat intel integration

Defensive playbooks

Threat hunting support

Policy & controls

Job description

This position is located in the Threat Intelligence and Risk Analysis Branch (TIRAB) serves as the organization's primary radar for emerging cyber threats, especially those targeting intellectual property. This branch employs cutting edge analytical tools and methodologies to discern patterns, predict potential threats, and assess vulnerabilities.

Telework

The physical worksite for this position is located in Alexandria, Virginia. Presence at the Alexandria, VA campus is required for this role, as it includes on site functions that must be performed in person. Position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with agency policy/business unit discretion. The agency currently allows for 52 hours of telework per calendar year.

Duties

Come join our team if:

• You are driven to advise and collaborate with the Security Operations Center (SOC), incident response, and vulnerability management teams to integrate CTI outputs into detection engineering, threat hunt operations, and defensive playbooks.
• You are ready to champion recommendations and validations of security controls and counter measures to mitigate observed and emerging threats.
• You enjoy supporting red team/blue team exercises with current threat intelligence scenarios and adversary simulations.
• You are driven to review and evaluate security policies and identify the need for changes based on new security technologies or threats.
• You are inspired to serve as the senior technical authority for planning, developing and managing the USPTO's cyber threat intelligence and analysis program, aligned to mission and operational priorities.

Qualifications

You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. OPM Qualifications Standards are available at: Information Technology (IT) Management Series 2210

Specialized Experienceis experience that has equipped applicants with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, you must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service: For this position, the next lower grade level is a GS-13.

Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Developing cybersecurity threat intelligence, risk analysis and vulnerability management products and methodologies; AND
• Recommending solutions to reduce cybersecurity incidents or vulnerabilities; AND
• Recommending technical policy standards or implementation approaches.

Education

Education may not be substituted for specialized experience at this grade level.

Conditions of Employment

Applications will only be accepted from United States Citizens and Nationals and your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related competencies. If selected, you will be required to pass a background investigation.

The full list of conditions and qualifications can be found on the USAJOBS posting.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation), national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, retaliation for engaging in protected activity, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.