IT Cybersecurity Specialist (INFOSEC)

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; Virginia (MN); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Patent and Trademark Office seeks a senior cyber threat intelligence lead in the Threat Intelligence and Risk Analysis Branch (TIRAB). The role is based on the Alexandria, Virginia campus with on-site duties; situational telework may apply under agency policy.

You will advise the Security Operations Center, incident response, and vulnerability teams to use CTI in detection engineering and threat hunts; champion security controls; and support red versus blue team exercises with

Qualifications

• OPM IT Management Series 2210 qualification standards apply.
• Specialized cyber experience including threat intelligence, risk analysis and vulnerability management.
• Must meet security requirements for a Top Secret/Special Sensitive position.

Responsibilities

• Advise and collaborate with SOC, incident response and vulnerability management to integrate CTI into detection engineering and threat hunt operations.
• Champion recommendations and validations of security controls and countermeasures to mitigate threats.
• Support red team/blue team exercises with current threat intelligence scenarios and adversary simulations.
• Review and update security policies based on new threats and technologies.

Job description

Summary

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.

Duties

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.

Come join our team if...

1. 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.


2. You are ready to champion recommendations and validations of security controls and counter measures to mitigate observed and emerging threats.


3. You enjoy supporting red team/blue team exercises with current threat intelligence scenarios and adversary simulations.


4. You are driven to review and evaluate security policies and identify the need for changes based on new security technologies or threats.


5. 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.

Conditions of employment

• Applications will only be accepted from United States Citizens and Nationals.


• Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related competencies.


• You must meet the definition of specialized experience.


• Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.


• Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).


• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.


• You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.


• Suitable for Federal Employment


• Must obtain one of the following within 120 days of Entry on Duty: (ISC)2 CAP or CISSP; ISACA CISM; GIAC GISF or GSLC.

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:

1. Developing cybersecurity threat intelligence, risk analysis and vulnerability management products and methodologies; AND


2. Recommending solutions to reduce cybersecurity incidents or vulnerabilities; AND


3. Recommending technical policy standards or implementation approaches.

Basic Requirement Competencies: The specialized experience must include, or be supplemented by, information technology related experience (paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training, as appropriate) which demonstrates each of the competencies, as defined:

1. Attention to Detail


2. Customer Service


3. Decision Making


4. Information Management


5. Interpersonal Skills


6. Oral Communication


7. Problem Solving


8. Teamwork


9. Technical Competency

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.

Education

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

Additional information

If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information.

This is a Non-Bargaining Unit position.

If selected for this position, you may be required to complete the Fair Credit Act Memo, which gives consent so that one or more consumer credit reports may be obtained for employment purposes.

This is a Top-Secret position and has a risk level designation of "Special Sensitive".

Background Investigation - If selected for this position, you may be required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306), which includes a fingerprint and credit check, to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.

The USPTO participates in E-Verify. For more information on E-Verify, please visit the Department of Homeland Security Website.

All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.

Relocation Expenses are not authorized and will not be paid.

CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a "well qualified" rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: OPM CTAP/ICTAP. CTAP/ICTAP documentation requirements are listed in the 'Required Documents' section of this announcement.

More than one selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 90 days from the date the certificate was issued.

All application materials become the property of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case‑by‑case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

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

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.

Learn 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.