IT Cybersecurity Specialist (Recent Graduates)

Social Security Administration; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 56,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

Social Security Administration in Denver seeks candidates for the Recent Graduates Program in IT Cybersecurity. The role includes formal and on‑the‑job training to develop the knowledge needed to protect SSA IT systems, support incident response, and implement cybersecurity policies.

You will gain experience across security operations, documentation, and reporting as you advance. After completion, participants may be noncompetitively converted to a term or permanent appointment, with a 1‑4 year

Qualifications

• Must have a degree conferred within the last 2 years or qualifying certificate.
• IT competencies demonstrated through work or education in cybersecurity.
• Specialized experience or education requirements vary by GS grade and must be clearly shown in the resume.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement cybersecurity programs, policies, and digital tools.
• Protect systems, networks, and data; support operations, incident response, and reporting.
• Assist with system administration, security controls, and user support activities.
• Participate in IT security assessments and prepare status reports.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Customer Service

Interpersonal Skills

Reasoning

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

Summary

A USAHIRE ASSESSMENT is required as part of your application. The SSA Recent Graduates Program provides Recent Graduates with entry-level developmental experience and is designed to lead to a career in the federal government. Upon successful completion of the program, you may be non-competitively converted to a term (not to exceed 1-4 years) or permanent appointment.

Duties

As a participant in the Recent Graduates Program, you will receive both formal and on-the-job training to develop the required knowledge and skill to successfully perform the duties of the position. At the full performance level, supports the day-to-day functionality and protection of SSA information technology (IT) systems by developing and implementing cybersecurity programs, policies, procedures and digital tools. Ensures the security and integrity of systems, networks and data through various methods. Performs cybersecurity duties in support of cybersecurity operations, incident response, system administration and security, compliance and policy implementation, user support and training, documentation and reporting and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

ELIGIBILIY To be eligible for the Recent Graduates Program, you must have successfully completed a course of study resulting in a degree (associate's, bachelor's, master's, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical) or have successfully completed a qualifying certificate program from an accredited educational institution. Your degree/certification must have been conferred within the 2-year period preceding this announcement (i.e., not prior to November 2024). Veterans who were unable to apply within the 2-year Recent Graduates eligibility period due to military obligations may begin the 2-year eligibility period upon discharge from active duty if supported by a DD-214. The new eligibility period may not extend beyond 6 years from the date a qualifying degree or certificate was conferred. (See REQUIRED DOCUMENTS to ensure you provide appropriate documents.) ONLY APPLICANTS WHO DEMONSTRATE ELIGIBILITY AS A RECENT GRADUATE WILL BE EVALUATED (see transcript requirements under EDUCATION below)

IT COMPETENCIES You must demonstrate the following IT Competencies either through work (paid or unpaid) or specific IT-related education or training: 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. Interpersonal Skills - Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations Reasoning - Identifies rules, principles or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions. Teamwork - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE Specialized Experience for this IT Cybersecurity position is the performance of basic IT cyber duties or education/training pertaining to incident monitoring and detection; compliance and audit support; documentation and reporting; system testing coordination and/or user support and access management. GS-07 Specialized Experience must have been gained in a federal position at or above GS-05 OR (if your experience is on another federal pay scale OR outside of federal service) by performing duties at a level of responsibility and difficulty equivalent to GS-05. Credit will be given for relevant unpaid and/or part-time work. Your resume must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities for each position held. Specialized Experience for this GS-07 entry level position can be demonstrated by:

• assisting with diagnosing user needs and resolving entry-level IT incidents
• demonstrating basic literacy in IT security methods, system protocols and protective requirements and
• gathering facts, analyzing system behavior and handling unscheduled halts or routine system errors

If you have this experience (either from a job or performed as part of your education or training), you must describe, in your own words, the tasks you perform that demonstrate it. Reviewers cannot assume you perform duties you don't describe. In lieu of specialized experience, you can meet requirements with a bachelor's degree that (1) shows Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) or (2) was followed by at least 1 full academic year of graduate level education. (See EDUCATION) GS-09 Specialized Experience must have been gained in a federal position at or above GS-07 OR (if your experience is on another federal pay scale OR outside of federal service) by performing duties at a level of responsibility and difficulty equivalent to GS-07. Credit will be given for relevant unpaid and/or part-time work. Your resume must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities for each position held. Specialized Experience for this GS-09 mid-level IT Cybersecurity position can be demonstrated by:

• performing basic vulnerability scanning and analyzing network traffic alerts
• implementing basic security controls on systems or networks
• managing user permissions and implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• assisting with minor system modification and security component analysis
• and participating in IT security assessments and drafting routine incident and status reports

If you have this experience (either from a job or performed as part of your education or training), you must describe, in your own words, the tasks you perform that demonstrate it. Reviewers cannot assume you perform duties you don't describe. In lieu of specialized experience, you can meet requirements with a master's degree or at least 2 full academic years of progressively higher graduate-level education leading to a master's (or equivalent) degree. (See EDUCATION)

USAHIRE ASSESSMENT After you submit your initial application, you will be sent an email (to the email address in your USAJobs Account) pertaining to the USAHire Assessment. The USAHire Assessment is a crucial part of the application for this position and you cannot be considered for this position unless you complete the assessment and meet or exceed the cut-off score set by OPM.

Education

TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED TO DEMONSTRATE ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE RECENT GRADUATES PROGRAM. DO NOT SUBMIT A DIPLOMA IN LIEU OF A FULL TRANSCRIPT THAT SHOWS THE REQUIRED INFORMATION. TRANSCRIPTS TO SUPPORT RECENT GRADUATES PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY: submit a copy of your full transcript showing your name, the name of the school, the program in which you were enrolled and the date your degree was conferred. The confer date must be within the previous 2 years. Transcripts without a confer date cannot be considered to have resulted in a degree and cannot be used to demonstrate your eligibility for the Recent Graduates Program. TRANSCRIPTS TO SUPPORT EDUCATION IN LIEU OF SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: this may be the same transcript that supports your Recent Graduates Program eligibility or may be in addition to that transcript. To support education in lieu of Specialized Experience, your transcript must show your name, the name of the school, the program in which you were enrolled and the date your degree was conferred. Transcripts without a confer date cannot be considered to have resulted in a degree and may not be usable to demonstrate your “in lieu of Specialized Experience qualifications.” FOR GS-07: If you claim a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement, in lieu of Specialized Experience, you must submit: (1) a full transcript showing the confer date and final GPA OR (2) a full transcript showing the confer date and official documentation showing your class-ranking OR (3) a full transcript showing the confer date and official documentation showing your National Honor Society Membership. If you claim a bachelor's degree followed by at least 1 academic year of graduate-level education (generally at least 18 graduate-level credits) in a relevant technology field (such as cybersecurity, computer science, information systems management, engineering, mathematics or operations research) you must submit a full transcript for your qualifying bachelor's degree in addition to a transcript for your graduate education. FOR GS-09: If you claim a master's degree in lieu of Specialized Experience submit your full transcript showing your name, the name of the school, the program in which you were enrolled and the date your degree was conferred. Transcripts without a confer date cannot be considered to have resulted in a degree and may not be usable to demonstrate your “in lieu of Specialized Experience qualifications.” Your degree must be from an accredited institution in a relevant technology field (such as cybersecurity, computer science, information systems management, engineering, mathematics or operations research) or include at least 24 semester hours of coursework in those areas. If you claim a bachelor's degree followed by 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree in a relevant technology field (such as cybersecurity, computer science, information systems management, engineering, mathematics or operations research) submit the full transcript for your bachelor's degree as well as the transcript that supports your 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree. Unofficial transcripts or screenshots of electronic/web transcripts with the required information will be accepted at the time of application. CHECK YOUR UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT TO CONFIRM IT SHOWS THE REQUIRED INFORMATION. You must upload your transcripts as part of your application. Documents will not be accepted via email or regular mail. Foreign Education: Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the education requirement, but you must also provide documentation that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in a conventional/accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. NOTE: It is your responsibility to acquire and provide Certification of US equivalency as part of your application. For a list of Credential Evaluation Services see: Credential Evaluation Services. If selected, you will be required to provide your official college transcripts prior to the effective date of your appointment.

Additional Information

Additional selections for this position may be made for up to six months from the closing date of this announcement. If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or is exempt under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov . If you are a federal contractor, do not identify yourself as a federal employee. This is a developmental /career-ladder position offering the opportunity for noncompetitive promotion up to GS-12 based on performance. Selectees will participate in a 1-year developmental program. Upon successful completion of the program, you may be non-competitively converted to a term (not to exceed 1-4 years) or permanent appointment. This is an Excepted Service, non-bargaining unit position on a full-time, flex-time schedule. This position is not authorized to be filled virtually or through outstationing. One or more positions may be filled at any of the listed locations / Official Duty Stations (ODS). To participate in telework, when authorized, you must reside within a 2-hour commute to your assigned/chosen ODS. Relocation expenses will not be paid; salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions. DENVER: GS-07 $56,262 - $73,142 GS-09 $68,819 - $89,470 DURHAM: GS-07 $52,693 - $68,502 GS-09 $64,453 - $83,794 WOODLAWN: GS-07 $58,193 - $75,653 GS-09 $70,623 - $91,815 Work is performed in an office environment but may involve occasional travel or after-hours work during security incidents or system upgrades. No special physical effort is required. Successful performance of work in this position and adherence to conditions of this position will be assessed during the 1-year trial period served by new appointees under the Recent Graduates Program. This is a special sensitive position. You may be required to complete Standard Form 86, Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions, to have the appropriate investigation conducted. Program participants serving on appointments for 1 year or less are generally not eligible for the Federal Employees Retirement System or the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance program and the Thrift Savings Program. Participants serving on appointments for more than 90 days may be eligible for the Federal Employees Health Benefits program. Position is assigned to: Security and Resiliency Cybersecurity.

Do you have a desire to: help SSA manage its Social Security programs? analyze and solve problems? help and advise millions of retired and disabled individuals? work on a team to make a difference in people's lives and your own? Join SSA, one of the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government!