IT CYBERSECURITY SPECIALIST (SECURITY)

US Defense Threat Reduction Agency; Fort Belvoir (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Defense Threat Reduction Agency seeks a highly skilled IT professional at the GS-14 level to lead risk management, cybersecurity operations, and enterprise IT security initiatives. The role emphasizes rigorous attention to detail, customer service mindset, and clear, effective communication with leadership and teams.

The position requires demonstrated problem solving and experience implementing secure architectures, incident response, and risk-based recommendations within DoD environments.

Qualifications

• IT-related experience with detailed work and accuracy.
• Customer-focused interaction to assess needs and provide solutions.
• Clear oral communication tailored to audience.
• Ability to identify problems and evaluate alternatives with sound judgment.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Customer Service

Oral Communication

Problem Solving

Job description

This position may be filled using Direct Hire Authority: Z5CAV/Direct-Hire Authority (Certain DoD Personnel) PL 118-31, Sec 125OB (i)(2), 12/22/2023. This position is being filled under the memorandum from the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)) \"Expansion of Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of War,\" dated December 19,2025.

This position is part of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. You may qualify at the GS-14, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service as listed below:

• Managed the Risk Management Framework lifecycle including Assessment and Authorization activities, continuous monitoring, and providing risk-based recommendations.
• Directed cybersecurity incident response operations, threat hunting initiatives, and enterprise vulnerability management programs to mitigate advance persistent threats.
• Designed and evaluated zero-trust architectures, cloud environments and advanced cryptograhic solutions for enterprise IT architectures.
• Act as the senior technical authority for the cybersecurity of enterprise level programs covering infrastructure and network, while also advising leadership on cyber risk posture, security impact of new technologies, and remediation strategies.
• Managed the full lifecycle of cybersecurity programs, defining technical road maps, and ensuring team members maintain certifications.

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.

In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 2210, series as listed below:

Experience must be IT related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate GS-5 through GS-15 (or equivalent): For all positions individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below. The employing agency is responsible for identifying the specific level of proficiency required for each competency at each grade level based on the requirements of the position being filled.

• 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.andSpecialized Experience for GS-7 (or equivalent) and Above: Positions at GS-7 (or equivalent) and above require one year of specialized experience at the next lower GS-grade (or equivalent). Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Such experience is typically gained in the IT field or through the performance of work where the primary concern is IT. The employing agency is responsible for defining the specialized experience based on the requirements of the position being filled.