IT Security Specialist Assessments

U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, seeks an IT Security Specialist for a temporary position focused on operational IT security across the Ninth Circuit. The role includes conducting assessments, providing IT security support, and managing risk strategies while fostering collaboration among diverse teams. Candidates must possess strong communication and organizational skills, with a preference for those located in the Ninth Circuit.

Benefits

Federal pension plan

Employer-subsidized health and life insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Public transit subsidy

Remote work options available

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years of professional IT security experience.
• Strong understanding of IT Security best practices.
• Ability to identify and analyze security risks.

Responsibilities

• Conduct onsite or virtual/remote IT security assessments.
• Monitor circuit-level incident responses.
• Provide guidance on IT security policies and procedures.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Customer Service

Interpersonal Skills

Organizational Skills

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution

(ISC)2 CISSP, ISACA CISA, GIAC GCCC, CompTIA CASP+ or similar certification

Job description

$70,894 - $171,307 (CL 28 – CL 29)**

San Francisco, CA, or an alternative duty station in the contiguous United States

This is a temporary position with a term of up to three years and one day. There is potential for this term to be extended depending on workload and funding.

About the Role

The IT Security Specialist (Assessments) continuously identifies, tracks, shares, and supports operational IT security requirements across the Ninth Circuit including incident response, training, best practices, and risk in terms of threats and vulnerabilities. The IT Security Analyst regularly conducts on-site or virtual/remote IT security assessments at court units throughout the Ninth Circuit. The IT Security Analyst reports directly to the Ninth Circuit Information Security Officer (ISO).

This position requires excellent communication and teamwork skills, and the ability to provide outstanding customer service in a professional and friendly manner. This position serves as a point of contact and “face” of the onsite assessment team and requires a high degree of interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence.

Full-time telework from any duty station within the contiguous United States is an option for this position, with a preference for candidates located within the Ninth Circuit. This position requires regular travel throughout the Ninth Circuit (15-20 trips or more per year), including two Pacific Island jurisdictions, and occasional U.S. travel outside the Ninth Circuit. Authorized travel expenses while on official duty are reimbursed by the United States Courts.

Representative duties include:

• Conduct onsite or virtual/remote IT security assessments at court units throughout the Ninth Circuit, under the direction of the Circuit ISO and as part of a team, based on industry and Judiciary guidance, utilizing tools such as CIS Controls Self-Assessment Tool (CIS CSAT).

• Provide support on policies, procedures, and technical issues for courts throughout the Ninth Circuit prior to assessments conducted by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AO).

• Provide guidance, subject matter expertise, and support for court units and executive staff to build clear understanding and transparent management of IT risk.

• Track and support circuit wide implementation of national IT security tools for scanning (Nessus), logging (Splunk) and patching (KACE).

• Assist in identifying and resolving court unit challenges by implementing, integrating, and operating national IT security tools and services.

• Establish operational working relationships with AO program offices that provide IT security tools and services; act as a bridge between national programs and services and local court units of the Ninth Circuit.

• Plan and provide support and training for court units circuit-wide.

• Monitor and manage circuit level incident response; identify patterns and provide solutions; coordinate with court units and the Security Operations Center.

• Manage circuit-level support to local court units for the annual IT security self- assessment (scorecard) and the five-year independent IT Security assessments.

• Conduct risk assessments, provide recommendations, and support the implementation of risk mitigation strategies.

Required skills:

• Ability to identify and analyze security risks and to implement resolutions.

• Possess and demonstrate strong organizational and interpersonal skills.

• Superior ability to work well with diverse teams, collaborate and cooperate with team members, and coordinate multiple tasks and responsibilities.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to tailor information to different audiences including federal judges and court staff.

• Ability to use tact and diplomacy in dealing effectively with all stakeholders.

• Ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines.

Required Qualifications

• Strong understanding of IT Security best practices.

• At least 4 years of professional IT security experience.

• Demonstrated ability to collaboratively analyze, design, and implement effective IT security solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution.

• (ISC)2 CISSP, ISACA CISA, GIAC GCCC, CompTIA CASP+ or similar certification.

• Experience implementing and/or assessing the CIS Critical Security Controls.

About the Office

The Office of the Circuit Executive (OCE) serves the Ninth Judicial Circuit of the United States, which is the largest federal circuit in the country, comprising nine western states and two United States territories. The OCE serves the Court of Appeals as well as all of the District Courts, Bankruptcy Courts, Probation and Pretrial Services Offices, and Federal Public Defender's Offices within the Ninth Circuit.

The OCE was created by statute to provide professional administrative staffing to circuit councils, which are composed primarily of judges engaged full-time in deciding cases. The OCE provides administrative support to the Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit and its various committees. It also provides direct services to all judicial court units within the Circuit. All OCE responsibilities flow from directives of the Judicial Council or the Chief Judge of the Ninth Circuit. The OCE is organized around the Judicial Council's core functions.

The OCE is committed to providing professional support to the Judicial Council and all court units within the Ninth Circuit and ensuring the highest level of public trust in the administration of justice. This support includes identifying needs, conducting studies, proactively developing and implementing innovative policies, providing training, providing public information and human resources support, coordinating building and IT projects, and advising the Judicial Council on procedural and ethical matters.

Position Details

Location: The Office of the Circuit Executive (OCE) is based at the James R. Browning United States Courthouse in San Francisco, California. Remote work options (telework) are available for this position. Applicants located in or willing to relocate to the Ninth Circuit preferred; however, highly qualified candidates from outside the circuit may also be considered.

Rewards & Perks

Salary: $70,894 (CL-28 RUS) – $171,307 (CL-29 SF), depending on duty station, qualifications, and experience.**

Time off: 11 paid holidays, 13 vacation days, and 13 sick leave days per year. After three years (including any prior federal work experience), vacation days accrue at a higher rate.

Benefits:

• Federal pension plan and optional employer-matching Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401K).

• Choice of a variety of employer-subsidized federal health and life insurance plans.

• Optional dental, vision, and long-term care coverage.

• Flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care expenses with tax-free dollars.

• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

• Public transit subsidy.

• On-site gym (in Browning Courthouse).

• Remote/Telework/Work-From-Home options are available.

How to Apply

Please submit the following materials in PDF format through the Career Portal: (1) a cover letter directly responding to this vacancy announcement; (2) an up-to-date resume; (3) a list of three work references, two of which must be current or former supervisors; and (4) proof of any relevant certifications. Only applications with these required materials will be considered.

Next Steps

• Priority consideration will be given to applicants who apply by July 11, 2025.

• Position will remain open, and applications accepted, until the position is filled.

Conditions of Employment

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in the process of applying for citizenship. Successful applicants are provisionally hired pending results of background investigation and fingerprinting. Positions with the U.S. Courts are at-will, excepted service appointments, and may be terminated with or without cause by the OCE. Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. Direct deposit of pay is required.

The OCE reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, for any reason including but not limited to budgetary issues. Said modifications may occur without prior written or other notice.

Equity Focused Employer

We value diversity and are committed to equity and inclusion in our workplace. The OCE encourages applications from all qualified individuals and seeks a diverse pool of applicants in terms of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, languages spoken, veteran's status, disability, religion, and socio-economic circumstance.