IT Specialist (INFOSEC)

US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology; Hines (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, within the Department of Veterans Affairs, invites applications for an IT Cybersecurity Specialist in the Office of Information Security (OIS). You will help strengthen VA's security posture, protect Veteran data, and advance enterprise-wide strategy, policy, governance, and defense.

You will evaluate technical information, advise on issues, manage projects and resources, identify problems, and recommend concrete solutions,

Qualifications

• Attention to Detail — Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
• Customer Service — Works with clients and customers to assess needs, provide information or assistance, resolve problems, and satisfy expectations.
• Oral Communication — Expresses information clearly to individuals or groups, considering audience and context.
• Problem Solving — Identifies problems, evaluates information, and makes concrete recommendations.

Job description

Join the Office of Information Security (OIS) service line under OIT and be part of VA's digital transformation. OIS manages VA's cybersecurity program to protect Veteran data and VA information systems. Delivers enterprise-wide strategy, policy, governance, and network defense through collaboration with VA and OIT. As an IT Cybersecurity Specialist, you will enhance the security posture and resilience of VA's IT systems and data and protect the privacy and trust of Veterans and their families. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/12/2026.

You must meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements, Specialized Experience and Selective Placement Factors to qualify for this series as described below.

Minimum Qualifications Requirements

To qualify for this position, you must have information technology-related experience demonstrating all of the four competencies listed below. Ensure that this experience is clearly described in your resume:

1. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

-AND-

Specialized Experience

You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. 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.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as evaluating technical information related to the job, and advising on technical issues; applying principles, methods, and tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, monitoring, evaluating, and managing projects and resources, including technical performance and requirement compliance; identifying and analyzing problems by weighing relevancy and accuracy of all available information to generate and evaluate alternative solutions and make concrete recommendations.

-AND-

Selective Placement Factor

This position includes a skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to -and essential for- satisfactory performance of the job. Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. Evidence of the Selective Placement Factor must be reflected in your resume.

Selective Placement Factor for this position is successfully identifying and evaluating new and emerging enterprise technologies, defining, managing and leading cybersecurity related programs and/or projects, to include cloud and artificial intelligence technologies.

Evidence of all of these requirements must be reflected in your resume.

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.

Note

A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those who have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.