IT SPECIALIST (INFOSEC) (STEM)

U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency seeks candidates for IT trainee positions across GS-7 to GS-12 levels in the Washington, DC area. These roles emphasize foundational knowledge of RMF, NIST controls, and DISA standards, with progression through Level 1–5 proficiency and structured supervision.

Applicants should possess at least 24 semester hours in CS/engineering or related fields, and demonstrate problem solving, teamwork and customer service capabilities relevant to IT environments.

Qualifications

• Minimum 24 semester hours in CS, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management.
• Grade 7 trainee definitions: Level 1–5 proficiency helps map development and supervision.
• Qualification may be met by education and/or experience and/or combination.

Responsibilities

• Anticipate problems and obstacles on moderately complex projects and develop creative solutions pre-implementation.
• Apply decision making techniques for complex situations and best practices to maximize benefits.
• Conduct assessments and evaluations of IT solutions for effectiveness and efficiency.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Executive Orders, directives, standards and how policies apply in SCI, non-SCI, and SAP environments.
• Experience with RMF, NIST 800-53 controls, CNSS 1253, and DISA STIGs implementation.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Customer Service

Interpersonal Skills

Reasoning

Teamwork

Education

24 semester hours in CS/Engineering/Info Systems/Math

Job description

We are committed to:

• Teamwork: Partnering at all levels and across organizational boundaries for mission accomplishment.
• Integrity: Adherence to the highest legal and ethical principles in our responsibilities.
• Excellence: Unrivaled defense intelligence expertise.
• Service: Putting the welfare of the Nation and commitment to our mission before oneself.

ASSESSMENT FACTORS

1. Anticipates problems and obstacles associated with moderately complex projects and proactively develop creative solutions to address them prior to implementation.
2. Applies decision making techniques in complex situations to include anticipating and recognizing best practices and choosing options to maximize benefits to the office, directorate, or Agency.
3. Conducts assessments and evaluations involving multiple or complex functions to determine effectiveness and efficiency of IT solutions.
4. Demonstrates, and utilizes, a thorough knowledge of Executive Orders, IC Directives & Standards, etc.) and how those policies apply within the various IT environments (SCI, non-SCI, and SAP).
5. Experience with Risk Management Framework (RMF), NIST 800-53 Security Controls, CNSS 1253, and implementing DISA Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs).

HIGHLY DESIRED SKILLS

1. Master's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or related field.
2. Experience effectively processing IT systems throughout the RMF stages and adjudicating feedback from Security Control Assessors (SCA).
3. Experience designing or supporting Zero Trust Initiatives.

Individual Occupation Requirements

All Applicants must meet the following minimum qualification requirements in order to be considered for this position:

Requirements may be met either through Education and/or Experience and/or a combination of both.

Education:

All academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions. The coursework must be either undergraduate or graduate and must include a minimum of 24 semester hours in one, or a combination of the following: computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management.

Grade 7

No IOR’s have been established by OPM at these trainee levels. Duties assigned to trainee positions are recognizably different from duties performed by experienced employees in the same occupation. Trainee assignments are purposely designed to:

• Provide orientation, training, and familiarization with the work processes of the occupational field and specific job.
• Reinforce and supplement previous experience and education.
• Allow the trainees to carry out progressively more difficult and responsible tasks.

Generally, these positions are subject to close active supervision and review.

Qualification of applicants to trainee positions must take into account their developmental nature, and judgment should be applied when comparing the assignment to minimum qualification criteria. Position of this nature will normally require the same competencies found at the target full performance grade level; however, proficiency levels as appropriate should be adjusted to reflect the nature of the training assignments which are designed to develop further competence in required areas.

There are five proficiency levels, ranging from:

Level 1 – AWARENESS – Basic Familiarity with the competency

Level 2 – BASIC – Can perform simple tasks with guidance

Level 3 – INTERMEDIATE – Can perform tasks independently

Level 4 – ADVANCED – Can lead or mentor others

Level 5 – EXPERT - Recognized authority in the competency

Grade 9

Applicants may qualify at the GS-9 grade level by meeting or exceeding the minimum proficiency level established for each of the required competencies for this grade level in addition to meeting the specialized experience requirements as demonstrated through the assessment of applicant’s skills supported by an agency job analysis. There may be instances where applicants do not fully meet the competency requirements outlined in this standard but are nonetheless demonstrably well qualified to perform the work. Agencies should exercise judgment in applying these standards, as they have flexibility to qualify an applicant with a deficit in one area if that deficit is offset by strengths in other areas identified through the job analysis and appropriate evaluation. Any rationale for such deviations must be thoroughly documented.

Required Competencies* Minimum Proficiency Level**

• Attention to Detail 3
• Customer Service 3
• Interpersonal Skills 3
• Reasoning 2
• Teamwork 3

Specialized Experience

The demonstration of knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies which demonstrate the likelihood to perform successfully the duties of the position and is related to the work of the position to be filled. These knowledge, skills, and abilities/competences are normally attained through the equivalent of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of the position being filled but may now be obtained through other means. Such demonstratable knowledge, skills, and abilities/competences may be 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 demonstratable skills based on the requirements of the position (i.e., job analysis, official position description) being filled. The skills required must be validated through the assessment process, which must be aligned with the job analysis for the given grade level.

Grade 11

Applicants may qualify at the GS-11 grade level by meeting or exceeding the minimum proficiency level established for each of the required competencies for this grade level in addition to the specialized experience requirements as demonstrated through the assessment of skills identified through the agency job analysis.

There may be instances where applicants do not fully meet the competency requirements outlined in this standard but are nonetheless demonstrably well qualified to perform the work. Agencies should exercise judgment in applying these standards, as they have flexibility to qualify an applicant with a deficit in one area if that deficit is offset by strengths in other areas identified through the job analysis. Any rationale for such deviations must be thoroughly documented.

Required Competencies* Minimum Proficiency Level**

• Attention to Detail 3
• Customer Service 3
• Interpersonal Skills 3
• Problem Solving 3
• Teamwork 3
• Technical Competence 3

Specialized Experience

The demonstration of knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies which demonstrate the likelihood to perform successfully the duties of the position and is related to the work of the position to be filled. These knowledge, skills, and abilities/competences are normally attained through the equivalent of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of the position being filled but may now be obtained through other means. Such demonstratable knowledge, skills, and abilities/competences may be 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 demonstratable skills based on the requirements of the position (i.e., job analysis, official position description) being filled. The skills required must be validated through the assessment process, which must be aligned with the job analysis for the given grade level.

Grade 12 and Above

For positions at the GS-12, GS-13, GS-14, or GS-15 grade levels, applicants may qualify by meeting or exceeding the minimum proficiency level established for each of the required competencies, in addition to meeting the specialized experience requirement as demonstrated through the assessment of skills identified through the agency job analysis.

There may be instances where applicants do not fully meet the competency requirement