Clarification from the agency

This is a Direct-Hire Public Notice

As an IT Cybersecurity Specialist, you will:

• Ensure the security and privacy posture is maintained for an organizational system.
• Assist in the development of the system-level security and privacy policies and procedures.
• Participate in reviews and assess all aspects of information and cyber security.
• Integrate privacy and systems security with other security disciplines, requesting systems accreditation and authorization.
• Implement security requirements, such as those resulting from laws, regulations, DOE and DHS Binding Operational Directives and Emergency Orders, and Presidential directives. 
• Lead the implementation of security programs designed to anticipate, assess, and minimize any and all system vulnerabilities.
• Develop long-range plans for Systems that anticipate, identify, evaluate, mitigate, and minimize risks associated with Systems vulnerabilities.
• Plan and coordinate the development of specifications to meet security requirements at the general support (GSS) or subsystem level.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States Citizen.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• See "Other Information" section regarding Selective Service requirements.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• All males born after December 31st 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.
• If you are a current federal employee, appointed under the direct-hire authority, you will be given a new appointment.
• You will be required to serve a mandatory one (1) year probationary period unless you meet the exceptions in 5 CFR part 315.802.
• A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work. Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check.
• This position has been designated as High Risk and requires a security clearance at the DOE “Q” level; the incumbent will be required to access, process, use, and safeguard classified information. The incumbent is required to obtain and maintain this clearance level; failure to do so may result in separation from federal service.
• This position requires an initial drug test prior to appointment and random drug or drug and alcohol testing thereafter. Failure to test or a positive result on random drug or drug and alcohol tests conducted after appointment may result in removal from Federal employment.
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is preferred.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT: 

You must have IT‐related experience demonstrating each of the four (4) competencies listed below. The experience must be IT related and may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification) as appropriate.

• 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.

To meet this requirement you must demonstrate advanced proficiency in each of the four competencies listed above as follows: You can perform the actions associated with each of these competencies without assistance. You are recognized within your immediate organization as "a person to ask" when difficult questions arise regarding each of these competencies. Focus is on broad organizational/professional issues; You have consistently provided practical/relevant ideas and perspectives on process or practice improvements which may easily be implemented; You are capable of coaching others in the application of each of these competencies by translating complex nuances relating to each competency into easy to understand terms; You participate in senior level discussions regarding these competencies; You assist in the development of reference and resource materials in these competencies.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT:

A qualified candidate's resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) in the Federal service.

Specialized Experience for this position is defined as: Managing projects involving information systems security assessment and accreditation, risk assessment, continuous monitoring, critical infrastructure protection coordination, incident and investigations management, and remediation management; and serve as a technical advisor on all information systems security, particularly vulnerability mitigation issues.

There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-13 level.

Your resume should demonstrate that you possess the following knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies (KSACs). Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your resume how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the KSACs identified below. Cite specific examples of employment or experience and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position.

1. Info Resources Strategy & Planning - Knowledge of principles, methods, and techniques of information technology (IT) assessment, planning, management, monitoring, and evaluation, such as IT baseline assessment, interagency functional analysis, contingency planning, and disaster recovery.
2. Info Systems and Network Security - Knowledge of methods, tools, and procedures, including development of information security plans, to prevent information systems vulnerabilities, and provide or restore security of information systems and network services.
3. IT Program Management - Knowledge of principles, methods, and tools for the coordinated management of IT projects, integrating dependent schedules and deliverables, and related activities (for example, benefits management, life cycle management, and program governance).
4. Partnering - Develops networks and builds alliances; collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals.
5. Strategic Thinking - Formulates effective strategies consistent with the business and competitive strategy of the organization in a global economy. Examines policy issues and strategic planning with a long-term perspective. Determines objectives and sets priorities; anticipates potential threats or opportunities.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This position is announced under a government-wide Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) for IT Cybersecurity Specialist positions in the 2210 series. Under the DHA, all applicants who meet the Education and Qualification requirements listed in this announcement, at the grade level they are applying, will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration. Veteran's Preference, category rating, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply under the DHA process.

If you are eligible for career transition assistance plans such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the Education and Qualification requirements listed in this announcement to be referred for consideration.

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible' or 'not qualified'.