Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open for 14 days OR to the first 100 applicants who apply. If 100 applicants apply prior to the closing date, the vacancy will be closed the day the number of applicants is reached.

Work that involves ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems, networks, and data through the planning, analysis, development, implementation, maintenance, and enhancement of information systems security programs, policies, procedures, and tools.

Functions commonly performed by employees in this specialty include:

• Developing policies and procedures to ensure information system reliability and accessibility and to prevent and defend against unauthorized access to systems, networks, and data;
• Conducting risk and vulnerability assessments of planned and installed information systems to identify vulnerabilities, risks, and protection needs;
• Promoting awareness of security issues among management and ensuring sound security principles are reflected in organizations’ visions and goals;
• Conducting systems security evaluations, audits, and reviews;
• Developing systems security contingency plans and disaster recovery procedures;
• Developing and implementing programs to ensure that system, network, and data users are aware of, understand, and adhere to systems security policies and procedures;
• Participating in network and systems design to ensure implementation of appropriate systems security policies;
• Facilitating the gathering, analysis, and preservation of evidence used in the prosecution of computer crimes;
• Assessing security events to determine impact and implementing corrective actions;
• Ensuring the rigorous application of information security/information assurance policies, principles, and practices in the delivery of all IT services.

Mastery of and skill in applying:

• IT systems security principles and methods;
• Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) principles, concepts, and methods;
• Risk Management Framework principles, concepts, and methods;
• New IT security developments;
• Project management principles, methods, and practices, including developing plans and schedules, estimating resource requirements, defining milestones and deliverables, monitoring activities, and evaluating and reporting on accomplishments;
• Oral and written communication techniques

Mastery of and skill in applying, advanced IT principles, concepts, methods, standards, and practices sufficient to accomplish assignments such as:

• Develop long-range plans for IT security systems that anticipate, identify, evaluate, mitigate, and minimize risks associated with IT system vulnerabilities;
• Lead the implementation of security programs designed to anticipate, assess, and minimize system vulnerabilities;
• Coordinate the implementation of security programs across platforms;
• Identify need for changes based on new security technologies or threats;
• Test and implement new policies;
• Institute measures to ensure awareness and compliance;
• Review proposed new systems, networks, and software designs for potential security risks;
• Recommend for mitigation or countermeasures;
• Resolve integration issues related to the implementation of new systems within the existing infrastructure;
• Implement higher level security requirements such as those resulting from laws, regulations, or presidential directives;
• Integrate security programs across disciplines;
• Define the scope and level of detail for security plans and policies applicable to the security program;
• Lead Assessment and Authorization of information systems; and
• Implement Continuous Monitoring.
• Develop and interpret policies, procedures, and strategies governing the planning and delivery of services throughout the agency;
• Provide technical advice, guidance, and recommendations to management and other technical specialists on critical IT issues;
• Apply new developments to previously unsolvable problems;
• Make recommendations that significantly influence important agency IT policies or programs
• Design, develop, and manage systems that meet current and future business requirements and apply and extend, enhance or optimize the existing architecture;
• Manage assigned projects;
• Communicate complex technical requirements to non-technical personnel;
• Prepare and present briefings to senior management officials on complex/controversial issues.

Conditions of employment

• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• Statement of Employment & Financial Interest required prior to appointment.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.

Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5CFR 300, Subpart F.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements, including education, and any selective placement factors described below by the closing date of this announcement.

If you are qualifying based on education OR if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript with your application.

NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement.

Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F.

Applicants applying for the GS-13 grade level must meet the following requirements:

Have IT-related experience demonstrating EACH of the four competencies AND specialized experience listed below:

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

Have at least 1 full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service which provided you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

• Experience in the performance of cyber security tasks
• Experience in applying total infrastructure protection environment.
• Experience in applying interrelationships of multiple IT specialties.
• implementing information security protections commensurate with the risk and magnitude of potential harm resulting from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification or destruction of information and information systems.
• Experience conducting risk assessments of planned and installed information systems.
• Experience developing requirements for system improvement, optimization, development, and/or maintenance. 

  
NOTE: In order to qualify for this position, your 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.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs) and other characteristics that are relevant to the duties of this position and must be fully supported by information in your resume:

• Knowledge of advanced IT principles, concepts, methods, standards, and practices.
• Knowledge of project management methods and practices.
• Skill in written and oral communication techniques.
• Knowledge of systems security certification and assessment requirements and processes.
• Knowledge of network systems management methods.

Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. 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). Your resume should include the dates of all qualifying experience (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours worked/volunteered per week. For assistance with creating a resume, please click
here.

Qualified candidates are assigned a score between 70 and 100.  Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) candidates must be rated "Well Qualified" for the position and earn a score of at least 85 (when applicants are rated in a range of 70 to 100) to receive consideration for special priority.

If, after reviewing your resume and self-assessment questionnaire responses and a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, a score will be manually determined that reflects your documented experience.  This may result in a lower score, which may also eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements and submit any required supporting documentation by the closing date of this job opportunity. Your application package must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the basic/specialized experience requirements as stated in this job opportunity announcement for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. Applicants found to be among the top qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview.