Clarification from the agency

This is a Direct Hire Public Notice.

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As an IT Cybersecurity Specialist, at the full performance level you will:

• Develop, implement, and coordinate activities designed to ensure, protect, and restore IT systems, services, and capabilities.
• Provide advice and guidance in implementing IT security policies and procedures in the development and operation of network systems.
• Evaluate, recommend the acquisition of, implement, and disseminate IT security tools, procedures, and practices to protect information assets.
• Plan and conduct security control assessments for installed systems, devices, or networks, and recommend new or revised security measures and countermeasures based on the results of security control assessments.
• Evaluate new security technologies such as public key infrastructure certificates, secure cards, and biometrics. Recommend the purchase of security software, and assess implementation according to the established security authorization process.
• Identify and specify information systems security requirements associated with migrations to new environments, and provide guidance in planning and implementing migration activities.
• Develop specifications to ensure compliance with security requirements at the systems or Local Area Network (LAN) level and the enterprise level.

Conditions of employment

1. You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
2. This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
3. Males must abide by Selective Service registration 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.
• When you apply you will be asked a series of questions to determine your eligibility for employment and your qualification for this position specifically. You must answer all of these questions completely and truthfully.
• 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.
• Selectee may be subject to a 1 year probationary period.
• The salary is based on a Special Rate Table, Number 999C: Special Rate Table 999C.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT
To qualify, you must have either the education or experience required:

Education:
Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks.

Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

-OR-

Experience:
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.

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.

To meet this requirement you must demonstrate proficiency in each of the four competencies listed above as follows:

GS-09 Intermediate - You are able to successfully complete tasks in each competency as requested. Help from an expert may be required from time to time, but you can usually perform each competency independently. Focus is on applying and enhancing knowledge or skill; You have applied each of these competencies to situations occasionally while needing minimal guidance to perform successfully; You understand and can discuss the application and implications of changes to processes, policies, and procedures in this area.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
A qualified candidate's resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07) in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Experience (1) Performing system or device vulnerability monitoring; (2) Conducting audits of information systems; and (3) Performing analyses to ensure compliance with IT security policies and requirements.

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. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
2. Information Assurance - Knowledge of methods and procedures to protect information systems and data by ensuring their availability, authentication, confidentiality, and integrity.
3. Information Systems/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.
4. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
5. Teamwork - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.

"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 (12/16/2023) of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

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'.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

• Attention to Detail
• Information Assurance
• Information Systems/Network Security
• Problem Solving
• Teamwork