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Information Technology Specialist (Information Security)

Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service
Headquarters | Office of Information Technology | Division of Information Security
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located with the Office of Information Technology, Division of Information Security. The purpose of this position is to plan, develop, organize, coordinate, and manage information technology (I/T) and health information technology (HIT) security projects. The incumbent reports to the Supervisory I/T Specialist (Information Security) or designee.

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
06/02/2025 to 06/04/2025
This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$142,488 to - $185,234 per year

Salary listed reflects the General Schedule - Salary Table 2025-DCB. Salary will be determined by the selectee's residency/locality.

Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Location Negotiable After Selection
Rockville, MD
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
IHS-25-HQ-12742934-ESEP/MP
Control number
837968700

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Duties

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Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job:
IT Specialist Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov)

  • Provide expert technical advice and guidance to managers and I/T specialists on significant security operation activities that have been undertaken to improve cybersecurity at Indian Health Service (IHS). This includes developing a security operations framework based on industry standards.
  • Develop and deliver presentations to senior management.
  • Advise the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) regarding IHS security risks as they relate to gaps in policy, security awareness and role-based training. This includes the development/review of presentation slides to support the CISO and senior management (e.g. CISO council meetings, cybersecurity awareness events, training, and briefings).
  • Direct teams in the application of new and emerging information security concepts, principles, trends, technologies and practices in the development and application of security policies and practices.
  • Advise and make recommendations to senior management on the effectiveness and efficiency of security activities.
  • Develop and prepare policies and clearance records for the CISO and CIO.
  • Ensure compliance with Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) policies and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directives.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Selectee may be subject to a probationary/trial period
ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period
U.S. Citizenship is required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.

You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

Background Investigation: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges. You may be subject to a credit check as a part of the background investigation process.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

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; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

  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.
In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

GS-14:
One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level.

Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks:
  • Design and deploy security operation strategies, methodologies and techniques to enhance information security and information assurance programs.
  • Execute risk and vulnerability assessments of planned and installed information systems to identify vulnerabilities, risks and protection needs.
  • Participate in the development of systems security contingency plans and disaster recovery procedures and in-network and system design programs.
  • Develop policies and procedures to ensure information systems reliability and accessibility as required to defend against unauthorized access to systems, networks and data.
NOTE: Your resume must demonstrate all specialized experience listed above.


SELECTIVE FACTOR
A selective factor is a competency/knowledge, skill, ability (KSA) or special qualification without which a candidate could not perform the duties of this position in a satisfactory manner. There is a selective factor applied in addition to the basic requirements and minimum qualifications for this position. Applicants who do not meet this selective factor are ineligible for further consideration. This position requires the following certification:
  • Current Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification.
NOTE: Proof of certification must be submitted at the time of application submission.


Time In Grade
Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

There are no education requirements.

Additional information

Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement.

Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

This position is not covered by a Bargaining Unit.

This position meets the criteria specified in pillar number one of the five pillars of the PHS Commissioned Corps. PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps MUST apply online under the merit promotion announcement indicated above in order to receive consideration. For more information on PHS Commissioned Corps, visit the website at: https://www.usphs.gov/.

This position has no promotion potential.



This position is being announced concurrently under the Direct Hire Authority (DHA) procedures. If you do not meet the eligibility requirements for Excepted Service Examining Plan/Merit Promotion (ESEP/MP) procedures, you may apply under the DHA vacancy announcement number IHS-25-HQ-12742935-DHA to be considered.

How you will be evaluated

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

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

To determine if you are qualified for this position, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against the qualifications as defined in the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement and your responses to the assessment questions.
You will be further evaluated/rated based on the information provided in your resume (your resume must state specific duties that relate to this position) and your responses to the assessment questions to determine your competency in the following.

  • Information Systems Security Certification
  • Information Systems/Network Security
  • Technology Application


You will receive a numeric rating based on your responses to the assessment questionnaires. If after reviewing your resume and responses to the assessment questions, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and or experience, you may lose consideration.

The following links below provide information on how you may be eligible for various hiring authorities. If you are a Veteran, qualified CTAP and ICTAP eligible, or an individual with a disability, please refer to the following links below for additional guidance. CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a "well qualified" rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Workforce Restructuring Career Transition website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. CTAP/ICTAP documentation requirements are listed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
Click here to view vacancy questions: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12742934. All documents above MUST be received by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date of, 06/06/2025, to be considered.

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