Clarification from the agency

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) within the Local Commuting Area; Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) employees; and Veterans' preference eligibles or veterans who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous active service (VEOA) employees.

Joining the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) means being part of the team focused on securing the Nation's physical and cyber infrastructure against threats to public health and safety, economy, and national security. Within CISA, the Infrastructure Security Division focuses on protecting critical infrastructure from all hazards by managing risk and enhancing resilience through collaboration with the critical infrastructure community, which includes private sector owners, operators, and employees; State, local, tribal, and territorial officials; and other Federal agencies.

Visit www.dhs.gov/cisa to learn more about CISA and how you can be part of the team to Defend Today; Secure Tomorrow.

In this position, you will be responsible to perform the duties of an IT Cybersecurity Specialist.Typical work assignments include:

• Providing input on the engineering development phases of information technology (IT) systems engineering lifecycle (SELC) for cybersecurity
• Coordinating the implementation of process improvement methods and concepts in order to improve the quality of cybersecurity software products; and
• Collaborating with stakeholders to identify complex cybersecurity system problems and negotiate solutions.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• Selective Service registration required.
• You must be able to obtain and hold a Secret security clearance.
• Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements.
• New employees must serve a one year probationary period.
• You must submit to a drug test and receive a negative test result prior to appointment to this position. After appointment, you may be subject to periodic random drug testing.
• Relocation expenses are not authorized. Other recruitment incentives may be authorized.
• This position has been designated excluded from bargaining unit representation under the national security provision of 5 USC Section 7112(B)(6).
• All employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/ Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments.
• Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
• This position may be designated as essential personnel. Essential personnel must be able to serve during continuity of operation events without regard to declarations of liberal leave or government closures due to weather, protests, and acts of terrorism or lack of funding. Failure to report for or remain in this position may result in disciplinary or adverse action in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations (5 U.S.C. § 7501-7533 and 5 CFR Part 752, as applicable)

Qualifications

To qualify for this position you must meet the following Basic Qualifications:
Attention to Detail - Ensure that IT system design and lifecyle are supported;
Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces) to assess their system needs, provide information regarding the system; provides resolution to IT problems;
Oral Communication - Expresses technical system information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, to allow determination of next steps; makes clear and convincing oral presentations regarding new system needs or updates;
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 meeting the above Basic Requirement, you qualify for the GS-12 grade level (starting salary $86,335.00) if you possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level performing the following duties:

1. Providing input on the engineering development phases of information technology (IT) systems engineering lifecycle (SELC) for cybersecurity;
2. Providing IT-related guidance during portions of the acquisition life cycle;
3. Working to improve the quality of cybersecurity software products; and
4. Collaborating with stakeholders to identify cybersecurity system problems.

In addition to meeting the above Basic Requirement, you qualify for the GS-13 grade level (starting salary $102,663) if you possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level performing the following duties:

1. Providing expert guidance and advice on the engineering development phases of information technology (IT) systems engineering lifecycle (SELC) for cybersecurity;
2. Providing IT-related guidance throughout the total acquisition life cycle;
3. Coordinating the implementation of process improvement methods and concepts in order to improve the quality of cybersecurity software products;
4. Providing advice on project costs, design concepts, or design changes;
5. Collaborating with stakeholders to identify complex cybersecurity system problems and negotiate solutions.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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). 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.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Qualifications Must Be MetThe qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Time-in-GradeCurrent federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade level or equivalent grade band in the federal service. The time-in-grade requirement must be met by closing date of this announcement.

Submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) that demonstrates your eligibility for consideration, e.g., length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, with-in grade/range increases); your current promotion potential; proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement; etc. Please note: While a General Adjustment and/or Award SF-50 may be your most recent SF-50 it typically DOES NOT show proof of Time in Grade. Thus, you may have to submit more than one SF-50 as proof of Time in Grade.

How you will be evaluated

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

Applicants will be evaluated on their resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education and training will be rated using an Assessment Questionnaire that is based on the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job:

• Attention to Detail
• Oral Communication
• Problem Solving
• Teamwork
• Technical Competence
• Writing

If you are determined qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10727762

Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (I/CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not I/CTAP eligible. View information about I/CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under I/CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:

• A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
• A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc.;
• A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
• Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

Interview Requirement: Interviews may be required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration. The interview process may consist of a in-person or phone panel interview.