As an Emerging Technology and R&D Branch Chief, in the Office of the Technical Director (OTD) with Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), you will manage programs, budgets, contracts, staff, and subordinate staff in advising on, developing, and implementing Cyber Research and Development (R&D) and Emerging Technology strategy, requirements, technical transitions, and alignment to mission for novel solutions to defend the Nation's most critical information assets.
Summary
As an Emerging Technology and R&D Branch Chief, in the Office of the Technical Director (OTD) with Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), you will manage programs, budgets, contracts, staff, and subordinate staff in advising on, developing, and implementing Cyber Research and Development (R&D) and Emerging Technology strategy, requirements, technical transitions, and alignment to mission for novel solutions to defend the Nation's most critical information assets.
As a DHS Cybersecurity Service Employee in the Leadership Track, at the Senior Cybersecurity Manager level, you will continually and proactively participate in learning activities to enhance and apply your technical and leadership expertise in Cybersecurity Research & Development oversee multiple DHS Federal cybersecurity programs, organizations, employees, and contract resources to manage a range of unusually difficult tasks, including:
Overseeing the branch's efforts to apply new or emerging technology to produce business or mission improvements, address identified gaps or limitations, or eliminate redundancy
Serving as an R&D technical expert in the identification of emerging technology trends and describing how these technologies potentially introduce risk to business and mission environments as well as leading team to find mitigations
Collaborating with division leaders to identify emerging technology factors that may negatively impact capability development and capability delivery (i.e., cost or time to develop or acquire, alignment with CSD's mission)
Managing staff and subordinate managers to address the increasing pervasiveness of unauthorized activity targeting Federal Departments and Agencies and U.S. Critical Infrastructure and mapping these technologies to specified technology gaps that may require research and development
Overseeing and managing teams to foster new and novel ways to meet mission requirements (e.g., enhanced visibility, applying advanced analytical techniques, rapid response and mitigation) through the application of emerging technology and technical approaches
Serving as a technical expert to identify emerging technology in the context of cybersecurity threats, focusing on adversary capabilities, current or expected limitations in addressing these threats at scale, and quantifying the technology transformation needed to respond to these threats and mitigate the risk to Federal Departments and Agencies and U.S. Critical Infrastructure
Managing and collaborating with staff and subordinates on new or additional research and development that would enhance CSD's capability and capacity to execute mission or resolve a specific mission challenge
Overseeing the cultivation of opportunities for pilot programs for feasibility studies, Limited Technical Assessments (LTAs) that apply pilot capabilities in conditions with narrow mission scope, and Limited Objective Experiments (LOEs) that apply pilot capabilities in conditions with broader scope and real-world scenarios
Collaborating with leaders and technical experts across CISA on innovation and technology transformation through the application of lessons learned from recent significant incidents and events
Leading the branch's advocacy efforts for increased funding for R&D priority focus areas to expand the potential results and alternatives that meet the organization's capability requirements or close a capability gap
Overseeing early-stage research, aligning research goals and objectives with the organization's current and evolving mission needs, leveraging results as inputs to the strategic planning and resource planning process
Depending on their career level, DHS Cybersecurity Service employees with a technical capability in Cybersecurity Research and Development will generally apply their expertise to:
Conduct technology and/or feasibility research, development, and assessments
Provided, build, test and support a prototype capability and/or evaluate its security and utility
Plan, conduct or oversee comprehensive technology research to evaluate potential vulnerabilities in cyberspace systems
Ensure appropriate security measures are considered throughout each phase of the R&D lifecycle
Must be registered for the Selective Service (if you are a male).
Must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET/SCI security clearance.
Must be able to submit to a drug test and receive a negative result.
Must be able to comply with ethics and standards of conduct requirements, including completing any applicable financial disclosure.
May be required to serve a 3 year probationary period.
Remote work may be available for some positions.
Location may be negotiable for some positions.
Qualifications
This position is in the Leadership Track at the Senior Cybersecurity Manager level. At this level, individuals generally:
Have 12+ years of cybersecurity work experience
Have 5+ years of leadership experience
Are a seasoned cybersecurity manager who oversees multiple DHS or Federal cybersecurity programs or DHS organizations, including employees and contract resources, through subordinate managers
DHS Cybersecurity Service employees start at career levels and salaries matching their experience and expertise. In recruiting for this opportunity, DHS may hire employees at higher or lower career levels and associated salaries.
This position is focused on Cybersecurity Research and Development.
DHS Cybersecurity Service jobs are structured cybersecurity specializations - called technical capabilities. To learn more about technical capabilities, visit our application portal.
DESIRED TOOLS/INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE: Experience working with Academia, National Labs, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, etc. is desirable
Education
Degrees are not required for jobs in the DHS Cybersecurity Service, but DHS is interested in your level of education and the topics you studied. As you submit initial application information, you will be asked questions about your education.
Additional information
Salary: Listed salary ranges reflects typical starting salaries available to employees in most of the United States across applicable career levels. Within the provided range, average salaries vary for each career level.
Senior Cybersecurity Manager: $169,100 - $186,900
In some geographic areas, average starting salaries will be higher because of a local cybersecurity labor market supplement (e.g., metro Washington, D.C. +10%).
Actual salaries of individual employees may be higher or lower than provided figures. For an overview of the salaries available in the DHS Cybersecurity Service, visit Resources.
Benefits: DHS Cybersecurity Service employees receive a range of federal employment benefits designed to support their professional and personal lives. To learn more about benefits, visit our application portal.
More information about the specific benefits available to you will be provided as you progress through the application process.
Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for a security clearance as a condition of placement in this position. This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
All DHS Cybersecurity Service applicants participate in a multi-phase assessment process, which varies by career track. For the Leadership Career Track, applicants participate in a two-phase assessment process:
You must successfully complete each phase to advance to the next phase.
The total time commitment for the two phases is approximately 5-6 hours (many applicants require less time!)
Before each phase, DHS will e-mail you instructions and information to help you prepare.
Assessments are time sensitive, so monitor your e-mail to ensure you have plenty of time to complete them prior to any deadlines.
PHASE I: ONLINE ASSESSMENTS
Unproctored - you choose the time and location
Includes three assessments: (1) a work styles inventory that will take about 30 minutes to complete; (2) a work simulation that you will have up to 2 hours to complete; and (3) a leadership simulation that you will have up to 2.5 hours to complete
The three assessments take about 3 hours (on average) to complete
Requires a computer with audio (speakers or headphones) and a reliable internet connection.
No knowledge of DHS or cybersecurity is required for these assessments, which measure non-technical capabilities that are important for professional success in the DHS Cybersecurity Service. This includes how you communicate, analyze information, and collaborate with others:
The work styles inventory presents you with questions about your work-related interests and preferences.
The work simulation presents you with realistic, work-related scenarios and asks you to respond to them.
PHASE II: TECHNICAL CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT
Proctored - must be scheduled in advance and completed at a designated assessment center
There is a different assessment for each DHS Cybersecurity Service technical capability (visit Jobs to learn more about the technical capabilities).
Most individuals only have a primary technical capability and complete only one Technical Capability Assessment, but in limited circumstances, you may complete a second Technical Capability Assessment.
You will have up to 2.5 hours to complete each Technical Capability Assessment; each takes about 90 minutes (on average) to complete.
Assessments present realistic, work-related cybersecurity scenarios/questions to assess technical skills.
Cybersecurity knowledge is assessed, but no knowledge of DHS is required.
*Some applicants who successfully complete Phase II may be asked to participate in a Phase III: Advanced Technical Interview. This scenario-based interview is used to further assess an applicant's proficiency in a technical capability. More information will be provided to such applicants as they progress through the application process.
To learn about the assessment process, visit our portal and read the "Assessment Process" guide.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Your résumé. To help you prepare your resume before applying to the DHS Cybersecurity Service, visit our application portal and read the "Resume Tips" guide.
If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the online assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here.
If you are a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee please submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:- Position title- Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee)- Agency- Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online questionnaire, required assessments, and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/10/2022 to receive consideration. The application process will follow the bullets outlined below.
To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA HIRE platform. This message will be delivered via email notification.
If you are asked to take the online assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning online assessments. Note: set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use the URL sent to you via email and also found on the Additional Application Information page that can be located in the application record in your USAJOBS account.
Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing online assessments on the USA HIRE platform, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the online assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the online assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the online assessments. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for online assessments here: http://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire.
Cybersecurity Talent Management System
245 Murray Lane SW
Washington, DC 20528
US
Next steps
The DHS Cybersecurity Service application process is designed to both prioritize fairness to all applicants and identify qualified candidates to join the DHS Cybersecurity Service. Successful applicants proceed through the following steps and will receive notifications as each step is completed: Submit Initial Information
Upload resume
Answer questions about your expertise and experience
Assessment + Interview
Complete multi-phase assessment process
Interview with the team you might join
Tentative Job Offer + Background Investigation
Receive a tentative job offer, including your compensation and benefits package
Receive an invitation to start the background investigation process
Final Job Offer + Start Date
Receive a final job offer
Determine your start date
We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information."
Note: If you successfully complete the application process and receive a tentative DHS Cybersecurity Service job offer, applicable employment eligibility requirements, including those you must comply with throughout your appointment at DHS, will be communicated to you in writing.
Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U. S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U. S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.
DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.(http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify).
To learn more about DHS Cybersecurity Service employment eligibility, visit our application portal.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Your résumé. To help you prepare your resume before applying to the DHS Cybersecurity Service, visit our application portal and read the "Resume Tips" guide.
If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the online assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here.
If you are a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee please submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:- Position title- Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee)- Agency- Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online questionnaire, required assessments, and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/10/2022 to receive consideration. The application process will follow the bullets outlined below.
To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA HIRE platform. This message will be delivered via email notification.
If you are asked to take the online assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning online assessments. Note: set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use the URL sent to you via email and also found on the Additional Application Information page that can be located in the application record in your USAJOBS account.
Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing online assessments on the USA HIRE platform, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the online assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the online assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the online assessments. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for online assessments here: http://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire.
Cybersecurity Talent Management System
245 Murray Lane SW
Washington, DC 20528
US
Next steps
The DHS Cybersecurity Service application process is designed to both prioritize fairness to all applicants and identify qualified candidates to join the DHS Cybersecurity Service. Successful applicants proceed through the following steps and will receive notifications as each step is completed: Submit Initial Information
Upload resume
Answer questions about your expertise and experience
Assessment + Interview
Complete multi-phase assessment process
Interview with the team you might join
Tentative Job Offer + Background Investigation
Receive a tentative job offer, including your compensation and benefits package
Receive an invitation to start the background investigation process
Final Job Offer + Start Date
Receive a final job offer
Determine your start date
We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information."
Note: If you successfully complete the application process and receive a tentative DHS Cybersecurity Service job offer, applicable employment eligibility requirements, including those you must comply with throughout your appointment at DHS, will be communicated to you in writing.
Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U. S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U. S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.
DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.(http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify).
To learn more about DHS Cybersecurity Service employment eligibility, visit our application portal.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
