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Information Technology Specialist (INFO SEC/AUDITOR)

Department of State
Department of State - Agency Wide
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Information Technology Division, Office of Audits (AUD/IT), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), of the U.S. Department of State (Department). The OIG has statutory oversight responsibility covering the Department and the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). Oversight responsibility includes conducting and reporting on audits, and special inquires of overseas and domestic organizational entities of these organizations. 

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
10/27/2023 to 12/22/2023
Salary
$94,199 to - $145,617 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Location
Washington, DC
FEW vacancies
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—Current policy requires employees to report to duty station a minimum of two times per pay period; telework agreements are subject to supervisory approval as well as the requirements of the position.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13 - Full performance level is GS-13.
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Announcement number
OIG-2024-0004
Control number
757406000

Duties

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  • You will serve as an Information Technology Specialist working as an IT Auditor in the Office of Audits, Information Technology (IT) Division, As a member of the IT Division, typical duties will include:
  • Using research and writing skills to assist in the development of annual IT audit project proposals.
  • Participating in the planning and performance of comprehensive IT audits, evaluations, and special inquiries of the Department and USAGM organizational entities located domestically, or overseas.
  • Analyzing and reviews IT policies and procedures and provides input and recommendation for necessary corrective action to comply with applicable standards.
  • Participating in the performance of technical analysis and testing of information systems (e.g., vulnerability and compliance scanning).
  • Using verbal and written skills to develop, review, and communicate audit finding and reports to internal and external leadership.
  • Participating in the review of documentation demonstrating corrective action to assist with the determination of recommendation closures.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
  • 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/
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service.

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.

Time-In-Grade Documentation: If you are applying for a higher grade and your SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you meet the 1-year time-in-grade requirement so you will need to provide an SF-50 which clearly demonstrates you meet the time-in-grade requirements (examples of appropriate SF-50s include Promotions, Within-grade Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s with an effective date more than one year old).

Applicants applying for the GS-12 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 - Attention to detail in reviewing technical adequacy of Office of Inspector General audits reports that deal with information management, information security, telecommunications, and information warfare.
  2. Customer Service - Ability to provide expert technical advice to management and auditors so that reviews and audits covering information technology can be conducted.  
  3. Oral Communication - Knowledge and skill in oral communication in order to giver briefings, exchange information, provide expert advice, and to influence and persuade managers, and senior level officials to implement findings and recommendations provided in reports.
  4. Problem Solving - Ability to solve problems associated with infrastructure protection programs, computer system weaknesses such as network/web vulnerabilities configuration management problems, and critical infrastructure protection deficiencies, and make recommendation to improve existing programs.

AND Have at least 1 full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 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:

  • Independently developing basic IT assessment (e.g., audits, inspections, evaluations etc.) programs that clearly define scope and steps to accomplish project objectives in accordance with Government assessment (e.g., audits, inspections, evaluations etc.) standards. 
  • Interpreting and applying pertinent laws, regulations, policies, and procedures relevant to the specific assessment (e.g., audits, inspections, evaluations etc.).
  • Developing and supporting findings that accurately report condition, criteria, cause, and effect and proposes viable recommendations for corrective actions, as applicable.
  • Independently conducting segments of assessment (e.g., audits, inspections, evaluations etc.) of large organizations. 
  • Preparing segments of draft and final assessment (e.g., audits, inspections, evaluations etc.) reports, and presenting finding and justifying recommendations in meeting or conferences. 

Preparing draft and final performance audit reports; and presenting in meetings or conferences findings and justifying recommendations that accurately report condition, criteria, cause, and effect and proposes viable recommendations for corrective actions, as applicable

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-12 position.

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 - Attention to detail in reviewing technical adequacy of Office of Inspector General audits reports that deal with information management, information security, telecommunications, and information warfare.
  2. Customer Service - Ability to provide expert technical advice to management and auditors so that reviews and audits covering information technology can be conducted.  
  3. Oral Communication - Knowledge and skill in oral communication in order to giver briefings, exchange information, provide expert advice, and to influence and persuade managers, and senior level officials to implement findings and recommendations provided in reports.
  4. Problem Solving - Ability to solve problems associated with infrastructure protection programs, computer system weaknesses such as network/web vulnerabilities configuration management problems, and critical infrastructure protection deficiencies, and make recommendation to improve existing programs.

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:

  • Independently developing and implementing complex IT assessment (e.g., audits, inspections, evaluations etc.) plans and programs that clearly define scope and steps to accomplish project objectives in accordance with Government assessment (e.g., audits, inspections, evaluations etc.) standards.
  • Planning, coordinating, and conducting performance assessment (e.g., audits, inspections, evaluations etc.); preparing reports on work processes and programs in accordance with Government assessment (e.g., audits, inspections, evaluations etc.) standards.
  • Developing methods to isolate and identify conditions affecting mission capability, susceptibility to fraud, and the potential for increased efficiency.
  • Preparing draft and final performance audit reports; and presenting in meetings or conferences finding and justifying recommendations that accurately report condition, criteria, cause, and effect and proposes viable recommendations for corrective actions, as applicable.

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.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

  • For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at (202) 663-3474 or OAA@state.gov.
  • If eligible, telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.  If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days.  Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions. 
  • Recruitment, relocation or other incentives may be offered if found to be in the best interest of the government.
  • Skills Incentive Program (SIP)

This position is eligible currently under the Department of State Skills Incentive Program (SIP). The Information Technology (IT) Skills Incentive Program (SIP) pays Civil Service and Foreign Service IT employees, serving in IT specific skill codes/positions, a percent of their basic pay based on attainment of specific IT credentials after joining the Department. The IT Skills Incentive Program Panel determines skills that qualify at each level and determines which applicants meet program requirements.

The SIP Program provides incentive for IT staff to improve and maintain their IT skills and competencies. Today at least 45% of the Department’s eligible IT Professionals are receiving a SIP allowance in recognition of new skills they have acquired. The increase in skills and competencies not only contributes to the careers and skillset of the IT Professionals, but it also allows them to provide more support and expertise to State’s critical IT infrastructure.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROGRAM (E-Verify) – U.S. law requires organizations to employ only individuals who may legally work in the United States - either U.S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. This agency utilizes E-Verify to compare information from the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) records to confirm employment eligibility. If the employee’s information does not match DHS and/or SSA records, the employee is given an opportunity to resolve the problem. If eligibility cannot be verified, employment will be terminated.

More than one selection may be made from this announcement, if additional vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume will be conducted and compared against your responses to the assessment questions to determine if you are qualified for this job.  Note:  Responses to questions that are not fully supported by the information in your resume may result in adjustments to your rating. 

Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements, as described in the “Qualifications” section of this announcement, will be assigned a score between 70 and 100.  The assessment is used to measure the degree in which your background matches the competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies:

  • Ability to plan, coordinate and conduct assessment (e.g., audits, inspections, evaluations etc.).
  • Ability to conduct studies to improve effectiveness, efficiency, and economy of operations.
  • Ability to lead multiple, concurrent.
  • Knowledge of generally accepted government assessment (e.g., audits, inspections, evaluation etc.) standards.
  • Ability to communicate in writing in a manner that is appropriate for a given audience.

Applicants found to be among the top qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview.  Qualified non-competitive candidates must be deemed best qualified based on the applicant assessment in order to be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview.

Agency Career and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP and 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 selection priority.


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