GAO supports the Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities to legislate, appropriate, and oversee the Federal government for the benefit of the American people. GAO, commonly referred to as the investigative arm of Congress, or the congressional watchdog, is independent and nonpartisan. GAO assists Congress in making informed decisions by providing information on policy and program issues, as well as by providing recommendations to make government more effective and responsive.
Summary
GAO supports the Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities to legislate, appropriate, and oversee the Federal government for the benefit of the American people. GAO, commonly referred to as the investigative arm of Congress, or the congressional watchdog, is independent and nonpartisan. GAO assists Congress in making informed decisions by providing information on policy and program issues, as well as by providing recommendations to make government more effective and responsive.
Full-time or part-time GAO employees on permanent appointments. This opportunity is ONLY OPEN to qualified GAO employees on permanent appointments. This procedure will be conducted under the processes outlined in GAO Order 2335.8.
Band IIA employees will serve as a Senior IT Specialist (Cybersecurity) performing technical IT security assessments at organizations of audit interest. The primary purpose of the position is to serve as an individual contributor on an engagement team performing a range of duties independently that typically includes taking the responsibility for a technical cybersecurity segment of the engagement including design, data collection and
analysis, message development, and product preparation. The incumbent works independently producing products that are complete. The incumbent may also provide support for an audit data processing computing environment, the ARM Data Facility (ADF).
Takes a lead role in conducting access controls assessments that requires detailed technical testing and verification of controls in complex, diverse and interconnected network environments at organizations of audit interest. Controls assessments includes but not limited to penetration testing tools and techniques, boundary protection, identification and authentication, authorization, cryptography, audit and monitoring, configuration management, and software development.
At the direction of the Assistant Director (AD) and the Auditor-In-Charge (AIC), works collaboratively with other team members in the planning and timely execution of information systems general and application controls assessments. This includes involvement in the engagement design, data collection, analysis, message development and drafting segments of products that are technically accurate, complete and appropriately targeted to the product audience.
Conducts analysis of data collection efforts that includes conducting interviews with technical staff, independent testing and verification of controls, and reviews of relevant technical documentation and data. Documents results in a clear, balanced, and objective manner that meets the needs of congressional clients and conforms to all audit requirements and quality standards.
Presents results orally and in writing to technical and managerial audiences internal to GAO and at external organizations of audit interest.
Responsible for the maintenance, configuration, and reliable operation of computer systems that may include servers, network devices, virtualization, and laptops.
Serves as a coach and mentor to Band I IT Analysts and Professional Development Program (PDP) staff.
Must be a current full-time or part-time GAO employee on a permanent appointment.
Qualifications
Band IIA
Must be a full-time or part-time GAO employee on a permanent appointment. In addition, applicants must meet either of the two following criteria by April 23,2023 (effective date of the promotions): (1) have a minimum of 104 weeks of GAO experience, equivalent to at least the next lower band level (PE-I, PA-I, PT-II, PT-I, AC-III, AC-IV), in a position focused on conducting research, quantitative and qualitative analysis, or program evaluations; or (b) have 78 weeks of GAO experience, equivalent to at least the next lower band level (PE-I, PA-I, PT-II, PT-I, AC-III, AC-IV), in a position focused on conducting research, quantitative and qualitative analysis, or program evaluations, and have a minimum of 52 weeks of directly related work experience prior to starting work at GAO by May 5, 2024.
In addition to meeting the requirements listed above, ALL applicants must meet the following 2 selective placement factors:
(1) Extensive experience and demonstrated abilities in analyzing key aspects of automated information systems, such as development, acquisition, testing, operation, and maintenance.
(2) Extensive experience and demonstrated abilities in analyzing elements of one or more of the following information technology domains: information security, enterprise architecture, information management, investment management, and telecommunications.
Education
Not Applicable
Additional information
Band IIA Senior IT Specialist promotion opportunities for GAO's mission teams will be available in all applicable geographical locations. For information on the number of Band IIA promotion opportunities by team, please see the GAO-wide Notice published and distributed (via email) on 1/12/2024.
BARGAINING UNIT STATUS: This position is included in the bargaining unit.
If you would like to apply for Specialists promotion opportunities (IT Analyst, Financial Auditor, etc.), you must submit a separate application directly to the appropriate announcement for each Specialist position for which you wish to be considered.
This position is a moderate risk public trust position with possible upgrade to a Secret or Top Secret or SCI clearance depending on the type of engagement the employee will be assigned to within the mission teams.
If you are selected for a promotion and have applied for a Flexible Work Agreement (FWA) or Remote Work Agreement (RWA), and are approved for one of these agreements, you will have to re-apply if selected for promotion based on the new position to which you will be promoted. Additionally, you may have a 90-day waiting period if you have requested FWA or RWA to a new geographical location.
If selected for promotion, you will be promoted in your current duty station.
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.
If you meet the qualification requirements stated above, a panel of team managers will assess your qualifications along with those of other candidates who are deemed eligible for the position. The rating panel (BQ panel) will establish a ranked list of candidates from which the panel chair, in consultation with the panel, identifies those candidates who are best-qualified. Complete the online questionnaire and follow all instructions carefully, as incomplete answers, errors, or omissions may affect your consideration. Your application will be invalid if you fail to include a narrative reply to any vacancy question(s) that requires further explanation, or your reply is see resume. You must provide narrative answers in the space provided.
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.
Band IIA Required Documents (Band IIA announcements)
You must submit your resume and application (completed vacancy questions) online through USA Staffing. HCO will provide all performance appraisal ratings data at the Band I or equivalent level to the panel for the period between 10/15/21 to 01/13/24.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
- To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
- Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
- You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you are unable to apply online, please contact William Washington at washingtonw@gao.gov or 4046791881 by 4 p.m. on the closing date of the announcement.
For technical issue with USAJOBS: Please refer to the USAJOBS help page.
Government Accountability Office
Human Capital Office
441 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20548
US
Next steps
3/13/2024: BQ results to applicants. Employees who are deemed best qualified may apply for promotion opportunities in other teams during Phase 2. The Phase 2 announcements will be posted on GAO's intranet through the "Annual Promotion Opportunities" link.
3/14/2024: Managing Directors may begin conducting interviews on BQ applicants resulting from Phase 1 (if desired).
3/29/2024: Managing Directors may conduct interviews of Phase 2 BQ applicants (if desired).
4/22/2024: Managing Directors make promotion offers.
5/5/2024: Effective date of promotions.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Band IIA Required Documents (Band IIA announcements)
You must submit your resume and application (completed vacancy questions) online through USA Staffing. HCO will provide all performance appraisal ratings data at the Band I or equivalent level to the panel for the period between 10/15/21 to 01/13/24.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
- To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
- Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
- You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you are unable to apply online, please contact William Washington at washingtonw@gao.gov or 4046791881 by 4 p.m. on the closing date of the announcement.
For technical issue with USAJOBS: Please refer to the USAJOBS help page.
Government Accountability Office
Human Capital Office
441 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20548
US
Next steps
3/13/2024: BQ results to applicants. Employees who are deemed best qualified may apply for promotion opportunities in other teams during Phase 2. The Phase 2 announcements will be posted on GAO's intranet through the "Annual Promotion Opportunities" link.
3/14/2024: Managing Directors may begin conducting interviews on BQ applicants resulting from Phase 1 (if desired).
3/29/2024: Managing Directors may conduct interviews of Phase 2 BQ applicants (if desired).
4/22/2024: Managing Directors make promotion offers.
5/5/2024: Effective date of promotions.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
