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IT Cybersecurity Specialist (Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning)

Department of Homeland Security
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This announcement is issued under the Direct Hire Authority (DHA) - Artificial Intelligence (AI) to recruit for positions for which there is a critical hiring need. Selectee(s) will receive a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service and may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.

Who May Be Considered:

  • U.S. Citizens
View common definitions of terms found in this announcement.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
03/14/2024 to 03/20/2024
This job will close when we have received 200 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$68,405 to - $128,956 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 12
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
Arlington, VA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
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
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CHE-DHA-12346041-24-TA
Control number
781538500

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Duties

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This is a shared job announcement across the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, with multiple participating divisions. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. These divisions include, but are not limited to:

  • Cybersecurity Division (CSD)
  • Emergency Communications Division (ECD)
  • Infrastructure Security Division (ISD)
  • Integrated Operations Division (IOD)
  • National Risk Management Center (NRMC)
  • Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO)
  • Office of the Chief Operations Support Officer (OCOSO)
  • Stakeholder Engagement Division (SED)
Typical work assignments include:
  • Consults with customers to gather and evaluate functional requirements and translates these requirements into technical solutions.
  • Provides guidance to customers about applicability of information systems to meet business needs.
  • Designs, develops, tests, and evaluates information systems throughout the systems development life cycle.
  • Designs, develops, and modifies Artificial Intelligence applications, tools, and/or other solutions to enable successful accomplishment of mission objectives

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen.
  • Complete the initial online assessment and HireVue Structured Interview, if required.
  • Selective Service - Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service, see http://www.sss.gov/
  • All Federal employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments.
  • 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.
  • This position has been identified as a drug testing designated position (TDP) for purposes of the CISA's Drug-Free Workplace Program. All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to a drug test to screen for illicit/illegal drug use prior to receiving a final offer of employment. A final offer of employment is contingent upon a negative drug test result. After appointment, you may be subject to periodic random drug testing.
  • You must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance suitable for Federal employment as determined by a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. Since this announcement will be used to fill positions within multiple divisions across CISA, the type of investigation and security clearance level will be made in accordance with the specific position.
  • One-year probationary period may be required.
  • 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 be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required education or experience for the respective grade level in which you are applying:

EDUCATION:
Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems, or networks.

All academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing your qualifications on education. Applications submitted without this information may not be considered.

GS-09
Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree.

GS-11
Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

OR

EXPERIENCE: Experience must be Information Technology (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.

You must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below:

  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.
AND

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
In addition to meeting the qualification requirement listed above, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower GS-grade level (or equivalent). Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Such experience is typically gained in the IT field or through the performance of work where the primary concern is IT.

GS-09
You qualify for the GS-09 grade level if you have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-07 grade level (or equivalent) performing all the following duties:
  1. Contributing to exemplary Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) risk analysis, use cases, best practices, and risk mitigations, including after-action reports;
  2. Contributing to the communication of complex Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) technologies/applications with colleagues and senior leaders; and
  3. Demonstrating an understanding of complex Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML)hardware/software applications and how they integrate within Critical Infrastructure Systems.
GS-11
You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level (or equivalent) performing all the following duties:
  1. Supporting exemplary Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) risk analysis, use cases, best practices, and risk mitigations, including after-action reports;
  2. Supporting the communication of complex Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) technologies/applications with colleagues and senior leaders;
  3. Supporting collaboration across teams to support a variety of requirements, products, and activities; and
  4. Demonstrating a strong understanding of complex Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) hardware/software applications and how they integrate within Critical Infrastructure Systems.
GS-12
You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level (or equivalent) performing at least five out of the six following duties:
  1. Identifying and developing exemplary Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) risk analysis, use cases, best practices, and risk mitigations, including after-action reports;
  2. Ensuring that Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) analysis, design, and development activities are properly documented and updated;
  3. Communicating complex Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) technologies/applications effectively and simply with colleagues and senior leaders;
  4. Conducting risk analysis, feasibility study, and/or trade-off analysis to develop, document, and refine functional requirements and specifications;
  5. Collaborating across teams to support a variety of requirements, products, and activities; and
  6. Strong understanding of complex Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) hardware/software applications and how they integrate within Critical Infrastructure Systems.
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.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts if you want to substitute your education for experience. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

Education must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the qualification requirements. You must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private U.S. organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.

Additional information

  • Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will not be paid.
  • Other incentives may be authorized.
  • If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
  • This position has been designated excluded from bargaining unit representation under the national security provision of 5 USC Section 7112(B)(6).
  • When entering a federal job at a grade level lower than the highest promotion potential level, you may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses. NOTE: Career ladder promotions are not automatic, and all eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met in order to progress to the next grade level.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, that will interfere with completing the HireVue Structured Interviews, you will be given the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. To determine if you need a RA, you can preview an example of the HireVue Structured Interview by clicking: HireVue Learn More. 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 HireVue Structured Interview. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the HireVue Structured Interview if you received the link after the close of the announcement.

If you need a RA for any part of the application or hiring process, contact the CISA Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (OEDIA) by sending an email to CISA_ReasonableAccommodation@cisa.dhs.gov with the subject line, "HireVue Reasonable Accommodation Request @CISA." In the email itself, you must include your name, vacancy announcement number(s), and state your intent to seek a reasonable accommodation. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. Please do not attach any documents until you receive a response and prompted to do so. Requests for RA and appropriate supporting documentation must be received and approved prior to starting the HireVue Structured Interviews. Therefore, please discontinue the HireVue process until a decision has been made on your RA request. For more information, please go to the HireVue Applicant Reasonable Accommodations Process.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

Under the provisions of the Direct-Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the structured interview if required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position may require an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

If you are determined qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.

Candidates who are referred to hiring managers should click on this link to participate in a virtual interview: HireVue - The Awesome Digital Interview Platform - Sign up to interview at Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.

Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (I/CTAP): 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 under I/CTAP, you must be rated eligible based on minimum qualifications for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this job announcement.

To preview the application questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12346041

Shared Certificate: When CISA completes their selections, the remaining list of qualified candidates may be shared with other DHS Component agencies who are hiring for similar positions. You will have an opportunity to opt-in if you would like your name, application materials, and assessment results shared to be considered for employment with other DHS Component agencies. There is no guarantee of further consideration, and you can continue to explore other job opportunity announcements.

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