Clarification from the agency

This position is being advertised through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Direct-Hire Authority and is open to all U.S. citizens. Under this authority, competitive rating, ranking and veterans' preference procedures do not apply. All applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration.

As an Information Technology Specialist (INFOSEC) - Direct Hire, you will perform the following duties:

• Manage the ITA Security Operations Center to provide current and relevant information about the security posture of the agency. Lead a team of contractors in the implementation of security programs designed to anticipate, assess, and minimize system vulnerabilities.
• Make recommendations that significantly influence important agency IT policies or programs regarding information security.
• Develop policy and work plans for the successful documentation and assessment of information systems, deployment of security systems to protect ITA infrastructure, monitoring of information systems, and testing of security defenses.
• Ensure the rigorous application of information security/information assurance policies, principles, and practices in the delivery of all IT services.
• Responsible for infrastructure projects to implement Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) goals and review of current network and information system architectural designs; and evaluate the capacity of others, (i.e., developers, contractors, product vendors, engineers, and other entities) to perform tasks and provide products in their various areas of specialty areas.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use of possession of drugs.
• A probationary period may be required.
• Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/).
• 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.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• Drug Test: No
• License required: No
• Pre-employment physical required: No
• Bargaining Unit Position: No
• Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450): No
• Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense will not be paid

Qualifications

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/

Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.

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.

The Qualification Standards for Information Technology (IT) Management Series, 2210 (Alternative A) Individual Occupational Requirements.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: For the Information Technology Specialist, GS-2210 occupational series; GS-5 through GS-15 (or equivalent) qualified applicants must have Information Technology (IT) related experience demonstrating each of the following competencies:

1. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail;
2. Customer Service - Works with clients and customers 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 to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information; makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately; and
4. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; and uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT FOR GS14: You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 in the Federal service performing the following work:

• Reviewing/assessing current network and information system architectural designs to determine if they meet the agency's Zero Trust Architecture plans.
• Developing any combination of the following: IT policy, project work plans for successful documentation and assessment of information systems, deployment of security systems, monitoring of information systems or testing of security defenses.
• Providing technical expertise and leadership on IT projects and/or Teams.

**Your resume must clearly show experience that reflects the basic requirement and the specialized experience requirement.**

How you will be evaluated

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

Your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualification requirements for the position. Under the provisions of the Direct-Hire Authority (DHA), rating, ranking and veterans' preference does not apply; therefore, your responses to the questionnaire will not be used to determine a scored rating. All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements, as defined in the job opportunity announcement, will be referred for selection consideration. While veterans' preference does not apply in DHA, preference eligibles are encouraged to submit their supporting documentation (DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service, VA letter, SF-15, etc.).

Applicants applying as CTAP or ICTAP candidates, and are determined CTAP or ICTAP eligible, must exceed the minimum qualification requirements to be referred under this selection priority placement program by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. For those deemed eligible and who meet the minimum qualifications, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions). Your resume and/or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles who are not determined well-qualified by scoring at least 85 will not be referred under the CTAP/ICTAP selection priority placement program; however, will be referred for selection consideration with other minimally qualified applicants.

• Information Systems/Network Security
• Compliance
• Information Systems Security Certification
• Technical Competence

• Classified or government sensitive information
• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Photos of yourself
• Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.