Clarification from the agency

This public notice is issued under Direct Hire Authority (DHA) to recruit talent to occupations for which there is a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need.This means that we can hire any qualified candidate from this notice or any other source. About this DHA notice: -Current civil service employees will receive new appointments if selected under this DHA. -For information on DHA, please visit https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/direct-hire-authority/

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This position has job functions that must be executed within specific geographic locations. The official duty station is a federal facility, leased space, or an alternative worksite (typically the employee’s home) within the specified geographic area. If you are selected for this position you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement within 45 days. At that time, you may be eligible to request to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency’s telework policy.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Develops and recommends technical solutions and provides technical guidance in IT security implementation, including long range plans for IT security systems for clients that anticipate, identify, evaluate, mitigate, and minimize risks associated with IT system vulnerabilities.
• Participates in systems security evaluations, audits, and reviews.
• Plans and coordinates the development of specifications to meet security requirements and sets a strategy for information assurance and organizational change management processes and controls to participate in network and systems reengineering to ensure implementation of appropriate systems security policies, reduce costs, improve cost efficiencies, and increase service levels across the Federal community.
• Facilitates client based negotiated services, integrated delivery of product offerings, service management conceptualization for information assurance, identity and access management, and security operations.
• Facilitates the development of transport, data and access authorization and authentication levels.
• Coordinates the implementation of security programs across platforms, establishes vulnerability reporting criteria, and minimizes system vulnerabilities through intrusion detection or access authentication programs.
• Develops supply chain custodial processes and capabilities from a security or information assurance perspective.
• Establishes and maintains effective customer relationships through process management and communication.
• Uses knowledge of Federal government (public sector) business models and value proposition to analyze customer needs and define opportunities for new or improved information assurance solutions.
• Develops security and information assurance-oriented communications and contact protocols.
• Evaluates contracts and vendor products and services in support of broad range information systems security programs and IT operations and makes appropriate recommendations for improvements or enhancements to existing systems and services

Conditions of employment

• US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
• Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
• Meet time-in-grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable
• Register with the Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

Qualifications

For each job on your resume, provide:

• the exact dates you held  each job (from month/year to month/year)
• number of hours per week you worked (if part time).    

If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.

For a brief video on creating a Federal resume, click here. 

The GS-13 salary will be based upon location after selection.

IT SPECIALIST COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS:

• Attention to Detail - This skill is generally demonstrated by assignments where the applicant reviews reports, documents, records, data, or other materials to verify completeness, correctness, consistency, compliance, or authenticity.
• Customer Service - This skill is generally demonstrated by assignments where the applicant promotes or develops and maintains good working relationships with key individuals or groups.
• Oral Communication - This skill is generally demonstrated by assignments where the applicant discusses results, problems, plans, suggestions, terms, or conditions with others.
• Problem Solving - This skill is generally demonstrated by assignments where the applicant designs or conducts analytical studies, cost-benefit analyses, or other research.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:  

In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is experience working with computer networking concepts, protocols, network security methodologies; identifying IT system control vulnerabilities, risks and protection needs; resolving issues and problems involving IT systems security; implementing information system security policies, standards and guidelines; and, providing technical advice to management officials on security requirements.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be scored on the questions you answer during the application process, which will measure your possession of the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities.  Your responses to these questions must be supported by your resume or your score may be lowered.  

• Knowledge of information technology systems security concepts and principles and awareness of emerging technologies and their applications to information assurance processes.
• Ability to applyexperimental theories and new developments to problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted methods.
• Ability to make applicable IT security recommendations to FAS and GSA leadership.
• Knowledge of state-of-the-art information security products and services available to Government andprivate industry to analyze security requirements, assess project feasibility, and define current and future information assurance environments.
• Expert knowledge of information defense systems, defense in depth strategies, identity access management, information access management, business process-mapping, penetration testing, and IT forensics.
• Knowledge equivalent to such systems security certifications as CISSP, CNSS, CAP, SSCP, or CSSLP.
• Knowledge of information assurance integration in the SDLC, CPIC, and EA processes.
• Knowledge defense in depth strategy for information assurance and organizational change management processes.
• Knowledge of the Privacy Act of 1974, the way in which it intersects with the information assurance, and the way in which these components are integral to information assurance and security services consulting and assessment.
• Ability to direct the implementation of information assurance systems, software, and related projects and apply innovative methods to implementation problems not readily treated by conventional methods.
• Mastery of knowledge of project management techniques and best practices and standards and ability to apply this knowledge in a Government reimbursable organization.

Additional hurdle assessments, such as narrative responses or other assessments, may be administered to applicants who meet the requirements of the first hurdle, e.g., the minimum qualification requirements. If additional assessments are used, you will be provided with further instructions.

Consideration will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3). You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume so that information will be taken into consideration during the selection process.  If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

If you are eligible under GSA’s Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), you must receive a score of 85 or higher to receive priority.