Clarification from the agency

This position is being advertised under Direct-Hire Authority. Under this authority, competitive rating, ranking and veterans' preference procedures do not apply.

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

• Document cybersecurity events and incidents. Performs computer incident response investigations and evidentiary activities in defense of Department of Commerce (DOC) networks and information technology assets.
• Develop analytical documents and recommend courses of action to remediate or mitigate identified threats.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on cyber incident management and is responsible for leading the team that handles incident response investigations, evidentiary activities (handling, chain of custody and testimony) in defense of the DOC networks and critical information technology infrastructure.
• Conduct vulnerability scanning to ascertain situational awareness of the threat level in order to derive network defense and hardening strategies and provide support, advice and direction to the Enterprise Security Operation Center Manager regarding ongoing and future Cyber-attack threat vectors.
• Analyze and evaluate organization networks and recommend procedures and/or products to improve the overall security of these networks.
• Monitor, identify, investigate, and document cybersecurity events and incidents; identify, document, and perform analysis of new and emerging threats; develop analytical documents and recommend course of action to remediate or mitigate identified threats.
• Ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems, networks, and data through the use of computer forensics to investigate computer incidents and to develop recommendations for the mitigation or remediation of such incidents
• Provide support in the development of Information Technology (IT) security policies, plans, and programs as it relates to risks to DOC systems and networks including but not limited to risks to cybersecurity incident response and management activities.
• Serve on interagency committees and working groups to provide support in the development of IT security policies, plans, and programs as it relates to risks to DOC systems and networks including but not limited to risks to cybersecurity incident response and management activities.
• Provide support, advice and direction to the Chief Information Security Officer regarding program progress, development, strategy and ongoing and future cyber-attack threat vectors. Provide management briefings regarding incident investigations and respond to external and internal customer inquiries.
• Provide support, advice and direction to the Chief Information Security Officer regarding program progress, development, strategy and ongoing and future cyber-attack threat vectors.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• This position requires a TOP SECRET/SCI CLEARANCE: Any required investigations and clearances must be completed before the selectee can be placed in the 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.
• Bargaining Unit Position: NO
• Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450): YES
• Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense: WILL NOT be paid
• License required: NO
• Drug Test Required: YES, This position is subject to pre-employment drug testing and random drug testing thereafter.

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/#url=Occupational-Series

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.

To qualify at the GS-14 level, you must meet the following requirements:

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

Basic Requirements: In the Information Technology Specialist, GS-2210 occupation for the GS-5 through GS-15 (or equivalent) must have Information Technology (IT) related experience demonstrating each of the following competencies:

Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail;
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;
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
Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations .Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience.

AND

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Serves as an Information Technology (IT) consultant or advisor in mitigating vulnerabilities and breaches in information systems and networks within a business or organization;
• Administers information technology (IT) principles, methods, and security products to protect and maintain the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of information systems;
• Monitors and administer protection and preventive measures from cyber-attacks and threats of information transmitted through Local Area Networks (LAN), Wide Area Networks (WAN), and cloud-based systems; AND
• Writes reports containing analysis of cybersecurity events and incident responses.

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 (DHA), rating, ranking and veterans' preference does not apply. 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.).

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., two-page resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire and the result of the Structured Interview required for this position.

Applicants who meet the qualification requirements, as defined in the job opportunity announcement, will be referred for selection consideration.

Structured Resume Review: Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. SMEs will review ONLY two (2) pages of your resume. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume). Applicants passing the structured resume review will move on to the next phase of the assessment process.

For Certain Military Spouses: All applicants who meet the qualification requirements and military spouse noncompetitive eligibility requirements (see "Additional Information" section above") will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration on a separate referral list. While veterans' preference is not a consideration when filling positions under the military spouse non-competitive hiring authority, preference eligibles are encouraged to submit their supporting documentation (DD-214, stating disposition of discharge or character of service, VA letter, SF-15, etc.).

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

The technical assessment will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:

• Reading Comprehension
• Decision Making
• Accountability
• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Flexibility
• Influencing/Negotiation
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork
• Reasoning

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