The United States Space Force (USSF) at the Peterson Space Force Base is searching for a Chief of Cyber Networking Division for SWAC (NH-0854-04, GS-14/15 Equivalent).
Description:
This role provides both operational leadership and deep technical stewardship, uniting team management with advanced cyber expertise to drive mission success. It ensures that the organization's strategic vision is fully embedded in team objectives, work plans, and deliverables, while guiding employees through complex assignments, shifting priorities, and collaborative problem-solving. The position leads the distribution and balance of workload, coaches personnel in analytical and technical methodologies, and maintains oversight of work quality, progress, and adherence to policy. It serves as the team's representative to senior leadership, advocating for resources, communicating performance insights, resolving informal concerns, and fostering a cohesive, high-performing environment grounded in continuous improvement and shared accountability.
In parallel, the Division Chief functions as the authoritative expert in defensive cyber operations and secure systems engineering, shaping the design and implementation of resilient cyber defenses for mission-critical space and cyber infrastructure. They direct the application of threat modeling, vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, and AI/ML-enabled detection and response capabilities, ensuring the division remains at the forefront of innovation while upholding disciplined systems assurance. The role transforms strategic and operational questions into rigorous analytical studies and tools that inform Force Design, interprets complex datasets to produce actionable recommendations, and communicates findings clearly to diverse audiences. Through sustained engagement with senior leaders, interagency partners, and industry stakeholders, the Division Chief builds consensus, strengthens decision-making, and leads cross-functional efforts that advance U.S. Space Force cyber and space defense initiatives.
Ideal Candidate:
Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise. Position is designated special-sensitive and requires a TOP SECRET (TS) security clearance with eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), other intelligence-related Special Sensitive information, or involvement in Top Secret Special Access Programs (SAP) to fully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. A non-disclosure agreement must be signed. Employee must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret w/SCI clearance. Employee needs to obtain and maintain approval to access the portfolio of Special Access Programs required to perform daily duties. Employee is in a designated position that requires consent and thereafter be subject to and successfully complete, an initial, periodic, and random counterintelligence (CI) scope polygraph examination as a condition of employment. The employee must successfully take and pass a Counterintelligence Polygraph (CIP) Examination. ** Must have a current TS/SCI Clearance. We will not accept any candidates lower than TS/SCI clearance.
- This position is designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions present a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety. It is required that you (a) refrain from the use of illegal drugs and (b) if requested, submit to urinalysis testing.
- May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of TDY assignments.
- The employee must meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.
- Position requires a professional engineering degree at the bachelor's level from an ABET accredited institution is required. Advanced degrees are preferred.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret / SCI security clearance.
Safeguards classified or sensitive budget-related information and/or files.
May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed “Unscheduled Telework”.
This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.
Employee may be required to perform travel by military or commercial passenger aircraft in the performance of temporary duty assignments.
PCS /relocation funding is authorized.
This is a drug testing designated position (TDP). The incumbent is subject to random testing for drug use, IAW AFI 90-508.
The employee must meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.
Position requires a professional engineering degree at the bachelor's level from an ABET accredited institution is required. Advanced degrees are preferred.
Subject to TDY: 30 days a year.
4 - Non-Critical Acquisition Position.
Employee is in a designated position that requires consent and thereafter be subject to and successfully complete, an initial, periodic and random counterintelligence (CI)-scope polygraph examination as a condition of employment.
Qualifications
The 0854 series has an individual occupational requirement that must be met and can be viewed here. In addition to the above requirements, you can view the experience level requirements here. Please scroll down to the 4th section titled Professional and Scientific Positions.
Additional information
Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.
Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled. Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here:
Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position.
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.
Resume:You must submit a resume that may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume must provide:
Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number
Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended
Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information:
Job title
Detailed duties and accomplishments
Employer's name and address
Supervisor's name and phone number
Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.)
Hours per week
Salary, if applicable
Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses
College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Do not email applications. To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here.
PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
Resume:You must submit a resume that may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume must provide:
Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number
Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended
Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information:
Job title
Detailed duties and accomplishments
Employer's name and address
Supervisor's name and phone number
Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.)
Hours per week
Salary, if applicable
Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses
College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Do not email applications. To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here.
PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.