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Advanced Technology Security Specialist

Department of Homeland Security
DHS Headquarters
Federal Protective Service (FPS)

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Protective Service (FPS), Kansas City, Missouri; Miami, Florida; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/20/2026 to 02/26/2026
This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$62,729 to - $106,982 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
Locations
3 vacancies in the following locations:
Miami, FL
Kansas City, MO
Philadelphia, PA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel 6 to 10 nights per month for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
DE-12874061-26-CF
Control number
858052800

Duties

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The primary purpose of this position is to conduct assessments of people, operations of threats, and vulnerabilities to determine the deviations from acceptable configurations, enterprises, local policy and assess the risk level. The incumbent will serve as a technical expert and liaison to Law Enforcement personnel and explain incident details as required.

Duties performed:

  • Analyzes cybersecurity criminals' capabilities and activities or foreign intelligence entities to produces findings to initialize or support law enforcement and counterintelligence investigations or activities.
  • Prepares written detailed assessments with deficiencies, conclusions, correction of irregularities, and provides recommendations for building security technology.
  • Monitors and reviews recommendations concerning corrective action(s) with respect to observations and deficiencies noted during inspections.
  • Assists in the performance of automated and physical checks of devices, configurations, and overall system(s) to determine if the basic documentation of security practices is implemented.

Requirements

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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 or possession of drugs.
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/).
  • Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required
  • One-year probationary period may be required.
  • Pre-Employment Drug Testing: This position requires a pre-employment drug test, and a negative drug test result prior to appointment into the position must be achieved.
  • Random Drug Testing: The incumbent of this position is subject to random drug testing.
  • 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.
  • DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.
  • All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
  • License required: Yes - Driver's License; The incumbent must possess a valid automobile driver's license at the time of appointment and be available for frequent travel.
  • Pre-employment physical required: No
  • This is a non-bargaining unit position.
  • Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will not be paid.
  • Promotion Potential: When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.
  • Essential Personnel: This position may designate as crucial personnel. Essential personnel must serve during continuity of operation events without regard to declarations of liberal leave or government closures due to weather, protests, 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 USC ยง 7501-7533 and 5 CFR Part 752, as appropriate).

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

GS-09:
Applicant must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing the following:

  • Conducting building and/or security assessments to identify deficiencies; and
  • Reviewing data and/or reports to support investigations and/or security activities; and
  • Developing strategies to prevent or detect illegal or unsafe activities in various facilities.
OR

Successful completion of a Master's or equivalent graduate degree; or two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or L.L.B or J.D., if related, that provided the knowledge skills, and abilities necessary to perform this work.

OR

Have a combination of specialized experience (less than one year) and graduate education (beyond one year), that when combined equals 100% of the qualification requirement. Only graduate education in excess of one year (generally 18 semester hours) may be used in this calculation.

GS-11: Applicant must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing the following:
  • Analyzing cyber threat information to determine the impact on facilities and technologies used; and
  • Evaluating technologies to identify remediation steps to address vulnerabilities; and
  • Drafting reports to detail systems and/or sites assessed to present to technical and non-technical audiences.
OR

Successfully completed Ph.D.; or equivalent doctoral degree; or three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent degree, e.g., LL.M., if related at an accredited college or university that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform this work.

OR

Combination of specialized experience (less than one year) and graduate education (beyond 2 years), that when combined equals 100% of the qualification requirement. NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of two years (generally 36 semester hours) may be used in this calculation.

NOTE: You must submit a copy of your college transcripts (official or unofficial) and your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet the experience to support this claim. Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible.

Only the first two pages of your resume will be used to make an eligibility/qualifications determination.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

NOTE: 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.

Certifications: CISSP, CEH,A+, Network+, and Security+ certifications are desired but not required.

Training (mandatory): Mandatory training is required, which must be completed, and other training may occur as necessary for success in the position. The incumbent must obtain a Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) Network+ or Security+ certification (or equivalent) within one year after EOD.

Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP): This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet eligibility criteria for CTAP or ICTAP; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For information on eligibility criteria and required documentation, go to: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.

Education

If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Note: DHS continues to take necessary steps to keep our workforce safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic. If you receive a final job offer to onboard, please complete the onboarding forms and submit them electronically in an expeditious manner. Your start date may be delayed if the action above is not completed.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for a Top Secret (SCI) clearance as a condition of placement in this Special Sensitive position. This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12654 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.

Veterans' Preference: For more information on veterans' preference see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/.

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.

Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP): This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet eligibility criteria for CTAP or ICTAP; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For information on eligibility criteria and required documentation, go to: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

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., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

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


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.

Category Rating Procedures: If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following quality categories:
  1. Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF) and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis.
  2. Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis
  3. Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.

The Category Rating Process does not add veteran's preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher). Veteran preference eligibles will receive selection consideration before non-preference eligibles within each quality category.

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

To preview the assessment questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12874061

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