Clarification from the agency

This position is open to current on-board Title 5 and Title 32 employees of the 168 COS in the 132d Wing, Des Moines, Iowa Air National Guard. Military membership is required.

As a IT SPECIALIST (INFOSEC/NETWORK), GS-2210-12 your duties are below.

1. Prepares for, maintains currency for, and executes an advanced role in Cyberspace Operations. Utilizes knowledge of systems security principles and concepts of emerging Information Technology (IT) security developments, and of the infrastructure protection environment to select appropriate tools to be used by team members. Establishes methodology and determines best techniques to secure computer systems and to protect cyber key terrain from exploitation of information within these systems and/or to achieve other tasked objectives in cyberspace. Leverages knowledge of multiple entities with a stake in current operations to plan and build appropriate courses of action and training scenarios. Functions in at least one of the following advanced roles: (40%)a. Cyberspace Crew Commander. Develops tactical objectives and/or tactical taskings for a team of Cyberspace Operators. Serves as the liaison between assigned team and other teams or external entities.b. Cyberspace Operations Controller. Directs tactical execution for a team of Cyberspace Operators. Develops tactical approach and synchronizes actions of multiple qualified operators in order to achieve objectives.c. Operations Planner/Scheduler. Represents the unit's capability, availability, and interests at high-level Operational Planning Team (OPT) meetings to define the mission, environment, enemy, effects, capabilities, overall plan, phasing, operational agreements and contingencies needed to conduct the operation or exercise. Develops a tactical plan for assigned missions and exercises. Works as a member of the mission leadership element to translate operational objectives into tactical objectives comprised of specific tactical tasks. Develops Measures of Effectiveness and Measures of Performance to be used in the assessment of the mission's or exercises success. Prepares and coordinates operator, resource, facilities and equipment schedules in coordination with unit and flight commanders in order to ensure training, currency, and mission timelines and objectives are met.d. Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Cyberspace Operator. Assesses and evaluates vulnerabilities and/or adversary activity in ICS enclaves. Detects, characterizes, and resolves insecurities in ICS networks. Reviews and analyzes ICS network traffic, configurations, and operating procedures and provides recommendations to improve system security posture.e. National Mission Team Cyberspace Operator. Maintains both Air Force currency and additional national-level requirements to execute US Cyber Command's Defend-the-Nation priority.
2. Prepares Unit Training Assembly, Annual Training and currency training events for Mission Ready Cyberspace Operators to optimize training time available. Ensures training for each event has been prepared and is ready. Monitors assigned military members' go-no-go readiness status and ensures deficiencies are recognized. Works with scheduling section to provide opportunities for assigned members to maintain full mission readiness. Coordinates with maintenance section to ensure all assigned equipment is in good working condition and ready for each training and mission event. (30%)
3. Conducts extensive research of new vulnerabilities and insecurities discovered in operating systems, application software, infrastructure and boundary protection devices. Investigates, analyzes, and develops methods that could be used to exploit these vulnerabilities. Conducts testing on training range to validate findings and to develop and refine methods and procedures to mitigate vulnerabilities. Coordinates research and findings with the Cyberspace Weapons Officer for inclusion in unit and cyberspace community tactics, techniques, and procedures. (15%)
4. Conducts extensive research of tools currently being used to attack or gain unauthorized access to information networks. Analyzes and tests these tools on training range to determine effectiveness, stability, and scope of the tools. Recommends and refines tools for use on Cyberspace Weapon System to provide the customer with the best possible evaluation of their security posture. (15%)
5. Performs other duties as assigned. D2338000

Conditions of employment

NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED: This is an excepted position that requires military membership in a compatible military assignment in the Iowa Air National Guard. Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform. Acceptance of this excepted position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment.
APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 03/13/2026 . FAILURE TO PROVIDE COMPLETE INFORMATION MAY RESULT IN YOUR NOT RECEIVING CONSIDERATION FOR THIS POSITION. Please refer to the Qualifications and Evaluations Section of this Announcement to understand the qualification requirements, and the How to Apply Section for detailed instruction on applying.

SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENT: Employment is subject to attaining and maintaining a clearance as required by this position. If the selectee does not possess the applicable security clearance when hired, application must be made within 30 days of the start date. Failure to make application for the required security clearance will result in termination of employment.

Failure to complete prescribed courses may be cause for reassignment or termination of FTS.

Military Rank Requirements: ENLISTED MEMBERS (E-7 to E-8)

Qualifications

In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience. Applicants who do not fully address the minimum/specialized experience needed for the position in their resume will not be referred for consideration.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Experience, education, and/or training that has provided a basic knowledge of data processing functions and general management principles that enabled the applicant to understand the stages required to automate a work process. Experience may have been gained in work such as computer operator or assistant, computer sales representative, program analyst, or other positions that required the use or adaptation of computer programs and systems.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: GS-2210-12: Must haveexperience in the following:

1. 1-year specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade.
2. Experience, education, or training that approaches techniques and requirements appropriate to an assigned computer applications area or computer specialty area in an organization.
3. Experience planning the sequence of actions necessary to accomplish the assignment where this entailed coordination with others outside the organizational unit and development of project controls.
4. Experience that required adaptations of guidelines or precedents to meet the needs of the assignment.
5. Experience preparing documentation on cost/benefit studies where is involved summarizing the material and organizing it in a logical fashion.
6. Experience, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are found to be among the qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required for this position:

1. Thorough knowledge of the mission, objectives, terminology, and management practices in the activity, the agency and the department to recognize probable areas of interaction and to serve as a technical expert in systems/network security.
2. Knowledge of project management principles and methods sufficient to assign and provide expert technical direction to team members concerning their role in vulnerability assessments.
3. Thorough knowledge of network systems design, development, testing, installation, operating, management, and maintenance concepts and methods to provide and protect network services.
4. Knowledge of, and skill in applying IT security principles and methods and of IT security products and services sufficient to evaluate and recommend the acquisition of, implement, and disseminate IT security tools, procedures, and practices to protect information assets.
5. Extensive knowledge of information technology methods and information protection techniques and procedures. This includes government and Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) technology using industry standards and an ability to understand the capabilities and limitations of software, utility programs, network management systems and programming.
6. Knowledge of hardware, software, and operating systems; systems configuration and integration; maintenance, upgrades, and modifications.
7. Extensive knowledge and skill in applying applicable policies, standards, directives, and operations manuals to perform systems analysis, evaluate approaches, offer advice, define alternative approaches, and coordinate requirements regarding the merits of proposed applications.
8. Extensive knowledge of hardware, software, network operations functions, firewalls, packet switching communications protocols, and diagnostic tools to analyze difficult and complex system problems and provides resolutions.
9. Knowledge of systems analysis, configuration management, and computer equipment requirements related to networks to assess vulnerabilities. Skill in evaluating innovative approaches in formulation of programs or systems specifications.