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Information Technology Specialist (INFOSEC)

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health

Summary

This position plays a role in safeguarding against evolving cyber threats and ensuring the integrity of our systems. If you are an energetic, motivated and IT savvy individual with a passion for information security and project management, then please consider this your opportunity to join one of our dynamic Institutes and support the mission of the NIH.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 07/10/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 10, 2026
Location
Few vacancies in the following locations:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$77,983 - $158,322 per year

Durham, NC: $77,983.00 to $144,493.00 Per Year; Montgomery County, MD: $85,447.00 to $158,322.00 Per Year

Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 13
Promotion potential
13
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
NIH-SR-MP-26-12996396
Control number
874746300

Duties

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  • Responsible for a wide range of complex assignments and projects relative to information systems and security matters.
  • Evaluates the security programs of an organization, including the implementation of security programs designed to anticipate, assess, and minimize system vulnerabilities such as intrusion detection or access authentication programs.
  • Serves as a principal contact for coordination, implementation, and enforcement of information security policies.
  • Makes recommendations for operational policies, procedures, and criteria for interfacing with program systems resources.
  • Coordinates with other IC and/or NIH staff on the development of information security system and application policies, guidelines, standards, requirements, and procedures.
  • Participates in Web based applications, network, and systems designs to ensure the implementation of systems security policies, guidelines and procedures, including initial design
  • Participates in creating and maintaining system-security plans, contingency plans, risk assessments, and certification statements.
  • Provides expert advice and guidance to the software and database designers on how build secure Web enabled applications that comply with OMB, DHHS, and NIH policies on information system security.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
  • Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
  • Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements within thirty (30) calendar days of the closing date of this announcement, including time in grade.
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
  • The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
  • The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
  • Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Based on your appointment, a one or two-year trial/probationary period may be required. A decision regarding your continued employment with NIH will be made as you near the end of this period.
  • If selected, you will be tested for illegal drug use; and during employment you will be subject to random, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident drug testing. Employment is contingent on a negative drug test result.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this IT Specialist (INFOSEC), GS-2210, you must have IT related experience demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience obtained in either the private or public sector, and/or completion of specific, intensive training that demonstrates that you possess all of the following four competencies:

  • Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
  • Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that you work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) 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 (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
  • Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

AND

You must meet the following requirements as stated:

To qualify for this position at the GS-11 level you must meet the following requirement:

You must have completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management OR a degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks, OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education in one of the areas described above leading to such a degree;
OR
You must demonstrate in your resume that you have 1 (one) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 level in the federal service obtained in either the private or public sector typically gained in the IT field or through performing the following types of tasks: 1) Participating in the implementation and evaluation of security programs for an organization designed to anticipate, assess and minimize system vulnerabilities such as intrusion detection or access authentication programs; 2) Assisting with the development of policies, guidelines, standards, requirements, and procedures covering Information Security System; 3) Participating in the testing of new security technologies.
OR
You have a combination of post baccalaureate education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements of this position.

To qualify for this position at the GS-12 level, you must meet the following requirement:

You must have 1 (one) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the federal service obtained in either the private or public sector typically gained in the IT field or through performing the following types of tasks: 1) Conducting systems security evaluations, audits and reviews; 2) Providing advice and instruction on security issues; 3) Participating in the development and implementation of security programs designed to anticipate, assess, and minimize system vulnerabilities such as intrusion detection or access authentication programs.

To qualify for this position at the GS-13 level, you must meet the following requirement:

You must have 1 (one) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 in the federal service obtained in either the private or public sector typically gained in the IT field or through performing the following types of tasks: 1) Developing, implementing or evaluating the IT security programs of an organization; 2) Reviewing and evaluating security incident response policies, and identifying where there is a need for changes based on new security technologies or threats 3) Providing advice and instructions to staff on IT security issues; 4) Working with other IT specialists to build secure Web enabled applications.

You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.

Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer.

Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12996396

Education

If you qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application packages. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Additional information

  • This position is designated as a "non-emergency/teleworker" position and the selected candidate will be considered a "non-emergency/teleworker" employee. In the event of a closure, you must be available to telework or request leave.
  • Visit Help Applying for helpful information on the application process.
  • At the supervisor's discretion, this position may offer work schedule flexibilities: telework compressed schedules, flexible schedules.
  • If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: Reasonable Accommodation Information.
  • Veterans' Preference only applies to Schedule A (disability appointment), HHS Reemployment Priority List (RPL) Eligibles, HHS Priority Reemployment List (PRL) Eligibles, and Veterans Recruitment Appointments (if applicable).

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:

  • Accountability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • 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.

The position(s) advertised in this announcement are covered by the agency's Reemployment Priority List (RPL). RPL candidates will be rated, placed into one of the quality categories below and referred to the hiring office, once veterans' preference is applied.
  • Qualified
  • Well Qualified
  • Best Qualified

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and substantively exceed the basic qualifications by scoring at least 80 points on the assessment(s) and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.

National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the largest biomedical research funding organization in the world. NIH is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers, each with a specific research agenda, often focusing on particular diseases or body systems. NIH employs approximately 18,000 employees in varied occupations, all supporting research efforts that improve health and save lives. For more information on NIH's mission and goals, and its 27 Institutes and Centers, visit the NIH website.

Virtually explore the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Bethesda campus, learn about scientific research, and get to know NIH community members who are working to help people live longer, healthier lives: https://www.nih.gov/virtual-tour/.

This recruitment will be filling multiple positions across NIH. The following Institute/Centers are currently seeking to fill positions:

  • Office of Research Services (ORS)
  • National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

Agency contact information

NIH HR Service Desk Branch C
Email
OHRCSDBRANCHCSRVDSK@od.nih.gov
Address
National Institutes of Health
6701 Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at National Institutes of Health, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://hr.nih.gov/working-nih/work-life

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