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Supervisory IT Cybersecurity Specialist

Department of State
Department of State - Agency Wide

Summary

This position is located in the Compliance Reporting Unit (CR), Enterprise Chief Information Security Office (DT/E-CISO) leads a high-visibility cybersecurity compliance and assurance program responsible for supporting FISMA, OMB, CISA, OIG, GAO, OMB Circular A-123, NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, Zero Trust implementation reporting, RMF IV&V activities, High Value Asset assessments, and compliance activities involving National Security Systems.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 07/24/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 24, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$169,279 - $197,200 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 15
Promotion potential
15
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - May require domestic and/or international travel.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
Yes
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Top Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Announcement number
M/DT-MPI-2026-0016
Control number
876132500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Department of State career or career conditional status employees in the competitive service; employees who are on temporary or other non-status appointments who have reinstatement or non-competitive eligibility for a competitive service appointment (e.g., tenured Foreign Service employees, employees on an excepted service appointment at the USUN who have previous career status, etc.); and CTAP.

Duties

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  • Serves as the Unit Chief for Compliance Reporting, overseeing Risk Management Framework (RMF) Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V), High Valued Asset (HVA)assessments, audit coordination, evidence validation, and risk reporting.
  • Leads and manages a cybersecurity compliance and audit team for Department-wide assurance and reporting activities, including risk management, IV&V, National Security Systems, and related functions.
  • Directs the development, validation, and submission of cybersecurity compliance reports required for FISMA, OMB, CISA, OIG, GAO, A-123, internal control, and executive leadership.
  • Oversees Risk Management Framework IV&V activities to evaluate the quality, accuracy, completeness, and effectiveness of security authorization packages and control implementation statements.
  • Conducts and supervises HVA assessments to evaluate cybersecurity risks, mission impact, control effectiveness, vulnerability, resilience, segmentation, logging, identity management, access and configuration management.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
  • Must complete a supervisory probationary period if one has not already been completed.

Qualifications

The position requires senior-level cybersecurity judgment, supervisory leadership, audit readiness experience, executive communication skills, and the ability to translate complex cybersecurity, compliance, audit, and risk information into accurate, defensible, and actionable reports for senior leaders and federal oversight stakeholders.

The Incumbent leads a high-visibility cybersecurity compliance and assurance program responsible for supporting FISMA, OMB, CISA, OIG, GAO, OMB Circular A-123, NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, Zero Trust implementation reporting, RMF IV&V activities, High Value Asset assessments, and compliance activities involving National Security Systems.

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement. 

NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement.

Applicants applying for the GS-15 grade level must meet the following requirements: Have IT-related experience demonstrating EACH of the four competencies AND specialized experience listed below:

  1. Attention to Detail - Thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
  2. Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work 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.
  3. Oral Communication - Expresses information (ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentation; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
  4. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgement to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

AND Have at least 1 full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal service which provided you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. 

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

  • Leading cybersecurity compliance reporting for a federal agency, large organization, or complex enterprise environment.
  • Applying federal cybersecurity requirements, including FISMA, OMB, CISA, OIG, GAO, A-123, NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, Risk Management Framework, and Zero Trust requirements.
  • Supervising or leading teams responsible for cybersecurity compliance, RMF IV&V, High Value Asset assessments, audit coordination, POA&M reporting, evidence validation, control assessment, risk management, or executive reporting, assessment planning, evidence collection, technical validation, mission impact analysis, cybersecurity risk analysis, remediation tracking, and executive reporting.

NOTE: In order to qualify for this position, your experience MUST be IT related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate. There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-15 position.

In addition, applicant's experience must also demonstrate that the candidate possesses the following qualities:

  • Ability to assign, review, and supervise the work of others;
  • Objectivity and fairness in judging people on their ability, and situations on the facts and circumstances;
  • Ability to adjust to change, work pressures, or difficult situations without undue stress;
  • Willingness to consider new ideas or divergent points of view; and
  • Capacity to "see the job through."

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

  • If eligible, situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.

  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.  If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days and may require a higher or lower security clearance.  Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions. 

  • Agency & Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP & ICTAP): View OPM’s  CTAP & ICTAP eligibility website for more information. You must be rated in the Well-Qualified category and submit supporting documents under the required documents section of this announcement to receive selection priority consideration. To be considered Well-Qualified applicants must: score an 85 or above, meet Minimum Qualifications, and demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all major aspects of the position. 

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.

The evaluation process consists of the ApplyGov Competency Based Assessments and a crediting plan for which applicants will be assigned a score between 70 and 100. A resume review will be conducted for minimum qualification requirements, as described in the “Qualifications” section of this announcement, of the top qualified candidates based on combined total score.  Resumes longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.  Responses to questions that are not fully supported by your resume may result in a rating adjustment. 

You will be assessed on the following job-related competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):  

Supervisory: Oral Communication, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving, Decision Making, Customer Service, Leadership, Planning & Evaluating, Influencing/Negotiating, Strategic Thinking, Human Capital Management.]

Set aside at least 2 hours to take the external assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. There are timed sections that must be completed within the allotted timeframe.

Your score from the external assessment (supervisory)will remain on file for 180 days, allowing you to apply for multiple DOS-announced positions without needing to retake the assessments.

Top applicants may be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration. The assessment is used to measure the degree in which your background matches the competencies and KSAs required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies: 

Ability to lead enterprise-level cybersecurity reporting activities supporting federal mandates, oversight requirements, and executive decision-making.

Ability to lead, supervise, assign work, manage performance, mentor staff, and direct complex cybersecurity compliance and assurance operations.

Ability to lead, conduct, and oversee independent validation of RMF authorization packages, control implementation, assessment results, POA&Ms, continuous monitoring evidence, and risk acceptance documentation.


Ability to plan, conduct, coordinate, and report on High Value Asset cybersecurity assessments, including risk identification, control validation, vulnerability exposure, mission impact, resilience, remediation tracking, and executive reporting.

Ability to coordinate OIG, GAO, A-123, FISMA, and other cybersecurity audit or review activities.

Ability to support cybersecurity reporting involving National Security Systems, classified environments, mission systems, or sensitive information systems.

Applicants found to be among the top qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview.  Qualified non-competitive candidates must be deemed best qualified based on the applicant assessment in order to be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview. 

In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We do not make assumptions regarding your experience. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application may result in your removal from consideration. 


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Department of State - Agency Wide

The U.S. Department of State, our country’s lead foreign policy agency, provides employees with a dynamic international career whether at home or abroad and unique professional development opportunities.  Each day, our employees make a difference as they advance the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity, through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance.  We embrace our talented workforce which reflects the personal, professional, and educational strengths of our country. 

Named one of America’s Best Employers by Forbes, we offer a workplace that values and rewards leadership, collaboration, innovation, and personal and professional development. Visit careers.state.gov to learn more about what it's like to work at the U.S. Department of State, what the agency does, the wide range of careers this agency offers, and the benefits available to employees.

Agency contact information

Cortez Baker
Phone
000-000-0000
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
bakercl2@state.gov
Address
U.S. Department of State
Not accepting applications by Mail
Charleston, South Carolina 29405
United States

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