Positions under this announcement are being filled using a Direct Hire Authority (DHA), open to all U.S. citizens. Selections made under this bulletin will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would be given new appointments to the civil service. Under the provisions of the DHA, veteran's preference in selection does not apply.
Summary
Positions under this announcement are being filled using a Direct Hire Authority (DHA), open to all U.S. citizens. Selections made under this bulletin will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would be given new appointments to the civil service. Under the provisions of the DHA, veteran's preference in selection does not apply.
The incumbent plans, conducts, and reports on audits, and evaluations of the agency's IT systems to identify weaknesses, assess compliance with policies and regulations, and recommend improvements to strengthen security and reduce risk.
Serves as an information systems security auditor. At the full performance level, auditors perform audits, in accordance with government auditing standards, to evaluate the:
1. Reliability and accessibility of SSA’s information systems;
2. Agency’s systems security contingency plans and disaster recovery procedures;
3. Design of SSA’s network and systems to ensure implementation of appropriate systems security policies;
4. Effectiveness of SSA’s controls to prevent and defend against unauthorized access to systems, networks, and data; and
5. Effectiveness of SSA’s information security programs, including vulnerability management, incident response, and security awareness.
Selective Service Registration, if applicable (www.sss.gov)
Fingerprinting and background and/or security investigation may be required
Job offers are contingent on fingerprinting and background / security investigation results
Selectees may be required to serve a 1 year probationary period
Relocation expenses will not be paid
Complete the initial online assessment and USA Hire Assessment, if required
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement
Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion or national origin.
Selectees will be placed into positions where cybersecurity duties occupy the majority of the work performed.
Qualifications
Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered. Please visit the new resume guidance for more information.
READ ALL SECTIONS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY. THIS INFORMATION IS CRUCIAL TO SUBMITTING A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION.
If you are qualifying based on education please make sure you follow the instructions in the Education Section of this announcement including uploading a transcript with an award/confer date. Failure to do so can disqualify you for further consideration.
Applicants must qualify for the series and grade of the posted position.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. Your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, abilities, and proficiency of any required competencies to perform the specific position for which you are applying. To qualify for the 2210 IT Specialist series, the applicant must demonstrate the following 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 your 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; know about available products and services; and 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.
In addition to the competencies above, applicants must also meet the following minimum qualifications.
Minimum Qualifications: Grade 9 : To qualify at the GS-9 level, you must have one of the following:
A master's or equivalent graduate degree (see Education section); OR
Successful completion of two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree (see Education section); OR
At least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-7 level, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience must includeallof the following:
interpreting and applying information security concepts, principles, methods, and practices;
interpreting and applying government auditing standards and applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures;
completing and documenting routine audit tasks, with limited assistance;
presenting findings and conclusions to others;
evaluating alternative solutions and recommending actions to solve problems.
Minimum Qualifications: Grade 11: To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must have one of the following:
A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (see Education section); OR
Successful completion of 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (see Education section); OR
At least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-9 level, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience must includeall of the following:
interpreting and applying government auditing standards and applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures;
completing and documenting audit tasks, with limited assistance;
completing and documenting routine audit tasks, with limited assistance;
presenting findings and conclusions to others, both orally and in writing; and
developing and evaluating alternative solutions and recommending actions to solve problems.
Minimum Qualifications: Grade 12: To qualify at the GS-12 level, you must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-11 level, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience must includeall of the following:
independently interpreting and applying information security concepts, principles, methods, and practices;
independently interpreting, applying, and explaining government auditing standards and applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; completing and documenting complex or non-routine audit tasks;
evaluating complex data and guiding others in analysis;
evaluating issues, developing alternative solutions, and implementing actions to solve complex or non-routine problems; and
presenting findings and recommendations to audit teams, upper management, and auditees in writing and orally.
Minimum Qualifications: Grade 13: To qualify at the GS-13 level, you must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-12 level, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience must includeall of the following:
independently interpreting, applying, and guiding others in interpreting and applying information security concepts, principles, methods, and practices;
independently interpreting, applying, and guiding others in the identification, interpretation, and application of government auditing standards and applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures;
guiding others in the performance of audit tasks;
evaluating and reviewing complex data and analysis prepared by others;
independently evaluating issues, developing alternative solutions, and implementing actions to solve complex or non-routine problems; and
guiding others in the presentation of findings and recommendations to audit teams, upper management, and auditees, in writing and orally, to persuade others to adopt a course of action.
If you are qualifying on the basis of education or satisfying an educational requirement, submit a copy of your transcripts that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion. Unofficial transcripts or screenshots of electronic/web transcripts with the required information will be accepted at the time of application. You must submit your transcripts according to the application submission details of this announcement. Documents will not be accepted via email or regular mail. If selected, you may be required to provide your official college transcripts prior to the effective date of the personnel action placing you into the new position.
Foreign Education: If your transcripts show education completed in foreign colleges or universities, you must also provide documentation 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 a conventional/accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
Additional information
This is a career-ladder position offering the opportunity for promotion leading up to the GS-13 grade level.
Salary range listed is under 'Rest of U.S. (RUS)' locality pay table. Selectee's actual salary will vary depending on location being filled. To find out the salary range for your selected location, you can view the salary for each locality pay table here:General Schedule
Additional selections may be made for this vacancy six months from the closing date of this announcement.
This is a non-bargaining unit position.
Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests:If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request an 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. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
RESUME: Resumes cannot exceed two pages; please visit the new resume guidance for more information. Your resume must provide specific details as to how your experience meets the qualifications for this position. Experience statements (i.e., duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire) copied from this announcement and pasted into your resume will not be considered as a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. The resume should indicate if the work is full-time or part-time. Part-time work is prorated (e.g., if you work 20 hours per week for a 12-month period, you will be credited with 6 months of experience).
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.
The evaluation you receive is based on your responses to the online assessments completed during the application process. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
Reading Comprehension
Decision Making
Accountability
Attention to Detail
Customer Service
Teamwork
Reasoning
The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.
Please make sure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation. Cheating on the online assessment may result in your removal from consideration.
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.
You must also submit ALL supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to claim certain types of preference.
Resumes exceeding two pages will not be considered.
To be considered, your resume must:
Clearly demonstrate your qualifications for the position.
We will not make assumptions regarding your experience. Please ensure that your resume includes the grade (if you are a current or previous federal employee) and month, day, and year that you began and ended each position held. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. Without this information, the experience gained while in that position may not be credited toward meeting the qualifications requirements.
Include your contact information
We recommend using a clear, easy-to-read format and focusing on information most relevant to the job announcement. For additional information see: What to include in your resume.
You must also submit ALL supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to claim certain types of preference.
INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP): ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority for competitive service vacancies. To receive selection priority, candidates must meet the requirements for the Well Qualified category as described in the vacancy announcement. Candidates must also provide:
proof of eligibility with your application. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation Notice of Personnel Action, (SF-50); and
proof of your most recent performance rating of at least "fully successful" (Level III) or equivalent.
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.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you both on screen and via email notification. The email may be routed to your "Spam" or "Junk" folder.
If you are asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments. You may check Computer System Requirements here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=USA_Hire_System_Requirements. Note: Set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use the URL sent to you via email and also found in your USAJOBS account under the "Track my application" link for the corresponding application.
You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account. There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account. On the Home page, scroll down and locate your job application. Once the job has been located, click the "Track this application" link on the right under the application date. The page will refresh to display the Agency's Application Information page where you can scroll down and review any notifications the agency has sent you. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you use assistive software or an adaptive device, or you are experiencing some other type of technical difficulty and/or otherwise require assistance with the application process, please contact Careers at SSA at Careers@ssa.gov.
Individuals with hearing or speech disabilities may use the listed email or 7-1-1 for TTY-based Telecommunications Relay Services to call the listed phone number. Additional Telecommunications Relay Services options are available in each state: https://www.fcc.gov/general/trs-state-and-territories
Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any applications submitted via email or standard mail. The email address is listed only for inquiries about the position or the How to Apply process.
SSA OIG
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
US
Next steps
If you meet the minimum qualifications of this position, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments system. These additional online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement unless you have requested Reasonable Accommodation for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments based on a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Your results will be kept on record for one year when applying for future jobs that require the same USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.
Once you have successfully submitted all of the required application materials and assessments, you can expect to receive at least two or more of the following email notifications concerning your application status: (1) Receipt of application; (2) Qualifications status and whether your application has been Referred/Not Referred to the selecting official; and (3) Selection status for the position.
Selection interviews may be conducted with one or more of the candidates, but there is no requirement that interviews be conducted. The hiring office will contact candidates directly for interviews. Interviews may be conducted via video conferencing software, if technically feasible. Applicants referred for consideration will receive a final disposition notice after selections have been made.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
You must also submit ALL supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to claim certain types of preference.
Resumes exceeding two pages will not be considered.
To be considered, your resume must:
Clearly demonstrate your qualifications for the position.
We will not make assumptions regarding your experience. Please ensure that your resume includes the grade (if you are a current or previous federal employee) and month, day, and year that you began and ended each position held. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. Without this information, the experience gained while in that position may not be credited toward meeting the qualifications requirements.
Include your contact information
We recommend using a clear, easy-to-read format and focusing on information most relevant to the job announcement. For additional information see: What to include in your resume.
You must also submit ALL supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to claim certain types of preference.
INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP): ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority for competitive service vacancies. To receive selection priority, candidates must meet the requirements for the Well Qualified category as described in the vacancy announcement. Candidates must also provide:
proof of eligibility with your application. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation Notice of Personnel Action, (SF-50); and
proof of your most recent performance rating of at least "fully successful" (Level III) or equivalent.
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.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you both on screen and via email notification. The email may be routed to your "Spam" or "Junk" folder.
If you are asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments. You may check Computer System Requirements here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=USA_Hire_System_Requirements. Note: Set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use the URL sent to you via email and also found in your USAJOBS account under the "Track my application" link for the corresponding application.
You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account. There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account. On the Home page, scroll down and locate your job application. Once the job has been located, click the "Track this application" link on the right under the application date. The page will refresh to display the Agency's Application Information page where you can scroll down and review any notifications the agency has sent you. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you use assistive software or an adaptive device, or you are experiencing some other type of technical difficulty and/or otherwise require assistance with the application process, please contact Careers at SSA at Careers@ssa.gov.
Individuals with hearing or speech disabilities may use the listed email or 7-1-1 for TTY-based Telecommunications Relay Services to call the listed phone number. Additional Telecommunications Relay Services options are available in each state: https://www.fcc.gov/general/trs-state-and-territories
Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any applications submitted via email or standard mail. The email address is listed only for inquiries about the position or the How to Apply process.
SSA OIG
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
US
Next steps
If you meet the minimum qualifications of this position, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments system. These additional online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement unless you have requested Reasonable Accommodation for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments based on a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Your results will be kept on record for one year when applying for future jobs that require the same USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.
Once you have successfully submitted all of the required application materials and assessments, you can expect to receive at least two or more of the following email notifications concerning your application status: (1) Receipt of application; (2) Qualifications status and whether your application has been Referred/Not Referred to the selecting official; and (3) Selection status for the position.
Selection interviews may be conducted with one or more of the candidates, but there is no requirement that interviews be conducted. The hiring office will contact candidates directly for interviews. Interviews may be conducted via video conferencing software, if technically feasible. Applicants referred for consideration will receive a final disposition notice after selections have been made.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
