IT CYBERSECURITY SPECIALIST (INFOSEC)

Summary

This job announcement uses the USA Hire Assessment to evaluate applicants. For more information, visit USA Hire Assessment.

Duties

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• Serves as a technical authority and focal point for information security policies and procedures, including hardware, software (both applications and systems) and teleprocessing security.
• Plans and implements a security program that supports the Agency's financial management and information technology goals and objectives.
• Ensures that each information systems is operated, maintained, and disposed of in accordance with applicable policies and practices.
• Advises managers and supervisors on information security issues and policy. Develops mid and long range strategic information security plans and ensures information security plans are prepared for all sensitive and classified systems.
• Performs studies to monitor and improve or enhance information security-related projects.
• Possesses knowledge of state-of-the-art information technology hardware and software to combat unauthorized access and damage to sensitive financial and management data.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• This national security position, which may require access to classified information, requires a favorable suitability review and security clearance as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination.
• Registered for Selective Service (males born after 12-31-1959)
• Suitable for Federal employment
• Time after Competitive Appointment: Candidates must have served 3 months after latest competitive appointment in the Federal service.
• Time in Grade Requirement - see the Qualifications field below for more details.
• In accordance with the DoD 8140 policy series, the position is subject to completing Foundational Qualifications within 9 months and completing Residential Qualification requirements within 12 months.
• New employees to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT: Applicants must have IT-related experience demonstrating the following competencies appropriate to, or above, the level of this position. Your resume and work experience should clearly support your ability to meet these competencies and will be evaluated as part of the entire application process.

BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR ENTRY AT THE GS-09 THROUGH GS-11

• Attention to Detail- experience reviewing my own information technology-related work or data to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency with standards. My work or the data that I produce is typically reviewed by my supervisor or another colleague
• Customer Service- experience having brief contact with customers to provide information about available information technology products and services and providing customers with standard products or routine services to address information technology needs
• Oral Communication- experience informing my supervisor and other IT staff of the status of information technology systems, projects, or daily operations, including the status of information technology systems, projects, or daily operations, including the communication of basic technical information to a non-technical audience
• Problem Solving- identifying or selecting from a number of alternatives to address routine information technology-related issues by gathering and applying information from standard sources that provide a limited number of solutions

FOR ENTRY AT THE GS-09:

In addition to the Basic Competency Requirements listed above: One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade GS-07 in the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required.

• Specialized experience is defined as: Assisting in implementing technical information assurance controls within automated information systems; assisting with information security design specifications and testing plans within automated information systems.

FOR ENTRY AT THE GS-11:

In addition to the Basic Competency Requirements listed above: One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade GS-09 in the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required.

• Specialized experience is defined as: Conducting information systems security evaluations, audits, assessments, and reviews; monitoring compliance with IT security policies and procedures in the development of information systems; reviewing software security alerts.

BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR ENTRY AT THE GS-12

• Attention to Detail- experience reviewing my own information technology-related work or data and have been asked by others to review their work or data to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency with standards
• Customer Service- experience maintaining relationships with customers, assessing current information technology needs of customers, and developing or identifying information technology products and services that are tailored to meet customer needs
• Oral Communication- briefing mid-level management and IT staff on the status of information technology systems, projects, or daily operations, including the communication of technical information to a non-technical audience
• Problem Solving- identifying alternatives to address complex information technology-related issues by gathering and applying information from a variety of sources that provide a number of potential solutions

FOR ENTRY AT THE GS-12:

In addition to the Basic Competency Requirements listed above: One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade GS-11 in the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required.

• Specialized experience is defined as: Participating in the design specifications, testing plans, and issue resolutions relating to Information Assurance software and systems; assisting in identifying and implementing technical controls related to protecting automated information systems, applications, and PII; interpreting cybersecurity policies and procedures.

This position is developmental and selections may be made at the GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 entry grade levels. Once eligibility and qualification requirements are met, selectees will be eligible for promotion at management discretion to the full performance grade levels without further competition.

Volunteer Experience: 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 to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. You may qualify for consideration if meeting time-in grade, specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement.

Time-in-Grade: Current or former federal employees who have held a GS position in the preceding 52 weeks, must meet the time in grade requirement.

• To be considered for the GS-9, applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-7 or higher in the Federal service.
• To be considered for the GS-11, applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-9 or higher in the Federal service.
• To be considered for the GS-12, applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-11 or higher in the Federal service.

** The effective date of your SF-50 must reflect that you will meet the 52-week time in grade requirement within 30 days of the announcement closing. **

You may qualify for consideration if meeting time-in grade, specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement.

Education

Substitution of education for experience:

For Entry at the GS-9 Level: Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or 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. Combination of education and experience is not applicable for this position.

For Entry at the GS-11 Level: A qualifying Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or 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. Combination of education and experience is not applicable for this position.

For Entry at the GS-12 Level: Education is not substitutable for specialized experience at this grade level.

If you are using education to substitute for the specialized experience, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply. To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (;br>
Additional information

• Moving expenses may be paid.
• For positions where relocation is paid (see Location block of vacancy announcement), you can learn more about relocation allowances and entitlements.
• Telework availability is limited and will only be provided on a rare case-by-case basis during situations where Agency Leadership has determined that telework serves a compelling DoD need.
• We may use this announcement to make a temporary promotion. For some positions, the temporary promotion may be made permanent without further competition.
• Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment.
• As a condition of employment, you may be required to serve a 1 year probationary period during which we'll evaluate whether your continued employment advances the public interest. The evaluation will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment advances agency or governmental goals; and whether your continued employment advances the efficiency of the Federal service. At the end of the probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification that your continued employment advances the public interest.?
• We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 120 days of the closing date.
• This position is Non-Exempt at the GS-9; Exempt at the GS-11 & GS-12 from the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Travel requirement is Occasional.
• This position is covered by a bargaining unit.
• Priority Placement Program (PPP) Military Spouse Preference (MSP) eligible candidates will receive priority consideration at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level.
• Pay for first time hires to the Federal Government will typically be set at step 1 salary range for their respective grade level.
• Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, here.
• The Security Designation will vary and dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher. Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed/undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals selected are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position may result in termination. For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements.
• Criminal History Inquiries- For some positions, criminal history inquiries may not take place before you receive a conditional job offer. Please see Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 (dfas.mil) for more information on The Fair Chance to Compete Act, exceptions, and DFAS contact information.
• In accordance with the DoD 8140 policy series, the position is subject to completing Foundational Qualifications in 9 months and completing Residential Qualification requirements in 12 months.

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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.

Benefits

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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.

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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.