Computer Engineer (Cybersecurity)

About the role

This vacancy is for a Computer Engineer (Cybersecurity) that will serve as a technical expert in a wide range of technology and services in one or more of the following areas: telecommunications (including optical, wireless and wireline networking), advanced computers, computer science, software development, computer networking, information security, cybersecurity, encryption, mobile networking, satellite communication, networking infrastructure, or internet connected devices.

What you will do

• Conducts studies of telecommunications, computer engineering and science, information security and cybersecurity, and related technical data in terms of their potential for technology vulnerabilities and evaluates technical data to identify effective mitigation techniques and strategies.
• Prepares and contributes to technical analysis papers, agency position papers, reports, and briefing materials for escalation to interagency committees and to support interagency coordination and decision-making.
• Provides information and analysis of investigative cases to interagency parties.
• Develops, revises, and writes technical portions of agency guidelines that affect industries and other government agencies.
• Recommends appropriate integration of U.S. industry's economic/regulatory concerns into the Department's regulations.
• Represents the Office at interagency meetings and participates in advisory meetings, outreach activities, and discussions with government and industry experts to resolve issues and develop proposals regarding the inclusion or exclusion of specific technologies and services within the jurisdiction of the Department of Commerce.
• This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Computer Engineer (Cybersecurity) GS-0854-12/13, Full Performance Level (FPL:13) positions within the Department of Commerce in the same geographical location or local commuting area with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• This position requires a TOP SECRET/SCI CLEARANCE: Any required investigations and clearances must be completed before the selectee can be placed in the position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
• A probationary period may be required.
• Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see ***).
• If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• Bargaining Unit Position: No Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450): No Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense: Will not be paid Drug Test Required: Yes - This position is subject to pre-employment drug testing and random drug testing thereafter.

Education

There is a positive education requirement for this position as described above. See the Qualifications Section, above. NOTE: Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities.

Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree.

You MUST provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application.

Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.

How you will be evaluated

Under the provisions of the Direct-Hire Authority (DHA), rating, ranking and veterans' preference does not apply. While veterans' preference does not apply in DHA, preference eligibles are encouraged to submit their supporting documentation (DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service, VA letter, SF-15, etc.).

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., two-page resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire and the result of the USA Hire assessment required for this position.

Applicants who meet the qualification requirements, as defined in the job opportunity announcement, will be referred for selection consideration. 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 technical assessment will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response: Technical Competence (Computer Engineering - Cybersecurity) Strategic Thinking Technical Credibility Communication Interaction Judgement Reading Reasoning Do NOT include the following types of information in your resume/application.

If any are included, you will be deemed INELIGIBLE for consideration. Classified or government sensitive information Social Security Number (SSN) Photos of yourself Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc. To preview the questionnaire, click the following link:***

Documents you must provide

• A complete application consists of the following: Resume.
• Your resume should list your educational and work experience including the dates (mm/dd/yy) of each employment along with the number of hours worked per week, if less than 40.
• Your resume may be used to validate your responses to the qualifications/assessments.
• Your resume should also indicate your citizenship and if you are registered with the Selective Service System if you are a male born after 12/31/59.
• Refer to the "How you will be Evaluated' section for types of information not to include in your resume/application.
• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation, if applicable.
• CTAP or ICTAP applicant(s), MUST submit the following documents: A copy of your specific RIF notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; or a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice); or notice of disability annuity termination; or certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a compensable injury; or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement; or a copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc; Any documentation from your agency that shows your latest performance appraisal rating; AND Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
• If this position requires proof of higher education, or you are substituting education for experience, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.
• Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements.
• Please refer to *** for more information.
• Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee?
• Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position title; Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee); Agency; and Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
• You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.
• Failure to provide such documents when requested may result in lost consideration.
• Special Instructions for Foreign Education: See Note in Education Section for additional information.

Benefits

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. 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.

What to expect next

Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessments.You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable.

You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJOBS website at *** and clicking on "Track Your Online Application." The four points of notification are: Application Received or Application Incomplete Minimum Qualification Requirement Met or Minimum Qualification Not Met; Eligible (Application Referred to the Selecting Official) or Ineligible (Application Not Referred to the Selecting Official); and Selected or Not Selected.

By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be terminated after you begin work; or, you may be fined or jailed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment.

The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.).

Additional information

The following links provide information on various hiring authorities that do not fall under competitive examining procedures; however, they may enable you to apply through merit assignment procedures, or be eligible for a non-competitive appointment.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) ICTAP and CTAP Eligibles: CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100.

Information about ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: Employee Guide to Career Transition Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees.

If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Reasonable Accommodations (RA) Requests: 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.

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.