Cybersecurity Information Technology Specialist

About the role

This announcement is issued under the Direct Hire Authority (DHA) to recruit for positions for which there is a critical hiring need. Selectee(s) will receive a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service and may be required to serve a one year probationary period.

The official title of this position is Information Technology Cybersecurity Specialist (INFOSEC), GS-2210-12/13.

What you will do

• This position is located in the Cybersecurity Division (CSD), which leads CISA's cybersecurity efforts as the nation's flagship civilian cyber defense organization.
• CSD collaborates with partners across the government and private sector to enhance the nation's cybersecurity posture.
• Typical work assignments at the full performance level include, but are not limited to: Coordinating partner outreach and engagement through Federal and State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) government, and critical infrastructure relationships; aligning to CISA goals.
• Engaging in bi-directional and multi-directional information sharing with key stakeholders.
• Preparing briefing materials and briefing senior leadership and external audiences on operational priorities and key initiatives.
• Developing or contributing to guidance, operational products, lessons learned, and best practices following significant cyber events.
• Developing operational plans with key stakeholders on CISA priority initiatives.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• Selective Service - Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service, see *** All Federal employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments.
• DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.
• Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance suitable for Federal employment as determined by 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.
• This position may be designated as essential personnel.
• Essential personnel must be able to serve during continuity of operation events without regard to declarations of liberal leave or government closures due to weather, protests, and acts of terrorism or lack of funding.
• Failure to report for or remain in this position may result in disciplinary or adverse action in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations (5 U.S.C.
• 7501-7533 and 5 CFR Part 752, as applicable).
• This position has been identified as a drug testing designated position (TDP) for purposes of the CISA's Drug-Free Workplace Program.
• All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to a drug test to screen for illicit/illegal drug use prior to receiving a final offer of employment.
• A final offer of employment is contingent upon a negative drug test result.
• After appointment, you may be subject to periodic random drug testing.

Education

Education may not be substituted for experience.

You must meet the qualification requirements specified in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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 (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Accountability Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Information Management Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Oral Communication Problem Solving Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Technical Competence The USA Hire 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. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (I/CTAP): If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not I/CTAP eligible. View information about I/CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered under I/CTAP, you must be rated eligible based on minimum qualifications for this position.

In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement. Veterans' preference procedures are not applicable when candidates are selected through Direct Hire Authority (DHA).

Structured Resume Review: Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter). Applicants passing the structured resume review will move on to the next phase of the assessment process.

To preview the application questionnaire, click here: ***

Documents you must provide

• All documents, including transcripts, must be in English.
• RESUME: Limit your resume to no more than two pages.
• The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages.
• Be clear and specific in describing your job-related qualifications, as HR cannot make assumptions regarding your experience.
• Include dates (month and year) and hours worked per week.
• For military or Federal civilian service, you MUST include your pay plan/band, series, and/or rank/grade (e.g., Captain, E-5, GS-0301-9).
• Do NOT include photographs, social media links (e.g., LinkedIn), inappropriate content, or other personal or sensitive information such as date of birth, social security number, gender, religious affiliation.
• IF INCLUDED YOUR RESUME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
• COMPLETE APPLICATION QUESTIONNAIRE AND ONLINE USA HIRE ASSESSMENTS If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation for the USA Hire Assessments, submit a Reasonable Accommodation Request and provide documentation to support your request.
• OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (only submit if applicable): CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE: Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action which shows the grade, step, tenure (block 24) "1" (Career) or "2" (Career-Conditional), and position occupied (block 34) "1" (Competitive Service).
• Schedule Policy/Career employees submit a copy of your initial appointment SF-50 and proof of competitive status.
• Provide proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an Interchange Agreement.
• If applying for a higher grade, provide a SF-50 which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade or promotion potential held.
• You may need to provide more than one (1) SF-50, if your SF-50 does not clearly demonstrate that you meet the one-year time-in-grade requirement (examples of appropriate SF-50s include Appointment/Conversion, Within-Grade/Range Increases and Promotion actions).
• NOTE: Pay adjustments and awards are NOT acceptable.
• VETERAN DOCUMENTATION: Submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member Copy 4 or equivalent).
• ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification.
• This must indicate your dates of active service, rank/grade, expected character of service (i.e., honorable or general) and type of separation (i.e., separation or retirement).
• NOTE: The VOW Act provides tentative preference.
• If selected, a DD-214 must be provided prior to appointment.
• 10-POINT VETERANS' PREFERENCE: If claiming 10-point Veterans' Preference, you will need to submit a SF-15 and provide an official document from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying your overall compensable service-connected disability rating (NOTE: Your overall percentage must be clearly shown), and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference.
• INTERAGENCY/CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (I/CTAP): Submit a copy of the following: Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement; SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", documenting your RIF separation, noting your position, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through reemployment priority list (RPL), etc.; Latest performance appraisal including your rating; AND Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
• 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.

What to expect next

Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. We expect to make a job offer within 30-60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an in-person or phone panel interview.

If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring.

These authorities are subject to change. Notice to Applicants - The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is subject to the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019.

Unless excluded by law, all CISA hiring officials and agency representatives are statutorily prohibited from asking applicants to disclose their criminal history record information prior to receiving a conditional offer of employment.

Applicants may submit a complaint, or any other information, to the CISA Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer Human Capital Policy and Programs Subdivision at email *** within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged non-compliance by a CISA hiring manager or agency representative.

Thank you for your interest in the Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency!

Additional information

Other incentives may be authorized. 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, prior to entry on duty.

False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. Additional vacancies may be filled with this announcement. A one-year probationary period may be required during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued 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.

If selected below the full performance level, you may be noncompetitively promoted to the next higher grade level after meeting all regulatory requirements, and upon the recommendation of management. Promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.

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 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. 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.