Developmental- Associate Cybersecurity Specialist

About the role

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is recruiting for Associate Cybersecurity Specialists in the Developmental Track. These positions are part of the DHS Cybersecurity Service (DHS-CS), a specialized cadre of professionals deployed daily to the front lines of our nation's cyber defense.

What you will do

• The Developmental Track is designed for professionals with approximately two years of experience ready to build on their foundational skills.
• This track offers structured professional development and exposure to complex, real-world security challenges to help you quickly expand your capabilities.
• Key Responsibilities: Develop Expertise: Participate in a structured program to build and apply advanced technical skills.
• Analyze & Resolve: Conduct routine technical analyses to help resolve real-world cybersecurity challenges.
• Collaborate: Partner with senior specialists to address complex security threats.
• Apply Learning: Translate continuous technical training into mission-critical operations.
• Due to system configurations, this vacancy is posted under the Cyber Defensive Operations, Intelligence, Collection, and Analysis job series.
• However, we are actively recruiting and accepting applications for all cybersecurity technical capabilities as defined under the DHS Cybersecurity Service.
• You can view the full list of technical capabilities and career levels on our applicant portal under Resources: USAJOBS - DHS Cybersecurity Service - Resources.
• DHS-CS Talent Pool Applying places you in the DHS-CS Talent Pool for up to one year of ongoing consideration.
• Your application may be shared with the following DHS Components: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) DHS Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) U.S. Secret Service (USSS) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) DHS Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans (PLCY)

Education

Degrees are not required for jobs in the DHS Cybersecurity Service, but DHS is interested in your level of education and the topics you studied. As you submit initial application information, you will be asked questions about your education.

How you will be evaluated

All DHS Cybersecurity Service applicants participate in a multi-phase assessment process, which varies by career track. For the Developmental Career Track, applicants participate in a two-phase assessment process: You must successfully complete each phase to advance to the next phase.

The total time commitment for the two phases is approximately 2.5 hours (many applicants require less time!) Before each phase, DHS will e-mail you instructions and information to help you prepare.

Monitor your e-mail to ensure you have plenty of time to complete assessments prior to any deadlines or request an extension, if necessary PHASE I: PROFESSIONAL CAPABILITIES ASSESSMENT Unproctored - you choose the time and location Includes two assessments: (1) a work styles inventory that will take about 30 minutes to complete; (2) a work simulation that you will have up to 2 hours to complete.

The two assessments take about 90 minutes (on average) to complete. Requires a computer with audio (speakers or headphones) and a reliable internet connection.

No knowledge of DHS or cybersecurity is required for these assessments, which measure non-technical capabilities that are important for professional success in the DHS Cybersecurity Service.

This includes how you communicate, analyze information, and collaborate with others: The work styles inventory presents you with questions about your work-related interests and preferences. The work simulation presents you with realistic, work-related scenarios and asks you to respond to them.

PHASE II: GENERAL CYBERSECURITY KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT Unproctored - you choose the time and location The test includes a multiple-choice test that measures your foundational knowledge in cybersecurity. This customized approach efficiently measures your strengths, matching your skills to Department opportunities.

The test focuses on foundational competencies critical to the Developmental Track: Cybersecurity Technology: Understanding core systems, hardware, software, and technical infrastructure. Information Assurance: Implementing measures to protect information systems and ensure data integrity.

Risk Management: Identifying, assessing, and mitigating digital threats and system vulnerabilities. Identity Governance & Management: Managing user access, authentication, and digital credential systems. You will have up to 60 minutes to complete the assessment

Documents you must provide

• Visit the application portal and read the "Resume Tips" guide.
• Include MONTH and YEAR for each job and list ALL relevant experience.
• Current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee: Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides, position title, type of appointment, Department/Agency, and the beginning and ending dates of appointment (include month and year)

What to expect next

The DHS Cybersecurity Service application process ensures fairness and identifies qualified candidates. Successful applicants move through each step and receive notifications as they progress.

Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS under "Application Status", then "More Information." Note: If you receive a tentative DHS Cybersecurity Service job offer, applicable employment eligibility requirements, including those you must comply with throughout your appointment at DHS, will be communicated to you in writing.

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. 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.(***).

Additional information

Salary: Developmental Track salary ranges provided on the application portal reflect typical starting salaries available to employees in most of the United States. In some geographic areas, average starting salaries will be higher because of a local cybersecurity labor market supplement (e.g., metro Washington, D.C. +10%).

Actual salaries of individual employees may be higher or lower than the "typical" starting ranges noted in our resource documents. Benefits: DHS Cybersecurity Service employees receive a range of federal employment benefits designed to support their professional and personal lives. To learn more about benefits, visit our application portal.

More information about the specific benefits available to you will be provided as you progress through the application process. Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy.

To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for a security clearance as a condition of placement in this position.

This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.

Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.