Information Security Specialist

About the role

Become part of the team that safeguards the financial system from the abuses of financial crime. At the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), we are at the forefront in preventing and detecting terrorist financing, money laundering, and other financial crime.

Serve at the nation's financial intelligence unit and protect the United States financial system from criminals and terrorist financiers.

What you will do

• This position is located in our CFO/Management Division, Office of Security.
• As an Information Security Specialist, you will: Serve as an InfoSEC subject matter expert, providing technical expertise and interpreting security policy guidance; Develop and maintain current classified information security systems and provide expert advice to account holders in addressing relevant InfoSEC issues; Monitor FinCEN programs to enhance security control measures to ensure control and accountability of classified documents including documents classified at the TS/SCI level; Identify, automate, and document key InfoSEC and related processes; review, analyze, and resolve difficult and complex security problems; exercise sound judgment regarding reproduction, access and distribution of classified documents through an information technology-based system and traditional courier and postal methods; Review accreditation requirements, risk assessments, and vulnerabilities and assist customers converting to risk management framework; serve as an InfoSEC and document inspector verifying that FinCEN staff comply with applicable security directives.
• 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.

Requirements

• This position has been designated National Security Level IV, Special Sensitive and requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain eligibility for a Top Secret (TS) clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.
• Applicant must meet and continue to adhere to the requirements of a Tier 5 level background investigation.
• Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
• Continued employment with FinCEN is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the Tier 5 level background investigation, the results of which fully meet the FinCEN's special employment criteria.
• All employees are subject to satisfactory completion of periodic reinvestigation and a continuing life style in conformity with applicable national and FinCEN directives.
• Any unfavorable information developed during an investigation or other official inquiry may result in termination of employment in accordance with established security policies and procedures.
• This position requires that the successful candidate undergo personnel vetting, which includes a background investigation and enrollment upon onboarding into "Continuous Vetting." Enrollment in Continuous Vetting will result in automated record checks being conducted throughout one's employment with Treasury.
• The successful candidate will also be enrolled into FBI's Rap Back service, which will allow Treasury to receive notification from the FBI of criminal matters (e.g., arrests, charges, convictions) involving enrolled individuals in near real-time.

How you will be evaluated

This announcement is issued under "Direct-Hire" authority. Consistent with 5 U.S.C 3304 and OPM regulations (5 CFR 337 Subpart B) on direct-hire. Competitive examining rules providing for rating and ranking and veterans' preference do not apply.

Your application includes your résumé, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your résumé includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your résumé may result in a "not qualified" determination.

To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment (USA Hire) that measures critical general competencies needed to perform the job. Cheating on this assessment may result in your removal from consideration.

If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), achieve a well-qualified score of 85 or higher to receive priority consideration.

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, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Learning, Reading Comprehension, Reasoning, Self-Management, Stress Tolerance, and Teamwork.

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. Optional Essay Questions: Applicants may choose to respond to four short essay questions (200 words max each) to help us better understand your alignment with the agency's mission. These responses are optional and will not affect the applicant's eligibility.

When FinCEN completes its hiring, the remaining list of qualified candidates may be shared with additional Treasury bureaus. You will have an opportunity to opt-in if you would like your name, application material, and assessment results shared to be considered for employment with additional Treasury bureaus.

There is no guarantee of further consideration, and you can continue to explore other job opportunity announcements.

Documents you must provide

• A complete application includes: 1.
• A résumé: All applicants are required to submit a résumé either by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their own choosing.
• (Cover letters are optional.) Please limit your resume to two pages.
• Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
• To receive full credit for relevant experience, please list the month/date/year and number of hours worked for experience listed on your résumé.
• It is suggested that you preview the online questionnaire to ensure that your resume thoroughly describes how your skills and experience align to the criteria defined in the Qualifications section of this announcement and support your responses to the online questionnaire.
• For resume writing guidance, please visit USAJOBS Help Center - How do I write a resume for a federal job?
• Vacancy question responses: All applicants are required to complete vacancy question responses by clicking the apply online button of this vacancy announcement.
• Submission of any required documents identified below, if applicable.
• Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
• Please ensure all required documents, including any required work samples, narratives, or other materials as stated in this announcement, are attached to your application package.
• CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (CTAP) OR INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP) DOCUMENTATION: If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee, click CTAP/ICTAP for eligibility and a detailed list of required documents you must submit in order to be eligible.
• RECOMMENDED DOCUMENTS: In addition, we recommend that you submit copies of the following: Veterans' Preference Documentation (if applicable) : If you are a veteran, please see applicant guide for required documentation.
• (Veterans' Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply to this vacancy.) There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations.
• Please read and retain these documents: Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information).
• Key Requirements: Please refer to "Conditions of Employment." Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
• Must be U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• All new hires will be required to comply with federal ethics laws.
• A review of financial or other interests may be conducted to determine if they create any real or apparent conflict of interests with official job duties.
• 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.
• (***)

Benefits

FinCEN offers flexible work schedules, 11 paid holidays, financial subsidies to employees who use public transportation to commute, in-house training, fitness center reimbursement, alternate work schedules (AWS) and telework opportunities, and eligibility for performance awards.

FinCEN also offers attractive health, life, and long-term care insurance programs, and the employees' health insurance contributions are out of pre-tax dollars. Newer employees are covered by a three-tier retirement plan that includes a pre-tax retirement contribution program with matching funds or, as applicable, continuance in the Civil Service Retirement System.

Learn more about Federal benefits programs at: USAJOBS Help Center - Benefits

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. The online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement.

You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).Your assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.

Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. We will review your résumé and transcript(s) (if appropriate) to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements.

We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and may interview the best-qualified applicants. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct any required suitability and/or security background investigation. Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement.

Also, note that if you provide an email address that is inaccurate or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

Additional information

OTHER INFORMATION: We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. This is a non-bargaining unit position. We offer opportunities for telework.

We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: All newly appointed employees to the competitive (or excepted) service are subject to a probationary (or trial) period. During this time, your performance, conduct, and suitability for continued employment will be evaluated.

You will not automatically convert to permanent status at the end of the probationary (or trial) period. Your supervisor must affirmatively determine that continued employment is in the best interest of the Federal service. If no certification is made before the probationary (or trial) period ends, your appointment will be terminated.

You are encouraged to actively engage with your supervisor, seek feedback, and understand role expectations. Additional guidance and support will be provided during onboarding. A one year probationary period may be required.

Must successfully complete a background investigation. Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency. Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.

If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so. Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9.

Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on. All new hires will be required to comply with federal ethics laws.

A review of financial or other interests may be conducted to determine if they create any real or apparent conflict of interests with official Treasury duties. Undergo an income tax verification Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position.

Applicants may be required to provide a writing sample at a later stage in the evaluation process.