IT Cybersecurity Specialist (INFOSEC)

About the role

Join the Office of Information Security (OIS) service line under OIT and be part of VA's digital transformation. OIS manages VA's cybersecurity program to protect Veteran data and VA information systems. Delivers enterprise-wide strategy, policy, governance, and network defense through collaboration with VA and OIT.

As an IT Cybersecurity Specialist, you will enhance the security posture and resilience of VA's IT systems and data and protect the privacy and trust of Veterans and their families.

What you will do

• Provides expert security advice and consultation in the implementation and risk management of IT networks, systems, and devices to ensure controlled accessibility and security compliance, as well as prevent and defend against unauthorized access to systems, networks, and data.
• Administers and monitors the division's implementation of the Risk Management Framework (RMF) steps and activities throughout system life cycle.
• Ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of networks, systems, devices, and data through the planning, analysis, development, implementation, maintenance and enhancement of information systems security program policies, procedures, and tools.
• Uses data collected from a variety of cyber defense tools to analyze events that occur within their environments for the purposes of mitigating threats.
• Assists in the implementation of programs to ensure the safeguarding of systems, networks, and devices, and data users are aware of, understand, and adhere to systems security policies and procedures.
• Supports the implementation of information technology (IT) security controls, security authorization documents, and participates in system audits.
• Leads teams in conducting comprehensive program studies and evaluations to assure the continuous operations of IT networks/systems/devices and adherence to established Federal regulations and VA policies and procedures to prevent unauthorized access and data compromise.
• Investigates cyber security incidents for IT networks, systems, and devices to identify possible break of security policies and/or other violations.
• Establishes and implements enterprise research cybersecurity programs that support unique and complex research projects and collaborative studies.
• Conduct risk assessments for all VA/VHA network connected medical devices and associated healthcare systems, medical security boundaries, and Special Purpose Systems.
• This position is primarily aligned to the following NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework work roles: 722: Information Systems Security Manager: Responsible for the cybersecurity of a program, organization, system, or enclave.
• 805: IT Program Auditor: Conducts system, network, and device security control assessments, audits, and reviews, and develops security contingency, disaster recovery, and cybersecurity incident response plans and procedures.
• 511: Cyber Defense Analyst: Uses data collected from a variety of cyber defense tools to analyze events that occur within their environments for the purposes of migrating threats.
• For more information about these work roles, where they fit within the larger Cyber Workforce, and how they can support your unique career journey, please visit the Cyber Career Pathways tool on the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies website: *** Position Description/PD#: IT Cybersecurity Specialist (INFOSEC)/PD17918A Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: As determined by the Agency Policy.
• Telework: ADHOC/Situational.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Remote: This is not a remote position.
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.
• Travel Required: 25% or less.
• Bargaining Unit: No Physical Demands: The work is sedentary.
• Some work may require walking and standing in conjunction with travel and to attendance at meetings and conferences away from the work site.
• No special physical demands are required to perform the work.
• Work Environment: The work is performed in an adequately lighted and climate controlled office environment which involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precauations.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job 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.
• The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (***).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• In determining if your 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.
• All required documents must be uploaded at the time you submit your application.
• The system supports only one submission.
• Applicants will not be able to edit their application or upload additional documents once it has been submitted.
• Applications that are incomplete-including those missing required documentation-will not be considered.
• Applicants are responsible for reviewing the Required Documents section and ensuring all mandatory materials are included prior to submission.
• Note: Applicants will not be contacted for missing information.
• It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation necessary to determine qualification and eligibility.

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 for this position: Accountability Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork USA Hire Assessments include 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. Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week.

Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Documents you must provide

• Cover Letter Other (1) Performance Appraisal Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.
• Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
• Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
• You will not be contacted for additional information.
• Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply.
• Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
• It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
• Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more.
• Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

Benefits

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service.

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required assessments and documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued, and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully.

Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

Additional information

This is not a remote position. OIT has multiple worksites at various duty locations, and the individual(s) selected may be assigned to any federal government work site. This announcement will NOT be used for changing duty locations.

If selected, and you are a current VA employee, and not on an approved exemption, you will continue to report to your current duty location.

Oakland, CA Washington, DC Hines, IL Eatontown, NJ Albany, NY Philadelphia, PA Austin, TX Salt Lake City, UT Martinsburg, WV Shepherdstown, WV Manchester, NH Bath, NY Canandaigua, NY Syracuse, NY Providence, RI White River Junction, VT Wilmington, DE Newark, NJ Bronx, NY Wappingers Falls, NY Coatesville, PA Lebanon, PA Erie, PA Clarksburg, WV Huntington, WV Salem, VA Tuskegee, AL Charleston, SC Dublin, GA Gainesville, FL San Juan, PR Augusta, GA Lexington, KY Mountain Home, TN Murfreesboro, TN Danville, IL Marion, IL Ft.

Wayne, IN Indianapolis, IN Ann Arbor, MI Saginaw, MI St. Cloud, MN St. Paul, MN Tomah, WI Alexandria, LA Shreveport, LA Biloxi, MS Grand Junction, CO Topeka, KS Columbia, MO Kansas City, MO Poplar Bluff, MO Cheyenne, WY Boise, ID White City, OR Seattle, WA Spokane, WA Walla Walla, WA Sacramento, CA Las Vegas, NV Prescott, AZ Tucson, AZ San Diego, CA Anchorage, AK Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer.

For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.

To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy.

To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job.

Information about CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at *** A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected.

The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.