IT Cybersecurity Specialist

Duties The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Cybersecurity Advisor (CSA) assigned within a Region and responsible for a designated District. The Cybersecurity Advisor (CSA) conducts cyber protective visits and provides strategic cyber risk assessments to prepare, protect, and collaborate with owners and operators of critical cyber infrastructure assets. Typical work assignments include: Build regional and local cybersecurity coalitions to promote information sharing on best practices and lessons learned and promote the resilience of the cyber infrastructure throughout the U.S. and its territories. Develop and promote collaborative relationships with critical infrastructure owners and operators as well as State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) government to reduce risk and threats to infrastructure, enterprise, communications, and control systems. Coordinate cyber incidents for reporting and supports other cybersecurity assessment programs associated with critical infrastructure. Participate as a presenter in regional local conferences, summits, seminars, and symposia relating to cybersecurity initiatives. Perform security reviews, identify gaps in security architecture, and develop security risk management plans. Collaborate with critical infrastructure owners, operators, IT security experts, and managers to support organizational cybersecurity objectives. Responsible for enhanced coordination efforts with CISA stakeholders, including communication with other Federal departments and agencies, DHS, CISA divisions, leadership of SLTT, as well as external industry leaders for situational awareness and response on cyber incidents and events. Participate in cybersecurity partnerships with and across critical infrastructure owners and operators and state, local, tribal and territorial government levels. Advise senior management on regional trends and analyses. Assist in identifying, prioritizing, and coordinating the protection of critical cyber defense infrastructure and key resources. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. One-year probationary period may be required. 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. 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. Must live within 50 miles of duty location or be relocated by Entry on Duty. Qualifications Do NOT copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required experience for the respective grade level in which you are applying: EXPERIENCE: Experience must be Information Technology (IT)-related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate. You must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below: Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. ANDSPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the qualification requirement listed above, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower GS-grade level (or equivalent). Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Such experience is typically gained in the IT field or through the performance of work where the primary concern is IT. GS-13 You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level (or equivalent) performing the following duties: Providing advice and guidance to resolve, implement, or manage cybersecurity issues; Conducting systems security evaluations, audits, and reviews; AND Developing cybersecurity policies and guidelines to ensure compliance with directives. GS-14 You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-13 grade level (or equivalent) performing the following duties: Providing authoritative technical guidance and oversight related to information systems security to include cybersecurity frameworks, controls and auditing requirements; Monitoring compliance of security programs designed to minimize system vulnerabilities by adhering to information systems security, regulations, protocols or security certification and accreditation requirements; AND Serving as a senior representative for complex, high-visibility information technology projects. 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; religious; 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. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Education No Educational Substitution: There is no substitution of education for experience for this position. You must meet the qualifications listed in the "Requirements" section of this announcement. 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. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position has been designated excluded from bargaining unit representation under the national security provision of 5 U.S.C. 7112(B)(6). When entering a federal job at a grade level lower than the highest promotion potential level, you may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses. NOTE: Career ladder promotions are not automatic, and all eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met in order to progress to the next grade level. Reasonable Accommodation Requests: This agency provides reasonable accommodation to otherwise qualified applicants and employees with a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, unless to do so would create an undue hardship to the agency (29 CFR 1614.203 (2017 . If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, contact the CISA Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (OEDIA) by sending an email to with the subject line, "Reasonable Accommodation " In the email itself, you must include your name, vacancy announcement number(s), and state your in