Summary
Are you a Cyber Professional with the drive and expertise to be on the forefront of the cyber fight; tackling NSA's complex mission to defend against cyber threats of today and tomorrow? NSA, the nation's leading cyber agency, has exciting and challenging positions in Cyber Security Engineering and Cyber and TEMPEST vulnerability analysis/mitigation. Are you ready to help secure our Nation's critical Infrastructure? If so, NSA is the place for you!
This job is open to
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Federal employees - Excepted service
Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.
Veterans
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference
National Guard and reserves
Current members, those who want to join or transitioning military members.
Individuals with disabilities
Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.
Duties
Apply in-depth knowledge of the joint planning process to develop detailed Operational Plans and Orders supporting COCOM Cyberspace Operations' requirements. Use Joint, Service and Interagency planning and operational experience to conduct strategic and operational level planning across the full range of military operations for integrated information and cyberspace operations. Develop and maintain deliberate and crisis plans. Collaborate with Cyber Operators to identify and levy requirements for intelligence collection and analysis, participate in targeting selection, validation, synchronization, and execution of complex cyber missions. Has sufficient technical knowledge to understand cyber capabilities, target vulnerabilities, and effects. Collaborate with Cyber Operators, Analysts, and RDT&E Engineers to gain access and technical intelligence to meet planning objectives.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph.
Qualifications
The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.
Degree in Cyber Security, Information Assurance or related field is preferred, but a degree in any field is acceptable.
Relevant experience must be in an area directly related to an NSA mission (e.g., collection, cyber and intelligence analysis) and/or a similar mission in the IC or DoD, and include strategic and/or operational level planning (e.g., joint operations). External engagement/collaboration experience (e.g., participation in cross-Agency working groups, JDA, field assignments, and external customer support) is preferred.
FULL PERFORMANCE
Entry is with a high school diploma or GED plus 7 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 1 year of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree and no experience.
SENIOR
Entry is with a high school diploma or GED plus 10 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree plus 6 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 4 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 2 years of relevant experience.
Additional information
Pay: Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position.
Salary Range: $84,601 - $185,234 (Full Performance, Senior)
Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position.
Training will be provided based on the selectee's needs and experience.
Benefits: NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package.
Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, with basic 8hr/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible).
DCIPS Trial Period:
If selected for this position, you will be required to serve a two-year DCIPS trial period, unless you are a veterans' preference-eligible employee, in which case you are required to serve a one-year trial period. This trial period runs concurrently with your commitment to the position, if applicable. Before finalizing your appointment at the conclusion of your trial period, NSA will determine whether your continued employment advances the public interest. This decision will be based on factors such as your performance and conduct; the Agency's needs and interests; whether your continued employment would advance the Agency's organizational goals; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
If you do not receive certification for continued employment, you should receive written notice prior to the end of your trial period that your employment will be terminated and the effective date of such termination.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Cyber planning, cybersecurity operations, mission management, vulnerabilities, troubleshoot, mitigations, network defense, requirements management, cyber security technical knowledge, strategy and process development, project management, program management, technical writing, finished SIGINT report evaluation, partnership and customer relations (i.e. DoD, USCYBERCOM, DISA, JTFHQ DoDIN, DIB partners), joint doctrine and military planning certifications and education, coordination, communication, strong interpersonal skills, problem identification and resolution.
Additional expectations may include your ability to:
- Represent the Agency in interactions with outside customers, DoD, Congressional representatives, foreign partners, or the general public.
- Represent the Agency or its subordinate organizations to customers, suppliers, and stakeholders.
- Review Information Needs (INs) to understand operational, tactical or strategic mission requirements.
- Submit a request for information (RFI) related to target and/or mission requirements.
- Identify intelligence gaps related to target and/or mission requirements.
- Develop a strategic course of action based on target vulnerabilities, anomalous network activity, and/or mission capabilities.
- Develop an operational or tactical course of action based on target vulnerabilities, anomalous network activity, and/or mission capabilities.
- Evaluate methods, tools, and techniques that can be used to secure information/communication systems and the facilities that house them.
- Develop mitigation strategies and countermeasures to address vulnerabilities of networks, products, and services.
- Document analytic findings relevant to computer network defense.
- Maintain situational awareness of current computer network defense conditions using information from external data sources (for example, computer network defense vendor sites, CERTS, SANS, Security Focus).
- Recommend vulnerability mitigation strategies based on evaluation results.
- Maintain operational, technical, and authoritative situational awareness during operations.
- Create work teams with appropriate employees to accomplish work goals.
Required Documents
**VETERANS AND TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS**
Thank you for your service! The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions at NSA are in the Excepted Service under Title 10, United States Codes (U.S.C.), Section 1601 appointment authority.
Veterans' Preference
In accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, "DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System Employment and Placement," NSA applies veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5, U.S.C., to eligible candidates. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you are required to provide acceptable documentation of your preference eligibility upon application.
Acceptable documentation includes:
- DD-214: "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions (Copy 4);
OR
- Certification of Service:
A written document on letterhead from the appropriate branch of the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. The certification should include the military service dates, including the expected discharge or release date;
AND
- Standard Form 15 (SF-15)
Application for 10-point Veteran Preference (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf).
If you are claiming a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more, the documentation you provide must specifically demonstrate this level of disability; AND
- VA Letter of Disability (for 10pt and Sole Survivorship rating)
You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center, or online (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/).
**Failure to provide sufficient documentation of veterans' preference eligibility may preclude NSA from identifying you as a preference eligible candidate during the hiring selection process.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.