Summary
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is recruiting professionals to support a range of leadership roles in Data Science, including Data Science Manager, Data Engineer Team Lead, FISMA Support Metric Lead, Data Modeler, Data Security Officer and Operations Research Chief. All positions are in the DHS Cybersecurity Service.
Duties
There are a variety of Security System Operations and Maintenance opportunities across the Department, including supporting several specialized programs at the DHS Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans (PLCY), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), DHS Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Depending on your career level and role, DHS Cybersecurity Service employees in the Leadership Career Track, with a technical capability in Data Science, will generally apply their expertise to perform a range of tasks, including:
- Managing teams applying knowledge of essential cybersecurity policies to data management to develop data standards, policies, and procedures to facilitate and implement data mining and data warehousing programs to collect, clean, convert and standardize complex data for analysis.
- Leading hypothesis testing using statistical processes applying quantitative techniques (e.g., descriptive and inferential statistics, sampling, experimental design) to assess the validity of source data and develop strategic insights from large data sets.
- Proactively collaborating with systems analysts, engineers, and programmers to design applications integrating data from several disparate sources that is stored using different technologies to provide a unified view of the data.
- Assisting subordinate employees using a variety of tools, including Google Analytics, to monitor web data, log data, and threat data analytics, to provide a managed flow of relevant information based on cybersecurity mission requirements.
- Overseeing teams and programs analyzing and defining data requirements and specifications using various tools and methodologies (e.g., Statistical Package for Social Sciences [SPSS], Statistical Analysis System [SAS], R Analytics, Statistics and Data [STATA]) to discover new patterns and behaviors providing DHS Headquarters (HQ) and/or Component stakeholders actionable recommendations.
- Managing anticipated changes in enterprise data capacity requirements and effectively allocating storage capacity in the design of new data management systems, technologies, and architectures.
- Working with DHS HQ and/or Component experts to provide technical and nontechnical support to collect metrics and trending data using enterprise data management systems (e.g., SPLUNK) and cloud-based systems (e.g., AWS).
- Using data visualization tools (e.g., R, Tableau, Flare, Google Visualization Application Programming Interface [API], RGIS) to design charts and exhibit graphic representations for the purposes of providing actionable recommendations to critical leadership officials and stakeholders.
- Using various tools (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R, STATA) and methodologies for analyzing and interpreting complex data to discover new patterns and behaviors and provide usable information to decision makers and other users.
- Customizing communications on designing and implementing data pipelines for the analysis of cyber data into systems for different levels of leadership and audiences for the purposes of providing actionable recommendations to critical leadership officials and stakeholders.
- Supervising others in structuring, cleaning, enriching, and validating data in preparation for discovery and use.
- Leading others in building and maintaining scalable database architecture and data processing systems.
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen or national.
- You must be 18 years of age.
- Must be registered for the Selective Service (if you are a male).
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. Security clearance levels may vary.
- Must be able to submit to a drug test and receive a negative result.
- Must be able to comply with ethics and standards of conduct requirements, including completing any applicable financial disclosure.
- May be required to serve a 3 year probationary period.
- While many of these positions are considered telework eligible, some individuals must live within 2 hrs driving distance to a DHS SCIF in either Chandler, AZ; Stennis, MS; Idaho Falls, ID; Arlington, VA; Pensacola, FL; Springfield, VA or D.C.
- Remote work may be available for some positions.
Qualifications
This position is in the Leadership Track across a range of career levels. Employees in this career track generally:
- Have between 5-15 years of cybersecurity work experience.
- Have between 0-5 years of cybersecurity leadership experience.
- Are capable of serving as a seasoned cybersecurity manager who oversees multiple DHS or Federal cybersecurity programs or DHS organizations, including employees and contract resources, through subordinate managers.
DHS Cybersecurity Service employees with a technical capability in Data Science will generally:
- Examine data with the goal of providing new insight for the purposes of cybersecurity.
- Design and implement custom algorithms, flow processes and layouts for complex, enterprise-scale data sets used for modeling, data analytics, and research purposes.
- Apply understanding of cybersecurity field to inform analytical methodologies and algorithms selected for implementation.
- Design, build, implement, integrate, and maintain systems and tools for data trend and pattern analysis of cyber data.
- Apply knowledge of statistics and mathematical theory to develop and integrate new and emerging technologies, such as machine learning and deep learning concepts and techniques.
- Communicate insights gained to mission user.
DHS Cybersecurity Service employees start at career levels and salaries matching their experience and expertise. In recruiting for this opportunity, DHS may hire employees at higher or lower career levels and associated salaries. To learn more about DHS Cybersecurity Service career tracks and levels, visit our application portal.
This position is focused on Data Science.
DHS Cybersecurity Service jobs are structured cybersecurity specializations - called technical capabilities. To learn more about technical capabilities, visit our application portal.
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.
Benefits
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.
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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
All DHS Cybersecurity Service applicants participate in a multi-phase assessment process, which varies by career track. For the Leadership Career Track, applicants participate in a three-phase assessment process:
- You must successfully complete each phase to advance to the next phase.
- The total time commitment for the three phases is approximately 5-6 hours (many applicants require less time!)
- Before each phase, DHS will e-mail you instructions and information to help you prepare.
- Assessments are time sensitive, so monitor your e-mail to ensure you have plenty of time to complete them prior to any deadlines.
PHASE I: ONLINE ASSESSMENTS
- Un-proctored - you choose the time and location.
- Includes three 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; and (3) a leadership simulation that you will have up to 2.5 hours to complete.
- The three assessments take about 3 hours (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: TECHNICAL CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT
- Proctored - must be scheduled in advance and completed at a designated assessment center.
- There is a different assessment for each DHS Cybersecurity Service technical capability (visit Jobs to learn more about the technical capabilities).
- Most individuals only have a primary technical capability and complete only one Technical Capability Assessment, but in limited circumstances, you may complete a second Technical Capability Assessment.
- You will have up to 2.5 hours to complete each Technical Capability Assessment; each takes about 90 minutes (on average) to complete.
- Assessments present realistic, work-related cybersecurity scenarios/questions to assess technical skills.
- Cybersecurity knowledge is assessed, but no knowledge of DHS is required.
*Applicants who successfully complete Phase II will undergo a resume review, and some may be asked to participate in a Phase III: Advanced Technical Interview. This scenario-based interview is used to further assess an applicant's proficiency in a technical capability. More information will be provided to such applicants as they progress through the application process.
PHASE III: ADVANCED TECHNICAL INTERVIEW
- This interview is conducted on-demand (self-scheduled by you within a prescribed period of time) without live interviewers.
- Two types of questions will be presented: One type focuses on your previous experience and the other focuses on hypothetical situations or scenarios.
- This interview takes about 60 minutes (on average) to complete.
Your proctored assessment results are valid for a period of one year after completion and will be kept and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.
To learn about the assessment process, visit our portal and read the "Assessment Process" guide.
- Your resume. To help you prepare your resume before applying to the DHS Cybersecurity Service, visit our application portal and read the "Resume Tips" guide.
- If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the online assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here.
- If you are a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee please submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:- Position title- Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee)- Agency- Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online questionnaire, required assessments, and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 04/27/2024 to receive consideration. The application process will follow the bullets outlined below.
- To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
- Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
- Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
- After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA HIRE platform. This message will be delivered via email notification.
- If you are asked to take the online assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning online assessments. Note: set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use the URL sent to you via email and also found on the Additional Application Information page that can be located in the application record in your USAJOBS account.
Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing online assessments on the USA HIRE platform, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the online assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations 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 online assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the online assessments. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for online assessments here: http://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire.
Next steps
The DHS Cybersecurity Service application process is designed to both prioritize fairness to all applicants and identify qualified candidates to join the DHS Cybersecurity Service. Successful applicants proceed through the following steps and will receive notifications as each step is completed: Submit Initial Information
- Upload resume
- Answer questions about your expertise and experience
Assessment + Interview
- Complete multi-phase assessment process
- Interview with the team you might join
Tentative Job Offer + Background Investigation
- Receive a tentative job offer, including your compensation and benefits package
- Receive an invitation to start the background investigation process
Final Job Offer + Start Date
- Receive a final job offer
- Determine your start date
We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information."
Note: If you successfully complete the application process and 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.(http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify).
To learn more about DHS Cybersecurity Service employment eligibility, visit our application portal.
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