IT CYBERSECURITY SPECIALIST (SECURITY) Job

Vacancy No. DHA-TO-TBD-12605778-2025-JR Department Agriculture, Rural Development
Salary $147,194.00 to $191,900.00 Grade 15 to 15
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/14/2024 Close Date 11/20/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Fort Collins, COWashington, DCSaint Louis, MO


Summary

This position is located in the Cybersecurity Division, Technology Office (TO), Business Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Development (RD), and manages the cybersecurity division. The incumbent serves as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of RD.

Direct Hire Authority: These positions are being filled through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Direct-Hire Authority for this occupation.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

Duties

  • Provides management oversight and technical guidance over the operations and sustainment of RD cybersecurity operations and infrastructure. This includes management of the cybersecurity infrastructure for IT devices, systems and networks.
  • Understands and articulates the impact of cybersecurity on the mission and communicates this to senior leadership and other senior stakeholders.
  • Is responsible for development of RD-wide performance measures for cybersecurity and development of a comprehensive investment plan to achieve cybersecurity objectives.
  • Assists the CIO with developing and implementing RD-wide project management security procedures, tools, templates, activities, and infrastructure to align internal business practices with government-wide regulations and policies.
  • The CISO exercises first and second level supervisory responsibilities and provides direction to subordinate staff. Directs, coordinates, and oversees work through subordinate supervisors.
  • Serves as senior expert and consultant to top RD management officials for advice on integrating cybersecurity programs with other programs of equivalent scope and complexity.
  • Assists in the formulation and control and management processes for information technology (IT) investment decisions, including a process for maximizing the value and managing the risk of IT acquisition and implementation.
  • Implements long-range risk and vulnerability assessments and provides systems security evaluations and reviews.
  • Assists the CIO with planning, developing and carrying out systems security contingency plans and disaster recovery procedures and programs.
  • Manages the lifecycle of a security information technology project from concept development through implementation.
  • Responsible for ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems, networks, and data .

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check
  • Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
  • Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
  • Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
Basic Requirement:
1. Attention to Detail
2. Customer Service
3. Oral Communication
4. Problem Solving

In addition to meeting the basic requirement, qualified applicants must possess: For the GS-15 level: Applicants must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 level; or its non-Federal equivalent that demonstrates:

Experience applying the principles, methods, and tools for evaluating information systems security features against the NIST 800-37 Risk Management Framework, FIPS 199 Categorization, NIST 800-53 Rev 5 Security controls and various A&A requirements. Includes developing security Authorization and Assessment (A&A) plans and procedures, documenting deficiencies, reporting corrective actions, and recommending changes to improve the security of information systems.

Experience implementing long-range risk and vulnerability assessments and provides systems security evaluations and reviews. Implements strategies and management guidelines for complex and changing information technology security systems..

Extensive knowledge of the various methods and controls are used to validate the identity of individuals to verify access approval and level, and monitor activity to ensure that only authorized access is taking place.

There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-15 level.

NOTE: To be considered for this position, you must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the 2210 series set forth in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards by the closing date of the announcement. A copy is available at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards

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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Qualifications are based upon meeting specialized experience only. Education cannot be used to qualify for this position.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.

To be eligible for appointment to this position, the new hire must be cleared to come on board once the results of the fingerprint check, review of the OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and the candidate's Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (eQIP) entries have been reviewed and determined to be satisfactory. This position requires a favorable credit check as part of the background investigation.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc) should contact: USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

If selected, you will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter. Selectee is subject to financial Disclosure Requirements in accordance with 5 CFR, Part 2635, Sub part E regarding business or personal transactions with applicants, borrowers, or business contacts who have or who are seeking business with this Agency. Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you will be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report.

One of the following incentives may be offered:- Student Loan Repayment incentive.- Relocation incentive.- Recruitment incentive.- Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual incentive.- Superior Qualifications Appointment.

This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This vacancy will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority (DHA). Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applications do not apply. For more information on OPM's authorization on DHA, please visit https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/direct-hire-authority/.

Applicants who "self-certify" that they meet qualifications, selective placement factors (if applicable) and other requirements by the closing date of the announcement will be referred to the Selecting Official for further consideration.




Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12605778

Required Documents

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

  • Resume that includes:1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) other qualifications.
  • Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.

To begin, click "Apply Online" and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.

NOTE: Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded resumes must be less than 5MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, TXT or Word (DOC or DOCX). Do not upload Adobe Portfolio documents because they are not viewable.

Agency contact information

Jessica Redman
Address
Rural Development
1400 Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20250
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS to check your application status.

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.

Under the Fair Chance Act, agencies are not allowed to request information about an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made, except as allowed for access to classified information; assignment to national security duties or positions; acceptance or retention in the armed forces; or recruitment of a Federal law enforcement officer. An applicant may submit a complaint or any other information related to an organization's alleged noncompliance with the Fair Chance Act. The complaint must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged noncompliance. To make a Fair Chance Act inquiry or complaint, send an email with the appropriate information to david.root@usda.gov, subject line: Fair Chance Act.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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