Summary
View common definitions of terms found in this announcement.
This announcement is issued under the Direct Hire Authority (DHA) to recruit for positions for which there is a critical hiring need. Selectee(s) will receive a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service and may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
• U.S. Citizens • Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) • lnteragency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)
Duties
This position is remote work (long distance remote) and telework eligible consistent with the Agency's telework and remote work program policy. Applicants who live within the local commuting area (i.e., a 50-mile or less radius from Glebe Road, Arlington VA (not driving distance)) are ineligible for local remote work and are expected to perform work onsite and may be eligible for telework in accordance with agency policy.
This position is located within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Office of Strategy, Policy, & Plans (SPP). The Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans serves as the principal policy and strategic adviser to Agency leadership and senior management, integrating strategy across all of the organization's mission areas and ensuring policy, strategy, and operational consistency throughout the Agency.
In this position, you will serve as an IT Cybersecurity Specialist (Policy and Planning). At full performance level, typical work assignments include, but are not limited to:
- Developing policy, programs, and guidelines for implementation.
- Planning, coordinating, defining, implementing, evolving, evaluating and improving information management functions in support of enterprise programs and projects.
- Assessing policy needs and developing policies to govern cyber security activities; defines current and future business environments; and ensures the rigorous application of cyber security/information assurance policies, principles and practices.
- Develops strategies, policies, and guidance to address challenging and complex issues
- Provides guidance in defining overall Information Technology (IT) architecture and requirements.
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 http://www.sss.gov/
- 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. 7501-7533 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.
Qualifications
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.
AND
SPECIALIZED 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:
- Supporting the development, establishment, and execution of broad policies, strategies, and plans to improve management functions.
- Collaborating with a wide range of partners to address threats and vulnerabilities.
- Employing project management skills to contribute to the development of operational plans and risk management strategies. AND
- Assisting in business process re-engineering studies and recommending best practices in information management.
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:
- Developing, executing, and monitoring policies, strategies, and plans to improve critical management functions.
- Facilitating communication with internal and external stakeholders to promote information sharing of policies and activities for effective mission execution.
- Formulating strategies to identify and assess threats and analyze actual and potential vulnerabilities. AND
- Leading business process re-engineering studies and recommending best practices in information management.
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
Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.
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.
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.
Under the provisions of the Direct-Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply.
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and the responses you provide on the application questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.
If you are determined qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. The interview process may consist of in-person or phone panel interview.
Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (I/CTAP): If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not I/CTAP eligible. View information about I/CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered under I/CTAP, you must be rated eligible based on minimum qualifications for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.
To preview the application questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12559102
Required Documents
All documents, including transcripts, must be in English.
1. RESUME: Your resume MUST show a detailed description of your job-related qualifications to include start and end dates with the month and year and hours worked per week for all jobs listed. For Federal civilian service, you MUST include your pay plan/band, series, and grade (e.g., GS-0301-09). Be clear and specific when describing your work history as human resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Do NOT include photographs, social media links (e.g., LinkedIn), inappropriate content, or other personal or sensitive information such as date of birth, social security number, gender, religious affiliation. IF INCLUDED YOUR RESUME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Please view Resume & Application Tips.
2. COVER LETTER (OPTIONAL): Your cover letter will not be used to determine your qualifications but will be included with your resume if you are referred.
3. OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (only submit if applicable):
- CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE: Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action which shows the grade, step, tenure (block 24) "1" (Career) or "2" (Career-Conditional), and position occupied (block 34) "1" (Competitive Service). Provide proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an Interchange Agreement. If applying for a higher grade, provide a SF-50 which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade or promotion potential held. You may need to provide more than one (1) SF-50,if your SF-50 does not clearly demonstrate that you meet the one-year time-in-grade requirement(examples of appropriate SF-50s include Appointment/Conversion, Within-Grade/Range Increases and Promotion actions). NOTE: Pay adjustments and awards are NOT acceptable.
- QUALIFYING BASED ON EDUCATION: Submit a copy of your transcripts from an accredited institution. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted that includes your name, name of the educational institution, declared degree program, course title(s), credits completed, grade, date of completion, Grade Point Average (GPA), and date of degree conferral. If selected, an official transcript will be required.
- VETERAN DOCUMENTATION: Submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member Copy 4 or equivalent).
- ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of active service, rank/grade, expected character of service (i.e., honorable or general) and type of separation (i.e., separation or retirement). NOTE: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If selected, a DD-214 must be provided prior to appointment.
- 10-POINT VETERANS' PREFERENCE: If claiming 10-point Veterans' Preference, you will need to submit a SF-15 and provide an official document from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying your overall compensable service-connected disability rating (NOTE: Your overall percentage must be clearly shown), and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference.
- INTERAGENCY/CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (I/CTAP): Submit a copy of the following:
- Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
- SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", documenting your RIF separation, noting your position, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through reemployment priority list (RPL), etc.;
- Latest performance appraisal including your rating; AND
- Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
- CURRENT OR FORMER POLITICAL SCHEDULE A, SCHEDULE C, NON-CAREER SES OR PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEE EMPLOYEE: 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; AND
- Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be received by 11:59 PM EST on 10/16/2024 to receive consideration. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
PLEASE NOTE: If your materials are not received by the closing date, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available, and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible.
The application process is as follows:
- 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 10/16/2024.
You may update your application documents and some questions related to your personal information at any time during the announcement open period. However, you will not be able to make changes to questions related to assessing the minimum qualifications and competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics) mentioned in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section above. To make an allowed update to your application, return to your USAJOBS account (https://usajobs.gov). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account at https://usajobs.gov. On the Home page, scroll down and locate your job application. Once the job has been located, click the "Track this application" link on the right under the application date. The page will refresh to display the Agency's Application Information page where you can scroll down and review any notifications the agency has sent you. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: http://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Next steps
Since this position is being announced under Direct Hire Authority, the hiring agency has the flexibility to review any or all eligible applicants. Applicants who are tentatively eligible for this position based on their self-rating of their qualifications will be placed on a ranking list for further consideration.
Once the agency has reviewed applications, a select number of applications will be reviewed to ensure minimum qualifications are met as stated in the job announcement. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
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.
Notice to Applicants - The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is subject to the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019. Unless excluded by law, all CISA hiring officials and agency representatives are statutorily prohibited from asking applicants to disclose their criminal history record information prior to receiving a conditional offer of employment. Applicants may submit a complaint, or any other information, to the CISA Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer Human Capital Policy and Programs Subdivision at email cisa.ochco.hcp@cisa.dhs.gov within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged non-compliance by a CISA hiring manager or agency representative.
Thank you for your interest in the Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency!
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