IT Cybersecurity Specialist (Security Architect)

Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all U.S. Citizens. No prior federal government experience is required. This position is being filled using Direct Hire Authority (DHA), which allows federal agencies to hire qualified candidates directly without rating and ranking or veterans' preference requirements. If you meet the specialized experience requirements described in this announcement, you are encouraged to apply.

• Ensures that the delivery of new systems developed, acquired, or implemented within FRTIB meets the baseline cybersecurity requirements defined by the IT Security Management Division (ITSMD).
• Provides expert subject matter expertise on new and ongoing multi-year cybersecurity projects.
• Participates in and provides expert technical advice and guidance on cybersecurity strategic program planning and budgeting.
• Provides management and oversight of cybersecurity platform operations and maintenance, including directing and implementing secure change and configuration management.
• Oversee cybersecurity work on contracts, acting as the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or advising the COR.
• Ensuring that new systems developed, acquired, or implemented within FRTIB meet the baseline cybersecurity requirements defined by ITSMD.

Conditions of employment

U.S. Citizenship is required.

All qualification requirements must be met by 07/06/2026. Your application package will not be considered if it is missing any of the required documents listed under the "Required Documents" tab.

Probationary Period. One-year probationary period may be required.

Selective Service. If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.

Selectee must complete and submit a confidential financial disclosure as a condition of employment.

Background Suitability Investigation. Continued employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background investigation and the granting of a federal suitability or security clearance. If selected, you may be offered tentative employment until the background investigation has been fully adjudicated.

Qualifications

Basic Qualification Requirement - All Grade Levels

To be considered qualified for this position, you must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the role successfully. These qualifications are typically gained through experience in the information technology field or through work where information technology is the primary focus. Your resume must clearly describe your experience in sufficient detail to allow a determination of whether you meet the requirements below.

Required Competencies

In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirement below, your experience must demonstrate the following competencies at the proficiency levels indicated. These competencies will be assessed through the USA Hire online assessment administered as part of this application process.

1. Attention to Detail: Level 4 - Meets Requirements
2. Customer Service: Level 4 - Meets Requirements
3. Decision Making: Level 3 - Meets Requirements
4. Information Management: Level 4 - Meets Requirements
5. Interpersonal Skills: Level 4 - Meets Requirements
6. Oral Communication: Level 3 - Meets Requirements
7. Problem Solving: Level 4 - Meets Requirements
8. Teamwork: Level 4 - Meets Requirements
9. Technical Competence: Level 4 - Meets Requirements

Specialized Experience

To be considered qualified for this position, you must have at least one year of full-time specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-13 grade level in the federal government. Your experience must demonstrate all four of the following areas. Experience in only some of these areas is not sufficient to meet the minimum qualification requirement for this position. Federal experience is not required - equivalent private sector, contractor, or military experience will be evaluated on the same basis.

Your experience must include all of the following: a) approving the security design and implementation of enterprise technology solutions to ensure systems meet security requirements and support organizational objectives; b) developing security architectures for enterprise systems and networks to support secure operations across complex technology environments; c) evaluating cybersecurity risks, conducting security reviews, identifying gaps in security controls, and recommending corrective actions to improve organizational security posture; and d) overseeing cybersecurity projects, contractor performance, or technology service delivery efforts to ensure successful implementation of security requirements and achievement of organizational goals.

Your resume must clearly describe the specific duties you performed, your level of responsibility, and the timeframe of your experience in each of the four areas above. Responses that cannot be verified by your resume may result in a lower rating or an ineligibility determination.

*Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations. 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.

A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

How you will be evaluated

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

To preview the application questionnaire, click on the following link https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12988155.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

• Accountability
• Flexibility
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Integrity/Honesty
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Information Assurance
• Information Technology Architecture
• Zero Trust Architecture Engineering
• Network Security
• Risk Management
• Cybersecurity Governance and Compliance
• Cybersecurity Solution Engineering

The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). The ICTAP provides eligible displaced federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility, you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and you are found Well Qualified for this vacancy. Well Qualified means you must meet all the minimum qualification standards listed above and be assessed and assigned the rating of at least Well Qualified to receive special selection priority. Well Qualified is further defined as possessing the Basic Qualifications and meeting the specialized experience noted above.

You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Information about ICTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition website.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to HumanResourcesDivision@FRTIB.GOV.

Please be advised, the following documents are required even if you are already a current federal employee or employee of the FRTIB:

1. Federal Resume Information: Your resume may be longer than two pages; however, only the first two pages will be reviewed when we evaluate your qualifications. Anything beyond page two will not be considered. Be sure the first two pages of your resume clearly show the relevant experience you want us to consider, including the start and end dates for each job (month, day, and year) and the number of hours you worked each week (for example, 40 hours/week). If your resume does not include this information, we may not be able to determine whether you qualify, and you may not be considered for this position. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent version will be used to evaluate your application.

2. Responses to the occupational questionnaire.

3. You must submit supporting documents verifying your selection priority eligibility along with your application package. Omitting these documents may result in no preference being adjudicated for you. These documents may include, but are not limited to:

• ICTAP documentation. RIF separation notice along with your last performance rating or appraisal.
• Schedule A documentation. A qualifying letter from a doctor's or vocational rehabilitation office indicating you are eligible for hire under the Schedule A hiring authority.

4. College transcripts. Transcripts must be legible and possess the school name imprinted on the transcript or be on school letterhead; you may be asked to submit official transcripts upon selection.

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