IT Security Specialist (Assessments) Job in San Francisco, CA

Vacancy No. DE-12753179-25-LO Department U.S. Courts
Salary $70,894.00 to $171,307.00 Grade 28 to 29
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/7/2025 Close Date 7/31/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
San Francisco, CA


Summary

The IT Security Specialist (Assessments) continuously identifies, tracks, shares, and supports operational IT security requirements across the Ninth Circuit including incident response, training, best practices, and risk in terms of threats and vulnerabilities. The employee regularly conducts on-site or virtual/remote IT security assessments at court units throughout the Ninth Circuit. The IT Security Specialist reports directly to the Ninth Circuit Information Security Officer (ISO).

Duties

This position requires excellent communication and teamwork skills, and the ability to provide outstanding customer service in a professional and friendly manner. This position serves as a point of contact and "face" of the onsite assessment team and requires a high degree of interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence.

Full-time telework from any duty station within the contiguous United States is an option for this position, with a preference for candidates located within the Ninth Circuit. This position requires regular travel throughout the Ninth Circuit (15-20 trips or more per year), including two Pacific Island jurisdictions, and occasional U.S. travel outside the Ninth Circuit. Authorized travel expenses while on official duty are reimbursed by the United States Courts.

Representative duties include:

  • Conduct onsite or virtual/remote IT security assessments at court units throughout the Ninth Circuit, under the direction of the Circuit ISO and as part of a team, based on industry and Judiciary guidance, utilizing tools such as CIS Controls Self-Assessment Tool (CIS CSAT).
  • Provide support on policies, procedures, and technical issues for courts throughout the Ninth Circuit prior to assessments conducted by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AO).
  • Provide guidance, subject matter expertise, and support for court units and executive staff to build clear understanding and transparent management of IT risk.
  • Track and support circuit wide implementation of national IT security tools for scanning (Nessus), logging (Splunk) and patching (KACE).
  • Assist in identifying and resolving court unit challenges by implementing, integrating, and operating national IT security tools and services.
  • Establish operational working relationships with AO program offices that provide IT security tools and services; act as a bridge between national programs and services and local court units of the Ninth Circuit.
  • Plan and provide support and training for court units circuit-wide.
  • Monitor and manage circuit level incident response; identify patterns and provide solutions; coordinate with court units and the Security Operations Center.
  • Manage circuit-level support to local court units for the annual IT security self- assessment (scorecard) and the five-year independent IT Security assessments.
  • Conduct risk assessments, provide recommendations, and support the implementation of risk mitigation strategies.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in the process of applying for citizenship. Successful applicants are provisionally hired pending results of background investigation and fingerprinting. Positions with the U.S. Courts are at-will, excepted service appointments, and may be terminated with or without cause by the OCE. Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. Direct deposit of pay is required.

The OCE reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, for any reason including but not limited to budgetary issues. Said modifications may occur without prior written or other notice.

Qualifications

Required skills:
  • Ability to identify and analyze security risks and to implement resolutions.
  • Possess and demonstrate strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
  • Superior ability to work well with diverse teams, collaborate and cooperate with team members, and coordinate multiple tasks and responsibilities.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to tailor information to different audiences including federal judges and court staff.
  • Ability to use tact and diplomacy in dealing effectively with all stakeholders.
  • Ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines.

Required Qualifications:
  • Strong understanding of IT Security best practices.
  • At least 4 years of professional IT security experience.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaboratively analyze, design, and implement effective IT security solutions.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution.
  • (ISC)2 CISSP, ISACA CISA, GIAC GCCC, CompTIA CASP+ or similar certification.
  • Experience implementing and/or assessing the CIS Critical Security Controls.

Additional information

Location: The Office of the Circuit Executive (OCE) is based at the James R. Browning United States Courthouse in San Francisco, California. Remote work options (telework) are available for this position. Applicants located in or willing to relocate to the Ninth Circuit preferred; however, highly qualified candidates from outside the circuit may also be considered.

Salary: $70,894 (CL-28 RUS) - $171,307 (CL-29 SF), depending on duty station, qualifications, and experience.

Equity Focused Employer:
We value diversity and are committed to equity and inclusion in our workplace. The OCE encourages applications from all qualified individuals and seeks a diverse pool of applicants in terms of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, languages spoken, veteran's status, disability, religion, and socio-economic circumstance.

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.

Time off: 11 paid holidays, 13 vacation days, and 13 sick leave days per year. After three years (including any prior federal work experience), vacation days accrue at a higher rate.

Benefits:
- Federal pension plan and optional employer-matching Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401K).
- Choice of a variety of employer-subsidized federal health and life insurance plans.
- Optional dental, vision, and long-term care coverage.
- Flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care expenses with tax-free dollars.
- Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
- Public transit subsidy.
- On-site gym (in Browning Courthouse).
- Remote/Telework/Work-From-Home options are available.

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.

Required Documents

  1. A cover letter directly responding to this vacancy announcement;
  2. Up-to-date resume;
  3. A list of three work references, two of which must be current or former supervisors; and
  4. Proof of any relevant certifications.
Only applications with these required materials will be considered.

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.

How to Apply

Please submit the following materials in PDF format through the Career Portal: (1) a cover letter directly responding to this vacancy announcement; (2) an up-to-date resume; (3) a list of three work references, two of which must be current or former supervisors; and (4) proof of any relevant certifications.

Only applications with these required materials will be considered.

Agency contact information

Human Resources
Address
US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
95 Seventh Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
US

Next steps

  • Priority consideration will be given to applicants who apply by July 11, 2025.
  • Position will remain open, and applications accepted, until the position is filled.


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


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