IT Specialist - Information Systems Security Auditor - Direct Hire

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. citizens.

• The incumbent plans, conducts, and reports on audits, and evaluations of the agency's IT systems to identify weaknesses, assess compliance with policies and regulations, and recommend improvements to strengthen security and reduce risk.
• Serves as an information systems security auditor. At the full performance level, auditors perform audits, in accordance with government auditing standards, to evaluate the:
• 1. Reliability and accessibility of SSA’s information systems;
• 2. Agency’s systems security contingency plans and disaster recovery procedures;
• 3. Design of SSA’s network and systems to ensure implementation of appropriate systems security policies;
• 4. Effectiveness of SSA’s controls to prevent and defend against unauthorized access to systems, networks, and data; and
• 5. Effectiveness of SSA’s information security programs, including vulnerability management, incident response, and security awareness.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship required
• Selective Service Registration, if applicable (www.sss.gov)
• Fingerprinting and background and/or security investigation may be required
• Job offers are contingent on fingerprinting and background / security investigation results
• Selectees may be required to serve a 1 year probationary period
• Relocation expenses will not be paid
• Complete the initial online assessment and USA Hire Assessment, if required
• All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement
• Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion or national origin.
• Selectees will be placed into positions where cybersecurity duties occupy the majority of the work performed.

Qualifications

Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered. Please visit the new resume guidance for more information.

READ ALL SECTIONS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY. THIS INFORMATION IS CRUCIAL TO SUBMITTING A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION.

If you are qualifying based on education please make sure you follow the instructions in the Education Section of this announcement including uploading a transcript with an award/confer date. Failure to do so can disqualify you for further consideration.

Applicants must qualify for the series and grade of the posted position. Experience must be 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. Your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, abilities, and proficiency of any required competencies to perform the specific position for which you are applying. To qualify for the 2210 IT Specialist series, the applicant must demonstrate the following competencies:

• 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; know about available products and services; and 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.

In addition to the competencies above, applicants must also meet the following minimum qualifications.

Minimum Qualifications: Grade 9 : To qualify at the GS-9 level, you must have one of the following:

• A master's or equivalent graduate degree (see Education section); OR
• Successful completion of two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree (see Education section); OR
• At least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-7 level, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience must include all of the following:
  • interpreting and applying information security concepts, principles, methods, and practices;
  • interpreting and applying government auditing standards and applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures;
  • completing and documenting routine audit tasks, with limited assistance;
  • presenting findings and conclusions to others;
  • evaluating alternative solutions and recommending actions to solve problems.

Minimum Qualifications: Grade 11: To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must have one of the following:

• A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (see Education section); OR
• Successful completion of 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (see Education section); OR
• At least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-9 level, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience must include all of the following:
  • interpreting and applying government auditing standards and applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures;
  • completing and documenting audit tasks, with limited assistance;
  • completing and documenting routine audit tasks, with limited assistance;
  • presenting findings and conclusions to others, both orally and in writing; and
  • developing and evaluating alternative solutions and recommending actions to solve problems.

Minimum Qualifications: Grade 12: To qualify at the GS-12 level, you must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-11 level, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience must include all of the following:

• independently interpreting and applying information security concepts, principles, methods, and practices;
• independently interpreting, applying, and explaining government auditing standards and applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; completing and documenting complex or non-routine audit tasks;
• evaluating complex data and guiding others in analysis;
• evaluating issues, developing alternative solutions, and implementing actions to solve complex or non-routine problems; and
• presenting findings and recommendations to audit teams, upper management, and auditees in writing and orally.

Minimum Qualifications: Grade 13: To qualify at the GS-13 level, you must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-12 level, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience must include all of the following:

• independently interpreting, applying, and guiding others in interpreting and applying information security concepts, principles, methods, and practices;
• independently interpreting, applying, and guiding others in the identification, interpretation, and application of government auditing standards and applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures;
• guiding others in the performance of audit tasks;
• evaluating and reviewing complex data and analysis prepared by others;
• independently evaluating issues, developing alternative solutions, and implementing actions to solve complex or non-routine problems; and
• guiding others in the presentation of findings and recommendations to audit teams, upper management, and auditees, in writing and orally, to persuade others to adopt a course of action.

Qualification standards and additional information for this position can be found here: Competency-Based Qualification Standard for the Information Technology Management Series, 2210

How you will be evaluated

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

The evaluation you receive is based on your responses to the online assessments completed during the application process. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Reading Comprehension
• Decision Making
• Accountability
• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Teamwork
• Reasoning

The assessment 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.

Please make sure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation. Cheating on the online assessment may result in your removal from consideration.

You must also submit ALL supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to claim certain types of preference.

Resumes exceeding two pages will not be considered.

To be considered, your resume must:

• Clearly demonstrate your qualifications for the position.
  • We will not make assumptions regarding your experience. Please ensure that your resume includes the grade (if you are a current or previous federal employee) and month, day, and year that you began and ended each position held. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. Without this information, the experience gained while in that position may not be credited toward meeting the qualifications requirements.
• Include your contact information

We recommend using a clear, easy-to-read format and focusing on information most relevant to the job announcement. For additional information see: What to include in your resume.

You must also submit ALL supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to claim certain types of preference.

INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP): ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority for competitive service vacancies. To receive selection priority, candidates must meet the requirements for the Well Qualified category as described in the vacancy announcement. Candidates must also provide:

• proof of eligibility with your application. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation Notice of Personnel Action, (SF-50); and
• proof of your most recent performance rating of at least "fully successful" (Level III) or equivalent.

For more information visit http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.

Next steps

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