IT Specialist (Security Operations Center Manager) Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. CFTC-DA-2025-0011 Department Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Salary $172,189.00 to $252,927.00 Grade 14 to 14
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/17/2024 Close Date 12/26/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

This position is in the Cybersecurity Unit, Cyber and Physical Security Branch (CPSB), within the Division of Administration (DA). The DA directs the innovative internal management of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) business, human resources, financial, technological, security, and strategic operational resources. The Division’s role is to effectively and efficiently ensure the fulfillment of the Commission’s mission through continued success in continuity of operations.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from all US Citizens. This vacancy is being filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Government-wide Direct Hire Authority for Information Technology Management (Information Security).

Duties

As the Security Operations Center (SOC) Manager you will:

  • Provide oversight, implementation and enhancements to the Commission’s Information Security Program’s Enterprise Security Operations Center which includes security monitoring, detection, incident response, data loss prevention and digital rights management.
  • Serve as an expert and the authority for future development of policies, operational procedures, standards and guidance necessary to enhance protection of CFTC’s data and networks.
  • Utilize data collected from a variety of cyber defense tools (e.g., IDS alerts, firewalls, network traffic logs) to analyze events that occur within their environments for the purpose of mitigating threats.
  • Manage the Enterprise Security Operations Center contract and perform contracting Officer Representative (COR) duties and approve monthly invoices.
  • Represent the Commission through the coordination of cybersecurity exercises and trainings that include multiple components and possibly external entities such as other federal agencies and public and private sector cloud service providers.
  • Investigate, analyze, and respond to cyber incidents within the network environment.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship
  • Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Background/Security Investigation
  • May be required to serve a probationary period
  • This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP)

Certifications such as the following are highly desired but are not necessary to qualify for this position:  

  • SANS GIAC Continuous Monitoring Certification (GMON)
  • Microsoft Azure Certified
  • Cisco Certified Data Center Administrator
  • Amazon AWS Certified
  • Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

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. For all positions, individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below. 

  1. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines the accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and make recommendations.

Additionally, to qualify for the CT-14 level you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS/CT-13 level).  Specialized experience is defined through which one has gained experience:

  • Leading and coordinating incident response activities to include detection, analysis, containment, eradication, and/or recovery; and
  • Conducting threat intelligence and analysis techniques to include utilizing threat intelligence to proactively identify and mitigate potential threats; and
  • Applying security monitoring and detection methods to include ensuring continuous monitoring of networks, systems, and applications for security anomalies; and
  • Performing malware analysis techniques to include conducting static and dynamic malware analysis to understand malware behavior and impact; and
  • Serving as a working professional and utilizing technical knowledge and hands-on experience with security tools and processes.

Education

Education is not required, nor may it be substituted for specialized experience.

Additional information

All employees are required to follow the Agency’s telework policy. If selected, you will be required to report to your assigned duty station to complete all onboarding procedures.

This position is not in the Bargaining Unit. 

Background/Security Investigation: Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance.

Testing Designated Position: May be subject to random testing under the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Program pursuant to Executive Order No. 12564.

Relocation: Relocation expenses will not be paid. 

Probationary Period: You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period, if applicable. 

More than the number of positions listed may be filled through this vacancy announcement.

The overall salary range is provided for informational purposes as it represents the full range that is applicable to current employees in this occupation/grade.  A new hire's direct and overall experience are critical factors in determining a salary offer, therefore, it is important that your resume fully reflects all of your work experience. Note that the upper end of each range is typically applicable only to candidates with significant years of work experience and qualifications Please review the CFTC Compensation Program website for additional information.  

The law prohibits public officials from appointing, promoting, or recommending their relatives. The law prohibits requesting, making, transmitting, accepting, or considering political recommendations for employment or other personnel actions for non-political positions. This includes recommendations from Members of Congress, Congressional employees, elected state or local officials, and political party officials and any recommendation based on party affiliation.

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.

This vacancy is being filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Government-wide Direct Hire Authority for Information Technology Management (Information Security). Traditional rating and ranking procedures do not apply to this vacancy.  All applicants who meet the specialized experience will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration.  Veteran's Preference does not apply to the direct hire recruitment procedures.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

You must provide a complete Application Package, which includes:

  • Resume showing all relevant and related experience (cover letter optional).  If selected, your resume will be used to determine your initial pay setting decision;
  • Performance appraisal (optional)

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: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy.  To be well qualified, you must score 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at:
http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.ICTAP

Candidates MUST submit:
1. A copy of their agency reduction-in-force notice;
2. A copy of your most recent Performance Rating;
3. A copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current or last position held, the grade level, and the duty location; and
4. A copy of your notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local
commuting area or documentation showing you were separated as a result of RIF or declining a directed reassignment or
transfer of function outside the local commuting area.

Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP). Provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the CFTC with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If CFTC has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must rate equivalent to the Well Qualified or better category using established rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.

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

YOU MUST APPLY ONLINE:  Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. You must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at USAJOBS.GOV.  To begin, click the Apply Online button within the vacancy announcement and follow the prompts to create an account using LOGIN.GOV, if you have not done so already. LOGIN.GOV will walk you through each step of the account set-up and will automatically link your USAJOBS profile to LOGIN.GOV.  Once you have established an account using LOGIN.GOV, you will then go back to USAJOBS.GOV using your LOGIN.GOV username and password to answer the questions and submit all required documents. If you already have established an LOGIN.GOV account or want to return to your saved application, go to USAJOBS.GOV using your LOGIN.GOV username and password to apply or view your profile. If you have problems completing your on-line application, including problems submitting your supporting documents, please contact the Help Desk by e-mail at mgshelp@monster.com or phone at 1-866.656.6831. The help desk is available Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Agency contact information

Rolanda A. Morgan
Phone
202-418-5624
Fax
202-418-5521
Email
rmorgan@cftc.gov
Address
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
CFTC
Three Lafayette Centre
1155 21 Street, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 200581
United States
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement. Also, note that if you provide an email address that is inaccurate or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.


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


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