Information Technology Specialist (INFO SEC/ NETWORK/ APPSW) - DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. OIG-2025-0022 Department Department of State - Agency Wide
Salary $68,405.00 to $191,900.00 Grade 09 to 15
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/1/2025 Close Date 12/31/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

This serves as a public notice for the use of the Direct Hire Authority. The APPLY button is deactivated. Applications will not be accepted through this flyer. Interested applicants must follow the directions in the "How to Apply" section of this Direct Hire Authority flyer to be considered. This direct hire public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a selection. Notice of Result letters will not be sent to applicants who respond to this flyer. 

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This direct hire public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

Duties

As an INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST (INFOSEC/ NETWORK/APPSW), at minimum you will:

  • Ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems, networks, and data through the planning, analysis, development, implementation, maintenance, and enhancement of information systems security programs, policies, procedures, and tools.
  • Administers information technology (IT) principles, methods, and security products to protect and maintain the availability, integrity, confidentiality, and accountability of information system resources.
  • Implements and advises on IT security policies and procedures to ensure the protection of information transmitted from installation using Local Area Networks (LAN), Wide Area Networks (WAN).
  • Accomplishes risk analysis, security testing, and certification due to modifications or changes to computer systems.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Completion of a Financial Disclosure (OGE-450) is required by this position.
  • Incumbent may be required to carry a Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) cellular device and maintain a personal working cell/home telephone at all times.
  • Overtime may be required.
  • Status and non-status applicants selected under this authority are required to serve a mandatory one-year probationary period.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements, including education, and any selective placement factors described below by the closing date of this announcement. If you are qualifying based on education OR if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript with your application.

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

Applicants applying for the GS-9 grade level must have at least 1 full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal service which provided you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

  • Developing policies and procedures to ensure information systems reliability and accessibility and to prevent and defend against unauthorized access to systems, networks, and data.
  • Conducting risk and vulnerability assessments of planned and installed information systems to identify vulnerabilities, risks, and protection needs.
  • Conducting systems security evaluations, audits, and reviews.
  • Participating in network and systems design to ensure implementation of appropriate systems security policies.
  • Assessing security events to determine impact and implementing corrective actions.

OR 

Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree.

Applicants applying for the GS-11 grade level must have at least 1 full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in the Federal service which provided you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

 Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

  • Knowledge of the customary approaches, techniques, and requirements appropriate to an assigned computer applications area or computer specialty area in an organization;
  • Planning the sequence of actions necessary to accomplish the assignment where this entailed coordination with others outside the organizational unit and development of project controls; and
  • Adaptation of guidelines or precedents to the needs of the assignment.

OR

Ph. D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

Applicants applying for the GS-12 grade level must Have at least 1 full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service which provided you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

  • Experience in executing the Department's mission and programs.
  • Experience in keeping current with developments in IT management functions and procedures.
  • Experience in using evaluations and analysis methodology.
  • Experience in preparing clear, accurate, concise, logical, and coherent reports that portray the facts, emphasize the significant details and substantiate all recommendations and assertions made. 

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-12 position.

Applicants applying for the GS-13 grade level must have at least 1 full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service which provided you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

  • Experience in using evaluation and analysis methodology.
  • Experience in keeping current with developments in IT management functions and procedures.
  • Experience in preparing clear, accurate, concise, logical, and coherent reports that portray the facts, emphasize the significant details and substantiate all recommendations made.
  • Experience in making oral and written presentations, selling ideas, negotiating points of view and resolving conflicts.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position.

Applicants applying for the GS-14 grade level must have at least 1 full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service which provided you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

  • Experience in applying and interpreting IT systems security principles, concepts, and methods.
  • Experience in establishing and maintaining the IT infrastructure protection environment.
  • Experience in staying current with new and updated IT security developments.
  • Experience in interpreting and applying project management principles and methods.
  • Experience in coordinating the implementation of security programs across multiple platforms.
  • Experience in establishing vulnerability reporting criteria.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-14 position.

Applicants applying for the GS-15 grade level must have at least 1 full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal service which provided you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

  • Experience in applying and interpreting advanced IT systems security principles, concepts, and methods.
  • Experience in developing and interpreting policies, procedures and strategies governing the planning and delivery of services.      
  • Experience providing expert technical advice, guidance and recommendations.
  • Experience in staying current with new and updated IT security and network developments.
  • Experience in interpreting and applying project management principles and methods.
  • Experience in coordinating the implementation of security programs and network operating systems across multiple platforms.
  • Experience in establishing vulnerability reporting criteria.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-15 position.

Education

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

For the GS-09 Position you may substitute education for specialized experience: You must have completed two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education, Master's or equivalent graduate degree (You MUST submit transcripts to verify your claim). 

For the GS-11 Position you may substitute education for specialized experience: You must have completed at least three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (You MUST submit transcripts to verify your claim).

For the GS-12 Position: There is no substitution for experience at this grade level.

For the GS-13 Position: There is no substitution for experience at this grade level.

For the GS-14 Position: There is no substitution for experience at this grade level.

For the GS-15 Position: There is no substitution for experience at this grade level.

Additional information

  • For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at (202) 663-3474 or OAA@state.gov.
  • If eligible, telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval. 
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.  Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions. 
  • Recruitment Incentive:Recruitment, relocation or other incentives may be offered if found to be in the best interest of the government. 

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 position is announced under a government-wide Direct Hire Authority (DHA) for INFOSEC positions in the GS-2210 series. Under this Direct-Hire authority, applicants are required to meet minimum qualification requirements at the grade level(s) of interest. Veteran's Preference, Schedule A, Category Rating, and other methods of consideration DO NOT APPLY.  If you are selected, we will review your resume and required documents to determine if you meet the qualifications for this position, specifically the specialized experience, and Knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) necessary to perform the duties of the job.

Your resume serves as the basis for qualifications determinations and must highlight your relevant and significant work experience as it relates to this job opportunity.  

Current Civil Service employees would, therefore, be given new appointments to the Civil Service. Current Federal employees may be required to serve a new probationary period (5 CFR 315.802(b).

As vacancies occur and selection(s) are made, the Human Resources Office will review your resume to ensure you meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this flyer. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume, along with your supporting documentation.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies:

  • Professional knowledge of the Department's mission, programs, organization, and structure.
  • Knowledge of trends and current developments in IT management functions and procedures.
  • Knowledge of trends and current developments in IT security, including the current threat environment as well as strategies and techniques to protect information and information systems. 
  • Knowledge of the Federal statutory and regulatory environment as it relates to IT systems acquisition, development, implementation, and operation, including security requirements.
  • Professional knowledge of evaluation and analysis methodology.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

All required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement.

1. Resume showing relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training. Your resume MUST include the following information for each job listed: Job title; duties (be as detailed as possible); month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008); and full-time or part-time status (include hours worked/volunteered per week). Your resume serves as the basis for qualifications determinations and must highlight your relevant and significant work experience as it relates to this job opportunity.    

2. Performance appraisal: All other current and former Federal employees are strongly encouraged to submit their performance appraisal for the hiring manager’s consideration. If an appraisal is not available, you may provide a statement from you and/or your supervisor with an explanation along with your servicing HR Office contact information.

3. Most recent SF-50s (Notification of Personnel Actions), if you are a current or former Federal employee . The SF-50s must show: effective date, position title, series, grade, salary, tenure, position occupied, full promotion potential, and name of agency. Multiple SF-50s may be needed to show all required information (e.g., promotion, within-grade increase, and separation SF-50s). Award SF-50s often do not show the required information. 

4. Veteran Documentation, if applicable.

  • Veterans who are preference eligible OR who have been separated from the Armed Forces under honorable conditions (honorable or general discharge) after 3 or more years of continuous active service may apply under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA). You must submit a DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member Copy 4 preferred) showing the dates you served as well as your type of discharge and qualifying service campaign medals OR if you are still on active duty, you MUST submit a certification on letterhead from your military branch which contains your military service dates, expected date of discharge or release, and the character of service to show that your military service was performed under honorable conditions. The expected date of discharge or release must be no later than 120 days after the certification is submitted for consideration for this job announcement. Current Federal employees applying under the VEOA must submit a qualifying SF-50 to show time-in-grade requirements.
  • If you are applying as a preference eligible with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more, you must submit the documentation required by the SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) to support your claim (e.g., DD-214, official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs). For applicants claiming 10-point derived veterans’ preference (i.e., spouses, widows/widowers or mothers of veterans), a completed SF-15 must be submitted with the application with all required supporting documents listed on the form.
  • For more veterans’ preference information, visit the USAJOBS Help Center.

5. ICTAP/CTAP documentation, if applicable. Visit our agency’s ICTAP and CTAP sites for required documentation.

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

The APPLY button is deactivated on this Direct-Hiring Authority (DHA) Public Notice, application packages are being accepted directly by OIG. 

Interested applicants must submit resumes/application package to the below email: 

  • Resumes should be sent directly to oig2210hiring@stateoig.gov  
  • Email subject line MUST include:  Announcement Number: OIG-2024-0070;
  • If you are applying under CTAP (Career Transition Assistance Program) or ICTAP (Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program) authority, the email subject line MUST reflect CTAP and/or ICTAP. 
  • Please include the lowest and highest grade levels you are interested in being considered for in your email.
  • Resumes that are not sent to the correct box will not be considered.
  • In addition, resumes should NOT be sent as a link to another website, they must be a PDF or Word attachment. We will not download an external link to access the resume, it must be an attachment. Please DO NOT send additional attachments with Personal Identifiable Information (PII) through unencrypted email.

Your resume MUST include the following information for each job listed: Job title; duties (be as detailed as possible); month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008); and full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week). It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that all information in their resume and documents, are received, legible, and accurate. HR will not modify answerers/documents submitted by an applicant. 

Please note: This is a Direct- Hiring Authority Public Notice that vacancies may exist. There may or may not be actual vacancies filled from this flyer. Notice of result letter will NOT be sent to applicants who respond to this flyer. If a hiring official determines you have the needed skillset for the vacancy, a member of the OIG team will contact you.  

Facsimile applicants will not be considered. 

All resumes/applications must be received no later than the closing date of this flyer. 

Due to the large number of applications received for all vacancies, status inquiry emails will not be answered.  Thank you for your interest in employment with the U.S. Department of State, Office of Inspector General.

Agency contact information

HELP DESK
Phone
000-000-0000
Fax
703-284-1821
Email
oig2210hiring@stateoig.gov
Address
U.S. Department of State
SA-39
Rosslyn, Virginia 22209
United States
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. There may or may not be actual vacancies filled from this flyer. This direct hire public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a selection. 

If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted using the contact information listed on your resume. 

Our evaluation will be based on the information you provide. You should expect that we will verify performance, suitability, and security information and take that information into account in making employment offers. 


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


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