Secure Network Operations - Technical Job

Summary

This job is open to

• The public

  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

There are a variety of Cybersecurity Program Management opportunities across the Department, including supporting several specialized programs at the DHS Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans (PLCY) the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), DHS Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Depending on your career level and role, DHS Cybersecurity Service employees in the Technical Career Track, with a technical capability in Secure Network Operations, will generally apply their expertise to perform a range of tasks, including:

• Developing and implementing best practices, security guidance and documentation to ensure compliance with DHS or Component information systems (IS) and network policies.
• Scanning computer networks that DHS or Components rely on to access, share, and store information, diagnosing network connectivity issues or addressing network vulnerabilities.
• Installing and maintaining network infrastructure device operating system software (e.g., Windows, Linux, iPhone Operating System [IOS], firmware).
• Supporting the implementation of DHS Headquarter (HQ) or Component information security programs, policies, procedures, and tools to optimize asset security and advise on network operations efforts.
• Assessing effectiveness of security controls through testing and maintaining network infrastructures including software and hardware devices.
• Actively monitoring computer network, desktop, mobile, and mainframe operating systems and their applications to include network capacity and performance.
• Engaging with system and network administrators to manage the operation, administration, and maintenance of networks, telecommunication systems, linked systems, and peripherals.
• Assessing the configuration and optimization of network hubs, routers, and switches (e.g., higher-level protocols, tunneling) in accordance with Departmental or Component policies and best practices supporting the installation and replacement of network hardware.
• Developing and testing new system design procedures and quality standards to integrate new systems into existing architecture.
• Actively engaging with stakeholders across Department or Component providing feedback on network requirements, including network architecture and infrastructure when recommending security requirements for minimizing network user risk.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or national.
• You must be 18 years of age.
• Must be registered for the Selective Service (if you are a male).
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. Security clearance levels may vary.
• Must be able to submit to a drug test and receive a negative result.
• Must be able to comply with ethics and standards of conduct requirements, including completing any applicable financial disclosure.
• May be required to serve a 3 year probationary period.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Required Documents

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online questionnaire, required assessments, and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/05/2025 to receive consideration. The application process will follow the bullets outlined below.

1. To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
3. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
4. After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA HIRE platform. This message will be delivered via email notification.
5. If you are asked to take the online assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.

Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning online assessments. Note: set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use the URL sent to you via email and also found on the Additional Application Information page that can be located in the application record in your USAJOBS account.

Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing online assessments on the USA HIRE platform, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the online assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the online assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the online assessments. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for online assessments here: http://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire.

Next steps

The DHS Cybersecurity Service application process is designed to both prioritize fairness to all applicants and identify qualified candidates to join the DHS Cybersecurity Service. Successful applicants proceed through the following steps and will receive notifications as each step is completed: Submit Initial Information

• Upload resume
• Answer questions about your expertise and experience

Assessment + Interview

• Complete multi-phase assessment process
• Interview with the team you might join

Tentative Job Offer + Background Investigation

• Receive a tentative job offer, including your compensation and benefits package
• Receive an invitation to start the background investigation process

Final Job Offer + Start Date

• Receive a final job offer
• Determine your start date

We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information."

Note: If you successfully complete the application process and receive a tentative DHS Cybersecurity Service job offer, applicable employment eligibility requirements, including those you must comply with throughout your appointment at DHS, will be communicated to you in writing.

Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U. S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U. S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.(http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify).

To learn more about DHS Cybersecurity Service employment eligibility, visit our application portal.

Additional Locations

• Stennis Space Center, MS
• Arlington, VA
• Springfield, VA