Supervisory Information Technology Specialist (INFOSEC/Pen Tester) Job in District of Columbia, DC

Vacancy No. JA-20-2025-0004 Department Office of Inspector General
Salary $142,488.00 to $185,234.00 Grade 14 to 14
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/23/2025 Close Date 8/4/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
District of Columbia, DC


Summary

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), works within the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to promote efficiency and effectiveness, and prevent or stop waste, fraud and abuse in departmental programs. We do this through audits and investigations. OIG also consults with the Congress about programs in progress and proposed new laws and regulations. The Inspector General Act of 1978 gives the Office of Inspector General autonomy to do its work without interference. 

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to current employees of the Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG) who have competitive status.

Duties

As a Supervisory Information Technology Specialist (INFOSEC)/ Project and IT Manager you will:

The incumbent is responsible for directing performance audits and leading audit teams in the objective and systemic examination of IT records, management reports, security controls, policies and practices affecting or reflecting the cybersecurity and operating results of information technology programs.  The incumbent works with audit staff in providing an independent assessment of the performance of assigned IT programs and conducting activities related to the detection and prevention of fraud, waste, and abuse.

In addition, the incumbent of this position works as an information technology specialist and manager of a red team responsible for performing vulnerability assessments and penetration tests on networks, systems, applications, cloud infrastructure, hardware, software and databases.  The incumbent will also perform social engineering and physical breaching and be responsible for managing and maintaining the federal security accreditation of an IT Lab utilized by the red team. 

The incumbent’s major duties and responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

  1. Directs a team in determining the effectiveness of organizations, IT programs and activities, and examining whether an entity is complying with all applicable laws and regulations utilizing government auditing and information security standards including Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidance.
  2. Directs team members that perform all phases of audit work and red team operations- planning the audit, conducting the audit/penetration tests, and preparing the audit report. The incumbent must ensure that all phases of the audit are done in accordance with GAGAS.
  3. Develops, interprets, plans, and applies policy, process, procedure and strategy in the delivery of multi-discipline IT services required to achieve data and system integration and interoperability for assigned systems and applications.
  4. Expert level experience in planning and execution of simulated cybersecurity attacks using threat intelligence and expert employment of emulated adversary tools including Kali Linux, Nessus, Netsparker (Invicti), AppdetectivePro, and Core Impact in a heterogeneous environment; and documenting findings and providing recommendations for security improvements.
  5. Expert level experience performing vulnerability assessments and penetration of systems/applications, hardware, software, and networks utilizing common hacking techniques such network scanning, vulnerability assessment, exploitation of identified weaknesses, password cracking, authorization bypass, bounds checking, access escalation, and filter evasion; and documenting findings and providing recommendations for security improvements.
  6. Trains and directs team members to conduct the audit survey; prepare the audit (evaluation and review) program; conduct red team operations; provide technical guidance to lower level staff assigned to the audit/penetration tests; prepare and/or review the working papers; write the debriefs and the draft report; presents findings and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders; supports team in issuing final written products that adhere to high quality standards and reflect internal OIG management review and comments received from the audited operating administration.
  7. Manages the OIG red team lab’s systems and infrastructure development, life cycles, (i.e., systems documentation, design, implementation, and configuration management), budget planning and Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) duties including contract administration, automated and manual information processing systems.
  8. Serves as an Information System Security Officer (ISSO) incorporating the risk management framework (RMF) for identifying, assessing, mitigating, and monitoring risks of the IT Lab while providing security oversight and governance in maintaining an Authority to Operate (ATO) by ensuring compliance with FISMA, NIST and departmental policy.
  9. Develops annual and long-range audit plans, provides technical advice and guidance to subordinate staff for audit activities and coordination functions, and maintains close liaisons with Department program and management officials in the areas of assigned responsibility.
  10. Prepares periodic progress reports for OIG senior management and keeps management informed of all issues related to their assigned projects or areas of expertise in a timely manner.
  11. Conducting entrance and exit conferences with the audited agency and conducting follow-up inquiries to evaluate the adequacy of corrective actions taken on prior audit findings.

Selects, places, and develops subordinates; recognizes, supports, and rewards excellent work from employees supervised; and timely and efficiently addresses poor performance of employees supervised.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Submit application and resume online by 11:59 P.M. EST on the closing date.
  • This position is subject to a background investigation.
  • This position requires a secret clearance.

Federal employees must meet Time-In-Grade (TIG) requirements for merit promotion consideration.  TIG is the 52-week requirement Federal employees in competitive service, General Schedule (GS) positions at GS-5 and above must serve before they are eligible for promotion to the next grade level.  Applicants must meet qualifications and time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications

To be eligible, applicants must meet the basic education and/or experience requirements below.

Specialized Experience

GS-14: To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the federal service including: expert knowledge of wide range of IT concepts, theory, computer methods and procedures; expert knowledge applying cyber- security and information security principles and concepts sufficient to plan, coordinate, and assess IT security operations and the security of data, networks, systems and applications; providing technical advice and guidance regarding IT security issues; conducting penetration testing, red teaming, audits and/or assessments of IT programs; conducting interviews with officials; conducting comprehensive analysis and studies requiring the application of complex analytical and statistical methods and techniques; and preparing audit assessment reports.

And

Experience

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

GS-5 through GS-15 (or equivalent): For all positions individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below. The employing agency is responsible for identifying the specific level of proficiency required for each competency at each grade level based on the requirements of the position being filled.

  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 accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • 5+ years of security testing experience (red teaming, cloud security, application security, or network security)
  • One or more of the following industry certifications: OSCP, OSWA, OSWP, OSWE, OSEP, OSED, GPEN, GCPN, GWAPT, GMOB, GAWN, GXPN, eWPT, eCPPT, eMAPT, PNPT
  • Contributions to the security community such as research, public CVEs, bug-bounty recognitions, open-source projects, blogs, publications, etc
  • Experience with server administration, TCP/IP networking, vulnerability identification and exploitation, vulnerability exploit code development, offensive security operation coordination and communication, vulnerability tracking and remediation, mobile testing
  • Familiarity with various programming languages such as Python, C, Ruby, ASM are a plus
  • Experience with cloud-based environments (GCP, Azure, AWS, etc.)
  • Experience with common testing frameworks, such as the MITRE ATT&CK framework
  • Experience with NIST 800-53 rev 5, NIST 800-115

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the announcements. 

Additional information

OIG carries out its mission by issuing audit reports, evaluations, management advisories, and other products with findings and recommendations to improve program delivery and performance.

*THIS POSITION MAY BE SUBJECT TO PRE-EMPLOYMENT AND RANDOM DRUG TESTING*

This position has been identified as a telework-eligible position.

Candidates will be asked to fill out a Declaration for Federal Employment (Optional Form 306). Individuals selected for positions will be required to certify that their application materials are accurate when they enter on duty.

Any male applicant who was born after December 31, 1959, and who is subsequently selected for this position must certify that he is registered for the military selective service by the date he is to enter on duty.  False certification may result in termination after appointment.

THIS AGENCY PROVIDES REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS TO APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES.  IF YOU NEED A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY PART OF THE APPLICATION AND HIRING PROCESS, PLEASE NOTIFY THE AGENCY. THE DECISION ON GRANTING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS WILL BE ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.  

ALL APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE CONSIDERATION REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, POLITICAL AFFILIATION, UNION AFFILIATION OR NON-AFFILIATION, MARITAL STATUS, NON-DISQUALIFYING PHYSICAL HANDICAP, OR ANY OTHER NON-MERIT REASON. THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL (OIG), U. S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) offers all standard federal benefits that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits.

The Department of Transportation recognizes the importance and encourages the use of telework. Telework supports departmental mission and performance goals and improves the Department's capability to support homeland and national security requirements. Telework improves individual and organizational productivity; helps reduce highway congestion and mobile source emissions; serves as a recruitment and retention tool; helps maintain operations during emergency situations; and improves work life quality.  

This position has been identified as a telework-eligible position.

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.

Applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position. Applicants who meet the qualification requirements will be further evaluated on their responses to the on-line announcement questions. Eligible applicants will receive a numerical rating based on their responses to the application questions for this position submitted on-line via WWW.USAJOBS.GOV. These responses must be substantiated by your on-line resume. Applicants who do not respond to the application questions may be rated ineligible. 


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

Resume: PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR EXPERIENCE IS CLEARLY DOCUMENTED IN YOUR RESUME OTHERWISE YOU MAY BE DEEMED INELIGIBLE.

      • Your resume must support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
      • If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
      • For qualifications determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., HRS per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete and you may not receive consideration for this position.
      • For additional information see:

TRANSCRIPTS- You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at time of application. If selected, an official/sealed transcript will be required prior to an appointment date being established.

Merit Promotion - All current Federal employees must submit a recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) documenting proof of competitive status, tenure, current grade level and full performance level of the position held.  All reinstatement eligibles/former Federal employees must submit a SF-50 documenting proof of competitive status, tenure, grade level and full performance level of the position.  

Non-competitive eligibles - must submit proof of eligibility (i.e., SF-50 documenting the full performance level of a position held on a permanent basis).

PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL: Provide a copy of your most recent rating of record (i.e., final annual performance appraisal issued and signed by appropriate management official). If the rating of record you submit is not dated within the last 18 months, you must provide an explanation in your application as to why one has not been issued within the past 18 months.

DD-214 and/or SF-15 - To receive consideration including veteran's preference points, all veterans must submit a copy of their DD-214 (copy Member #4). If you are claiming 10-point preference, you must submit your SF-15 (revised 12/04). The form is available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/sf.asp. If you are a current service member, in lieu of a DD-214, you may submit a statement from your military personnel center certifying the nature and dates of your service and expected date of separation.

VEOA - Preference Eligibles or veterans who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after substantially completing an initial three-year term may apply under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA). All veterans applying under the VEOA authority must submit a copy of their DD-214 (copy Member #4). If you are a current service member, in lieu of a DD-214, you may submit a statement from your military personnel center certifying the nature and dates of your service and expected date of separation.

SCHEDULE A - To receive consideration for Schedule A appointment, you must submit your certification from a State Vocational Rehabilitation Office or the Department of Veterans Affairs that you are likely to succeed in the performance of the position. The letter must be printed on the licensed medical professional's letterhead and must include a signature or it is invalid.

CTAP/ICTAP - If you are eligible under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), a copy of your certificate of surplus status, certificate of expected separation, or a specific Reduction-in-Force notice establishing your eligibility under CTAP/ICTAP. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must meet all qualification requirements for the vacant position to include any selective factors; meet the definition of best qualified (GOLD Category); and be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry.

Supporting documents may either be uploaded or faxed to 571-258-4052. The requested information MUST be received by fax within 48 hours prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement (not including Saturdays, Sundays or government holidays). The requested information MUST be received by fax within 48 hours prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement (not including Saturdays, Sundays or government holidays).

NOTE: If you exaggerate or falsify your experience, education and/or your responses to questions, your ratings are subject to change or you may be removed from employment consideration.

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

Applications submitted via WWW.USAJOBS.GOV must be received before midnight eastern time on the closing date of the announcement. No extensions will be granted. If you fail to submit a COMPLETE on-line resume, you WILL NOT be considered for this position. Please make sure that the responses provided in the questionnaire are fully supported by your resume, that your resume is detailed and you have highlighted your most relevant experience for this position (to include starting and ending dates of employment for each position held), and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. If you fail to provide this information, it may result in you being rated "ineligible" or "not qualified" for this position.

If you exaggerate or falsify your experience, education and/or your responses to questions, your ratings are subject to change or you may be removed from employment consideration. Applicants who do not respond to the application questions will be rated ineligible.

If applying on-line poses a hardship to any applicant, the Servicing Personnel Office listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted on-line by the closing date. Applicants must contact the Servicing Human Resources Office PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE to speak to someone who can provide assistance for on-line submission. Requests for extensions will not be granted.

Agency contact information

Myra Clemens
Phone
202-366-1490
TDD
202-366-2136
Fax
571-258-4052
Email
Myra.E.Clemens@oig.dot.gov
Address
DOT, OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
1200 New Jersey Ave SE
West Building, Room W71-123
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States

Next steps

Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and other basic requirements will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of your application status by the servicing human resources specialist via e-mail. It is essential that you have a current e-mail address on file and remove any restrictions from your e-mail account that may prohibit our contacting you via e-mail.

You may also check the status of your application at WWW.USAJOBS.OPM.GOV.


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


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