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Information Technology Specialist (Information Security)

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Falls Church, Virginia
Closing date
Dec 1, 2020
Duties

Summary

As our nation navigates the COVID-19 pandemic, CBP is committed to delivering our mission to safeguard America's borders and enable legitimate trade and travel. Staffing mission critical positions remains a high priority. Be reassured that CBP is still hiring, despite potential hiring process step delays due to restrictions to in-person activities.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Information and Technology, in Falls Church, VA .

This position will be affected by a planned relocation to Ashburn, VA. Relocation is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2021, although the date is subject to change.

Joining the Customs and Border Protection Office of Information and Technology will allow you to use your expertise in information security systems, policies, and procedures. This position starts at a salary of $59,534.00 (GS-09, Step 1) to $93,638.00 (GS-11, Step 10) with promotion potential to $112,240 (GS-12 Step 10).

In this Information Technology (IT) Specialist (Information Security) positions you will become a key team member of Homeland Security professionals by supporting the protection of IT systems, job duties may include:
  • Performing thorough analysis of new DHS cybersecurity policies and directives to assist with updating CBP's existing cybersecurity policy handbook
  • Researching and assisting with development of outreach programs to improve the security posture of the organization (ex. virtual campaigns, podcasts, webinars, etc.)
  • Researching, developing, planning and coordinating the delivery of cybersecurity training programs for end users at all levels within the organization along with tracking completion rates and assessing the effectiveness of training programs
  • Preparing a variety of comprehensive status reports, summaries, and briefing papers that identify problems, assess the overall condition; as well as outlines varies issues, solutions, and recommendations related to cybersecurity
  • Conducting in depth studies of audit findings, evaluations, and assessments of cybersecurity policy; as well as interprets findings resulting from studies, and formulating recommendations that may include additional policies or procedures


Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel occasionally for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
12

Requirements

Conditions of Employment


  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
  • Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below)
  • You may be required to pass a background investigation
  • CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures
  • As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link.


Qualifications

Individuals qualifying based on experience must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below.

Basic Requirement - Individuals must have experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below. This experience must be IT-related.
  • 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.
  • Along with the four competencies listed above you must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience described below to qualify based on experience.

    Experience:

    You qualify for the GS-09 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
    • Developing, and presenting reports on complex security issues
    • Planning or coordinating the delivery of cybersecurity training programs
    • Assisting in the implementation IT awareness outreach programs
    • Using cyber security principles to ensure security compliance of information systems
    You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
    • Evaluating content of new legislation or polices to determine the projected impact upon programs or organizations.
    • Developing, planning and coordinating the delivery of cybersecurity training programs
    • Assisting with audits and compliance reviews
    • Providing advice and guidance on a wide range and variety of complex information technology (IT) issues

    Education Substitution: please see education section for this Announcement for information on how to qualify for this Position based on education

    Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

    You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 11/30/2020.

    The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

    Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For more information visit this link .

    Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency wavier by meeting one or more of the following conditions:
    • Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
    • A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
    • Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
    • Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government
    Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

    Education

    Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.

    Substitution of education for experience:

    GS-09: Successful completion of a Master's degree or two full years of graduate education leading to such a degree may be substituted for the experience required at the GS-9 grade level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university and demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work of the position. For this position a degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or a degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks is qualifying. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise a year of full-time study.

    GS-11: Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in an accredited college or university, may be substituted for experience at the GS-11 grade level. Such education must demonstrate the skills needed to do the work. For this position a degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or a degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks is qualifying. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 54 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 3 years of full-time study requirement.

    Additional information

    This position is covered under the bargaining unit.

    Positions with known promotion potential do not guarantee promotion, nor is the promise of promotion implied.

    Telework may be available on a regular recurring or situational basis.

    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.

    Follow U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Twitter @CustomsBorder

    The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans , Peace Corps / VISTA volunteers , and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

    How You Will Be Evaluated

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

    This position is being filled under a Direct Hire Authority. We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. All applicants who meet minimum qualifications and any basic requirements applicable to this position, will be forwarded to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.

    The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:
    • Ability to thoroughly research using a variety of credible sources in order to analyze data and make recommendations
    • Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and regulations to promote security compliance
    • Skill in organizing, developing, and presenting written materials on complex security issues, to encourage understanding and promote policy compliance
    • Ability to develop engaging outreach materials focused on cybersecurity awareness
    • Ability to effectively communicate and grasp technical policy and exercise original thought to present sound recommendations or decisions
    Veterans: Veterans preference does not apply to selections made using the Direct Hire Authority. Veteran applicants will be considered along with all other applicants who apply.

    Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must have knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as defined above which clearly exceed the minimum qualification and any applicable basic requirements for the vacancy. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this job announcement.

    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance
    Not Required

    Drug test required
    No

    Required Documents

    • Your resume : A resume describing your job-related qualifications is required and will be used for the purpose of reviewing your qualifications and determining what training, if any, would be required when placed. A resume in English is required. It must contain your full legal name, address, phone number, complete work history including a detailed description of your duties, the dates you performed those duties (MM/DD/YY), your hours worked per week, job title, as well as series, grade, and salary (if applicable). For additional required items, see the link.
    • Your responses to the job questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10969138
    • Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable at this time; however, official copies will be required prior to entrance on duty) or a list of coursework with hours completed provided from the institution. Education must be from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education obtained from a foreign university or college is not creditable unless it has been evaluated by an organization that specializes in interpretation of education credentials. For a listing of accrediting agencies see www.naces.org
    • Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? You must submit a separation notice; your most recent SF-50 (noting your current position, grade level and duty location); a copy of your most recent performance rating; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; or a Military Department of National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.
    • Are you a current or former federal employee? If yes, it is recommended that you submit a copy of your SF-50(s) (Notification of Personnel Action) to support your experience. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases and accessions.
    • Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
      • Position title
      • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee)
      • Agency
      • Beginning and ending dates of appointment


    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.

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