Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Coast Guard (USCG), Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber and Intelligence Service Center (C5ISC), in Alexandria, VA.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

You will serve as an Information Technology Cybersecurity Specialist (CUSTSPT/INFOSEC) and be responsible for managing the package of support functions required to field and maintain the readiness and operational capability of systems and components.

Being a CG civilian makes you a valuable member of the CG team. Typical work assignments include:

• Develop methods to monitor and measure risk, compliance, and assurance efforts
• Ensure that all acquisitions, procurements, and outsourcing efforts address information security requirements consistent with organization goals
• Act as a primary stakeholder in the underlying information technology (IT) operational processes and functions that support the service, provide direction and monitor all significant activities so the service is delivered successfully
• Review service performance reports identifying any significant issues and variances, initiating, where necessary, corrective actions and ensuring that all outstanding issues are followed up
• Routinely exercises independent judgment and discretion when obtaining and leading confidential advance information of management's position with regard to IT cyber contract negotiations and investments; performing studies that result in changes of organizational structures or staffing levels requiring labor relation matters
• Gather feedback on customer satisfaction and internal service performance to foster continual improvement
• Monitors and audits the schedule, cost, design, analysis, operational performance and/or internal security procedures of national security systems (NSS) and respective classified information, critical infrastructure, mission essential systems (MES), high value assets (HVA) or other USCG information systems
• Negotiate for the acceptance of agency positions on key Government-wide policy initiatives exercising independent judgment and discretion with DoD, DHS, OMB on national security systems (NSS) and respective classified information, critical infrastructure, mission essential systems (MES), high value assets (HVA) or other USCG information systems, including advance information of management's position with regard to IT cyber contract negotiations, IT cyber acquisitions, cyber security continuous diagnostics and monitoring

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Occasional travel is required.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13 - Position may be filled at the GS-11, GS-12 or GS-13 level. Promotion potential to the GS-13 level.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• A one-year probationary period may be required.
• See Mandatory Training requirements in Other Info section.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

To qualify at the GS-11 grade level, applicants must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level. Specialized experience may include the following:

• Provides input to project planning documents, schedules & technical installation / implementation plans.
• Provides input into policies and practices to resolve IT system problems and/or helped research trends and patterns in order develop new policies and practices.
• Knowledge of or experience with contracting principles as an IT professional, including development of documents such as work statements, acquisition plans, market research reports, and cost estimates for IT systems and services.
• Knowledge of industry-standard and organizationally accepted analysis principles and methods.
• Knowledge of computer networking concepts and protocols, and network security methodologies.
• Knowledge of System Development Life Cycle
• Knowledge of Risk Management Framework (RMF) requirements.
• Knowledge of risk management processes (e.g., methods for assessing and mitigating risk).
• Knowledge of cybersecurity and privacy principles.
• Knowledge of concepts, terminology, and operations of a wide range of communications media (computer and telephone networks, satellite, fiber, wireless).
• Knowledge of CISCO (or equivalent) equipment to include maintenance and troubleshooting;
• Knowledge of radio communication equipment (e.g. satellite, microwave, VHF/HF radio) to include configuration, maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of an organization's communications media (e.g., computer and telephone networks, satellite, fiber, wireless).

OR Applicants may substitute successful completion of 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent graduate degree (such as an LL.M, if related).

OR A combination of appropriate specialized experience (as described above) and graduate education (as described above) that is beyond the second year of progressive graduate study to meet the qualification requirements.

If you're substituting education for experience, transcripts must be submitted at the time of application.

To qualify at the GS-12 grade level, applicants must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level. Specialized experience may include the following:

• Develops project plans, schedules & technical installation / implementation plans to procure, configure, deploy and maintain IT systems.
• Participates in the planning, design and evaluation of projects to deploy IT systems to mobile units (ships, aircraft, portable systems) nationwide or worldwide.
• Drafts IT polices and plans.
• Proposes new policies and practices in order to resolve specific complex and/or intricate issues and problems or researched trends and patterns in order develop new methods and criteria.
• Establishes and tracks criteria to assess program effectiveness.
• Monitors and evaluates systems' compliance with IT security requirements.
• Provides advice and guidance in implementing IT security policies and procedures in the development and operation of network systems.
• Knowledge of aircraft and/or shipboard satellite communication and network equipment to include configuration, maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Contributing towards cybersecurity program management project tasks and testing network infrastructure contingency and recovery plans.

To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, applicants must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level. Specialized experience may include the following:

• Leads teams to develop or oversees the development of requirements, specifications, work statements and other appropriate procurement documents for IT systems, equipment and/or services based on user requirements and an understanding of the underlying technology and the goals of the organization.
• Oversees the execution of project plans, schedules & technical installation / implementation plans to procure, configure, deploy and maintain IT systems.
• Oversees the planning, design and evaluation of projects to deploy IT systems to mobile units (ships, aircraft, portable systems) nationwide or worldwide.
• Establishes IT polices and plans.
• Establishes and maintains capital planning budgets & accounts.
• Manages a broad range of IT activities and provides in-depth analysis of IT issues.
• Implements and uses performance measurement tools.
• Ensures implementation and compliance with federal information systems security protocols.
• Provides advice and guidance in implementing IT security policies and procedures in the development and operation of network systems. Uses judgment, initiative, and resourcefulness in deviating from established methods in order to modify, adapt, and/or refine broader guidelines.
• Proposes new policies and practices in order to resolve specific complex and/or intricate issues and problems or research trends and patterns in order develop new methods and criteria.
• Establishes criteria; formulating projects; assessing program effectiveness; and/or investigating/analyzing a variety of unusual conditions, problems, or issues.
• Serves as an internal consultant and advisor in own area of technical or programmatic expertise (e.g., satellite communications, router/switch configuration, policy development, capital planning).
• Provides leadership in the planning, design and evaluation of projects to deploy IT systems to mobile units (ships, aircraft, portable systems) nationwide or worldwide.

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirement, you must also 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.

Education

This position does not have a positive education requirement. If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Required Documents section for detail.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications click here

Additional information

Applicants will be required to complete questions contained on the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) at the time a tentative job offer is made. Certain responses on the form could pose a problem with suitability for employment determinations. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete/make updates to the OF-306 and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, or imprisonment.

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 at click here

Recruitment incentives may be authorized.

Mandatory training is required which must be successfully completed and other training may occur as necessary for success in the position.

At the GS-11/12/13 level, selectee must possess or be able to obtain:

Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers Level I (FAC P/PM-I) or management determined equivalent within two years of entry into the position.

Information Assurance Management Level II (IAM-II) or management determined equivalent within two years of entry into the position.

Information Assurance Management Level III (IAM-III) or management determined equivalent within two years of entry into the position.

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.

More than one (1) selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 45 days from the date the certificate was issued.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for the application and hiring process, please contact 202-795-6305. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Visit Reasonable Accommodation

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

We will review your résumé and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be referred for consideration. The following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities are needed to perform this job:

• Knowledge of specific operational impacts of cybersecurity lapses
• Knowledge of Risk Management Framework (RMF) requirements
• Knowledge of cyber threats and vulnerabilities
• Knowledge of system life cycle management principles, including software security and usability
• Knowledge of enterprise incident response program, roles, and responsibilities
• Skill in identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system
• Knowledge of supply chain risk management standards, processes, and practices
• Ability to oversee the development and update of the life cycle cost estimate
• Ability to conduct and implement market research to understand government and industry capabilities and appropriate pricing

Selectee(s) for this position who are newly appointed to a permanent position are authorized to receive a one-time recruitment incentive of 10% of the salary, including locality for this position. Receipt of the bonus will require a 12 month service agreement.

Selectee(s) for this position who are current federal employees on permanent appointments who would be moving outside of the current commuting area of their current position to accept this position are authorized to receive a one-time relocation bonus of 10% of the salary including locality for this position. Receipt of the bonus will require a 12 month service agreement. The employee must establish a residence in the new geographic area prior to payment.

Selectee(s) for this position who are newly appointed to a permanent or term position may be eligible for student loan repayment up to $10,000 (pre-tax) for one calendar year. More than one loan may be repaid if the combined repayments do not exceed $10,000. Receipt of this incentive will require a three year service agreement.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Secret

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk

Trust determination process
Credentialing , Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

1. Your resume

2. If you are claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), submit a copy of your agency notice, most recent performance rating and most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level and duty location. If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. To be considered eligible, you must be placed in the well-qualified category for this position. Please see ICTAP eligibility.

3. OPM must authorize employment offers for former or current Political Appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information. Submit proof of your former or current status, such as your SF-50. Please see here.

All documentation as outlined above must be received by the closing date of the announcement. If you are unable to submit your documents electronically, you may fax or mail the documents. A fax cover sheet will be provided to you from the system, with fax number and instructions to transmit the requested documents. The required documents will also be accepted by mail and must be received by the closing date of the announcement. The mailing address is COMMANDANT (CG-123HQ), ATTN OFFICE OF CIVILIAN HUMAN RESOURCES (JOBS), US COAST GUARD, 2703 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR AVE SE STOP 7912, WASHINGTON, DC 20593-7912