Summary This vacancy is for an Information Technology Specialist (INFOSEC) in the Office of the Secretary within the Department of Commerce. Responsibilities As an Information Technology Specialist (INFOSEC), you will perform the following duties: Documents cybersecurity events and incidents. Performs computer incident response investigations and evidentiary activities in defense of Department of Commerce (DOC) networks and information technology assets. Develops analytical documents and recommend courses of action to remediate or mitigate identified threats. Serves as a subject matter expert on cyber incident management and is responsible for leading the team that handles incident response investigations, evidentiary activities (handling, chain of custody and testimony) in defense of the DOC networks and critical information technology infrastructure. Conducts vulnerability scanning to ascertain situational awareness of the threat level in order to derive network defense and hardening strategies and provide support, advice and direction to the Enterprise Security Operation Center (ESOC) Manager regarding ongoing and future Cyber-attack threat vectors. Analyzes and evaluates organization networks and recommends procedures and/or products to improve the overall security of these networks. Monitors, identifies, investigates, and document cybersecurity events and incidents; identify, document, and perform analysis of new and emerging threats. Develops analytical documents and recommend course of action to remediate or mitigate identified threats. Ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems, networks, and data through the use of computer forensics to investigate computer incidents and to develop recommendations for the mitigation or remediation of such incidents. Provides support in the development of Information Technology (IT) security policies, plans, and programs as it relates to risks to DOC systems and networks including but not limited to risks to cybersecurity incident response and management activities. Serves on interagency committees and working groups to provide support in the development of IT security policies, plans, and programs as it relates to risks to DOC systems and networks including but not limited to risks to cybersecurity incident response and management activities. This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Information Technology Specialist (INFOSEC) GS-2210-14, FPL GS-14 positions within the Department of Commerce in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position. This position requires a TOP SECRET/SCI CLEARANCE: Any required investigations and clearances must be completed before the selectee can be placed in the position. You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use of possession of drugs. A probationary period may be required. Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/). If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing. Bargaining Unit Position: NO Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450): YES Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense: WILL NOT be paid License required: NO Drug Test Required: YES, This position is subject to pre-employment drug testing and random drug testing thereafter. Qualifications Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Occupational-Series Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government. 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. To qualify at the GS-14 level, you must meet the following requirements: The Qualification Standards for Information Technology (IT) Management Series, 2210 (Alternative A) Individual Occupational Requirements. Basic Requirements: In the Information Technology Specialist, GS-2210 occupation for the GS-5 through GS-15 (or equivalent) must have Information Technology (IT) related experience demonstrating each of the following competencies: Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail; Customer Service - Works with clients and customers 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 to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information; makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately; and Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations .Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: Serving as an Information Technology (IT) consultant or advisor in mitigating vulnerabilities and breaches in information systems and networks within a business or organization; AND Administering information technology (IT) principles, methods, and security products to protect and maintain the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of information systems; AND Monitoring and administering protection and preventive measures from cyber-attacks and threats of information transmitted through Local Area Networks (LAN), Wide Area Networks (WAN), and cloud-based systems; AND Writing reports containing analysis of cybersecurity events and incident responses. Education There is no positive education requirement for this position. See Qualifications Above. NOTE: Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You MUST provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration. Additional Information The following links provide information on various hiring authorities that do not fall under competitive examining procedures; however, they may enable you to apply through merit assignment procedures, or be eligible for a non-competitive appointment. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) ICTAP and CTAP Eligibles: CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: Employee Guide to Career Transition Current or Former Political Appointees: 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. Reasonable Accommodations (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA 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 USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.
