Job Title: Cybersecurity Defensive Operations - Developmental

Summary

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is recruiting professionals to support a range of developmental roles in Cybersecurity Defensive Operations - Intelligence Collection & Analysis as well as Planning, Execution & Analysis, including Cyber Defense Analyst, Defensive Operations Specialist, Vulnerability Analyst, All Source-Collection Analyst, and All Source-Collection Requirements Specialist. All positions are in the DHS Cybersecurity Service.
Learn more about this agency

Overview
Accepting applications

Open & closing dates
03/12/2024 to 04/11/2024

Salary
$80,800 - $105,500 per year Range reflects typical low and high starting salaries available to employees in most of the U.S. See Additional information: Salary for more info.

Pay scale & grade
DC 2

Locations
Many vacancies in the following locations:

Chandler, AZ

Washington, DC

Pensacola, FL

Idaho Falls, ID
Show more locations (3)

Stennis Space Center, MS

Arlington, VA

Springfield, VA Remote job
No

Telework eligible
Yes-as determined by the agency policy.

Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position about 1 to 5 days a month.

Relocation expenses reimbursed
No

Appointment type
Permanent -

Work schedule
Full-time -

Service
Excepted

Promotion potential
None

Job family (Series)
2212 Cybersecurity Defensive Operations ICA (DHS Only)
2213 Cybersecurity Defensive Operations PEA (DHS Only)

Supervisory status
No

Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information

Drug test
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk

Trust determination process
National security

Announcement number
24-12339224-CBWQ

Control number
781130700

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 Defensive Operations - Intelligence Collection & Analysis, as well as Planning, Execution & Analysis opportunities across the Department, including supporting several specialized programs at the DHS Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans (PLCY), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), DHS Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As a DHS Cybersecurity Service employee in the Developmental Career Track, you will continually and proactively participate in learning activities to enhance and apply your developing expertise in the technical capability of Cybersecurity Defensive Operations to perform a range of routine tasks, which may include: Supporting routine or regular aspects of end-to-end tactical and strategic level cyber operations plans. Aiding in the development of primary and contingency action plans, working with experts to carry out the most appropriate methods of defense/attack. Building and applying an understanding of best practices and available capabilities for mounting defensive/offensive cyber operations against identified threats to DHS networks and systems. Conducting routine analyses of indicators of compromise and integrating digital forensics and incident response data to bolster DHS and DHS partners' defenses at each step of the cybersecurity defensive operations process. Using reverse malware analysis and engineering techniques to prevent incidents or mitigate threats to DHS or Federal systems and networks. Collecting and compiling information on cyber threats or threat actors using various intelligence collection tools and methods. Working with customers to identify their information needs and requirements to support the creation of effective plans and strategies to meet those needs. Supporting the collection of all-source intelligence on current and emerging cyber threats to identify and evaluate the intent and capabilities of cyber actors using intelligence community analytic standards. Contributing to the drafting of intelligence products - including written reports or briefings - for a variety of cyber and non-cyber audiences. Proactively seeking opportunities to collaborate with and assist others in addressing complex cyber defense challenges.

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 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. While many of these positions are considered telework eligible, some individuals must live within 2 hrs driving distance to a DHS SCIF in either Chandler, AZ; Stennis, MS; Idaho Falls, ID; Arlington, VA; Pensacola, FL; Springfield, VA or D.C. Remote work may be available for some positions.

Qualifications

This position is in the Developmental Track at the Associate Cybersecurity Specialist level. At this level, individuals generally:
Have 3+ years of cybersecurity work experience, and Are capable of serving as a cybersecurity professional with some experience who applies still-burgeoning technical expertise to perform routine work with significant supervision and clear guidance. DHS Cybersecurity Service employees with a technical capability in Cybersecurity Defensive Operations will generally:
Integrate, manage, and execute all aspects of the cyberattack lifecycle to inform cyber defense operations. Plan and execute cybersecurity defense operations to protect assets Facilitate the flow and assessment of key intelligence data. Determine system security monitoring and incoming intelligence feeds based on dynamic security environment. Oversee immediate remediation and containment processes. DHS Cybersecurity Service employees start at career levels and salaries matching their experience and expertise. To learn more about DHS Cybersecurity Service career tracks and levels, visit our application portal.

This position is focused on Cybersecurity Defensive Operations- Intelligence Collection & Analysis and Planning, Execution & Analysis.

DHS Cybersecurity Service jobs are structured cybersecurity specializations - called technical capabilities. To learn more about technical capabilities, visit our application portal.

Education
Degrees are not required for jobs in the DHS Cybersecurity Service, but DHS is interested in your level of education and the topics you studied. As you submit initial application information, you will be asked questions about your education.

Additional information

Salary: Listed salary ranges reflects typical starting salaries available to employees in most of the United States across applicable career levels. In some geographic areas, average starting salaries will be higher because of a local cybersecurity labor market supplement (e.g., metro Washington, D.C. +10%). Actual salaries of individual employees may be higher or lower than provided figures. For an overview of the salaries available in the DHS Cybersecurity Service, visit Resources.

Benefits: DHS Cybersecurity Service employees receive a range of federal employment benefits designed to support their professional and personal lives. To learn more about benefits, visit our application portal.

More information about the specific benefits available to you will be provided as you progress through the application process.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for a security clearance as a condition of placement in this position. This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.

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.

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.
All DHS Cybersecurity Service applicants participate in a multi-phase assessment process, which varies by career track. For the Developmental Career Track, applicants participate in a two-phase assessment process:
You must successfully complete each phase to advance to the next phase. The total time commitment for the two phases is approximately 3 hours (many applicants require less time!) Before each phase, DHS will e-mail you instructions and information to help you prepare. Monitor your e-mail to ensure you have plenty of time to complete assessments prior to any deadlines or request an extension, if necessary
PHASE I: ONLINE ASSESSMENTS Unproctored - you choose the time and location Includes two assessments: (1) a work styles inventory that will take about 30 minutes to complete; (2) a work simulation that you will have up to 2 hours to complete. The two assessments take about 90 minutes (on average) to complete. Requires a computer with audio (speakers or headphones) and a reliable internet connection. No knowledge of DHS or cybersecurity is required for these assessments, which measure non-technical capabilities that are important for professional success in the DHS Cybersecurity Service. This includes how you communicate, analyze information, and collaborate with others: The work styles inventory presents you with questions about your work-related interests and preferences. The work simulation presents you with realistic, work-related scenarios and asks you to respond to them. PHASE II: TECHNICAL CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT
Proctored - must be scheduled in advance and completed at a designated assessment center. There is a different assessment for each DHS Cybersecurity Service technical capability (visit Jobs to learn more about the technical capabilities). Most individuals only have a primary technical capability and complete only one Technical Capability Assessment, but in limited circumstances, you may complete a second Technical Capability Assessment. You will have up to 2.5 hours to complete each Technical Capability Assessment; each takes about 90 minutes (on average) to complete. Assessments present realistic, work-related cybersecurity scenarios and questions to assess technical skills. Cybersecurity knowledge is assessed, but no knowledge of DHS is required. Your proctored assessment results are valid for a period of one year after completion and will be kept and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.

To learn about the assessment process for this Developmental Track position, visit our portal and read the "Assessment Process" guide.

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.

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.
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
Your resume. To help you prepare your resume before applying to the DHS Cybersecurity Service, visit our application portal and read the "Resume Tips" guide. If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the online assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here. If you are a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee please 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