Job Title: Security System Operations and Maintenance - Techncial

Summary

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is recruiting professionals to support a range of technical roles in Security System Operations and Maintenance initiatives, including Service Delivery Team Lead, Technical Support Specialist, High Speed Digital Network (HSDN) Technical Support Specialist, Engineering Operations Technical Specialist, and Senior Network Operations Specialist. All positions are in the DHS Cybersecurity Service.
Learn more about this agency

Overview
Accepting applications

Open & closing dates
03/21/2024 to 04/20/2024

Salary
$104,000 - $207,500 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)
2218 Security System Operations and Maintenance (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
24-12347475-CBWQ

Control number
782393500

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 Security System Operations and Maintenance opportunities across the Department, including supporting several specialized programs at the DHS Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans (PLCY), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), DHS Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

As a DHS Cybersecurity Service employee in the Technical Career Track, you will continually maintain and share your Security System Operations and Maintenance expertise to perform a range of critical, complex, routine and non-routine tasks, including: Performing technical and nontechnical network, system, or application security reviews to identify gaps in security architecture, recommend risk acceptance, and develop a security risk management plan. Proposing highly effective solutions to stakeholders, resolving computer security incidents, and ensuring compliance using tools and processes that enable agile response to cyber incidents. Actively assessing the configuration and monitoring of security devices in accordance with DHS or Component policies and best practices to support network mitigation efforts. Proactively performing cybersecurity testing of developed applications and/or systems to maintain the security of relevant DHS or Component systems. Engaging with experts in cybersecurity efforts to continuously monitor and maintain DHS or Component enterprise systems identifying unauthorized and/or malicious activities and events to maintain the system's security posture. Applying knowledge of system implementation and configuration to identify security deficiencies during security reviews and certification testing ensuring successful transition from development to operation. Using known information about incidents and their effects on networks, systems, cloud environments, and applications to classify the threat and risk levels of activities and events and recommending short- and long-term recovery and repair actions. Customizing communications on aggregate security system's status and corresponding courses of action for different levels of leadership and other appropriate parties in support of mitigating any issues compromising DHS or Component security. Proactively analyzing plans and procedures to respond to security incidents that interrupt ongoing cybersecurity operations ensuring minimal damage, restoration of operations, maintenance of system integrity and maximum system resilience. Working with HQ and/or Component system and network administrators to ensure systems are not compromised during system security changes or transitions from development to production and assist others who are less seasoned. Collaborating with internal and external DHS stakeholders to collect, organize, analyze, report and act on information related to security activities and events on computer networks, systems, and applications. Developing supporting documentation on incident response and containment procedures in alignment with DHS or Component policies and procedures.

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 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 Technical Track across a range of career levels. Employees in this career track generally: Have between 5-15 years of cybersecurity work experience. Range from experienced cybersecurity professionals who apply technical expertise and independent judgement to perform cybersecurity work - to - recognized Federal cybersecurity technical authorities with uncommon technical expertise who advise on cybersecurity challenges impacting DHS and the Nation. DHS Cybersecurity Service employees with a technical capability in Security System Operations and Maintenance will generally: Implement, configure, and manage security devices and systems (such as firewalls, intrusion detection and log collectors, and vulnerability scanners) in accordance with policies, procedures, and best practices. Install, manage, and monitor security measures to support mitigation efforts; shares relevant information with system and network administrators. DHS Cybersecurity Service employees start at career levels and salaries matching their experience and expertise. In recruiting for this opportunity, DHS may hire employees at higher or lower career levels and associated salaries. To learn more about DHS Cybersecurity Service career tracks and levels, visit our application portal.

This position is focused on Security System Operations and Maintenance.

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. Within the provided range, average salaries vary for each career level.

Senior Cybersecurity Specialist: $104,000 - $133,500
Staff Cybersecurity Specialist: $126,500 - $159,500
Principal Cybersecurity Specialist: $150,800 - $188,000
Senior Principal Cybersecurity Specialist: $166,400 - $207,500

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 Technical Career Track, applicants participate in a three-phase assessment process: You must successfully complete each phase to advance to the next phase. The total time commitment for the three phases is approximately 4 hours (many applicants require less time!). Before each phase, DHS will e-mail you instructions and information to help you prepare. Assessments are time sensitive, so monitor your e-mail to ensure you have plenty of time to complete them prior to any deadlines. PHASE I: ONLINE ASSESSMENTS Un-proctored - 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. *Applicants who successfully complete Phase II will undergo a resume review, and some may be asked to participate in a Phase III: Advanced Technical Interview. This scenario-based interview is used to further assess an applicant's proficiency in a technical capability. More information will be provided to such applicants as they progress through the application process. PHASE III: ADVANCED TECHNICAL INTERVIEW
This interview is conducted on-demand (self-scheduled by you within a prescribed period of time) without live interviewers. Two types of questions will be presented: One type focuses on your previous experience and the other focuses on hypothetical situations or scenarios. This interview takes about 60 minutes (on average) to complete. 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 Technical 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