Summary

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The primary purpose of this position is to manage and direct all aspects of Department of the Air Force cybersecurity staff functions, serving as the lead cybersecurity advisor and establishing DAF-wide cybersecurity strategies and policies.

Duties

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As the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the Department of the Air Force, you will serve as a key executive leader directing the cybersecurity strategy and cyber defense programs across the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. In this high-impact role, you will advise senior leaders, shape enterprise-wide cybersecurity policies, and ensure the resilience of global operations and systems against emerging cyber threats.

You will:

• Direct and manage a comprehensive, DAF-wide cybersecurity program to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all supporting information systems.
• Establish and oversee policies and procedures based on the DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF) to consistently identify, assess, and mitigate information security risks.
• Serve as the DAF Senior Agency Official for Privacy (SAOP) and the Senior Agency Official for Records Management (SAORM).
• Lead the development, validation, and prioritization of Cyberspace Operational capability requirements and doctrine.
• Direct enterprise security awareness and training programs for all personnel and contractors, alongside periodic testing of security controls.
• Establish processes to detect, report, and swiftly respond to cybersecurity incidents and rectify any identified policy or practice deficiencies.
• Engage in real-time cyber defense operations and cyber command and control (C2) to integrate global effects.
• Collaborate with executive-level experts, Defense Industrial Base representatives, and academia to identify strategic gaps and leverage emerging cybersecurity technologies.
• Advise senior leaders (including DoD, Joint Staff, and Combatant Commands) on current cybersecurity trends, metrics, and cyber defense planning.
• Provide executive supervision, guidance, and leadership for four divisions comprising military, civilian, and contractor personnel.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov.
• Disclosure of Political Appointments.
• Mobility is a condition of employment and appointment for SES members will be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligations Agreement.
• Selected candidate must file a Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278) in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
• Position has been designated Special-Sensitive and the selectee must have or be able to obtain a Top Secret/SCI clearance.
• Drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to random testing for drug use IAW Exec. Order 12564, dated 14 Sep 86. Position requires that the incumbent sign a Drug Testing letter and pass urinalysis testing prior to appointment.
• Position requires travel under conditions specified in the DoW Joint Travel Regulations. Incumbent is expected to travel on short notice to attend high-level meetings.
• Position may require incumbent to be available for other than normal duty hours to include weekends to support exercises and crisis planning.
• An initial SES career appointment becomes final only after the individual successfully completes a 1-year probationary period.
• Attendance to the Air Force's Senior Leader Orientation Course (SLOC) is generally required within 12 months of appointment, subject to course availability.
• Position may be subject to the post-government employment restrictions of Sections 207(a) and (f) of Title 18, United States Code.
• Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoW Policy on The Employment of Annuitants.
• Within the Department of War (DoW), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.

Qualifications

Eligibility will be based upon a clear showing the applicant has education, training, and experience of the scope and quality sufficient to effectively carry-out the duties of the position. Candidates must exemplify the corporate perspective, leadership vision, broad experience and character needed in the SES corps not only to satisfy the immediate vacancy, but future vacancies which will occur in a variety of organizations, functions and locations. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

In accordance with new OPM requirements to streamline Senior Executive Service (SES) hiring, applicants are no longer required to submit lengthy narrative essays, including those for Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or Mandatory Technical Qualifications (TQs), when applying. Instead, the initial application will be resume-only, capped at two pages. This change streamlines the application process and more closely aligns with private industry practices. Applicants identified for potential selection will have their ECQs assessed by undergoing a structured interview with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB).

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the education, Technical Qualifications (TQ), and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) related to this position within your resume (not to exceed 2 pages). Resumes over the 2-page limit will be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

CERTIFICATIONS: The incumbent must possess or be willing to achieve Cybersecurity Workforce Management certification (8570.01 IAM level III) or equivalent within one year of gaining the position.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that satisfy the technical qualifications.

TQ 1: Demonstrated executive-level experience in directing enterprise-wide cyberspace operations, cybersecurity strategy, and policy formulation within a large, complex organization. This includes serving as a leading cybersecurity authority and representing agency interests in high-stakes discussions, negotiations, and briefings with senior defense leaders, federal agencies, and industry executives to safeguard critical national security systems.

TQ 2: Demonstrated senior executive experience in evaluating, validating, and monitoring cyberspace doctrine and operational capability requirements, with specialized knowledge of DOTMLPF (doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership, personnel, and facilities) processes. This includes a proven ability to lead large, multi-disciplinary organizations through complex consensus building and deliver persuasive briefings to senior civilian, military, intelligence, and international allied partners.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): All new appointees to the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the five mandatory ECQs:

ECQ 1. Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding:

Demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.

ECQ 2. Driving Efficiency:

Demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

ECQ 3. Merit and Competence:

Demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

ECQ 4. Leading People:

Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.

ECQ 5. Achieving Results:

Demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

Please note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program, or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you must attach proof (e.g., SF-50 or Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

Education

A Bachelor's or Master's degree in an Information Technology-related field (e.g., Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Data Science, or Information Systems) is desired.

CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), CISM (Certified Information Security Manager), and/or CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) certification is highly desired.

Additional information

In addition, DoW requires an Enterprise Perspective. The individual must possess a broad point of view and an awareness and understanding of individual or organizational responsibilities in relation to DoW or government-wide strategic priorities. Executives must demonstrate an ability to work with internal and external partners to support national security objectives. This perspective is typically gained through a variety of diverse work experiences. This information should be embedded within the resume.

Tiering: The Department of the Air Force structures its SES positions into tiers to determine the pay range for each position. The categories are based on the position scope, breadth, functions, and placement within the structure of organizational levels across the Department.

Salary: $151,662.00 - $219,000.00 per annum. (Air Force Tier 2) SES members are eligible for bonuses and/or ranks and stipends in addition to annual salary. SES members are eligible for Performance-Based Salary increases and/or bonuses. This is a SES Career Reserved position and is assigned a precedence priority code of DV-6, Tier 1 for protocol purposes.

Area of Consideration: Applications will be accepted from all qualified persons.

Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES and DISES leaders and generally is a key to advancement. Therefore, mobility is a condition of employment and appointed SES and DISES members will be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

Veterans' Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES.

Relocation Authorized: Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR).

Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: May be offered.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoW Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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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.

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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.