INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST NH-2210-03 - DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the cybersecurity manager and principal advisor securing software systems, artificial intelligence technologies, and cloud environments to support military missions. In this role, you will direct cybersecurity operations and ensure systems meet strict federal and military standards.

Duties

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• Serve as the principal advisor to the CISO, directing the overall cybersecurity program lifecycle, managing schedules, and translating complex technical risks into strategic mission objectives for senior leadership.
• Manage the Risk Management Framework (RMF) lifecycle and eMASS security authorization packages to ensure strict compliance with DoD, Air Force, and federal regulations across government cloud environments.
• Partner with software development teams to integrate automated vulnerability scanning and security controls into CI/CD pipelines, driving continuous Authorization to Operate (ATO) initiatives.
• Lead threat hunting operations and security incident investigations, while supervising the optimization of enterprise SIEM solutions to ensure rapid response and total network visibility.
• Design and enforce secure architectures for AI/ML workloads, mitigating adversarial artificial intelligence risks and ensuring secure Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) practices.
• Coordinate closely with technical support teams, ISSOs, and intelligence personnel to enforce DoD patch management protocols and system security configurations across both cloud and tactical environments.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see Legal and Regulatory Guidance
• If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
• This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• For more information on Acq Demo please go to DoD AcqDemo Homepage http://acqdemo.hci.mil/ and Fact Sheet http://acqdemo.hci.mil/faq.html
• Recruitment incentives may be authorized
• Position may require an appropriate security clearance
• Employee must maintain current certifications
• Position may be subject to random drug testing
• Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays
• Shift work and emergency overtime may be required
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
• This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions. Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed in the Individual Occupational Requirements for Information Technology Specialists

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the following four competencies: Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Oral Communication, Problem Solving AND have, or within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement will have, at least 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience which is equivalent to Federal experience at the next lower grade (GS-11), level, pay band (NH-02), or equivalent (pay schedule, pay band, etc). Specialized experience is described as: Demonstrating proven expertise directing the Risk Management Framework (RMF) lifecycle within DoD cloud environments, securing DevSecOps pipelines and emerging AI/ML architectures, and orchestrating enterprise SIEM, threat hunting, and incident response operations.

NOTE: Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

Duty 1: Responsible for the design, development, installation, test, implementation, modification, documentation and follow-up

maintenance of systems software for the Kessel Run Experimental Lab (KREL). Performs in-depth analysis. This involves

determining a need or responding to a stated need, identifying and evaluating available system software (if any) or guiding the

writing of the software and monitoring other systems software programmers or contractor personnel in performance of test,

implementation, modification, documentation and follow-up maintenance. Serves as technical expert performing analysis of

automated and manual systems to accomplish design and programming assignment. Projects typically involve analyses of large,

complex systems. Applies information systems security principles and methods to all functions. Performs consultation and

research to determine common and unique requirements, to establish standardized terms and data elements for uniform

identification by all users and to select and/or develop a system design to meet established standards.

Duty 2: Serves as expert planner, analyst and advisor for data management. Serves as technical advisor to management,

responsible for evaluating and providing recommendations of new database technologies and architectures and/or developing

and administrating data standards, policies, and procedures. Diagnoses and resolves complex data management problems and

issues.

Duty 3: Participates as an expert on software, hardware, communications and new technology. Performs feasibility studies

which involve evaluating proposals regarding modification or replacement of current software or hardware and development or

acquisition of new technology. Analyzes information obtained by contact with senior management, functional analysts, users

and through independent research. Explores design alternatives applying an understanding of network systems and data

communications.

Duty 4: As an IT expert, provides consultation and instruction. Advises functional area users on database and file accessing

techniques, search strategies, processing and space utilization efficiencies, database security procedures, backup and program

recovery techniques. Provides formal and informal training to ensure users understand the relationships of the system and are

able to operate it without undue interruption. Prepares user manuals or instructions for assigned applications.

Duty 5: Judiciously manages the acquisition, development and implementation of new technology. Manages all aspects of new

or modified information systems, subsystems or equipment items to meet cost, schedule, performance and supportability

criteria. Conducts mid- and long-range planning to ensure that program requirements receive consideration throughout the

planning and programming cycle. Uses automated schedule and activity network development support tools, prepares

Statements of Work (SOW) and performs technical contract management. Provides cost, schedule and performance

management support to include development of program strategy, inputs SOW and other planning and programming

documents. Reviews and evaluates contract proposals. Reviews contract deliverables and identifies potential problems, issues

and concerns along with recommendations to the Configuration Management (CM) Manager. Assesses all pertinent issues

found during the review and evaluation of contract proposals.

Desired: 7+ years of dedicated experience in Information Assurance, Cybersecurity, or Systems Engineering within a DoD environment.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience; transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

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

This job announcement will be used to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties 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.