Summary

This position is located in the Cyber Threat Analysis Division (CTAD), Office of Cyber Threat and Investigations (CTI), Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS).

This serves as public notice for the use of OPM's Direct Hire Authority. Applicants who meet the qualification requirements will be forwarded to the selecting official for consideration. We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.

Duties

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• Responsible for planning and conducting comprehensive analysis, assessment, and reporting of global cybersecurity threats affecting the Department's critical IT infrastructure including highly sensitive networks, systems, and data.
• Ensures the dissemination of cyber threat information through the publication of timely threat assessment and
  analysis reports on both a regular schedule and on an ad hoc basis as dictated by the cyber threat environment.
• Plans and conducts development of new methods for protecting critical IT infrastructure from global cybersecurity threats, leveraging threat modeling techniques.
• Alerts management to active threats and provides detailed assessments of the impact and severity of such threats and recommends appropriate actions.
• Provides technical advice and recommendations on how to mitigate cyber threats, coordinating across interagency and partners to inform defenses. Maintains liaison with counterparts in other intelligence and law enforcement agencies.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• Obtain/maintain eligibility to access Sensitive Compartmented Information
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement.

Applicants applying for the GS-13 grade level must meet the following requirements:

Have IT-related experience demonstrating EACH of the four competencies AND specialized experience listed below:

1. Attention to Detail - Incumbent demonstrates a high level of attention to detail by applying personal knowledge and ability to provide expert technical analysis and consultation focused on current global cyber threat environment and associated risks in order to mitigate cybersecurity vulnerabilities and risks.

2. Customer Service - Incumbent demonstrates a high level of ability to serve customers by responding to inquiries in a timely fashion and providing expert guidance on complex and controversial cybersecurity issues which have long term impact on IT infrastructure security.

3. Oral Communication - Incumbent demonstrates a high level of skill in communicating in order to provide expert advice and guidance, exchange information, brief senior officials, plan and coordinate activities, recommend new methods and approaches, and resolve problems.

4. Problem Solving - Incumbent clearly demonstrates the ability to solve and prioritize problems by determining the most appropriate principles to apply and resolving a wide range of technical issues related to cybersecurity.

AND

Have at least 1 full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service which provided you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

• Experience writing and reviewing all-source, analytical intelligence reporting on global cybersecurity threats.
• Experience developing and implementing proactive measures to detect, mitigate, and prevent cyber threats and intrusions to an organization's critical IT infrastructure.
• Experience providing recommendations on new cyber threat analysis tools and technologies.

NOTE: In order to qualify for this position, your experience MUST be IT related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

• This position is currently eligible to apply for the Cybersecurity Skills Incentive Program (Cybersecurity SIP) after completing one year of continuous and qualifying service, as well as other skills-based program requirements. The Cybersecurity SIP may approve a retention incentive up to 25 percent of basic salary.
• To request a reasonable accommodation for additional time on the timed sections of the assessment, please submit your request using the "Request a Reasonable Accommodation" button within the Assessment Application.
  For all other reasonable accommodations at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations (OAA) at [redacted].
  OAA is responsible for reviewing and adjudicating reasonable accommodation (RA) requests for the Assessment Battery being used for this announcement. The following applies to all RA requests:
  
  • RA requests cover additional time on timed sections only.
  
  
  • Applicants submitting a RA request MUST attach supporting medical documentation signed by a licensed, treating medical provider. The documentation should describe the nature, severity, and expected duration of the condition, identify the relevant medical condition or diagnosis, and explain the basis for the requested extension. RA requests that do not contain supporting medical documentation attachments at the time of initial request may be subject to further review.
  
  
  • Note: the following documents do not, on their own, qualify for automatic approval of the RA request: Schedule A letters, VA benefits letters, or SSA letters.
  
  
  • Applicants MUST submit their application before the vacancy closes, even if pending an accommodation decision.
  
  
  • Applicants are encouraged to carefully follow instructions related to medical documentation provided in the vacancy announcement prior to beginning the RA process.
  
  
  • Applicants will have 48 hours after their RA request is adjudicated to complete the assessment battery. Scores generated after the allotted timeframe will not be admissible and the applicant will not be considered further for the vacancy.
  
  
• If eligible, situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.
• Under the provisions of the Direct-Hire Authority, veterans' preference and traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply.
• Agency & Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP & ICTAP): View OPM's CTAP & ICTAP eligibility website for more information. You must be rated in the Well-Qualified category and submit supporting documents under the required documents section of this announcement to receive selection priority consideration. To be considered Well-Qualified applicants must: score an 85 or above, meet Minimum Qualifications, and demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all major aspects of the position.

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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.