Lead IT Cybersecurity Specialist

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

$110K — $130K *
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of relevant IT cybersecurity experience.
  • Proven proficiency in designing security architectures for diverse environments.
  • Hands-on experience with enterprise cybersecurity solutions like Zero Trust and IAM.
  • Strong background in threat modeling and risk assessments.
  • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.

Responsibilities

  • Lead implementation of security policies and programs across IT platforms.
  • Initiate and evaluate enterprise security programs to minimize risks.
  • Assess system designs for vulnerabilities and recommend security measures.
  • Provide technical leadership and guidance to a cybersecurity team.
  • Develop and enforce access controls and security procedures.

Benefits

  • Access to a comprehensive federal benefits package including health insurance and retirement plans.
  • Potential for job incentives based on individual and organizational performance.
  • Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
  • Paid holidays, annual leave, and sick leave.
  • Flexibility in work schedules depending on the position.
Full Job Description
Summary

This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

Office of the Chief Information Officer, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

This announcement will close at 11:59 PM, on the day that 50 applications have been received or the closing date of the announcement, whichever comes first.

Duties

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WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING DAY TO DAY

As a Lead IT Cybersecurity Specialist, you will use your knowledge and experience to optimize business results and customer experience by:

  • Leading and coordinating the implementation of information security policies and programs; reviewing new systems, networks, and software designs for potential security risks; developing system and security designs and processes; coordinating implementation of security programs across platforms; and recommending ways to protect the organization's information and information systems.
  • Initiating, developing, implementing, and evaluating enterprise security programs; implementing security technologies designed to anticipate, assess, and minimize vulnerabilities; enforcing access controls; coordinating security implementation across platforms; and developing policies, standards, and procedures for information security systems and applications.
  • Assessing new system designs for security risks, identifying vulnerabilities, evaluating security incident response policies, performing technology assessments, reviewing implementation activities, and recommending operational policies and mitigation strategies to protect organizational information systems.
  • Serving as Team Lead providing technical leadership, coaching, and direction to cybersecurity staff while also providing expert advice, counsel, and instruction on cybersecurity architecture, security policies, enterprise infrastructure protection, and strategic security initiatives.


Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service - http://www.sss.gov
  • Suitable for federal employment
  • Meet time in grade restrictions by the closing date of the announcement
  • Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. All information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation.
  • All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date.


Qualifications

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Basic Qualifications: Applicants for the Information Technology Management series, 2210 at the GS-14 grade level must have Information Technology (IT) related experience which demonstrates proficiency in the following competencies:

  • Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
  • Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
  • Decision Making - Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
  • Information Management - Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems.
  • Interpersonal Skills - Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations
  • Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
  • Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
  • Teamwork - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
  • Technical Competency - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.


In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Minimum Qualifications: You must have one year specialized experience to perform successfully the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service performing ALL of the following:

  • Designing, implementing, and maintaining enterprise security and infrastructure architectures across on-premises, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments to support secure, scalable, and resilient business operations.
  • Leading the implementation of enterprise cybersecurity solutions, including Zero Trust architecture, cloud security, Identity and Access Management (IAM), network segmentation, AI/ML security, and other security technologies to protect enterprise systems and data.
  • Performing threat modeling, technical security assessments, architecture reviews, and risk analyses to identify vulnerabilities, evaluate security controls, and recommend mitigation strategies.
  • Providing technical leadership and expert guidance on enterprise cybersecurity architecture, cloud security strategy, and infrastructure modernization initiatives to improve organizational security posture and operational resilience.


Documenting experience: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational application questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee's supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the "percentage of times" the other duties were performed. It is expected that this documentation is included in the employee's official personnel record. In order to receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your official position, you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through national Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to gain employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If such experience is on a part-time basis, you must provide the average number of hours worked per week as well as the beginning and ending dates of the experience so it can be fully credited.

OPM Qualification General Policies Website

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Incentives may be authorized; however, this is contingent upon multiple factors, including funds availability. If authorized, certain incentives may require you to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a period of up to 3 years. Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid. Incentives may include the following: moving expenses, recruitment or relocation incentive; student loan repayment, superior qualifications appointment, creditable service for annual leave for prior non-federal work experience or prior uniformed military service, etc.

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

Bargaining Unit Position: No

Research position: No

Drug Screening Required: No

Applicants selected for this position will be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring.

Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans - https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/

Special Hiring Authorities for Military Spouses - https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/military-spouses/

People With Disabilities (Schedule A) - https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Individuals_with_Disabilities

Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP/ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an CTAP/ICTAP eligible see http://opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85.0 or above on the rating criteria for this position.

Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

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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.

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