Information Technology Specialist (INFOSEC)

Federal Emergency Management Agency•Washington, DC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in the Insurance Systems Branch in Washington, D.C. The Information Technology Specialist serves as a principal staff advisor on vulnerabilities and threats to computer systems, applying advanced IT principles, concepts, methods, standards, and practices. The role requires a thorough understanding of hardware and software safeguards to protect IT systems, including personal computers and local area networks. The specialist provides technical expertise on how proposed applications and projects interface with existing systems, FEMA’s network architecture, and available resources. The position supports a Federal IT program by monitoring cybersecurity and compliance so systems meet applicable requirements and can maintain an Authority to Operate. FEMA employees have recurring emergency-management responsibilities and may be recalled at any time. Emergency operations may involve irregular hours, work outside the official duty station, extensive travel with little advance notice, and deployment to physically austere and operationally challenging locations, potentially for weeks or months.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required.
Successfully pass and maintain a background investigation for a Computer Clearance; this may include a credit check and review of financial issues and certain criminal offenses or illegal drug use.
Register for Selective Service, if applicable.
Current federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements; at least 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band is required.
Be able to obtain and maintain a Government credit card.
Be able to deploy with little or no advance notice anywhere in the United States and its territories for an extended period.
Demonstrate IT-related experience in each listed competency: Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Decision Making, Information Management, Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Problem Solving, Teamwork, and Technical Competence.
For GS-13, have one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-12, including work on a Federal IT System Program as a cybersecurity professional ensuring compliant operation and maintenance; developing plans and artifacts supporting an IT System’s Authority to Operate; and supporting system and process audits to show compliance with cybersecurity requirements for a financial IT system.
Current or former federal employees must disclose qualifying political-appointee service within the past five years to Human Resources.
A one-year probationary period is required for new Federal competitive service employees and new supervisors and managers.
No educational substitution is available; applicants must meet the experience qualifications.

Responsibilities

Serve as a technical expert and principal staff advisor on computer-system vulnerabilities and threats.
Develop long-range plans for IT security systems, including serving as a project manager.
Develop security countermeasures to minimize system vulnerabilities.
Implement training and education to ensure the team understands IT security requirements.
Coordinate technical vulnerability testing and network assessments to counter attempts against systems.
Support cybersecurity monitoring and compliance for Federal IT systems so they meet requirements and maintain an Authority to Operate.
Support auditing of systems and processes to provide evidence that a financial IT system meets cybersecurity requirements.
Participate in emergency-management operations, which may require recall, deployment, irregular hours, travel, or work at locations other than the official duty station.