IT Branch Manager - Security Operations #177

Senate•Washington, DC

About The Position

The Senate Sergeant at Arms is hiring an IT Branch Manager - Security Operations to direct strategic planning and oversee branch operations, including resource allocation, personnel management, project oversight, and budgeting. The role sets technical performance standards for outsourced services, evaluates vendor compliance, and leads contract re-competitions, including requirements development and RFP management. It also establishes and enforces policies, procedures, and operational standards; prepares reports; approves procurement actions; and manages administrative functions. The position may serve as a Contracting Officer’s Representative, establish practices governing branch operations and staff, serve as the Director in their absence, and represent the SAA in meetings with Senate or legislative branch organizations. The role requires strategic leadership of cybersecurity and IT programs, development of technical staff, and oversight of security operations. Work is performed in an office environment, with extended computer use and occasional walking, standing, bending, and carrying items under 50 pounds. The position may require on-call or onsite availability on a rotational basis within 24 hours, occasional late-night and weekend work, and work during holidays, overnight hours, inclement weather, or lapses in appropriations to support essential services. A Top Secret U.S. Government security clearance is required; applicants must be U.S. citizens to be submitted for clearance. A bachelor's degree is specified, with a degree in a related technical field preferred. The job announcement closes at 11:59 p.m. EST on its closing date; late applications are not accepted.

Requirements

At least eight years of progressively responsible experience in information technology, information security, cybersecurity, or a related technical field.
At least six years of leadership experience within a cybersecurity environment.
Strategic leadership of complex cybersecurity and IT programs, including priority-setting, resource allocation, and risk evaluation.
Ability to lead, manage, and develop technical, professional, and managerial staff.
Advanced knowledge of cybersecurity and IT principles, frameworks, security controls, and emerging technologies.
Understanding of public-sector procurement, contracting, budgeting, personnel management, and project management.
Experience managing multimillion-dollar budgets, major contracts, vendors, and investment portfolios.
Ability to analyze complex technical, operational, financial, and organizational issues and make sound decisions.
Executive-level communication skills to advise leadership, build consensus, and engage diverse stakeholders.
Ability to establish and enforce cybersecurity policies, standards, and operational practices.
Ability to contribute to and execute strategic IT and cybersecurity plans aligned with organizational goals.
Commitment to ongoing professional development and staying current with IT and cybersecurity trends.
Ability to obtain and maintain CISSP certification.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens to be submitted for a security clearance and must obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S. Government security clearance.
Deep working knowledge of Windows, Linux, and macOS internals.
Hands-on experience authoring, reviewing, and tuning Sigma, YARA, Snort, and Suricata rules.
Hands-on experience with host forensic toolsets and artifacts across Windows, Linux, and macOS, and with packet capture and NetFlow analysis.
Ability to perform triage-level malware analysis during incidents, including script de-obfuscation, basic binary analysis, and live process examination.
Understanding of offensive tactics to validate detections and identify coverage gaps.
Proficiency in at least one scripting language: PowerShell, Python, Bash, Ruby, or Perl.
Ability to turn fragmented data into clear, actionable threat intelligence products.
Experience recruiting, mentoring, and retaining security staff through structured coaching and development plans.
Ability to manage shift-based or on-call operations, workload triage, and high-tempo incident escalations.
Work requires occasional walking, standing, bending, safely carrying items weighing less than 50 pounds, and extended computer use.
A bachelor's degree is listed in the education section.
Must be able to work schedules and conditions needed to maintain essential Senate services, including possible non-standard hours.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field preferred.
Active CISSP or CISM certification preferred.
Direct management experience leading a SOC, Incident Response, or Threat Hunt team, including managing staff rather than serving only as a senior individual contributor.
Prior security clearance history is a plus.
Exposure to Cisco IOS, Solaris, or mobile operating system environments is a plus.
Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and team-development skills, with a track record of clearly briefing non-technical leadership.

Responsibilities

Set technical performance standards for outsourced services and evaluate vendor contract compliance.
Lead all phases of contract re-competitions, including requirements development and RFP management.
Direct strategic planning and oversee branch operations, prioritization, resource allocation, personnel management, and projects.
Develop and manage the branch budget, including forecasting, expenditure control, justification materials, budget testimony contributions, and cost-benefit analysis.
Oversee recruitment, onboarding, training, development, motivation, and performance evaluation of branch staff.
Establish and enforce branch and department policies, procedures, and operational standards.
Prepare operational reports, approve procurement actions, and manage administrative functions.
May serve as Contracting Officer’s Representative for one or more contracts.
Establish policies and practices governing branch operations, services, and staff.
Serve as the Director in their absence.
Lead or participate in user groups, task forces, and steering committees with Senate or legislative branch organizations.
Represent the SAA in meetings and activities with senior management of Senate or legislative branch organizations.
Plan and oversee multiple technical units and IT projects from conception to completion.
Develop staff and coordinate with IT, legal, compliance, and senior executive teams.
Provide executive briefings and structured documentation on technical findings.
Be available for on-call or rotational onsite work and, as needed, work nights, weekends, holidays, overnight hours, or during a lapse of appropriations to support essential services.