IT Cybersecurity Specialist (Infosec)

Air National Guard Units • South Burlington, VT

8d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a National Guard Title 32 excepted-service position with the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Mission Support Group. The position is an indefinite-tenure appointment, not to exceed September 30, 2027, and requires membership in the Vermont Air National Guard and military membership as a dual-status technician. The incumbent serves as an Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO) for an Air National Guard Wing’s Special Access Program (SAP) or Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) infrastructure. The role may be located in the Advanced Programs Office SAP Branch or an Operations Support Squadron Intelligence Division. The ISSO works under the Information Systems Security Manager (ISSM), the Wing Advanced Programs Program Manager when there is no ISSM, or the Intelligence Flight Chief when assigned to Intelligence.

The ISSO provides cybersecurity oversight for information systems and networks in accordance with Department of Defense, Air Force, National Guard Bureau, and applicable command security policies and procedures. The role ensures that information systems are operated and maintained in compliance with AFI 17-101, Joint SAP Implementation Guidance, and other applicable directives. It coordinates with Wing and MAJCOM peers and commercial vendors, monitors security bulletins and vulnerability alerts, establishes information security standards and procedures, and helps ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems and networks.

The position oversees certification and accreditation documentation and Risk Management Framework (RMF) implementation for systems and assets in the applicable enclave, including SAP networks and, for Intelligence ISSOs, SCIF facilities. It verifies that systems and devices are appropriately certified, accredited, configured, and approved by the appropriate Designated Approving Authorities before installation or connection. The incumbent also serves as a subject matter expert for inspections, self-assessments, site assistance visits, and accreditations, and maintains awareness of current and emerging security threats to develop or update protective procedures.

This is an Information Security Workforce position requiring Level II Information Assurance Technician (IAT-II) certification within six months or less of appointment. The selectee must be able to obtain Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility within six months if serving as a CCZ ISSO. The position is subject to random drug testing, may require irregular or overtime hours and temporary duty travel, and requires a valid driver’s license. The employee will be separated when the appointment term expires.

Requirements

• Must be a current member of the Vermont Air National Guard; the position requires military membership as a dual-status technician.
• Must have a high school diploma.
• Must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower GS grade or equivalent.
• Must have IT-related experience demonstrating attention to detail, customer service, oral communication, and problem solving.
• Must meet applicable GS time-in-grade requirements when applicable; one year at GS-11 is required for GS-12 consideration.
• Must obtain Level II Information Assurance Technician (IAT-II) certification within six months or less of appointment.
• CCZ ISSOs may hold a Secret clearance but must be able to obtain Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility within six months of employment.
• Must have, obtain, and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Must be able to wear the military uniform and participate in mandatory direct deposit.
• Must satisfy federal employment suitability requirements, including applicable background investigation and Selective Service registration requirements.
• Must be eligible to perform duties covered by the Lautenberg Amendment; a qualifying misdemeanor domestic-violence conviction disqualifies an individual.
• Must comply with pre-employment and random drug testing requirements.
• Must be able to travel for temporary duty by car, military or commercial aircraft, or other appropriate transportation.
• Must be able to work irregular and/or overtime hours or outside the normal duty day when operational requirements or contingencies require it.
• Specialized experience and competencies include collecting and analyzing data; planning, directing, and coordinating complex programs; developing and adjusting cyber program plans; establishing working relationships; communicating orally and in writing; exercising independent judgment; training, mentoring, and problem solving; and applying IT security methods, tools, procedures, certification and accreditation requirements, network operations and protocols, and computer-forensics principles.
• Must be able to apply IT security procedures and directives and support protection, restoration, monitoring, evaluation, and compliant operation of IT systems, services, and capabilities.

Nice To Haves

• An undergraduate degree in Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services is desired, depending on the education requirements for the compatible military skill (AFSC).
• Higher-education coursework in computer engineering, engineering physics or applied physics, industrial engineering, electromechanical engineering, electrical/electronics/communications, computer technology or systems technology, cyber/electronics operations and warfare, mathematics and computer science, accounting and computer science, computational science, management information systems and mathematics, or business, English composition, computer software, and keyboarding is desired.
• A graduate degree in Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services is optimum.
• Education in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management—or a degree including at least 24 semester hours in those fields and application, systems, or network development or adaptation—is relevant.

Responsibilities

• Provide cybersecurity support for an Air National Guard Wing’s SAP or SCIF infrastructure.
• Operate and maintain systems in accordance with DoD, Air Force, NGB, command, AFI 17-101, and JSIG security requirements.
• Monitor DoD information-security bulletins and notifications, including Information Security Vulnerability Alerts.
• Coordinate cybersecurity and information-assurance requirements with Wing and MAJCOM contacts, responsible personnel, and commercial vendors.
• Establish operating standards and procedures for the installation Information Security Program; track required actions and report virus problems according to established procedures.
• Plan, analyze, develop, and implement information systems security programs, policies, procedures, and tools to protect systems and networks.
• Advise, prepare, and audit the organization for self-inspections, compliance inspections, and accreditations; may lead assessment teams such as Site Assistance Visits.
• Coordinate with Wing and MAJCOM ISSMs to verify or clarify cybersecurity and information-assurance procedures.
• Oversee certification and accreditation documentation and RMF implementation for information systems and assets in the enclave, including applicable SAP networks and SCIF facilities.
• Validate that RMF requirements are implemented and that assets connected or proposed for connection to local networks have approval from the appropriate Designated Approving Authorities.
• Maintain knowledge of past, current, and potential future security threats through training, conferences, research, and information sharing with security professionals; use that knowledge to develop or implement policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Eligible employees may participate in most benefits programs available to permanent federal employees, including Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED