IT Cybersecurity Specialist (Recent Graduates)

Social Security Administration • Denver County, CO

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Social Security Administration’s Recent Graduates Program offers entry-level developmental experience intended to lead to a career in federal service. Participants receive formal and on-the-job training during a one-year developmental program. This full-time, excepted-service, non-bargaining-unit position is a career-ladder role that may lead to the GS-12 full-performance level. Promotion and conversion are subject to successful performance, management discretion, and applicable agency requirements. Successful participants may be noncompetitively converted to a term appointment of up to four years or a permanent appointment.

At the full-performance level, the IT Cybersecurity Specialist supports the day-to-day functionality and protection of SSA information technology systems by developing and implementing cybersecurity programs, policies, procedures, and digital tools. The position helps safeguard the security and integrity of systems, networks, and data through cybersecurity operations, incident response, system administration and security, compliance and policy implementation, user support and training, documentation and reporting, and continuous improvement.

The position is assigned to Security and Resiliency Cybersecurity and is performed in an office environment. It is not authorized to be filled virtually or through outstationing. Telework may be available when authorized for employees who reside within a two-hour commute of their assigned official duty station. Occasional travel or after-hours work may be needed during security incidents or system upgrades. No special physical effort is required.

Requirements

• Meet eligibility requirements for the federal Recent Graduates Program, including having completed a qualifying degree or certificate within the applicable eligibility period.
• Demonstrate the IT competencies of attention to detail, customer service, interpersonal skills, reasoning, and teamwork through work, education, or training.
• Meet GS-07 or GS-09 specialized-experience requirements, or qualify through the specified education substitution for the grade sought.
• For GS-07, demonstrate basic IT cyber experience or education/training involving incident monitoring and detection, compliance and audit support, documentation and reporting, system testing coordination, user support, or access management; qualifying examples include assisting with entry-level IT incidents, showing basic literacy in IT security methods and system protocols, and analyzing system behavior or routine errors.
• For GS-09, demonstrate experience such as basic vulnerability scanning and network-alert analysis, implementing basic security controls, managing user permissions and MFA, assisting with system modifications or security-component analysis, or participating in security assessments and drafting routine reports.
• Complete the USAHire Assessment within 48 hours of the announcement closing and meet or exceed the OPM cutoff score for the federal 2210 series.
• Provide required transcripts to demonstrate Recent Graduates Program eligibility and, if applicable, education used in lieu of specialized experience.
• Be a U.S. citizen; meet Selective Service registration requirements if applicable; and satisfy required fingerprinting and background or security investigation.
• Sign a Pathways Recent Graduates Participant Agreement and serve a trial period.
• Be able to work at an assigned official duty station; virtual or outstationed work is not authorized.
• Describe relevant duties and responsibilities in the application materials; credit may be given for relevant unpaid or part-time work.

Responsibilities

• Support the day-to-day functionality and protection of SSA information technology systems.
• Develop and implement cybersecurity programs, policies, procedures, and digital tools.
• Help ensure the security and integrity of systems, networks, and data.
• Perform cybersecurity operations and incident-response duties.
• Support system administration and security, compliance and policy implementation, and user support and training.
• Prepare documentation and reports and contribute to continuous improvement.
• During training, perform standard, routine duties independently and develop the technical competence needed for higher-level assignments.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; eligibility depends on appointment type and work status.
• Participants serving on appointments for more than 90 days may be eligible for the Federal Employees Health Benefits program.
• Participants serving on appointments for one year or less are generally not eligible for FERS, FEGLI, or the Thrift Savings Program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree