Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Logo
Position Title
Security Specialist
Agency
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Announcement Number
IOD-ST-12043592-23-VM Opens in new window
Open Period
Tuesday, July 25, 2023 to Monday, August 7, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
Select the appropriate eligibility item(s) based on the below recruitment considerations.

Merit Promotion: You will only receive consideration (if eligible) under competitive merit promotion procedures if you select any of the following eligibilities: I/CTAP, Competitive Merit Promotion, VEOA or Land Management Eligible under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act.

Non-Competitive: You will only receive consideration (if eligible) under non-competitive and/or Special Hiring Authority if you select any of the following eligibilities: Persons with Schedule A disability, 30% Disabled Veteran, Certain Military Spouses, Non-Competitive Merit Promotion (i.e. Boren Fellows, Former White House staff, Certain National Guard technicians, Interchange Agreement, Peace Corps and Certain Former Overseas Employees, etc.), or Veterans Recruitment Appointment (up to GS-11 equivalent positions).
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1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
• have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR,
• are retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more?

For more information, review Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member Copy 4 or equivalent).  You must also submit your official document from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying your overall compensable service-connected disability rating of 30% or more and the SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference.
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3. (1) Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who is serving on active duty?

-OR-

(2) Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating of 100 percent at the time of retirement or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100 percent from the Department of Veterans Affairs?

-OR-

(3) Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status?

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility for option 1 identified above, you must submit a copy of your spouse's active military orders and a copy of the marriage certificate. 

To verify your eligibility for options 2 and 3 identified above, you must submit the Standard Form 15 and all supporting documentation identified on that document (e.g., Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service; death certificate and documentation identifying marital status at the time of death; disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, etc.).
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4. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the Career Transition Programs (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
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5. Were you employed overseas as an Appropriated Fund employee AND did you:
• complete 52 weeks of creditable overseas service in an appropriated fund position(s) as a family member during the time you accompanied a sponsor officially assigned to an overseas area; AND,
• receive a fully successful or better (or equivalent) performance rating; AND,
• return to the United States to resume residence less than 3 years ago?

For more information, review  Former Overseas Employees resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50, and performance appraisal.
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6. Have you completed at least 1 year of continuous service immediately before separation from one or more nontemporary Foreign Service appointments; AND, your separation from a Foreign Service career-type appointment occurred in the last 3 years (individuals entitled to veteran's preference do not need to meet this 3-year requirement)?

-OR-

Have you completed at least 3 years of substantially continuous service under one or more nontemporary appointments in the Foreign Service immediately before separation from an unlimited, career-type appointment in that Service?

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) reflecting your nontemporary status. If you are outside of the 3-year requirement but are entitled to veteran's preference, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service.
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7. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review Career Transition Programs (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
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8. Are you a current Excepted Service employee of a Federal Agency that has a valid interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management?

For more information, review Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems.

-OR-

Are you a current:
• Postal Career Service Employee;
• Postal Rate Commission Employee;
• Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employee; or,
• Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee?

For more information, review Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) reflecting your status.
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9. Are you a Land Management Eligible under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act? (limit characters)
10. Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service and have never held the full performance level of this position? To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).

-OR-

Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or did you obtain career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) and have never held the full performance level of this position?
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11. Are you a current or former Federal employee (transfer or reinstatement eligible) who holds or has previously held a career or career-conditional position at the same or higher grade level with the same or higher promotion potential as the position being announced? 

If eligible, submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. 
• Your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect career or career-conditional (Tenure 1 or 2) AND
• Your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied is 1).

-OR-

Are you an Individuals eligible under other non-competitive appointment authorities such as: Interchange Agreement, Boren Fellows, Former White House staff, Certain National Guard technicians, Peace Corps, Certain Military Spouses, and Certain Former Overseas Employees? Note: You must submit documentation to support any eligibilities for which you wish to be considered.
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12. Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past twelve months?

-OR-

Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and are requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility due to your military service, status as a full-time student or other experience related to this position? -OR- Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who has completed at least 36 months of continuous service and has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility. If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, please also provide the necessary documentation to support your request.

For more information, review Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA

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13. Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?

For more information, review Individuals with disabilities resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
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14. Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions and you:
  • served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (NOTE: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility) OR
  • are entitled to veterans' preference
If eligible, submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service.

For more information, review Veterans resources.
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15. Reasonable Accommodations for taking the online assessments are provided on a case-by-case basis only to qualified individuals with a disability covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

Do you have a disability (physical or mental) that you believe will interfere with completing the online assessments and require a Reasonable Accommodation?


 
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16. Reasonable Accommodations for taking the online assessments are provided on a case-by-case basis only to qualified individuals with a disability covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

Do you have a disability (physical or mental) that you believe will interfere with completing the online assessments and require a Reasonable Accommodation?

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Preferences
1. Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. (limit characters)
2. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
3. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees.

In the last five years (from the closing date of this vacancy announcement) have you served, or are you currently serving, as an Executive Branch Political appointee, Political Schedule A, Schedule C (confidential or policy-determining), or Non-Career or Limited appointee in the Senior Executive System (SES)? If yes, please provide appropriate documentation in your application package to provide proof of your current or most recent political appointment.


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4. Are you receiving a Federal civilian retirement annuity? If yes, and you are selected for this position, your salary will be reduced by the gross amount of the Federal annuity paid during the period of reemployment. (limit characters)
5. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an USA Hire Competency Based Assessment, which measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. If you are required to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment, you will be emailed a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. The USA Hire online assessment must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement.

You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. See the "How to Apply", Next Steps", and "Additional Information" within the Job Opportunity Announcement for additional details.

Do you acknowledge that you may be required to take an additional online USA Hire Competency Based Assessment, via an email link sent to you after completion of this application, and that failure to complete any portion of the assessment will remove your application from consideration?
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Assessment 1
For each task in the following group, choose the statement from the list below that best describes your experience and/or training. Do not overstate or understate your level of experience and demonstrated capability. You should be aware that your ratings are subject to evaluation and verification based on the resume and other relevant documents you submit. You may be found ineligible if your supporting documentation does not support your claims. For each item, select the one response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability using the scale below. (limit characters)
1. From the descriptions below, select the letter that corresponds to the highest level of education and/or experience that you fully possess and demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a Security Specialist at the GS-13 grade level. Select only one letter for each item. (limit characters)
2. From the descriptions below, select the letter that corresponds to the highest level of education and/or experience that you fully possess and demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a Security Specialist at the GS-14 grade level. Select only one letter for each item. (limit characters)
For each item, select the one response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability using the scale below. (limit characters)
3. Serve as a liaison to other Federal agencies, state, and local government, and the private sector on matters relative to the protection and resiliency of the Nation's critical infrastructure.
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4. Plan, coordinate, and conduct complex critical infrastructure security and resilience assessment activities, including the generation of Protective/Resilience Measure Indices based on industry standards, identifying vulnerabilities, and presenting recommendations to corporate executives and/or senior SLTT officials to mitigate risk.
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5. Serve as a point of contact for local infrastructure owners and operators requiring assistance in protection planning.
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6. Coordinate physical security protective measures and procedures and assures that appropriate data is captured in centralized database.
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7. Review and interpret new directives, program changes, legal initiatives, and/or Homeland Security guidelines concerned with safeguards and security activities affecting critical infrastructure.
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8. Coordinate and schedule security assistance visits for review and analysis of the physical and technical security of the facilities to determine levels of efficiency, formality of operations, and resiliency with applicable policies and program requirements.
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9. Coordinate and collaborate with high-level executives in response to, and recovery from, natural or man-made incidents, both physical and cyber, in accordance with the National Response Framework.
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10. Plan, develop, coordinate, and execute outreach in response to threats and the threat environment related to strategic initiatives.
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11. Develop and maintain relationships with owners and operators of Critical Infrastructure, meeting regularly with site security personnel and state and local officials to share information, review protection support by Federal agencies.
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12. Build trusted partnerships and provide tools, training, programs and resources to enhance security and resilience.
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13. Monitor information and status on all hazards threats and incidents, ensuring information is appropriately shared with appropriate stakeholders.
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14. Influence commitment of resources outside of the incumbent's direct control to achieve security and resilience goals and mission requirements.
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15. Prepare written reports of findings and options for consideration for improving security, emergency, and continuity plans and procedures and follows up with on-site visit to determine progress.
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16. Coordinate and conduct briefings, critical infrastructure site visits, and information sharing with senior-level FSLTT Officials and corporate executives.
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17. Represent an organization in government-wide forums on critical infrastructure security and resilience.
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Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
18. Do you certify, to the best of your knowledge and belief, all of the information submitted by you with your application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that you have truthfully and accurately represented your work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.)? Do you understand that the information provided may be investigated? Do you understand that misrepresenting your experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in or with your application may be grounds for not hiring you or for firing you after you begin work? Do you also understand that false or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001)?
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