Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Logo
Position Title
Security Specialist
Agency
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Announcement Number
ISD-DE-12073577-23-RA Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, August 4, 2023 to Thursday, August 10, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. 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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2. 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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3. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
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. 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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6. The following question is regarding your Selective Service status. If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, and are at least 18 years of age, civil service employment law (5 U.S.C. 3328) requires that you must be registered with the Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. Selective Service bases the registration requirement on gender assigned at birth and not on gender identity or on gender reassignment. Individuals who are born male and changed their gender to female are still required to register. Individuals who are born female and changed their gender to male are not required to register. If you are required to register but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for appointment by executive agencies of the Federal Government (5 CFR 300.704). Visit http://www.sss.gov for additional information. (limit characters)
7. If you are a Federal civilian employee, under what type of appointment are you currently serving?
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8. If you are, or ever were a Federal civilian employee, indicate the pay plan and grade level or pay band of the highest graded position you have ever held. For example: GS-05, WG-04.
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9. Are you a current or former Federal civilian employee with reinstatement eligibility?
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10. 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)
11. Have you accepted a buyout, (i.e., Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP)) from a Federal agency within the past 5 years? If yes, and you are selected for this position, you must repay the entire (pre-tax) amount of the incentive to the agency which paid the buyout before your first day of work in the new position. (limit characters)
12. 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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Preferences
1. When Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) completes their selections, the remaining list of qualified candidates may be shared with hiring managers and Human Resources specialists at other DHS Component agencies who are hiring for similar positions. You may choose to opt-in to having your information shared with other DHS Component agencies when applying for this position. If a DHS Component agency requests a list of applicants referred for selection consideration (i.e., certificate), and you are on that list, you will be notified. There is no guarantee of further consideration, and you can continue to explore other job opportunity announcements. (limit characters)
2. For qualification determinations and to receive full consideration for relevant experience your resume must contain complete information and support your question responses. Be clear and specific when describing your work history since human resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience.

Your resume must include the following:
  • Full Legal Name
  • Address
  • Phone Number
  • Email Address
  • Complete work history (which includes job titles)
  • Detailed description of your job-related qualifications (including tasks performed)
  • Beginning and ending dates of employment with the month and year (e.g., MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY, MM/YYYY to Present)
  • Total hours worked per week for any position you worked that was not full time (less than 40 hours)
If you are a current or former Federal civilian employee, your resume must also include:
  • Pay Plan/Pay Band (e.g., GS, WG, etc.);
  • Occupational series (e.g., 201, 301, 2210, etc.); and
  • Grade level (e.g., 5, 9, 13, etc.)
Do you understand that if your resume does not contain the information listed above, your application may be deemed insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position?
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Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in a position with the Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Your resume and the responses you provide to this assessment questionnaire will be used to determine if you are amongst the best qualified for this position. Your responses are subject to verification. Please review your responses for accuracy before you submit your application. (limit characters)
1. Select one statement from the choices below to show how you meet the qualification requirements for this position at the GS-13 level. (limit characters)
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. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
2. Implements processes and mechanisms to receive, track, and analyze customer requests for product or service delivery related to C-IED assessments. (limit characters)
3. Leads operations in emergencies and ensures bombing prevention resources are coordinated and available to deploy to affected stakeholders. (limit characters)
4. Engages and persuades FSLTT, to include federal interagency partners and private sector officials to commit resources and participate in projects at varied levels such as national, state, local, tribal and territorial agencies. (limit characters)
5. Speaks on behalf of the organization as a counter-IED subject matter expert at national and international meetings, symposia, and conferences to address national counter-IED policies and programs (limit characters)
6. Prepares decision papers, reports, and analyses on Public Dafety Bomb Squad programs activities. Writes memos, talking points, briefings and other correspondence for senior decision makers. (limit characters)
7. Develops assessment reports to assist operational decision-makers and resource providers in developing investment justifications. (limit characters)
8. Responds to critical requests for information where assessment and evaluation data can facilitate planning for future response needs or to support ongoing response operations. (limit characters)
9. RequiredPerforms long-range planning and analysis of new substantive counter-IED capability assessment and evaluation methodologies where precedents are scarce or nonexistent. (limit characters)
10. Develops, directs, and conducts analyses and evaluative studies through inspections / assessments, and reviews. (limit characters)
11. Takes action or makes recommendations to eliminate unsatisfactory policies and programs, eliminate excessive costs, and implement new strategies based on analysis. (limit characters)
12. Makes analyses, decisions and recommendations for broadly defined issues, incidents, and problems, often in areas with few precedents and general analysis. (limit characters)
13. Assists in determining the need for written policies and procedures, overseeing the development of policies and procedures, and reviewing and recommending approval upon completion. (limit characters)
14. Consults with management to prepare detailed plans, goals, objectives, requirements, and criteria for complex or high-value management processes and systems (limit characters)
15. Leads and participates in large, diverse, multidisciplinary interagency groups. (limit characters)
16. Applies the National Guidelines for Bomb Technicians (2023), the National Strategic Plan for U.S Bomb Squads (2018), National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP), C-IED Security and Resiliency Guide (SRG), and PPD-17 data to identify critical areas to manage risks and achieve C-IED security and resilience outcomes. (limit characters)
17. Shares expertise of adversary bombing and explosive device tactics, techniques, and procedures and associated countermeasure programs and techniques used by Public Safety Bomb Squads to mitigate the threat. (limit characters)
18. Manages a C-IED Capability Assessment (CCA) program to measure the capability elements of personnel, equipment, and training required for effective prevention, protection, and response to IED threats. (limit characters)
19. I certify that to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an international false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.
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