IT CYBERSECURITY SPECIALIST (INFOSEC)

Summary

This position is part of the Warfare Centers Personnel Demonstration Project. The NT-5 pay band encompasses positions equivalent to GS-13 and GS-14. You will serve as the Alternate Information Systems Security Manager (ISSM) in the Corporate Operations Department, ACIO/Information Technology Division (Code 104) of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division.

Duties

• You will exercise delegated ISSM authority to defend Dahlgren Division’s complex environment against nation-state cyber threats, zero-day vulnerabilities, and Frontier AI-driven exploits.
• You will lead and direct a distributed cadre of Department ISSOs to enforce continuous vulnerability management and offensive-informed cyber defense across research labs.
• You will serve as the senior alternate advisor to Command leadership, planning, developing, and executing the enterprise-wide cybersecurity and Zero Trust program.
• You will drive technical risk management and rapid response containment, digital forensics, and execution of operational cyber directives like IAVM, OPORD, and TASKORD.
• You will act as senior cyber liaison to NAVSEA, Fleet Cyber Command, intelligence agencies, and DoW partners to communicate systems risk and align defensive policies.
• You will integrate robust cyber engineering safeguards and resilient architectures into emerging hardware, software, and advanced weapon development pipelines.
• You will lead a comprehensive assessment of current cybersecurity processes, authorization boundaries, and system configurations across the enterprise.
• You will collaborate with stakeholders to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement in existing governance frameworks.
• You will establish clear priorities and standards for the Information System Security Officer (ISSO) role, processes, and overall cyber governance across the enterprise.
• You will develop and implement standardized policies that align with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.
• You will Review, update, and validate Authorization and Assessment packages in accordance with new priorities and standards.
• You will ensure all Authorization and Assessment documentation meets the established governance requirements and is ready for implementation.
• You will ensure all updates to cybersecurity processes are thoroughly documented and disseminated across the enterprise.
• You will implement a structured approach for rolling out new processes, ensuring compliance and consistency in adoption.
• You will equip ISSOs with the necessary skills through targeted training programs focused on new processes, tools, and best practices.
• You will maintain clear and ongoing communication with stakeholders, providing updates on process changes, training opportunities, and governance developments.
• You will implement mechanisms for ongoing compliance monitoring to ensure adherence to established cybersecurity standards and policies.
• You will collect and analyze feedback and metrics to refine processes, driving continuous improvement and enhancing the effectiveness of cyber governance efforts.

Qualifications

Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the NT-4 pay band (GS-11 and GS-12 equivalency) in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Providing management oversight of an organization's information technology infrastructure or systems, developing and executing strategic cybersecurity policies and plans aligned with organizational requirements, and exercising accountability for system security posture and risk mitigation. Examples of qualifying experience may include (1) Applying knowledge of DoD/DoN RDT&E networks, labs, and principles (e.g., DREN, RDTE, SDREN, JMN, and JIOR); (2) Applying knowledge of US Navy Combat and Weapon System of Systems (e.g., AEGIS, SSDS, MK160, and SPY); (3) Applying knowledge of DoD, DON and NAVSEA mission and organizational structure. Your experience must reflect skill in the following areas: attention to detail, customer service, oral communication, and problem solving. Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/2200/information-technology-it-management-series-2210-alternative-a/ Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments, and required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. Resumes are restricted to no more than 2 pages. Illegible/unreadable resumes will not be considered. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: 1. Click the Apply Online button. 2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. 3. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. 4. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. 5. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. 6. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. 7. Set aside at least 2 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. 8. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980686389652-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information For more general information, system requirements, and to request assistance regarding the USA Hire Assessments, review the following resources: https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. Do not email or send hard copy resumes/applications to the Contact Information or Agency Information listed in this vacancy announcement. All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will be destroyed and will not be considered for this vacancy announcement. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that all information in their resume and documents are legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers/documents submitted by an applicant.