Information Technology Cyber Security Specialist

Summary This position is in the Excepted Service under U.S.C. 50 § 3024(v) and appointments are made without regard to the requirements of the Competitive Service by laws, Executive order, or OPM regulations. The postion is in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Office of Technology and Innovation (INR/TIO). INR/TIO manages the information technology programs and resources essential to the Department's diplomatic and national security missions. Responsibilities Direct the collection and analysis of data from a variety of cyber defense tools (e.g., IDS/IPS, firewalls, and network traffic logs) to identify and mitigate sophisticated threats targeting the Department's global Top Secret network. Orchestrate the investigation, analysis, and response to complex cyber incidents within the Department's national security enclave, ensuring rapid recovery and minimal impact on diplomatic missions. Lead the design and integration efforts for secure IT frameworks, specifically spearheading the implementation of Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) and modern security protocols across the Top Secret Network. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants applying for the GS-14 grade level must meet the following requirements: Have IT-related experience demonstrating EACH of the four competencies AND specialized experience listed below: Attention to Detail - Incumbent demonstrates a high level of attention to detail by applying personal knowledge and ability to provide expert technical analysis and consultation focused on current global cyber threat environment and associated risks in order to mitigate cybersecurity vulnerabilities and risks. Customer Service - Incumbent demonstrates a high level of ability to serve customers by establishing and maintaining industry partnerships and providing expert guidance on complex and controversial cybersecurity issues which have long term impact on IT infrastructure security. Oral Communication - Incumbent demonstrates a high level of skill in communicating in order to provide expert advice and guidance on the impact of threats, risks and cybersecurity solutions, exchange information, brief senior officials, guide cross-functional teams, and engage with diverse stakeholders. Problem Solving - Incumbent clearly demonstrates the ability to evaluate, identify and prioritize problems by determining the most appropriate principles to apply to resolve a wide range of technical issues related to cybersecurity with limited supervisory involvement. AND Have at least 1 full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service which provided you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience serving as a senior technical lead in the deployment of advanced cybersecurity solutions across a global infrastructure; this includes providing technical direction, managing project teams, and ensuring that complex IT methods and standards are consistently applied throughout the project lifecycle. Experience serving in a Cyber Network Defense (CND)-aligned role, providing strategic oversight of the organizational defensive posture; this includes staying abreast of and enforcing security standards, overseeing the security and SOC architecture, managing the deployment and integration of enterprise-wide defensive tools (e.g., SIEM, EDR, and Vulnerability Scanners), and maturing the interdependencies between continuous monitoring, threat detection capabilities, and infrastructure hardening to reduce the organizational attack surface. Experience acting as a primary liaison between technical staff and senior management; this includes synthesizing complex technical data into executive briefings and providing expert recommendations to influence the resolution of controversial security and risk-based decisions. NOTE: In order to qualify for this position, your experience MUST be IT related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate. There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-14 position. Education Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement. Additional Information For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at OAA@state.gov. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.