Security Specialist (Information Security)

Summary

This position is located in the Government Accountability Office, Infrastructure Operations, Security and Emergency Management, Information Security branch. As a Security Specialist (Information Security), this position will directly support and provide advice to management and GAO staff on aspects of the GAO Information Security Program in an effort to enhance the protection and security of information under the authority and control of GAO.

This job is open to

• Federal employees - Competitive service
  
  Current or former competitive service federal employees.
• Individuals with disabilities
• Military spouses
• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
• Veterans

Clarification from the agency

Status Candidates (Merit Promotion and VEOA Eligibles)

Videos

Duties

The incumbent of this position will perform duties and have responsibilities related to the control and safeguarding of all types of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Classified National Security Information (NSI) for the Information Security Branch. Duties for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Gathers information and provides advice to management in the application of security program principles, techniques, and procedures. Identifies problems related to information security programs, analyzes facts, and recommends solutions.
• Provides guidance and assistance in the handling, safeguarding, accounting for transmitting, marking and destruction of all types of Sensitive Information and Classified National Security Information (NSI), including Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), Restricted Data, SCI, and NATO. Such duties may include but are not limited to classification management issues, security classification reviews and challenges, interpreting security classification guidance, and other related activities for sensitive and classified information and materials.
• Works with Management in the development, review, and update of policies supporting the information security program.
• Functions as a Special Security Representative (SSR) of a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) / Special Access Program Facility and processes and handles SCI and SAP materials.
• Participates in labor negotiations as required with the development of new policies, guidance, and design and management of secure facilities.
• Provides confidential threat analyses and evaluation, operational guidance and support and operational outreach and liaison to intelligence and information security communities and law enforcement officials as needed. Presents findings and generates reports to Management and Senior Agency officials and represents the agency in meetings with third parties and senior agency officials to discuss which best practices and trends to implement and pursue.
• Establishes reporting procedures and quality control oversight on polices dealing with an information security program.
• Develops after action reports and review gaps, identify areas of improvement, and improve the overall agency process.
• Writes analytical reports regarding security programs and procedures.
• Develops and provides security awareness initial and recurring training/briefings and monitors/gauges agency security awareness environment to ensure adequate training is provided in order to reduce risks of compromise.
• Drafts, reviews, and monitors interagency agreements and memorandums of understandings regarding the control and safeguarding of information and access to and use of the same outside of GAO.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

You must meet all qualification requirements before the announcement closes.

1. You must be a U.S. citizen

2. You may be required to submit a financial disclosure statement.

3. You must be suitable for federal employment.

4. Registered for Selective Service, if applicable. (www.sss.gov).

5. Completion of a probationary period may be required.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

One year (52 Weeks) of specialized experience in the private/public sector equivalent to the (PT-I, CS-I, AC-III, PE-I) pay band or GS-11 grade level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is defined as applying concepts and principles of Information Security through demonstrated experience performing the following functions: 1. Providing staff and customers with general and specific information security awareness briefings, indoctrinations, and training; 2. Providing advice regarding the proper safeguarding of classified and sensitive material and information in accordance with applicable directives; 3. Conducting security inspections, including general security program compliance inspections, or after-hours inspection, or inspections of security container contents; and 4. Providing classification management guidance, to include security classification reviews and challenges, interpreting security classification guidance, and/or applying classification marking.

Please do not cut and paste the position description, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume, as this will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (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. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

This position does not have a positive education requirement.

Additional information

Form I-9, Employment Verification and the Electronic Eligibility Verification Program - GAO participates in the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers. If selected, the Form I-9 will be required at the time of in-processing. Click here for more information about E-Verify and to obtain a copy of the Form I-9.

This is not a bargaining unit position.

Based on the staffing needs, additional selections may be made through this vacancy announcement.

Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid for by the GAO.

Males born after 12/31/59 and at least 18 years of age must be registered with the Selective Service System. Visit https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx.

Selectees will be required to complete questions contained on the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) at the time a tentative job offer is made. If selected, at the time of appointment, selectees will be required to update the OF-306.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: GAO provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request accommodation, please email ReasonableAccommodations@gao.gov.The U.S. Government Accountability Office's policy is to provide equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office's policy is to provide equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

The U.S. GAO is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. Initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the GAO require completion of a one or two-year probationary period.

• Benefits
  
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  Review our benefits
  
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

If you meet the qualification requirements stated above, you will be further rated based on your responses to the assessment questions. Please make sure that your responses to the assessment questions are supported in your resume. Please follow all instructions carefully. If you provide incomplete answers, fail to provide a narrative response to any vacancy question(s) that requires further explanation, or if your response to a vacancy question is "see resume", your rating may be affected or you may be determined ineligible.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

• Information Security, Internal Controls, and Technical Competence

To preview the assessment questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12525132

• Benefits
  
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  Review our benefits
  
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  You must provide a complete application package which includes:
  
  Resume: For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week (if part-time) and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Do NOT include photographs (or links to social media such as LinkedIn), inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume.
  
  Veteran Hiring Authority Eligibles: VEOA, VRA, and 30% Disabled Veterans must submit adequate proof of active service in the Armed Forces including Member 4 copy of your DD-214, which indicates character of service. To claim 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15 and a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs verifying the percentage of your disability and preference in hiring. To claim 5-Point veterans' preference, you must submit a Member 4 copy of the DD-214 or if you are currently active duty: an official statement of service from your command. For more information on veterans' preference visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.
  
  If you are applying under Military Spouse Preference, you must proof of marriage to the service member and the service members DD-214 (member 4 copy); or proof the service member was released or discharged due to a 100 percent disability; or proof of the service member's death while on active duty.
  
  Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent), showing tenure, type of service (competitive/excepted) and the highest grade held.
  
  If you are applying under the Schedule A hiring authority for individuals with disabilities, you must submit proof disability.
  
  If you are applying as a Former Peace Corps and AmeriCorps Vista Volunteers, you must submit certification of this volunteer service.
• How to Apply
  
  To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
  
  A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
  
  - To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
  
  - Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  
  - After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.- You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
  
  To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
  
  If you are unable to apply online, please contact Michelle Furukawa at furukawam@gao.gov or furukawam@gao.gov by 3 p.m. (EST) on the closing date of the announcement.
  
  For technical issue with USAJOBS: Please refer to the USAJOBS help page.
  
  Agency contact information
  
  Michelle Furukawa
  
  Email
  
  furukawam@gao.gov
  
  Address
  
  Government Accountability Office
  
  Human Capital Office
  
  441 G Street NW
  
  Washington, DC 20548
  
  US
  
  Next steps
  
  After the closing date of this announcement, GAO's Human Capital Office will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications by reviewing your assessment questionnaire and resume to complete an analysis. Please be as complete and thorough as possible. If your application is rated "best-qualified," your name will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. At this point you may be contacted for an interview.
  
  If you do not meet the key requirements, and/or basic qualifications or you fail to submit all required application materials, your application will not be considered.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

You must provide a complete application package which includes:

Resume: For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week (if part-time) and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Do NOT include photographs (or links to social media such as LinkedIn), inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume.

Veteran Hiring Authority Eligibles: VEOA, VRA, and 30% Disabled Veterans must submit adequate proof of active service in the Armed Forces including Member 4 copy of your DD-214, which indicates character of service. To claim 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15 and a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs verifying the percentage of your disability and preference in hiring. To claim 5-Point veterans' preference, you must submit a Member 4 copy of the DD-214 or if you are currently active duty: an official statement of service from your command. For more information on veterans' preference visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.

If you are applying under Military Spouse Preference, you must proof of marriage to the service member and the service members DD-214 (member 4 copy); or proof the service member was released or discharged due to a 100 percent disability; or proof of the service member's death while on active duty.

Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent), showing tenure, type of service (competitive/excepted) and the highest grade held.

If you are applying under the Schedule A hiring authority for individuals with disabilities, you must submit proof disability.

If you are applying as a Former Peace Corps and AmeriCorps Vista Volunteers, you must submit certification of this volunteer service.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

- To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.

- Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

- After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.- You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

If you are unable to apply online, please contact Michelle Furukawa at furukawam@gao.gov or furukawam@gao.gov by 3 p.m. (EST) on the closing date of the announcement.

For technical issue with USAJOBS: Please refer to the USAJOBS help page.

Agency contact information

Michelle Furukawa

Email

furukawam@gao.gov

Address

Government Accountability Office

Human Capital Office

441 G Street NW

Washington, DC 20548

US

Next steps

After the closing date of this announcement, GAO's Human Capital Office will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications by reviewing your assessment questionnaire and resume to complete an analysis. Please be as complete and thorough as possible. If your application is rated "best-qualified," your name will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. At this point you may be contacted for an interview.

If you do not meet the key requirements, and/or basic qualifications or you fail to submit all required application materials, your application will not be considered.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request