Summary This position located in the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO). OCIO provides information technology (IT) planning, design, application development, systems administration, telecommunications, information assurance/security, information management, and IT customer support services for FSIS. The incumbent serves as an IT Cybersecurity Specialist (Network) within a Branch of OCIO. Responsibilities Perform a combination of network and security design and implementation duties, as well as performing network and security penetration testing to ensure security compliance following federal regulations, standards and best practices. Lead a team the design, configure, implement and maintain all network and security platforms such as routers, switches, wireless access points, intrusion prevention systems, security information and event management solutions. Design, deploy and manage network and security SSL/TLS technologies such as: cloud VPN solutions, Antivirus, and Application Control. Responsible for daily triage of network and security related issues using the FSIS ticketing system. Assist with the process of developing, designing and implementing enterprise network and cyber security network access controls for Information Technology (IT) infrastructure systems, servers, network and application solutions. Design Cyber security architectural artifacts while meeting federal Cyber-security regulatory requirements for Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability, Authentication, and Authorization of federal IT systems. Perform continuous monitoring and threat intelligence of the FSIS infrastructure systems, integrates advanced forensic tools and techniques to mitigate Cyber-security attacks. Coordinate and perform log and trending analysis of the network and security posture to ensure compliance with USDA policies. Provide oversight and recommendations with security risk analysis, security test and evaluation, certification and accreditation, infrastructure system hardening, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning. Serve as a liaison between FSIS and USDA on network and security related matters. Provide visible leadership in the development/deployment of network and security controls, processes and best practices throughout a geographically dispersed IT community, promoting user awareness and training of network and security best practices. Responsible for preparing weekly network and security intelligence action reports of critical infrastructure risks and conducts weekly briefings to OCIO senior leadership. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience, as defined below. For the GS-14 level: Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-13 grade level. Specialized experience for this position includes: Applying knowledge of network and security design principles, practices, and implementation to ensure security compliance. Employing infrastructure threat and vulnerability management, mitigation, remediation, or patch and audit management to identify vulnerabilities. Utilizing Microsoft Active Directory, Linux, and OpenShift/Cloud technologies to support business needs. Maintaining IT security using firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, security information and event management, web proxy, endpoint management solutions, and/or incident response activities. Basic Requirements: All applicants qualifying based on experience must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below. Please refer to the competency definition shown below, when addressing those competencies. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click Information Technology (IT) Management Series, 2210 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 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 Education may not be used to substitute for specialized experience or to qualify for this position. Additional Information This announcement will remain open until 01/22/2025 or until 50 applications are received. This announcement may be used to fill additional like vacancies. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL) applicants: To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applications must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Follow this link to the Office of Personnel Management's website for information on how to apply CTAP, ICTAP, or RPL applicant: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ctap\_guideline.pdf It is the policy of the government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. See more information at this link: CHCO Council If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Services has authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional) positions under Direct Hire Authority. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply. For more information on the GW-008 Government-wide Direct Hire Authority for Scientific, Technical, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) positions click here This position is eligible for telework and other flexible work arrangements. Employee participation is at the discretion of the supervisor. Recruitment incentives may be offered to those who are eligible. Incentives are neither implied nor guaranteed.