IT Cybersecurity Specialist (Recent Graduates)

Summary

A USAHIRE ASSESSMENT is required as part of your application (see How To Apply). The SSA Recent Graduates Program provides Recent Graduates with entry-level developmental experience and is designed to lead to a career in the federal government. Upon successful completion of the program, you may be non-competitively converted to a term (not to exceed 1-4 years) or permanent appointment.

Duties

• As a participant in the Recent Graduates Program, you will receive both formal and on-the-job training to develop the required knowledge and skill to successfully perform the duties of the position.
• At the full performance level, supports the day-to-day functionality and protection of SSA information technology (IT) systems by developing and implementing cybersecurity programs, policies, procedures and digital tools.
• Ensures the security and integrity of systems, networks and data through various methods.
• Performs cybersecurity duties in support of cybersecurity operations, incident response, system administration and security, compliance and policy implementation, user support and training, documentation and reporting and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

READ THIS ENTIRE SECTION TO ENSURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE QUALIFICATION AND APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION. To meet Minimum Qualifications for this IT Cybersecurity Specialist position, you must: (1) demonstrate eligibility for the Recent Graduates Program, (2) demonstrate the required IT Competencies, (3) demonstrate Specialized Experience and/or optional education AND (4) meet or exceed the cut-off score on the USAHire Assessment (see HOW TO APPLY). (1) ELIGIBILIY To be eligible for the Recent Graduates Program, you must have successfully completed a course of study resulting in a degree (associate's, bachelor's, master's, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical) or have successfully completed a qualifying certificate program from an accredited educational institution. Your degree/certification must have been conferred within the 2-year period preceding this announcement (i.e., not prior to November 2024). Veterans who were unable to apply within the 2-year Recent Graduates eligibility period due to military obligations may begin the 2-year eligibility period upon discharge from active duty if supported by a DD-214. The new eligibility period may not extend beyond 6 years from the date a qualifying degree or certificate was conferred. (See REQUIRED DOCUMENTS to ensure you provide appropriate documents.) ONLY APPLICANTS WHO DEMONSTRATE ELIGIBILITY AS A RECENT GRADUATE WILL BE EVALUATED (see transcript requirements under EDUCATION below) (2) IT COMPETENCIES You must demonstrate the following IT Competencies either through work (paid or unpaid) or specific IT-related education or training: 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. Interpersonal Skills - Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations Reasoning - Identifies rules, principles or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions. Teamwork - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals. (3) SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE Specialized Experience for this IT Cybersecurity position is the performance of basic IT cyber duties or education/training pertaining to incident monitoring and detection; compliance and audit support; documentation and reporting; system testing coordination and/or user support and access management. GS-07 Specialized Experience must have been gained in a federal position at or above GS-05 OR (if your experience is on another federal pay scale OR outside of federal service) by performing duties at a level of responsibility and difficulty equivalent to GS-05. Credit will be given for relevant unpaid and/or part-time work. Your resume must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities for each position held. Specialized Experience for this GS-07 entry level position can be demonstrated by: -- assisting with diagnosing user needs and resolving entry-level IT incidents, -- demonstrating basic literacy in IT security methods, system protocols and protective requirements and -- gathering facts, analyzing system behavior and handling unscheduled halts or…

Education

TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED TO DEMONSTRATE ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE RECENT GRADUATES PROGRAM. DO NOT SUBMIT A DIPLOMA IN LIEU OF A FULL TRANSCRIPT THAT SHOWS THE REQUIRED INFORMATION. TRANSCRIPTS TO SUPPORT RECENT GRADUATES PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY: submit a copy of your full transcript showing your name, the name of the school, the program in which you were enrolled and the date your degree was conferred. The confer date must be within the previous 2 years. Transcripts without a confer date cannot be considered to have resulted in a degree and cannot be used to demonstrate your eligibility for the Recent Graduates Program. TRANSCRIPTS TO SUPPORT EDUCATION IN LIEU OF SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: this may be the same transcript that supports your Recent Graduates Program eligibility or may be in addition to that transcript. To support education in lieu of Specialized Experience, your transcript must show your name, the name of the school, the program in which you were enrolled and the date your degree was conferred. Transcripts without a confer date cannot be considered to have resulted in a degree and may not be usable to demonstrate your "in lieu of Specialized Experience qualifications." FOR GS-07: If you claim a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement, in lieu of Specialized Experience, you must submit: (1) a full transcript showing the confer date and final GPA OR (2) a full transcript showing the confer date and official documentation showing your class-ranking OR (3) a full transcript showing the confer date and official documentation showing your National Honor Society Membership. If you claim a bachelor's degree followed by at least 1 academic year of graduate-level education (generally at least 18 graduate-level credits) in a relevant technology field (such as cybersecurity, computer science, information systems management, engineering, mathematics or operations research) you must submit a full transcript for your qualifying bachelor's degree in addition to a…