What are the responsibilities and job description for the IT Specialist (INFOSEC) position at USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service?
Duties
- Managing Information Assurance activities for applications in support of FSIS business practices ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems, networks, and data through IT security programs, policies, procedures, and tools.
- Serving as the Subject Matter Expect (SME) for USDA Data Calls for Plan of Actions and Milestones (POAMs), Vulnerability Assessments, and Assessment and Authorization (A and A) activities within their designated branch.
- Working with the Incident Response Team to address security incidents that occurs with systems in the production environment
- Gathering all evidence for audit inquiries and investigations done by any third-party entity conducting security audit work to measure the maturity and effectiveness of FSIS against FISMA requirements.
- Serving as the lead who coordinates Assessment and Authorization (A and A) packages, risk management, vulnerability assessments, and mitigation strategies across USDA and FSIS business partners.
- Interpreting regulatory requirements for government systems per guidance from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
- Implementing all steps within the Risk Management Framework (RMF) and FEDRamp to safeguard data, IT systems residing on premises, or in the cloud space with adequate security controls to safeguard.
- Ensuring execution of security measures for IT systems which includes the development of the Assessment and Authorization (A and A) schedule for security activities that is approved by the Branch Chief and the CISO before start of the calendar year.
- Addressing changes to Information System assets to mitigate vulnerabilities in a timely manner from automated tools or Security Assessment Report (SAR) findings.
- Providing guidance on security activities for the development of accreditation/re-accreditation documentation of all IT Systems and participating in studies as the network authority/advisor for automation security technology.
- Participating in special studies involving problem definition, alternative development, and recommended resolutions concerning Automated Data Processing security related matters.
- Providing Subject Matter Expect (SME) input/guidance to the Branch regarding special projects involving problem definition, alternative development, and Automated Data Processing security matters.
- Creating and updating existing security documentation for Accreditation Packages used to acquire an Authority to Operate (ATO) approval for each IT System.
- Ensuring system-level security procedures and policies are consistent with USDA cybersecurity policies and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a US Citizen or US National.
- Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
- Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
- Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
- Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/.
Qualifications
For the GS-13 level: Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level.
Specialized experience for this position includes:
- Applying IT Security principles using Information Security standards, policies, and guidance to certify systems accreditation.
- Knowledge of penetration test exercises and ability to collaborate with business partners to devise mitigation strategies based on findings from security audits.
- Interpreting and applying security concepts and methods with various COTs and opensource technologies for IT Systems in stages of development or production.
- Understanding IT and cybersecurity principles, controls, methods, and standards (such as FedRAMP, DISA STIGs, FIPS 140 controls, FISM, etc.)
- Ensuring/coordinating system-wide security procedures are consistent with agency cybersecurity policies and frameworks (such as NIST), and reviews security policy and procedures against regulatory requirements to determine compliance.
- 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.
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 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 qualified based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section.
- 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 Government-wide Direct Hire Authority positions click here
- Recruitment incentives may be offered to those who are eligible. Incentives are neither implied nor guaranteed.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information please visit: PSLF Program.
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.
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.
The Office of Personnel Management has granted Direct Hire Authority for Cyber positions. There is a critical hiring need, and these positions play an important role in protecting the nation's food supply.
Due to the Direct-Hire Authority (DHA), applicants are not rated and ranked numerically, and Veteran's preference does not apply. Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide complete information about their job-related experience and education. Your resume must document that you meet the Qualification Requirements detailed above. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. Although Veteran's preference does not apply due to the existence of the DHA for this position, applicants are still encouraged to provide documentation related to veteran's preference.
Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualification Standards. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in the Eligible Category. Applicants must demonstrate possession of the following competencies within their resume:
- Attention to Detail
- Customer Service
- Oral Communication
- Problem Solving
Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form, i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right.
To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12718521
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.
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.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package. The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete: Our office is not responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
- Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties, including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; and title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) supervisor's phone number and whether or not the supervisor may be contacted for a reference check; 5) other qualifications. If you need assistance in creating a federal resume please click here.
- Your application may be disqualified if you include any of the information listed here: What should I leave out of my resume?
- Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP or RPL Priority: Proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.
To begin, click "Apply" and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.
NOTE: Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 5MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, TXT or Word (DOC or DOCX). Do not upload Adobe Portfolio documents because they are not viewable.
Agency contact information
Alyssa ScottPhone612-852-7667Emailalyssa.scott@usda.govAddressFood Safety and Inspection Service
1400 Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20250
USNext steps
Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status.
You must choose to turn on email notifications in your USAJOBS profile if you want to receive important email notifications that may impact your applicant experience (e.g. If you start an application and do not submit it prior to the closing date, USAJOBS will send an email reminder that the closing date is approaching and your application is in an incomplete status).
Under the Fair Chance Act, agencies are not allowed to request information about an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made, except as allowed for access to classified information; assignment to national security duties or positions; acceptance or retention in the armed forces; or recruitment of a Federal law enforcement officer. An applicant may submit a complaint, or any other information related to an organization's alleged noncompliance with the Fair Chance Act. The complaint must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged noncompliance. To make a Fair Chance Act inquiry or complaint, send an email with the appropriate information to fsis.fca@usda.gov, subject line: Fair Chance Act.
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
- Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties, including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; and title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) supervisor's phone number and whether or not the supervisor may be contacted for a reference check; 5) other qualifications. If you need assistance in creating a federal resume please click here.
- Your application may be disqualified if you include any of the information listed here: What should I leave out of my resume?
- Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP or RPL Priority: Proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
This job is open to
- The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
- Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.
Clarification from the agency
Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. Veterans' Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.
