DHS Cybersecurity Service (DHS-CS) uses a multi-phase assessment process to qualify applicants seeking employment through the DHS-CS. Given the ever-advancing nature of cybersecurity and the ongoing need for cybersecurity talent, DHS-CS uses "Talent Pools" to pull qualified applicants (i.e., individuals who have successfully completed the multi-phase assessment process for their capability and career track/level) for consideration for these jobs.

This announcement is being used to fill the Cybersecurity Engineering Talent Pool. By applying to this job announcement, you are opting to be part of the DHS-CS Talent Pool for ongoing consideration for employment for relevant open jobs and will remain eligible for consideration for up to one year from the date of completion.

There are a variety of Cybersecurity Engineering opportunities across the Department, including supporting several specialized programs at the DHS Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans (PLCY), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), DHS Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the U.S. Secret Service.

Depending on your career level and role, DHS Cybersecurity Service employees in the Technical Career Track, with a technical capability in Cybersecurity Engineering, will generally apply their expertise to perform a range of tasks, including:

• Conducting software, hardware, and systems engineering to develop new and refine/enhance existing technical capabilities, ensuring full integration with security objectives, principles, and processes
• Identifying and recommending methods for incorporating promising technologies to meet organizational cybersecurity requirements based on their ability to stay current on emerging technologies, and their applications to current and emerging business processes (e.g., cloud, mobile)
• Building practical solutions in full consideration of lifecycle of costs, acquisitions, program and projects, management, and budget
• Identifying engineering requirements for, and ensuring interoperability of, internal and external systems
• Assisting DHS leaders with decision-making and actions related to design and implementation of cybersecurity
• Researching and evaluating current technologies to understand capabilities of required systems or networks and provide system security consultation and engineering to business owners, system owners, and developers
• Maintaining security process coordination within the Department's lifecycle management and governance processes
• Applying cybersecurity functions (e.g., encryption, access control, and identity management) to reduce exploitation opportunities
• Coordinating with systems architects and developers, as needed, to provide oversight in the development of design solutions, system security controls, and countermeasures (including designing and developing new cybersecurity tools/technologies)
• Conducting risk analyses, feasibility studies, and/or trade-off analyses to develop, document, and refine functional requirements and specifications and develop and maintain technical security configuration baselines

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or national.
• You must be 18 years of age.
• Must be registered for the Selective Service (if you are a male).
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. Security clearance levels may vary.
• Must be able to submit to a drug test and receive a negative result.
• Must be able to comply with ethics and standards of conduct requirements, including completing any applicable financial disclosure.
• May be required to serve a 3 year probationary period.

Qualifications

DHS Cybersecurity Service employees start at career levels and salaries matching their experience and expertise. In recruiting for this opportunity, DHS may hire employees at higher or lower career levels and associated salaries. This position is in the Technical Track across a range of career levels. Employees in this career track generally:

• Have between 5-15 years of cybersecurity work experience.
• Range from experienced cybersecurity professionals who apply technical expertise and independent judgement to perform cybersecurity work - to - recognized Federal cybersecurity technical authorities with uncommon technical expertise who advise on cybersecurity challenges impacting DHS and the Nation.

• Conduct software, hardware, and systems engineering to develop new and refine/enhance existing technical capabilities, ensuring full integration with security objectives, principles, and processes
• Build practical solutions in full consideration of lifecycle of costs, acquisitions, program and projects, management, and budget
• Identify engineering requirements for, and ensure interoperability of, internal and external systems
• Demonstrate strategic risk understanding, considering impact of security breaches or vulnerabilities in every aspect of the engineering process.
• Stay current on emerging technologies, and their applications to current and emerging business processes (e.g., cloud, mobile) to identify and recommend methods for incorporating promising technologies to meet organizational cybersecurity requirements.

How you will be evaluated

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

All DHS Cybersecurity Service (DHS-CS) applicants participate in a multi-phase assessment process, which varies by career track. For the Technical Career Track, applicants participate in a two-phase assessment process:

• You must successfully complete each phase to advance to the next phase.
• The total time commitment for the two phases is approximately 4 hours (many applicants require less time!).
• Before each phase, DHS will e-mail you instructions and information to help you prepare.
• Assessments are time sensitive, so monitor your e-mail to ensure you have plenty of time to complete them prior to any deadlines.

• Un-proctored - Completed online within a prescribed period of time.
• Includes two assessments: (1) a work styles inventory that will take about 30 minutes to complete; (2) a work simulation that you will have up to 2 hours to complete.
• The two assessments take about 90 minutes (on average) to complete.
• Requires a computer with audio (speakers or headphones) and a reliable internet connection.
• No knowledge of DHS or cybersecurity is required for these assessments, which measure non-technical capabilities that are important for professional success in the DHS-CS. This includes how you communicate, analyze information, and collaborate with others:
  • The work styles inventory presents you with questions about your work-related interests and preferences.
  • The work simulation presents you with realistic, work-related scenarios and asks you to respond to them.

PHASE II: TECHNICAL CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT

• Proctored - must be scheduled in advance and completed at a designated assessment center within a prescribed period of time
• There is a different assessment for each DHS-CS technical capability (visit Jobs to learn more about the technical capabilities).
• Most individuals only have a primary technical capability and complete only one Technical Capability Assessment, but in limited circumstances, you may complete a second Technical Capability Assessment.
• You will have up to 2.5 hours to complete each Technical Capability Assessment; each takes about 90 minutes (on average) to complete.
• Assessments present realistic, work-related cybersecurity scenarios and questions to assess technical skills.
• Cybersecurity knowledge is assessed, but no knowledge of DHS is required.

• Applicants who successfully complete Phase II will undergo a resume review to confirm required experience. More information will be provided to such applicants as they progress through the application process.

Next steps