IT Specialist

Duties

The individual selected for this position will:

• Assess system security packages for Census Bureau systems and services.
• Verify security controls for Census information systems are assessed in accordance to security standards, frameworks, laws and policies.
• Collect and review artifacts and evidence for compliance with security controls, and document and update security assessment results.
• Review evidence, provide guidance and expertise, and approve closure of Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) based on documented evidence and artifacts.
• Submit updates for existing system security plans based on POA&M closure or documented deviations from the implementation of security controls.
• Maintain expertise in any laws, regulations, and policies in the discipline of IT systems security and analyze impact with regard to the Census Bureau’s operational needs, cost, resources and consequences.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience: For the GS-12, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal services. Specialized experience for this position includes assessing security controls by reviewing evidence and determining compliance; utilizing NIST SP 800-37, 800-52, AND 800-53; participating in or leading working groups in efforts related to IT security, compliance, and risk management; tracking plans of action for remediation and adjudicating evidence; certifying and accrediting sensitive IT systems; implementing processes or supporting operations to ensure compliance with security assessments and authorizations; and leading discussions and conducting presentations.

Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level.

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.

You must have and your resume must detail how you meet the specialized experience AND information technology-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies described below.

COMPETENCIES:

1. Attention to Detail - Meticulous; thoroughly reviews and proofreads various IT related data/information; dedicates focus to accomplish tasks that are complete, precise, and accurate to a given IT situation.

2. Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive IT services or IT 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 IT needs, provide expert technical information or assistance, resolve fairly complex or non-routine problems, or satisfy expectations; knowledge of available products and services; committed to providing quality IT products and services.

3. Communication - Expresses technical 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 presentations; listens to others, recognizes potential miscommunication, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

4. Problem Solving - Identifies IT related problems using a variety of materials or sources; gathers and applies technical information to determine accuracy and relevance to moderately complex problems; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives; makes decisions or recommendations that influence IT policies or programs and applies new developments to previously unresolved problems.

Education