Cybersecurity Program Management - Leadership

Summary

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is recruiting professionals to support a range of leadership roles in Cybersecurity Program Management, including Cybersecurity Program Manager, Cybersecurity Governance Lead, and Cybersecurity Compliance Manager. All positions are in the DHS Cybersecurity Service.

Duties

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 Program Management 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 Program Management 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 Leadership Career Track, with a technical capability in Cybersecurity Program Management, will generally apply their expertise to perform a range of tasks, including: Leading and/or overseeing a team performing technical and nontechnical reviews of cybersecurity capabilities, responsibilities, and requirements to ensure they align with the overall needs of cybersecurity mission and business enterprise priorities. Assisting subordinate employees applying knowledge of the principles and methods of capital investment analysis and business case analysis, including Earned Value Management (EVM) and/or return on investment analysis determining opportunities for new and improved cybersecurity business process solutions. Leading others in reviewing current and future cybersecurity programs and developing or implementing methods to monitor and measure risk, compliance, and assurance efforts. Managing processes to monitor the cyber threat landscape, applicable authorities, and directives and how interdependencies impact program design to support the coordination, implementation, and execution of DHS's cybersecurity programs, ensuring alignment with critical Departmental or Component cybersecurity priorities. Working with DHS HQ and/or Component experts to draft and publish supply chain security and risk management documents in alignment with strategic plans. Proposing, managing, and maintaining programs to evaluate and develop supply chain, system, network, performance, and cyber security requirements and determine compliance with established organizational and external standards. Collaborating with internal and external DHS stakeholders to share intellectual capital and relevant information in support of the overall success of cybersecurity programs, ensuring alignment with critical agency cybersecurity priorities. Customizing communications on cybersecurity program management initiatives for different levels of leadership and audiences to provide strategic direction and support to DHS, Component leadership in support of mitigating any issues compromising DHS or Component security.

Qualifications and evaluation

All DHS Cybersecurity Service (DHS-CS) applicants participate in a multi-phase assessment process, which varies by career track. For the Leadership Career Track, applicants participate in a three-phase assessment process: You must successfully complete each phase to advance to the next phase The total time commitment for the three phases is approximately 5-6 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 PHASE I: ONLINE ASSESSMENTS Unproctored - Completed online within a prescribed period of time Includes three 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; and (3) a leadership simulation that you will have up to 2.5 hours to complete The three assessments take about 3 hours (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/questions to assess technical skills Cybersecurity knowledge is assessed, but no knowledge of DHS is required Phase III: LEADERSHIP SIMILATION ASSESSMENT *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. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly outline your cybersecurity experience. Your proctored assessment results are valid for a period of one year after completion and will be kept and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments. To learn about the assessment process, visit our portal and read the "Assessment Process" guide.

Education

Degrees are not required for jobs in the DHS Cybersecurity Service, but DHS is interested in your level of education and the topics you studied. As you submit initial application information, you will be asked questions about your education.

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online questionnaire, required assessments, and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/13/2026 to receive consideration. The application process will follow the bullets outlined below. To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA HIRE platform. This message will be delivered via email notification. If you are asked to take the online assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning online assessments. Note: set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use the URL sent to you via email and also found on the Additional Application Information page that can be located in the application record in your USAJOBS account. Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing online assessments on the USA HIRE platform, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the online assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the online assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the online assessments. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for online assessments here: http://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire.

Required documents

Your resume. To help you prepare your resume before applying to the DHS Cybersecurity Service, visit our application portal and read the "Resume Tips" guide. If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the online assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here. If you are a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee please submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:- Position title- Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee)- Agency- Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

Additional information

Salary: Listed salary ranges reflects typical starting salaries available to employees in most of the United States across applicable career levels. Within the provided range, average salaries vary for each career level. Lead Cybersecurity Specialist: $123,600 - $158,500 Cybersecurity Manager: $143,300- $184,000 Senior Cybersecurity Manager: $167,800 - $207,500 In some geographic areas, average starting salaries will be higher because of a local cybersecurity labor market supplement (e.g., metro Washington, D.C. +10%). Actual salaries of individual employees may be higher or lower than provided figures. For an overview of the salaries available in the DHS Cybersecurity Service, visit Resources. Benefits: DHS Cybersecurity Service employees receive a range of federal employment benefits designed to support their professional and personal lives. To learn more about benefits, visit our application portal. More information about the specific benefits available to you will be provided as you progress through the application process. Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for a security clearance as a condition of placement in this position. This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.