IT Cybersecurity Specialist (Senior Advisor)

Summary

See QUALIFICATIONS for important information about this position. Provides management and leadership for the Head of Cybersecurity, under the purview of the Chief of Security & Resiliency. The incumbent is a liaison to external government organizations, as he/she provides information related to cybersecurity and intelligence, and the issues associated with it. See DUTIES for additional responsibilities.

Duties

Serves as SSA’s senior expert in the field of information security, provides authoritative advice and guidance to agency program managers and executives. Serves as a senior expert and consultant to top agency management officials to advise on the current cyber threats impacting agency systems and infrastructure. Working with external liaisons, identifies systems that are discovered to have been compromised and provides immediate recommendations to limit exposure and protect potential evidence. Plans, develops and coordinates agency-level IT security infrastructure architectures and strategies. Serves as the final substantive analytical authority for cyber security and related intelligence. Serves as the agency’s Senior Advisor for Cybersecurity, reporting to and assisting the Head of Cybersecurity. Supports the IT Security requirements of the agency. Advises agency leadership on matters directly related to the collection, analysis and production of Cybersecurity intelligence activities and events that may impact the agency and the U.S. Government.

Qualifications and evaluation

(1) CTAP and ICTAP applicants will be evaluated first (see REQUIRED DOCUMENTS) (2) If eligible, you will receive a score based on your responses to the online experience questions. Preview questions here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13038841 It is not sufficient to make claims in the questionnaire that are not supported in your resume. (3) Your resume will be reviewed to determine if you demonstrate minimum qualifications for this position including the following as they relate to the Specialized Experience. -- Knowledge of government information systems and infrastructure -- Ability to lead complex projects -- Ability to communicate orally and in writing SEE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS for more resume requirements. (4) Well-Qualified ICTAP-eligibles (those who demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities that clearly exceed the minimum qualifications for the position) will be referred to the hiring manager and applicable documents will be forwarded for further review. Well-Qualified CTAP and ICTAP eligibles who demonstrate Veterans' Preference will be placed ahead of CTAP and ICTAP-eligibles without veterans preference. If there are no eligible/well-qualified CTAP or ICTAP applicants, VEOA applicants will be considered next, using the same evaluation criteria. Your claimed knowledge, skills and abilities are subject to verification by the selecting official. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation or to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed experience.

Education

This position does not have an educational requirement.

How to apply

(1) Click APPLY to create a USAJobs Account or log into your existing account. (2) Confirm that your USAJobs Biographic Information is correct. (3) Confirm that your application documents show all information required for this vacancy. (4) Follow prompts to complete the questionnaire and upload your application documents. (5) Click Submit My Answers at the end of the process. (6) "View/Print My Answers" to confirm you have answered every question as intended AND (7) print a copy of the announcement for your reference if you are called for an interview (optional) READ "NEXT STEPS" FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Applications must be received by 11:59 pm (EST) August 20, 2026 and must include: (1) responses to online questionnaire (2) uploaded resume that demonstrates your qualifications (see Required Documents) (3) uploaded eligibility documents (see Required Documents) See REQUIRED DOCUMENTS for eligibility and qualifications requirements that must be demonstrated. The questionnaire takes about 15 minutes. Answer all questions and follow instructions. Your score will be based on your responses. Errors or omissions may affect your overall evaluation. It is not sufficient to make claims in the questionnaire that are not supported in your application documents. See QUALIFICATIONS, HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS before you submit your application. We cannot accept documents submitted via email, fax, or standard mail, but you may email inquiries about the position or How to Apply PRIOR TO the closing of the announcement. Individuals with hearing or speech disabilities may use the listed email or 7-1-1 for TTY-based Telecommunications Relay Services to call the listed phone number. Additional Telecommunications Relay Services options are available in each state: https://www.fcc.gov/general/trs-state-and-territories Notice Concerning Materially False, Fictitious or Fraudulent Statements -- Anything you claim in the occupational questionnaire, or your resume is subject to verification. By submitting your application, you are certifying that any statements you make are true, complete and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief and are made in good faith. Materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations are subject to disciplinary action. If you experience difficulties while applying, use the links on the USAJobs website to seek help. If you're still unable to complete your application, submit a USAJobs Help Desk ticket to resolve the issue. You must also email Careers@ssa.gov with the SUBJECT LINE: "T-7 APPLICATION ISSUE 1303 8841" and provide details of the difficulties you're experiencing (with screenshots if applicable). This email must be received before the announcement closes. Technical difficulties reported after the announcement closes cannot be addressed.

Required documents

RESUME (see resume requirements below) RIF NOTICE* (see below) RIF SF-50 (if RIF has already occurred)** *If your RIF NOTICE does not include Performance Appraisal information, you must also submit your most recent Performance Appraisal. *If your RIF Notice is for an upcoming date, also submit an SF-50 showing your grade, tenure, type of service and duty station for the position you currently hold. **If your RIF NOTICE is for a previous date, also submit your RIF / Final SF-50 showing the date the RIF was effective and your grade, tenure, type of service and duty station at the time of the RIF. VETERANS' DOCUMENTS -- To demonstrate VEOA-eligibility, submit the Member 4 copy of your DD-214 showing you were separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after 3 or more years of continuous service. (Veterans who were separated shortly before completing the required 3-year period may also be considered.) To claim Veterans Preference based on a service-connected disability, submit DD-214, SF-15 and the documents specified on the reverse of the SF-15. For derived preference submit completed SF-15 and documents specified on the reverse of the SF-15. If you are a current active-duty member of the military seeking consideration under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, submit certification that you will be discharged under honorable conditions within 120 days of the certification date. Your letter must be signed by or under direction of the appropriate personnel office, unit commander or higher headquarters. Certifications must be on official letterhead from appropriate military branch and must include dates of service, expected discharge date, type of discharge, character of service, rank and date when terminal leave begins. Since service after Aug 31, 2010 is generally not qualifying for preference, include any qualifying campaign or expeditionary medals you received. See Vet Guide for more information. DOCUMENTS PREVIOUSLY UPLOADED TO YOUR USAJOBS ACCOUNT MAY BE OUTDATED AND CAN CAUSE YOU TO LOSE CONSIDERATION. Your RESUME must show: -- your name and contact information, -- agency/employer, position title and geographic location -- full TO and FROM dates (month/day/year) for each position you describe -- grade held for each federal position and -- a clear description of the duties you perform that demonstrate the required minimum qualifications Information not specifically stated in your resume cannot be assumed. Information copied or restated from the announcement, a position description or the rating criteria will not be considered. If this occurs, you may be found ineligible. Do not simply list projects on which you worked or describe experience in terms of accomplishments or achievements. You must describe, in your own words, the duties you perform that demonstrate the SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE required for this position. Affirmative responses to the online questionnaire are not sufficient to demonstrate experience. See QUALIFICATIONS and HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED for information on what your resume must demonstrate.

Additional information

ONLY THE FOLLOWING ARE ELIGIBLES: CTAP - applicants RIF'd from a position at SSA. Must be in the Competitive Service at or above GS-15 and in the local commuting area of the posted position. See RQUIRED DOCUMENTS for instructions on submitting proof. ICTAP - applicants RIF'd from a position at another federal agency. Must be in the Competitive Service at or above GS-15 and in the local commuting area of the posted position. See RQUIRED DOCUMENTS for instructions on submitting proof. VEOA -- Veterans Employment Opportunity Act -- must have Veterans Preference or have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after 3 or more years of continuous service (including veterans who were separated shortly before completing the required 3-year period.) See REQUIRED DOCUMENTS for instructions on submitting proof. Additional selections may be made for this vacancy six months from the closing date of this announcement. If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov . If you are a federal contractor, do not identify yourself as a federal employee. OTHER NOTES: See QUALIFICATIONS for information on qualifying for this position. See HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS for information on applying for this position. This is a non-bargaining unit position. This position is on a full-time, flex-time schedule; Alternate Work Schedules (AWS) may be authorized. Telework may be approved after all conditions for telework have been met. Relocation expenses will not be paid; salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions. Successful performance of work in this position and adherence to conditions of this position will be assessed during the 1-year probationary period served that may be served by new appointees (e.g., new to SSA and/or new to this series). This is a non-critical sensitive / high-risk position. You may be required to complete Standard Form 86, Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions, to have the appropriate investigation conducted Position is assigned to: Security and Resiliency (SR) Cybersecurity