IT Cybersecurity Specialist (Critical Infrastructure Protection) - Direct Hire

Summary

This position is located in Division of Risk Management Supervision (RMS) and is responsible for developing and executing plans to identify the critical cyber and infrastructure vulnerabilities of the financial services industry's operations, including but not limited to incident response programs and execution during emergency situations. Additional selections may be made from this announcement to fill identical vacancies that arise later.

Duties

Plans and develops new and revised approaches pertaining to cybersecurity and critical infrastructure for the examination and supervision of insured institutions. Evaluates the design, implementation, and effectiveness of cybersecurity controls across IT networks, operating systems, databases, and applications. Conducts technical assessments of cybersecurity defenses, intrusion detection systems, logging architectures, endpoint security platforms, identity and access management systems, and incident response tools used by financial institutions. Translates complex IT security and systems information into policy and guidance for financial institutions, senior leadership, and interagency partners. Coordinates with FFIEC agencies on cybersecurity and critical infrastructure - related issues pertaining to examination policy, training, information sharing, awareness and incident communication, and coordination. Represents the FDIC and banking and finance sector in cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection meetings with representatives of various cabinet-level agencies or with private sector representatives. Assesses cyber threat information and provides feedback to senior officials on the potential impact on the financial services sector and possible courses of action to mitigate or manage the threat. Develops, maintains, tests, executes, and evaluates nationwide plans for ensuring RMS and FDIC disaster support and incident response to physical or cyber threats to the financial services industry. Provides technical oversight for exercises involving failure of critical IT infrastructure such as core banking platforms, payment systems, telecom, cloud services, and data center operations.

Qualifications and evaluation

You will be evaluated on application materials, questionnaire responses, and required assessments. Cheating may result in removal from consideration. Below are the competencies you will be assessed on: Oral Communication Networking & Infrastructure Financial Systems Information Systems Security Certification Information Technology Program Management Technical Competence Accountability Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork You do not need to respond separately to these competencies. USA Hire Assessment: The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. This is a Direct-Hire Public Notice. Applications will be accepted for the location identified in the public notice. Veteran's preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants DO NOT apply to positions filled under this public notice. All complete applications will be verified for eligibility requirements and will be submitted to the hiring official upon request. Direct Hire Authority You may preview the application questionnaire for this vacancy here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13013906

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience for this position.

Benefits

FDIC employees receive the standard Federal benefits and may be eligible for additional FDIC-specific benefits, at minimal cost.

How to apply

To begin, click the "Apply" button and follow the prompts. If you haven't already, register and establish a USAJOBS account. After you register online, click the "Apply" button to complete the online assessment questionnaire, and submit all required documents. Please be sure to click "Submit Application" to complete the application process. You must apply online. To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account and click on "Applications" tab. Click on the "Position Title," and then select "Update Application" or "Additional Application Information" to continue. You have until 11:59 p.m. ET (Eastern Time) on the closing date (08/06/2026) of this announcement to complete the application process. Please ensure you have completed the application process by verifying the status of your application on-line to reflect: "Received". Failure to complete the application process will result in an incomplete application and you will not be considered for the position. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.

Required documents

For all applicants (please read carefully): Two-page resume showing relevant work experience (paid and unpaid), duties performed, employer name, start/end dates (month/year), hours worked, series and grade (federal jobs only). If applicable: Veterans Documentation: DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member Copy 4 or 2), SF-15, VA letter, or certification of expected honorable discharge within 120 days. For more information on special hiring authorities for veterans, click here. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): Proof of eligibility if you are a displaced/surplus Federal employee under ICTAP.

Additional information

Refer to these links for more information: Job Applicant Rights and Responsibilities; Selective Service System; Employment Conditions. Salary reflects a pay cap of $257,500. After we select a candidate, we may share the remaining list of qualified candidates with other federal agencies. You can opt-in if you want us to share your name, application material and assessment results for similar jobs with other agencies. There is no guarantee of further consideration, and you can continue to explore and apply to other job announcements. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA 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 USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.