Job Listing: Chief Information Security Officer

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 1 vacancy - Beltsville, MD Find Solutions to Agricultural Problems that Affect Americans Every Day, From Field to Table

In this position you will serve as the Chief Information Security Officer for the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) responsible for driving national participation in the protection of the agency's national cyber infrastructure by identifying and assessing the nature and scope of cyber-terrorism, computer hacking, and ARS Internet needs; understanding such threats in light of actual and potential vulnerabilities; carrying out comprehensive assessments of the vulnerabilities of the critical infrastructure; and designing and implementing corrective actions.

Your U.S. citizenship must be verified prior to entrance on duty.

This position requires the selectee to undergo a pre-employment check and a full background investigation.  Any offer made is considered a tentative job offer pending the outcome of the pre-employment check.  Retention in the position is based upon a favorable adjudication of the background investigation.  The incumbent will be subject to periodic reinvestigations.

This position is being announced under both Demonstration Project and Alternative Merit Promotion procedures.  Applicants with federal civil service competitive status who wish to be considered under both procedures must submit two complete application packages.  Status candidates who submit only one application will be considered under Alternative Merit Promotion procedures.

Major Duties

As the Chief Information Security Officer, you will be responsible for overseeing staff in carrying out a variety of activities related to identifying and assessing the nature and scope of cyber-terrorism, computer hacking, and ARS Internet needs; understanding such threats in light of actual and potential vulnerabilities; carrying out comprehensive assessments of the vulnerabilities of the critical infrastructure; and designing and implementing corrective actions.  Duties include the following:·  Providing program and technical direction for the planning, development, acquisition, testing,  integration, installation, use, and evaluation of ARS IT systems, facilities, services, and procedures and serving as the principal technical cybersecurity advisor;·  Developing policies to govern security activities and investment portfolios;·  Managing and overseeing major, high-risk IT investments of projects;·  Utilizing best practices for the business and project management of cybersecurity projects;·  Developing a comprehensive ARS-wide strategy that addresses risk reduction and response to cyber-terrorism; ensuring a common understanding of cyber threats; and integrating federal, state, and local government, industry, and private sector cybersecurity stakeholder;·  Planning, coordinating, and maintaining the cybersecurity program to support ARS enterprise architecture;·  Supervising staff and promoting a culture that facilitates knowledge sharing, open communication, and organizational learning.. Contributes to the overall supervision and governance of the Office of the Chief Information Officer.WORKING CONDITIONS:This position requires the selectee to undergo a pre-employment check and a full background investigation.  Any offer made is considered a tentative job offer pending the outcome of the pre-employment check.  Retention in the position is based upon a favorable adjudication of the background investigation.  The incumbent will be subject to periodic reinvestigations.If selected, you will be required to serve a supervisory/managerial probationary period if you have not done so already.  Candidates selected from outside the federal service will serve their initial and supervisory/managerial probationary periods concurrently.

How to Apply

Applications may be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to the appropriate address and/or facsimile number, but they must be postmarked by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the closing date.

If sending your application as an attachment to an email, do not send zipped files.  They will be removed in accordance with standard electronic security procedures.

If hand delivered, be sure your application is received in the Human Resources Division on or before closing date.

If application packages do not contain all of the requested information, you may lose consideration for the job.  To help you ensure your application fully outlines your qualifications and eligibility for this position, please submit the following documentation as appropriate.   Some of the items listed may not apply to you.  NOTE:  Applications received in postage paid government envelopes will not be considered.

APPLICATION PACKAGE CHECKLIST

__ Optional Form 612 (Optional Application for Federal Employment), Resume, Curriculum Vitae, or other document outlining your qualifications (Go to http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/of.asp and scroll down to obtain the OF-612).

The following information is required of all applicants:

__ Announcement number, title, and grade(s) of the position

__ Full name, mailing address (including zip code) and day and evening phone numbers (with area code)

__ Social security number

__ Statement that you are a U.S. citizen (if not using the OF-612)

__Copy of DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) (only if claiming veteran’s preference) (Visit the following web site for additional information: http://www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/html/vetguide.asp 

__SF-15 (Application for 10-point Veteran’s Preference) plus the support documentation required by this form (if claiming 10-point veteran’s preference) (Go to the web site at http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/sf.asp to obtain form.)

__ Paid and non-paid work experience related to the position.  For each period of work experience include:

          ___Job title

          ___Series/grade (if Federal employment)

          ___Duties and accomplishments

          ___Employer’s name and address

          ___Supervisor’s name and contact information

          ___Starting and ending dates of employment (at least month/year)

          ___Number of hours worked per week

          ___Salary

          ___Indicate if we may contact current supervisor/employer

__ Other job related information, such as training courses (title & year); skills (e.g., other languages, computer software/hardware, tools, etc.)

          ___Certificates/licenses (current)

          ___Honors, awards, and special accomplishments

          ___Supplemental questionnaire if applicable
                (usually for Federal Wage System positions - WG, WL, WS)

__ Copy of college transcripts (if qualifying all or in part on the basis of education for this position) (If you have non-conventional education, e.g., foreign study, continuing education units, life experience, etc., go to the web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e4.htm#e4a and look under the heading “Other Education” for information governing acceptability of this type of education.)

__ Copy of SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) to verify possession of competitive civil service status (if you are a current or previous federal employee)

__ Copy of most recent performance appraisal (if you are a current federal employee)

__ Second copy of application package IF you are a candidate with competitive status.  (NOTE:  All status candidates who wish to be considered under both alternative merit promotion and non-status competitive examining must submit two (2) complete applications when the position is open to both status and non-status candidates.  When only one (1) application is received, it will be considered under the alternative merit promotion procedures if the applicant is a current or former Federal employee with reinstatement eligibility.)

__ Support documentation for eligibility for special hiring authorities, such as disability, Peace Corps service, etc.  (If you have questions about whether you are eligible for a particular hiring authority, please call the servicing HR specialist or visit the web site at http://www.opm.gov/Strategic_Management_of_Human_Capital/fhfrc/default.asp.

__ Support documentation if you are a USDA surplus or federal displaced employee (See pertinent section under “Other Important Information” below.

__ Self-certification of typing speed (if required as a basic qualification for the position)

__ While not required, a separate response to the required knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs listed under Specialized Experience) and Selective Placement Factor(s), if present, for this position may better highlight your specific qualifications for this position.  (For an explanation of KSAs, go to the web site at http://www.ars.usda.gov/careers, and click on 'How to Apply.'

If this is your first time applying for a federal job, or if you wish to view more detailed information about  various aspects of applying for federal jobs, go to http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/of.asp and scroll down to access the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Optional Form 510.

Contact Information:
Elizabeth V. Parker

Phone: 301-504-1403

Fax: 301-504-1535

TDD: 202-855-1234

Email: SCIRECRUIT@ARS.USDA.GOV


Or write:
Department Of Agriculture
USDA-REE-ARS-HRD/Announcement #ARS-X8E-0135
5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Stop #5104
Beltsville, MD 20705-5104

E-Mail: SCIRECRUIT@ARS.USDA.GOV

Fax: 301-504-1535


What To Expect Next:
Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified of the outcome.