Job Listing: IT Specialist (Security)

Duty Locations

 1 vacancy - Washington DC Metro Area, DC The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) supports the
Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities to include
the accountability of the Federal government for the benefit of the
American people. The GAO, commonly referred to as the investigative
arm of Congress, or the congressional watchdog, is independent and
nonpartisan. The GAO assists Congress to make informed decisions by
providing information on policy and program issues, as well as, by
providing recommendations to make government more effective and
responsive.
BARGAINING UNIT STATUS: This position is included in the bargaining
unit.

This position is located in the Applied Research and Methods Team,
Center for Technology and Engineering, e*Security Laboratory(Lab).
The Lab provides GAO with the in-house technical capability to
conduct independent, objective, and comprehensive audits of complex
and diverse computing environments that federal agencies and
contractors are becoming increasingly dependent on to fulfill their
missions. Specifically, the Lab conducts controls testing and
verification of highly technical computing environments and provides
technical consulting, audit assistance and training to other GAO
components, federal and state auditors.

The incumbent serves as a senior security specialist, works
independently in key technology areas, and works collaboratively
with other team members in developing the overall message in regards
to the adequacy of security controls in large and complex systems
and networks at major organizations.

Major Duties

Plans and conducts information systems general and application
controls audits at major organizations to identify vulnerabilities
and protections needs. These audits are in support of Congressional
requests and the audit of the federal government's annual financial
statements.

Researches and conducts "proof-of-concept testing for
vulnerabilities and exploits, and configures and maintains hardware
and software that includes z/OS, Windows and Unix systems,
applications and databases, firewalls, proxies, routers and
switches, and cable plant.

Performs a variety of specific tasks in conjunction with logical
access control assessments in complex, diverse and interconnected
network environments. Controls assessments may also include the
areas of boundary protection, identification and authentication,
authorization, cryptography, audit and monitoring, and configuration
assurance.


Assesses the application of information security/information
assurance policies, principles, and practices in the delivery of all
IT services.

Prepares workpapers in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards that document the scope of work performed and logically
supports conclusions and recommendations reached.

Presents results orally and in writing to technical and managerial
audiences.

How to Apply

You must complete and submit the online questionnaire and resume in
order to apply for this vacancy announcement. All required
application materials must be received before 11:59 p.m. Eastern
time on the closing date. Paper questionnaires and resumes will not
be accepted. If you experience technical difficulties with the
online application process, you must notify the agency point of
contact identified below before 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the
closing date of this announcement in order to request assistance.
STEP ONE:
1. You must create a user account and at least one Federal resume at
the USAJOBS website (www.usajobs.gov).
2. The information you provide in your Federal resume will become
part of your application and will be transferred to our system when
you apply online.
3. Begin the application process by clicking on the "Apply Online"
button at the bottom of the announcement.
4. Log into your "My USAJOBS" account or create an account if you do
not have one established.
5. Select the resume you would like to submit and click on "Apply
for this position now!" You will be transferred to the GAO Careers
website, where you will complete the application process.
STEP TWO:
1. Once you have been transferred, follow the on-screen prompts to
complete your application.
2. You will be asked to complete or update your information on file.
If you are a previous user, you have the option to update your
information on file or go directly to the assessment.
3. After completing or updating your information, follow the prompts
to move through the website.
STEP THREE:
1. Upon completing your online resume and personal information, you
will need to respond to questions specific to this vacancy.
2. You must respond to all questions in order to complete the
application process and to receive a valid rating.
3. Once you have answered all job-related questions click
on "Finished."
STEP FOUR:
You must fax all required supplemental documentation specified in
the "Required Documents" section of this vacancy announcement.
These required documents must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time
on the closing date of the vacancy announcement. The fax cover
sheets with instructions are displayed in GAO Careers after you
finish answering all vacancy related questions. You must use a
separate fax cover sheet for each type of supporting document.
Please follow the instructions below carefully to ensure your
supporting documents are properly faxed and received.
FAX INSTRUCTIONS:
1. After answering all vacancy related questions in your
application, you will be taken to a page containing a list of fax
cover sheets for all requested supplemental documents.
2. Choose the document coversheet(s) you would like to print by
selecting the appropriate check boxes in the "Selected Documents"
column.
3. Click the "Print Cover Sheet" button. A new window will appear
containing the fax cover sheet you selected. Print the cover sheet.
**NOTE: You must be connected to a printer in order to print the
cover sheets.
4. Before faxing your document(s), verify that it is legible and
that all information is complete and signed, if necessary.
5. Place the corresponding cover sheet on top of the document and
fax the cover sheet and document to the fax number specified on the
cover sheet.
**NOTE: If you are faxing more than one document, EACH DOCUMENT MUST
BE FAXED SEPARATELY under its corresponding coversheet. Wait until
you receive a confirmation sheet from your sending machine before
you fax the next cover sheet and document. DO NOT FAX ALL DOCUMENTS
UNDER ONE COVER SHEET.
6. Be sure to save these cover sheets in the event that you need to
re-fax your supporting documents for this vacancy announcement at a
later time. Fax cover sheets are vacancy specific and each fax
transmission includes a unique identification number, which ensures
that your document is processed correctly.
7. You should receive, usually within 24 hours, an e-mail that the
fax has been successfully received by the Human Capital Office. This
EMAIL CONFIRMATION is your official receipt of submission. The fax
confirmation generated by the fax machine is NOT your official
receipt of submission. Your application will be considered
incomplete and YOU WILL BE FOUND INELIGIBLE if you fail to submit
the required documentation as specified under the required documents
section by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on the closing date of the
vacancy announcement.
STEP FIVE:
1. The final step of the application process is to review and submit
your complete online application package.
2. Review the personal information, questions, and resume for
accuracy and completeness.
3. Click on "Finished" to submit your application. If you do not
click on this final "Finished" button, your application will
not be submitted and you will not receive consideration.


Required Documents:
Your electronic submission of:
- your resume and questionnaire.
Your faxed submission of:
- your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (status
applicants only).
- your most recent Performance Appraisal (current status applicants
only).
- if applicable, your proof of veterans' preference eligibility,
i.e., DD-214, member 4 copy, which indicates Character of Service.
To claim 10-point preference, you must also submit an SF-15,
Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and an appropriate
verification letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
If you have already registered with GAO and submitted your
application, but failed to generate the fax cover sheets, follow
these steps:
1. Log back into USAJOBS and go to track your online job
applications.
2. Locate the application you submitted to GAO and select "more
information" under the application status column.
3. Select "View/Generate Fax Cover Sheet". For each requested
document, print a fax cover sheet by selecting the checkbox in
the "Select Cover Sheet" column and clicking on the "Print Cover
Sheet" button. Load the fax cover sheet and supporting documentation
in the fax machine and complete the fax transmission.
NOTE: This constitutes ONE fax transmission. You will have to repeat
this process for each supporting document you wish to submit.


Contact Information:
Allison Y. Powell

Phone: 202-512-5502

Fax: 000-000-0000

TDD: 800-877-8339

Email: powellay@GAO.Gov


Or write:
U.S. Government Accountability Office
441 G Street NW
Rm. 1181
Washington, DC 20548

Fax: 000-000-0000


What To Expect Next:
After the closing date, we will conduct an evaluation of your
qualifications and determine your rating. If further evaluation or
interviews are required you will be contacted. We anticipate
notifying applicants of the outcome within 90 days of the closing
date of this announcement.