
IT Cybersecurity Specialist (PLCYPLN-INFOSEC)
Alexandria, VAFull-time$122–158K/yrPosted today
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Job overview
The U.S. Coast Guard seeks an IT Cybersecurity Specialist (PLCYPLN-INFOSEC) at the GS-13 level in Alexandria, Virginia. The specialist manages IT projects, implements system designs, coordinates cybersecurity services, and supports deployment and troubleshooting. The role requires specialized experience with Zero Trust security in DoD environments and related security frameworks, tools, and compliance requirements. Two specified certifications or management-determined equivalents must be completed within two years of entry.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Benefits
Full job description
Summary
This vacancy is for a GS-2210-13, IT Cybersecurity Specialist (PLCYPLN-INFOSEC) located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, C5ISC INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES DIVISION in ALEXANDRIA, Virginia.
Duties
You will serve as an IT Cybersecurity Specialist (PLCYPLN-INFOSEC) and be responsible for managing information technology projects. Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team. Typical work assignments include: Implementing designs for new or existing IT systems, ensuring compatibility and scalability. Providing technical input to implementation plans, coordinating with project managers to ensure smooth deployment. Coordinating and managing cybersecurity services provided to a customer end-to-end. Providing technical support for system deployment and troubleshooting, ensuring high levels of system performance and reliability. Providing guidance on project costs, design concepts and performance oversight. Mandatory training is required which must be successfully completed and other training may occur as necessary for success in the position. A. Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers Level II (FAC P/PM-I) or management determined equivalent within two years of entry into the position. B. Information Assurance Management Level II (IAM-II) or management determined equivalent within two years of entry into the position. 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. Reasonable Accommodation Information Requirements
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Do NOT include the following types of information in your resume: Social Security Number (SSN) Date of Birth (DOB) Photos of yourself (if included on your resume you will not be considered for this position) Personal information: such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc. Key Requirements: Must be a U.S. Citizen. Must be registered or exempt from the Selective Service. See www.sss.gov A one-year probationary period may be required. To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation. This position requires a Secret clearance. This is not a Bargaining Unit position. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit. The Office of Personnel management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. USA Hire Assessment: After submitting your application, if an additional assessment is required, you will receive an email invitation. Please note that this assessment must be completed within 48 hours of the vacancy closing date and as specified in the email. Qualifications
To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the federal or private sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. Examples of specialized experience include performing the following types of tasks on a regular basis. NOTE: All experience statements (i.e., duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire) copied from this announcement and pasted into your resume will not be considered as a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. Specialized experience must include the following: Designing, implementing and maintaining a Zero Trust security framework within DoD IT environments. This includes focusing on pillars of Zero Trust and engineering and implementing projects to meet milestone dates for target and advanced level activities. Working with DoD networks, security frameworks, and compliance requirements such as NIST SP 800-161, Risk Management Framework (RMF), Authority to Operate (ATO), Plan of Actions and Milestones (POA&M) and Cyber Operations Readiness Assessments (CORA). Configuring and optimizing endpoint security mechanisms such as Antivirus/Anti Malware, Host intrusion systems and firewalls, Endpoint Detection and Response, Extended Detection and Response (XDR). Scanning tools, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), continuous monitoring systems, and Security Orchestration and Automated Response (SOAR) systems. Working on tools within classified and unclassified DoD security domains. In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirement, you must also have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the competencies listed below. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services. Decision Making - Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change. Information Management - Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems. Interpersonal Skills - Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. Teamwork- Has the capability to encourage and facilitate cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit, and works collaboratively with others to achieve shared goals. Technical Competence- Uses knowledge acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform your job. Works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to your role, and advising others on technical issues. NOTE: Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
This position does not have a positive education requirement. Only experience obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered. How You Will Be Evaluated
We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Under the provisions of direct hiring authority, rating, ranking and veterans' preference does not apply; therefore any responses to the questionnaire will not be used to determine a scored rating. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications in the job opportunity announcement, will be referred for selection consideration. The necessary competencies to perform this job are: Accountability Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Problem Solving Project Management Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Technical Competence Information Management Oral Communication To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13083657 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. Overstating your qualifications &/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. While veterans' preference does not apply in DHA, preference eligibles are encouraged to submit their supporting documentation (DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service, VA letter, SF-15, etc.). Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation. CTAP and ICTAP Eligibles: CTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position. If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. Individuals must be well-qualified. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website. Benefits
DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service- connected disability rating of 30 percent or more. Other Information
E-Verify DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. Fair Chance Act The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to [email protected]. Suitability Statement If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. Shared Certificates Statement Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions. Special Employment Consideration The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. If you need a reasonable accommodation for the application and hiring process, please contact [email protected]. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Visit Reasonable Accommodation More than 1 selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 45 days from the date the certificate was issued.
How this job compares
Set against the 389 open IT Project Manager jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 13, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$122–158K/yr
- Virginia median$121–198K/yr20 salary ranges
- US median$115–135K/yr210 salary ranges
This range's midpoint, $140K, is 7% below the Virginia median midpoint ($151K) — in the middle half of IT Project Manager salary ranges in Virginia.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 28 open IT Project Manager jobs in Virginia and 389 across the US. 10% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in Virginia
- Booz Allen Hamilton5 open
- System One3 open
- General Dynamics Information Technology2 open
- Experience
- This posting asks for at least 1 year of experience — less than three in four IT Project Manager postings that state a minimum ask for (median 5 years, across 327 postings).
- Education
- 136 of the 389 open IT Project Manager jobs (35%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 13, 2026. Figures based on too few postings are left out.
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