Information Technology Specialist

Major Duties

• Serve as a Network Analyst on a U.S Army Cyber Protection Team (CPT) in the U.S. Army Cyber Protection Brigade (CPB) monitoring network security to enable cyber security operations.
• Analyze network architecture by installing, operating, maintaining, configuring, testing, and securing hardware and software-based routers, switches, firewalls, and various operating systems to enable network hardening recommendations.
• Provide expert technical support to enterprise-wide and local network technicians to identify and resolve cyber defense incidents.
• Interpret provided network diagrams, run local scanning software, and encompass sensor related data to create logical, physical, and persona-based diagrams utilized by the Cyber Protection Team during missions.
• Survey and evaluate network traffic, identify baselines to facilitate locating adverse network trends, anomalous traffic, or malicious cyberspace activity (MCA).
• Provide technical advice, guidance, and assistance on a wide range of complex cybersecurity issues and distribute information pertaining to cyber related threats impacting the Department of Defense Information Network (DoDIN).
• Develop Army and Department of Defense incident response and threat mitigation countermeasures, friendly network forces prioritization, and operational assessments.
• Defend and clear critical assets, Mission Relevant Terrain (MRT) or Key Terrain Cyber (KT-C) either remotely or by deploying to the affected location as needed.
• Coordinate with network owners, local network defenders, and Cyber Security Service Providers (CSSP) to develop methods for the timely and accurate reporting and implementation of defensive countermeasures.
• Assess the effectiveness of clearing and hardening actions by replicating threat intrusion actions to ensure vulnerabilities were mitigated.
• Attend meetings, video teleconferences, and working groups, which require routine and recurring access to Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) materials, equipment, facilities, and programs.

Qualifications/ Specialized Experience

This position is in the Professional Work Category at the Full Performance Work Level within the CES Occupational Structure. Who May Apply: US Citizens Army CES positions apply Veteran's Preference to preference eligible candidates, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 3005, "CES Employment and Placement". If you are a veteran claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must submit documents verifying your eligibility with your application package. In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below for each applicable grade level you wish to be considered. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. To qualify based on your experience, your resume must describe one-year of specialized experience that demonstrates the possession of knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Such experience is typically in or directly related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience would be demonstrated by: GG-07: Monitoring network traffic and/or host processes to determine anomalies; assisting with analysis of information systems (e.g. networks, security, operating systems) compliance; and assisting customers in resolving technical issues. GG-09 Installing network switches to establish new services; modifying network switch configurations to resolve incidents; performing remote diagnostics; and troubleshooting network related issues. GG-11 Conducting research to identify unanticipated network threats; analyzing network traffic and performance; monitoring software/data tools such Wireshark and Splunk to formulate hypotheses on anomalous traffic. GG-12 Conducting analysis on network traffic using tools such as Wireshark and Splunk; applying cybersecurity best practices and providing recommendations to customers or management, either individually or as part of a team; applying an understanding of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model as it relates to networking and traffic flow. The specialized experience must include, or be supplemented by, information technology related experience (paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training, as appropriate) which demonstrates each of the four competencies, as defined: (1) Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. Examples of IT-related experience demonstrating this competency include: completing work independently that rarely requires editing or review by others. (2) 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. Examples of IT-related experience demonstrating this competency include: resolving simple and routine problems, questions, or complaints and providing support and guidance to customers on non-routine issues; serving as a primary resource for customers, requesting assistance with complex issues when necessary; and participating in meetings and providing advice to customers in own area of expertise. (3) 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. Examples of IT-related experience demonstrating this competency include: expressing facts and ideas in a clear, concise, convincing, and organized manner; clearly conveying moderately complex ideas, concepts, and information to customers; exhibiting active listening by demonstrating understanding of audience comments and/or questions. (4) Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. Examples of IT-related experience demonstrating this competency include: identifying and solving problems by gathering and applying information from a variety of materials or sources that provide several alternatives; recognizing and taking action to address non-routine problems; soliciting feedback from multiple stakeholders to understand an issue or problem and accurately assess its root causes and potential solutions; seeking supervisory review where appropriate.