Exploitation Analyst - Entry to Mid Level (MD/GA/TX)

The United States has experienced profound changes that impact the way the National Security Agency (NSA) conducts its mission. In order to carry out these functions NSA is looking for exploitation analysts who are highly skilled, want to stay on the leading edge of technology and are impassioned about ensuring the United States maintains a strategic edge in cyberspace. These are NOT your average Cyber, Computer Science, Networking or Engineering jobs!

Major Duties

NSA stays at the forefront of Cybersecurity. Backed by a talented cadre of capabilities development specialists, NSA operates innovative solutions to gather foreign Intelligence via Computer Network Exploitation. Analysts will receive expert and specialized training on state of the art tools and capabilities. A full career track that covers beginner to expert development paths awaits those that wish to join NSA's mission. Additionally, there are opportunities to receive specialized pay at specific milestones. As an Exploitation Analyst you will: - Analyze all-source data to evaluate foreign target opportunities - Understand and evaluate foreign target network - Develop strategies against those foreign target networks - Partner with operators to conduct operations against foreign networks - Inform defensive cyber operations through intelligence collection - Work with a dynamic team across the Intelligence Community to satisfy critical questions from policy makers, our military and our National Leaders - Analyze adversaries' communications across multiple mediums.

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. Degree must be in Network Engineering, Systems Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, Mathematics, Data Science, or related field (e.g., General Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Forensics, Cyber Security, Software Engineering, Information Assurance, or Computer Security). Relevant experience must be in computer or information systems design/development, systems architecture, programming, information/cyber/network security, vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, computer forensics, cybersecurity, Machine/Network Virtualization, Cloud Infrastructure, Virtual Containers, Malware Analysis, Operating Systems, Signals Development (SIGDEV), Software/Hardware Reverse Engineering, Network Analysis, Protocol Analysis/Profiling, network exploitation, Persona Analysis, software analysis, debugging, network intrusion detection, and/or systems engineering. If not credited toward education requirement, completion of military training in a relevant area such as JCAC (Joint Cyber Analysis course), Undergraduate Cyber Training (UCT), Network Warfare Bridge Course (NWBC)/Intermediate Network Warfare Training (INWT), Cyber Defense Operations will be considered towards the relevant experience requirement (i.e., 20-24 weeks course will count as 6 months of experience, 10-14 weeks will count as 3 months of experience). Relevant sequences of certifications can substitute for 1 year experience. ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTAL Entry is with a Bachelor's degree and no experience. The following may also be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position: an Associate's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience; or at least 18 semester hours of military coursework/training in networking, computer science, or cyber topics plus 2 years of relevant experience. FULL PERFORMANCE Entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 1 year of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree and no experience. The following may also be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position: an Associate's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience; or at least 18 semester hours of military coursework/training in networking, computer science, or cyber topics plus 5 years of relevant experience; or successful completion of the CNO Apprentice Exploitation Analyst certification plus 3 years of relevant experience.

Promotion Potential

GG-None

How You Will Be Evaluated

The ideal candidate would be someone with solid decision making skills, flexibility, adaptability, collaboration, and technical proficiencies in several of the following areas: - Network traffic analysis - Operating system administration (Windows and Unix/Linux) - Network Security - Incident response - Computer and network forensics - Network administration - Vulnerability and malware analysis - Scripting and/or programming - Disparate dataset analysis - Penetration testing / red teaming - Capture the Flag exercises - Teamwork APPLICANTS ARE SUBJECT TO PASSING A COMPUTER NETWORKING ASSESSMENT BATTERY TEST AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT. Exploitation Analysts will undergo specialized training for their role. Upon successful completion of training, you may be eligible for training certification program pay incentive.

Benefits

View benefits details ↗

Who Can Apply

• Current federal employees — excepted service
• Individuals with disabilities
• Military spouses
• National Guard & Reserves
• Students
• Open to the public

Required Documents

**VETERANS AND TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS** Thank you for your service! The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions at NSA are in the Excepted Service under Title 10, United States Codes (U.S.C.), Section 1601 appointment authority. Veterans' Preference In accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, "DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System Employment and Placement," NSA applies veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5, U.S.C., to eligible candidates. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you are required to provide acceptable documentation of your preference eligibility upon application. Acceptable documentation includes: - DD-214: "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions (Copy 4); OR - Certification of Service: A written document on letterhead from the appropriate branch of the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. The certification should include the military service dates, including the expected discharge or release date; AND - Standard Form 15 (SF-15) Application for 10-point Veteran Preference (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf). If you are claiming a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more, the documentation you provide must specifically demonstrate this level of disability; AND - VA Letter of Disability (for 10pt and Sole Survivorship rating) You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center, or online (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/). **Failure to provide sufficient documentation of veterans' preference eligibility may preclude NSA from identifying you as a preference eligible candidate during the hiring selection process.

How to Apply

Please visit our application site to apply:https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1262087

What to Expect Next

Please visit our application site to apply: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1262087

Other Information

Pay: Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position. Salary Range: $87,362 - 153,082 (Entry/Developmental, Full Performance) Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position. Training will be provided based on the selectee's needs and experience. Benefits: NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package. Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, with basic 8hr/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible). DCIPS Trial Period: If selected for this position, you will be required to serve a two-year DCIPS trial period, unless you are a veterans' preference-eligible employee, in which case you are required to serve a one-year trial period. This trial period runs concurrently with your commitment to the position, if applicable. Before finalizing your appointment at the conclusion of your trial period, NSA will determine whether your continued employment advances the public interest. This decision will be based on factors such as your performance and conduct; the Agency's needs and interests; whether your continued employment would advance the Agency's organizational goals; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. If you do not receive certification for continued employment, you should receive written notice prior to the end of your trial period that your employment will be terminated and the effective date of such termination.