Information Technology Specialist (Security) (Direct Hire)
Compensation
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Job Description
Summary
Serves as a Cybersecurity Watch Officer using data collected from a variety of cyber defense tools to analyze events that occur within their environments for the purposes of leading the mitigation of threats.
- Salary
- $109,749 to - $142,676 per year
The salary shown reflects the 2025 rates of pay for GS employees
- Pay scale & grade
- GS 13
Duties
- Creates and implements end-to-end cyber security operations playbooks based on technical cybersecurity expertise, applicable policies, and rules of engagement.
- Analyzes data/information from one or multiple cyber threat sources to respond to requests for information and to lead actionable NASA defensive cyber operations.
- Conducts analysis, interpretation, evaluation, integration, production, and dissemination of cybersecurity products including but not limited to briefings, white papers, and reports in support of the needs of enterprise.
- Develops cyber indicators to maintain awareness of the status of the highly dynamic operating environment. Collects, processes, analyzes, and disseminates cyber threat/warning assessments.
- Investigates, analyzes, and responds to cyber incidents within the network environment or enclave.
- Leads work shifts performing cybersecurity triage, monitoring and detection, event management, watch office, and cyber threat analysis to proactively monitor, detect, prevent security incidents; and reactively respond to, mitigate, and remediate.
- Utilizes in depth knowledge of Defensive Cyber Operations principles to track ongoing cyber threats against the NASA enterprise and respond to network/system breaches (actual or attempted intrusion, computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, etc.).
Requirements
- This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
- This position may require a one-year probationary period. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. **See Additional Information section**
- You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
- Position subject to pre-employment background security investigation.
- If selected, you will be required to complete a financial disclosure statement.
Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level.
- Analyzing intrusion alerts and their impacts, implementing cybersecurity measures, and facilitating the recovery of compromised systems;
- Serving as a watch officer in a 24x7x365 security operations center, overseeing enterprise cybersecurity monitoring and incident response activities;
- Implementing and monitoring IT security management tools and procedures, and evaluating compliance with policies and regulations.
IF you are qualifying based on experience, you MUST also have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four 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.
- 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.
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Evaluation
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans' preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.
Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information please see: Veterans' Preference information on the FedsHireVets website.
You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.
You will be assessed on the following competencies:
- Computer Network Defense
- Information Systems/Network Security
- Information Security
- Information Systems Security
NASA considers 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.
NASA will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer. If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: [email protected].
Required Documents
All submitted resumes must not exceed two (2) pages in length. Resumes longer than two pages will be rejected by USAJOBS. Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize including experience and relevant qualifications that directly align with the position advertised. All work experience and accomplishments must be associated with dates (month/year) to allow for accurate qualification assessment.
A complete application package includes a resume, required documents and completion of the vacancy announcement questionnaire. Please see this guidance: . Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire. If you are using a Curriculum Vitae (CV) as a resume, it must meet all requirements listed above for a complete resume package.
Please note: if any of the following types of information are included on your resume, your application package will be disqualified:
- Classified or government sensitive information.
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Photos of yourself
- Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
- Encrypted and digitally signed documents.
The following documents are required:
- Resume
There may be other supporting documents (licenses, certification, veterans preference, etc.), depending on your answers to the questionnaire and job announcement description, that you may have to submit, please verify your application. Do not submit an OF-306 with your application.
If you are a surplus or displaced employee (CTAP and ICTAP), submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP. This includes copies of your agency notice, most recent Performance Rating and most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) noting current position, grade level, and duty location.
Official documents are required at the time of appointment for verification of eligibility and qualifications.
Job Details
- Department
- Mechanical
- Category
- Business & Finance
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Location
- Huntsville, Alabama
- Posted
- Jan 2, 2026, 12:00 AM
- Compensation
- $109,749 - $142,676 per year
About NASA
Part of the growing space industry ecosystem pushing humanity toward interplanetary exploration.
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