Information Technology Specialist (Security)

Information Technology Specialist (Security)

Department: Judicial Branch

Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia

Salary Range: $101402 - $190061 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is located within the Department of Technology Services (DTS), Information Technology Security Office (ITSO). The candidates will be responsible for leading threat detection and incident coordination efforts within ITSO's 24/7 Security Operations Center and are empowered to task and direct all incident response activities in support of defensive cyber operations internal defense measures.

Major Duties:

• The incumbent is methodical, analytical, has strong attention to detail, and has strong leadership and briefing skills. Technical knowledge and skills are required but the Judiciary Watch Officer is not necessarily the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for hands-on response but has sufficient technical knowledge to identify and task appropriate SMEs when required. Such expertise requires a broad technical background with emphasis on operational procedures. Duties include, but are not limited to the following: Overseeing and directing cybersecurity and Information Technology (IT) operational teams. Ensure teams are effectively prioritized and assigned tasks based on the severity and impact of cybersecurity incidents or operational issues, while maintaining a timely and coordinated response. Enforcing and oversee technical and management notification and escalation procedures, maintaining proper communication channels to engage stakeholders, senior leadership, and subject matter experts (SMEs) as required. Leading incident and problem resolution by coordinating efforts across cybersecurity, IT, and business teams, leveraging SMEs to contain threats, mitigate risks, and efficiently restore systems to normal operations. Maintaining comprehensive and accurate documentation of all incidents, actions taken, and lessons learned, ensuring compliance with judiciary guidelines, and supporting continuous process improvement through root cause analysis and post incident reviews. Fostering collaboration with cross-functional teams to strengthen the judiciary's security posture by proactively identifying vulnerabilities, sharing insights from incidents, and driving security awareness initiatives. Delivering clear, concise, and timely status updates to management and key stakeholders, translating complex technical findings into actionable business insights to facilitate informed decision-making. Participating in a rotating on-call schedule to guarantee 24/7 incident response coverage, providing rapid and effective reaction to cybersecurity threats and operational disruptions. Exhibiting exceptional critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills to effectively assess and respond to cybersecurity incidents and operational challenges under high-pressure situations with minimal impact to business operations. Identifying opportunities for enhancing incident response capabilities by proposing and implementing innovative security solutions, automating repetitive tasks, and staying ahead of emerging threats while adhering to industry and federal best practices. Contributing to the enhancement of Security Operations Center efficiency and customer service by refining incident response processes, optimizing workflows, and promoting a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Overseeing and execute cybersecurity incident response procedures as outlined in established playbooks, directing containment, eradication, and recovery efforts with precision and efficiency. Providing daily briefings to executives and key stakeholders on the status of ongoing incidents and problems, offering strategic insights and actionable recommendations to support risk-based decision-making.

Qualifications: Applicants must have demonstrated experience as listed below. This requirement is according to the AO Classification, Compensation, and Recruitment Systems which include interpretive guidance and reference to the OPM Operating Manual for Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions. 1. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. 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. 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. 4. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience which is in or directly related to the line of work of this position. Specialized experience is demonstrated experience must demonstrate ALL areas defined below: Investigating compromised host machines using endpoint detection and response (EDR) platforms and other logging solutions. Knowledge of networking protocols to include detailed understanding of Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. Experience with security infrastructure components, including firewalls, web application firewalls (WAFs), proxies, DNS, and routing protocols, with a deep understanding of their role in enterprise defense strategies. Knowledge of operating system internals and built-in security mechanisms, enabling effective identification and remediation of vulnerabilities across Windows, Linux, and macOS platforms. Knowledge of adversarial tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), with the ability to analyze and respond to evolving cybersecurity threats through proactive defensive measures. Desired, but Not Required: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) GIAC Security Operations Certified (GSOC) GIAC Cloud Incident Response (GCIR)

How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 12/18/2025 to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account. You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application. You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. Click the following link to view and print the occupational questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12844651

Application Deadline: 2025-12-18