Department of Energy

IT Cybersecurity Specialist (Defense Critical Energy Infrastructure (DCEI))

Washington, District of Columbia Full time

IT Cybersecurity Specialist (Defense Critical Energy Infrastructure (DCEI))

Department: Department of Energy

Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia

Salary Range: $169279 - $197200 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is part of the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response, Department of Energy. As an IT Cybersecurity Specialist (Defense Critical Energy Infrastructure (DCEI)), you will be an expert in IT Cybersecurity Program Management within the Department of Energy (DOE). Their colleagues and superiors see them as a top authority on cybersecurity. They offer independent, expert advice, management services, and recommendations on cybersecurity matters to DOE leaders.

Major Duties:

  • The Department of Energy's mission is to ensure America's security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions. The Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response office works to enhance the security and resilience of U.S. critical energy infrastructure to all hazards, mitigate the impacts of disruptive events and risk to the sector overall through preparedness and innovation, and respond to and facilitate recovery from energy disruptions in collaboration with other Federal agencies, the private sector, and State, local, tribal, and territory governments. We are truly honored that DOE has been named America's #1 Best Employer for Veterans in 2023 by Forbes-not only among Government agencies, but among employers across the U.S. We are so proud of this ranking which reflects our commitment to the employment of veterans. As so many veterans at DOE renew their service to our Nation, we are deeply committed to their success and advancement. Veterans shape the future of energy As an IT Cybersecurity Specialist (DCEI), you will: Serve as a recognized authority, offering independent advice and recommendations to senior management on cybersecurity matters, and interpreting and implementing IT cybersecurity regulations and standards. Drive the development, implementation, and sustainment of projects to improve the reliability, survivability, and cyber-resiliency of national energy infrastructure IT and Operational Technology (OT) systems. Plan, analyze, develop, implement, maintain, and enhance programs, policies, and tools to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems, networks, and data. Conduct comprehensive evaluations of cybersecurity hardware, software, communication systems, and networks to identify vulnerabilities, assess risks, and recommend countermeasures and solutions. Review, analyze, and develop cybersecurity policies and directives to ensure compliance with federal regulations and alignment with mission requirements. Represent the Department of Energy on interagency work groups, advising other IT experts, and facilitating information sharing with industry and government agencies on cybersecurity issues.

Qualifications: BASIC REQUIREMENT: Applicants must have IT-related education and experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below at a proficiency level equivalent to the next lower grade level in federal service. 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. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-14 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 2 of 3 of the following: Leading the development and implementation of cybersecurity programs and policies that secure IT and Operational Technology (OT) infrastructures against advanced threats, anticipating future risks and ensuring compliance with established security frameworks and regulations. Managing and overseeing cybersecurity projects and initiatives, including planning and evaluating performance to ensure successful delivery and adherence to security objectives and organizational goals. Providing technical guidance and recommendations to senior leadership and diverse stakeholders on emerging cybersecurity technologies, their potential impact, and strategic integration into existing IT architectures to meet evolving mission requirements. "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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. Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications. Your full resume will be made available to the hiring manager if you are referred. Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration. You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How to Apply: Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the announcement closing date to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: The application process is as follows: Read all instructions before you begin. Click "Apply Online." Complete the application and attach all required documents. Submit by 11:59 PM ET on the 03/23/2026. Resume Tips: Max 2 pages and 5MB file size. PDF is recommended to preserve formatting; we also accept GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, TXT, ODT, or Word (DOC/DOCX). No PDF portfolios. Use clear fonts like Lato, Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open Sans, Source Sans Pro, Roboto, or Noto Sans. Set 0.5-inch margins. Use 14-point font for titles, 10-point for main text. Managing Your Application: Update: Edit your application in USAJOBS before the closing date. Status: Log into USAJOBS to view your application status. Learn more here: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Support: USAJOBS Help: Visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/ for login.gov or USAJOBS assistance. Application Issues: If you have difficulty applying online, contact the Agency Contact listed in this announcement during business hours. Take screenshots of any system errors. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To verify the status of your application, during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account; applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each application status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-23