Summary The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is recruiting professionals to support a range of developmental roles in Vulnerability Assessment, including Vulnerability Assessment Analyst, Systems Security Assessor, Cyber Hygiene Assessor, and Penetration Tester. All positions are in the DHS Cybersecurity Service. Responsibilities DHS Cybersecurity Service (DHS-CS) uses a multi-phase assessment process to qualify applicants seeking employment through the DHS-CS. Given the ever-advancing nature of cybersecurity and the ongoing need for cybersecurity talent, DHS-CS uses "Talent Pools" to pull qualified applicants (i.e., individuals who have successfully completed the multi-phase assessment process for their capability and career track/level) for consideration for these jobs. This announcement is being used to fill the Vulnerability Assessment Talent Pool. By applying to this job announcement, you are opting to be part of the DHS-CS Talent Pool for ongoing consideration for employment for relevant open jobs and will remain eligible for consideration for up to one year from the date of completion. There are a variety of Vulnerability Assessment opportunities across the Department, including supporting several specialized programs at the DHS Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans (PLCY), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), DHS Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As an employee in the Development Track, you will continually and proactively participate in learning activities to enhance and apply your developing expertise in the technical capability of Vulnerability Assessment to perform a range of routine tasks, including: Supporting the implementation of tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP) of cyber exploitation and attack to identify, quantify, prioritize, and report vulnerabilities across DHS, Federal, and/or national critical architectures, networks, applications, and systems. Conducting technical or nontechnical risk and threat assessments to assist DHS and federal leaders with decision-making related to cybersecurity planning (e.g., security measures, countermeasures, and vulnerability assessment methodologies). Actively engaging with and supporting internal and/or external cybersecurity professionals and experts in cybersecurity risk assessment/management, automated information sharing, threat analysis, vulnerability management, and network defense/network protection to assess risk, identify vulnerabilities and implement controls as necessary. Researching and learning new vulnerabilities, threats, TTPs in a variety of forums, working with others to assess risk and implement controls as necessary. Developing tests of systems and/or locally developed tools and techniques for gaining and maintaining access to target systems, while evaluating compliance with specifications and requirements in accordance with policy, benchmarks, and industry best practices. Working with systems engineering and development teams to recommend and deliver remediation strategies and plans for discovered vulnerabilities throughout the systems development lifecycle (SDLC). Conducting routine risk assessments and providing risk assessment reports/status to propose solutions that document methodologies, findings, impacts, recommending mitigation and remediating strategies/solutions. Supporting the design, replication, analyses, and validation strategies for simulated attacks on networks and systems to ensure DHS abilities to uncover and mitigate vulnerabilities. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications This position is in the Developmental Track at the Associate Cybersecurity Specialist career level. At this level, individuals generally: Have 2+ years of cybersecurity work experience Can serve as a cybersecurity professional with some experience who applies still-burgeoning technical expertise to perform routine work with significant supervision and clear guidance. DHS Cybersecurity Service employees with a technical capability in Vulnerability Assessment will generally: Conduct assessments of threats and vulnerabilities on networks/systems software and hardware and develop and recommend appropriate mitigation countermeasures. Develop and conduct tests of systems to evaluate compliance with specifications and requirements in accordance with policy benchmarks and industry best practices, by validating technical, functional, and performance characteristics of systems or their elements. Coordinate and align with program offices and various stakeholders. DHS Cybersecurity Service employees start at career levels and salaries matching their experience and expertise. In recruiting for this opportunity, DHS may hire employees at higher or lower career levels and associated salaries. To learn more about DHS Cybersecurity Service career tracks and levels, visit our application portal. This position is focused on Vulnerability Assessment. DHS Cybersecurity Service jobs are structured cybersecurity specializations - called technical capabilities. To learn more about technical capabilities, visit our application portal. Education Degrees are not required for jobs in the DHS Cybersecurity Service, but DHS is interested in your level of education and the topics you studied. As you submit initial application information, you will be asked questions about your education. Additional Information Salary: Listed salary ranges reflects typical starting salaries available to employees in most of the United States across applicable career levels. In some geographic areas, average starting salaries will be higher because of a local cybersecurity labor market supplement (e.g., metro Washington, D.C. +10%). Actual salaries of individual employees may be higher or lower than provided figures. For an overview of the salaries available in the DHS Cybersecurity Service, visit Resources. Benefits: DHS Cybersecurity Service employees receive a range of federal employment benefits designed to support their professional and personal lives. To learn more about benefits, visit our application portal. More information about the specific benefits available to you will be provided as you progress through the application process. Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for a security clearance as a condition of placement in this position. This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.