Deputy Chief, Cybersecurity Solutions

WE ARE THE NRO
For sixty years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched and operated the satellites that are the foundation for America’s advantage and strength in space. Using a diversified architecture of spacecraft, NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance content on the planet.


Learn more at nro.gov.


Basic Eligibility for a position with NRO:

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
• You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic drug testing
• You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic polygraph examinations

Where You Will Work


The Communication's Directorate (COMM), seeks a highly motivated professional to lead the development and delivery of new enterprise cybersecurity services and capabilities to identify, protect and defend the organizations cybersecurity environment. In this position you will lead multiple project teams as an expert in enterprise cybersecurity technology services/solutions; analyze and deliver integrated IT + cybersecurity systems; plan for, and execute, technical capabilities to meet both NRO and DoD/IC standards and architectures; rigorously manage IT system security posture for enterprise-level infrastructure; advise senior leadership on emerging cybersecurity technologies and best practices. Develop and independently execute direction for projects based on broadly defined leadership direction. This position requires mastery of advanced cybersecurity principles, concepts, methods, standards and practices.

This is a full time position. Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match.


Who May Apply

• This position is open to the public.
• Federal government employees MUST currently be at the grade level or higher as indicated in this announcement. This is NOT a promotion opportunity for current Federal government employees. If selected for the position, Federal government employees will transition laterally at their current grade level and step.
• Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade IAW DoD 1400.25 Volume 2006.
• The NRO is only accepting external applicants for this job announcement. Current NRO Cadre employees should apply internally.
• This position does not qualify for the appointment of a Reemployed Federal Annuitant IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 300.

What You Will Be Doing
As the Deputy Chief, Cybersecurity Solutions Division, you will be responsible for the following duties:

• Lead technical teams in delivering advanced information system technology projects. Participates in a variety of work groups. Collaborates on the evaluation, development and recommendations of modification/approval on standards.
• Analyzes and evaluates work concerned with integrated systems of IT equipment and applications. Applies available technologies and basic management principles to adapt computer methods to a variety of subject matter situations.
• Supports the development of integrated agency-wide transition strategies, plans, and actions plans to ensure that key DoD and agency standards are implemented in support of agreed upon DoD information architectures.
• Provides management officials and operating personnel technical advice on current technology and policy and its impact on current and long-range programs. Participates in conferences and committees on matters pertaining to computer requirements, application, and techniques
• Stays abreast of state-of-the-art information systems technology and trends, which influences development and automation techniques.

What You Need

 

• Expert knowledge of technical and functional operation of IT systems to effect changes to existing systems by applying state-of-the-art technology.
• Expert knowledge of agency mission, objectives, terminology, and management practices to recognize probable areas of interaction and overlap between proposed applications and existing systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of national and international laws, regulations, policies, and ethics as they relate to cybersecurity.
• Demonstrated skill in analyzing, formulating, and recommending policies, procedures, and processes. Highly developed oral and written communication skills necessary to work with a wide variety of personnel, including the executive level. Skill applying knowledge to highly complex projects and adopting innovative methods and approaches to generate solutions to highly technical software process problems.
• Expert knowledge of IT principles, concepts, methods, standards, and practices sufficient to accomplish assignments such as: development and interpretation of policies, procedures, and strategies governing the planning and delivery of services throughout the agency; provide expert technical advice, guidance, and recommendations to management and other technical specialists on critical IT issues; apply new developments to previously unsolvable problems; and make decisions or recommendations that significantly influence important agency IT policies or programs.
• Mastery knowledge of operating systems.
• Knowledge of risk management processes (e.g., methods for assessing and mitigating risk).
• Expert knowledge of specific operational impacts of cybersecurity lapses.
• Expert knowledge and ability to apply local area and wide area networking principles and concepts including bandwidth management.
• Demonstrated skill in applying most of the following: interrelationships of multiple IT specialties; the agency's IT architecture; new IT developments and applications; emerging technologies and their applications to business processes; IT security concepts, standards, and methods; project management principles, methods, and practices, including developing plans and schedules, estimating resource requirements, defining milestones and deliverables, monitoring activities, and evaluating and reporting on accomplishments; and oral and written communication techniques.
• Mastery knowledge of cybersecurity principles and organizational requirements (relevant to confidentiality, integrity, availability, authentication, non-repudiation).
• Mastery knowledge and understanding of IT systems sufficient to ensure the integration of IT programs and services; and develop solutions to integration/interoperability issues; design, develop, and manage systems that meet current and future business requirements and apply and extend, enhance, or optimize the existing architecture; manage assigned projects; communicate complex technical requirements to non-technical personnel; and prepare and present briefings to senior management officials on complex/controversial issues.
• Expert knowledge of the enterprise information technology (IT) architectural concepts and patterns to include baseline and target architectures.
• Knowledge of secure configuration management techniques.
• Expert knowledge of the principles, methodologies and practices of IT development life cycle methodologies in order to advise on the planning, design, development, testing and enforcing relevant standards in the systems development process and the focus of Federal standards initiatives.
• Mastery knowledge of IT system design processes, to include understanding of security objectives, operational objectives, and tradeoffs.
• Knowledge of IT system operation, maintenance, and security needed to keep equipment functioning properly.
• Knowledge of the operations and processes for incident, problem, and event management. Track record of successful delivery of technical solutions; and demonstrated experience developing government staff and leading contractors with proven leadership skills to set vision and inspire people to action.
• Recognize leader who champions diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and has a demonstrated ability to build diverse teams, motivate others and drive change through influence.
• Significant experience building and executing budgets and spend plans.
   

Required:

• Demonstrated leadership/management of an IT organization
• Strong critical thinking and decision-making skills in order to manage organizational issues
• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate blended teams of Government (civilian and military), FFRDC, and contract personnel, including the ability to positively affect the morale of an organization
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead/manage, coach, and develop subordinates, including new personnel who are in their first tour
• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate/partner with internal and external stakeholders
• Highly developed oral and written communication skills necessary to work with a wide variety of personnel, including the executive level
• Demonstrated ability to develop, successfully advocate and guide the execution of strategic and tactical IT plans
• Expert knowledge of technical and functional operation of IT systems and overarching frameworks that govern IT operations
• Knowledge of agency mission, objectives, terminology, and management practices to recognize probable areas of interaction and overlap between proposed applications and existing systems
• Employee must have 4 years acquisition experience.

Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform and is typically in or directly related to the duties of the position as described above. Experience must be reflected in your resume.

Other Information

• Security Clearance Requirement: Position designation is Critical-Sensitive. The incumbent must be able to obtain and retain a TOP SECRET security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) and NRO access to perform the duties and responsibilities of this position.
• Polygraph: Employee is subject to initial and periodic Counterintelligence Polygraph Testing.
• Drug Testing: This is a drug testing designated position. As such, the employee is subject to initial and random drug testing for drug use.
• Financial Disclosure: Employee is required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually. Financial Management Certification: May be required to obtain the appropriate Financial Management certification level for the position within two years of assignment.
• DAWIA: Employees Grades 14-15 designated in Critical Acquisition Positions, must meet appropriate certification requirements IAW the DAWIA within the designated grace period (Professional- 3 years/ Foundational- 3 years/ Practitioner- 5 years/ Advanced- 4 years) after accepting the position.
• As a Critical Acquisition Position (CAP) unless specifically waived by the appropriate Component Official (i.e., the Director of Acquisition Career Management for the Component, the Service Acquisition Executive, or the Service Secretary) or if the employee is “grandfathered” under 10 U.S.C. 1736 (c) (1), the following are statutorily mandated requirements (Reference 10 U.S.C. 1733 and 1737). 1. Employee must execute, as a condition of employment, a written tenure agreement to maintain in Federal Service in this position for at least three years. In signing such an agreement, the employee does not forfeit any employment rights, nor does such an agreement alter any other terms or conditions of employment.

DAWIA requirements may be located at the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) website at the following link: http://icatalog.dau.mil/onlinecatalog/CareerLvlaspx.

• Overtime Statement: The employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Travel Statement: The employee may be required to travel in military or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.
• Certification: Employees are required to obtain appropriate Cyber Security certifications within 6 months of certification requirement being assigned.

Location


Chantilly, VA

Salary
This position meets the qualifications for Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) Targeted Local Market Supplement (TLMS) STEM pay for NRO Cadre employees and candidates as authorized by the office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security’s (OUSD(I&S)).  Cadre employees and candidates are eligible to receive STEM pay if they are currently serving in a STEM designated position. Should a Cadre employee or candidate earning STEM pay change positions within the organization, they must be assigned to another STEM qualifying position in order to continue to remain eligible for STEM pay.  Otherwise, Cadre employees and Candidates Generally would be transitioned to the DCIPS GG Pay Scale. For more information on STEM pay, visit https://dcips.defense.gov/Human-Resources/Compensation/

2025 STEM Salary ranges:

GG15: $165,789 - $195,200

**This position is a full performance level DCIPS position. The NRO is accepting applications from U.S. Citizens and current Federal Government employees for this position.  To qualify for the position, Federal government employees MUST currently be at the GG 15 grade level and may ONLY apply for a lateral reassignment at their current grade level and step. . Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade per IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 2006.

Hiring Incentives
The NRO may offer hiring incentives and other entitlements at management’s discretion.

Trial Period
All new DCIPS employees will be required to serve a 2-year trial period.

Veterans’ Preference
DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans’ Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Vol 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement.  If you are a veteran claiming veterans’ preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 USC, you must submit documents verifying your eligibility upon request.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for federal employees & job applicants  

Reasonable Accommodation Policy
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.
Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:

• An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.

You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please send your request to Hiring@nro.mil.

Privacy Act Notice
Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): We use this information to determine qualifications for employment. This is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.