IT CYBERSECURITY SPECIALIST (SYSADMIN)
Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Posted: March 25, 2026 (1 day ago)
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Department of the Air Force - Agency Wide
Department of the Air Force
Location
Salary
$132,751 - $172,578
per year
Type
Full-Time
More IT & Technology jobs →Closes
Base salary range: $88,520 - $115,079
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-12. Expert-level knowledge in field.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job involves working as a senior expert in defending computer networks against cyber threats for the Air Force, including supporting military partners in protecting digital systems.
You'll analyze risks, use security tools, and communicate findings to teams and leaders.
It's a great fit for experienced IT professionals with a strong background in cybersecurity who enjoy high-stakes problem-solving in a government setting.
Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for IMPORTANT additional information.
The primary purpose of this position is to serve as an experienced, Senior-skill-level defensive cyberspace operations technical expert and Cyberspace Protection Team (CPT) Mission Element crew member supporting tasked Service, Combatant Command and National Agency partners.
This is a GG-13 position in the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS).
The GG-13 duties for the "Professional" work category are at the "Senior" work level and are equivalent to those at the GS-13 level.
The selectee's salary will be set within the grade equivalent to a GS/GG grade based on the selectee's qualifications in relation to the job.
In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions for the GS-2210 Information Technology (IT) Management Series 2210 (Alternative A).
EXPERIENCE: Experience must be IT related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate.
For all positions individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below.
The employing agency is responsible for identifying the specific level of proficiency required for each competency at each grade level based on the requirements of the position being filled. 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.
-AND- EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Your resume must reflect quality level experience which demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for successful job performance required for this position.
Quality experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.
Examples of creditable experience include knowledge of IA and MA technologies such as COMSEC, COMPUSEC, EMSEC, and OPSEC, computer systems, digital communications systems, network protocols, and computer architecture, and computer security penetration tools and techniques.
Advanced knowledge and skill in identifying, analyzing, articulating and executing program goals and objectives, work processes, and administrative operations of the organization in support of major issues and operational challenges.
Ability to clearly and effectively discuss and present program objectives, managerial tasks, and technical information verbally and in writing to management and professional personnel at all levels within DoD and other government agencies within timelines prescribed by regulation or management.
Note: Creditable experience may include previous military experience, experience gained in the private sector, or experience gained in another government agency.
-OR- To view specialized experience click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/2200/information-technology-it-management-series-2210-alternative-a/ KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Advanced knowledge of and skill in application of the concepts, and practices in two or more of the following areas: cyberspace security, computer programming, networking, computer operating systems (Windows, UNIX), malware forensics; threat analysis, operations research, artificial intelligence/machine learning; cyber incident handling and response, penetration testing, software/malware reverse engineering.
the application of Information Assurance (IA), Mission Assurance (MA) and threat hunting technologies and techniques, analysis of computer systems, operating systems, network communication protocols, computer and network architectures and virtual machine (VM) technology; ability to analyze and correlate data in order to distinguish evidence of attacks or intrusions from normal activity.
Advanced knowledge of IA and MA technologies such as COMSEC, COMPUSEC, EMSEC, and OPSEC, computer systems, digital communications systems, network protocols, and computer architecture; and computer security penetration tools and techniques.
Extensive knowledge and skill in one or more of the following areas: (a) computer operating systems (Unix, Windows, etc.) enterprise services, file systems, security, configuration and analysis; (2) network operations and security including netflows, protocols, PCAP, etc.; (3) computer programming and scripting; (4) malware identification and analysis; (5) system forensics.
Advanced knowledge and skill in identifying, analyzing, articulating and executing program goals and objectives, work processes, and administrative operations of the organization in support of major issues and operational challenges.
Skill in developing new or modified work methods, processes, or information protection procedures; and ability to develop and a1iiculate technical direction and approaches to formulating interoperability plans, implementation plans, and contingency plans involving communications and connectivity between major command and control systems; proficiency in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations.
Ability to clearly and effectively discuss and present program objectives, managerial tasks, and technical information verbally and in writing to management and professional personnel at all levels within DoD and other government agencies within timelines prescribed by regulation or management.
Ability to effectively perform in both leadership and followership roles as part of teams comprised of military, federal civilian, and contract employees from within and outside of the employee's work center and unit.
This includes effective interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to plan, organize work, and consult effectively with co-workers, as well as the ability to recog11ize and assume informal leadership and followership roles as appropriate to the team tasking and dynamics.
PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work.
You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.
VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social).
Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.
You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Major Duties:
Serves as a functional expert, and/or team member at the Senior experience level on a CPT conducting cyber defense analysis and security investigations on complex networks and system architectures.
Serves as a functional expert, and/or team member at the Senior experience level conducting penetration testing and assessments of mission partner defense capabilities on complex networks and system architectures.
Serves as a functional expert, and/or team member at the Senior experience level conducting missions to detect and remove unauthorized, malicious, or adversary presence from operational systems, networks, or enclaves in order to ensure reliability and availability of mission critical capabilities.
Serves as a functional expert, and/or team member preparing mission documentation in accordance with DoW, Air Force, CYBERCOM, CCMD, 24 AF, and local standards.
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