Summary This position serves as the Security Operations Branch Chief. The Security Operations Branch serves as the organizations' first line of defense through diligently monitoring, detecting, and responding to cybersecurity incidents in real-time to protect organizational assets and operations. The Branch is responsible 24 hours day, 7 days a week for ensuring the identification, protection, detection, response, and recovery of cybersecurity threats against USPTO. Responsibilities This is a rewarding opportunity and a perfect step in your career, if you are eager to: Lead the Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT) activities Provide real-time threat monitoring, incident identification, swift response and mitigation and recovery processes for an IT enterprise. Supervise the support and implementation of computer network defense, identification/authentication/access control, data protection mechanisms, and data transfer mechanisms. Oversee the Security Operations Branch staff and resources. The physical worksite for this position is located in Alexandria, Virginia. This position is telework eligible per agency and business unit discretion/policy. This position is eligible for the selectee's preference of either: Telework up to 5 days per week fully remote within 50 miles of the USPTO Alexandria, VA headquarters and the duty station is the authorized telework location (typically your home address) OR with a reporting requirement of not less than 15 minutes twice per bi-week to USPTO's Alexandria, VA headquarters, (hoteling), and the duty station is the USPTO's Alexandria VA HQ. If selected for an interview, applicants are encouraged to discuss telework options and eligibility specific to the position in which they applied with the hiring manager. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. OPM Qualifications Standards are available at Information Technology (IT) Management Series 2210 (Alternative A) Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped applicants with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the federal service. For this position, the next lower grade level is a GS-14. Specialized experience for this position includes: Monitoring Cyber threats and vulnerabilities; AND Providing technical supervision to a team of senior engineers and IT professionals; AND Recommending solutions to cybersecurity incidents or vulnerabilities. In addition to meeting specialized experience: 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. 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. Incumbent must have one of the following certificates within 120 days from entry on duty (EOD): ISC2 Certified Authorization Professional (CAP); ISC2 Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP); ISACA Certified Information Security Manager (CISM); GIAC Information Security Fundamentals (GISF); GIAC Security Leadership Certification (GSLC). Since Security Operations Center in the Security Operations Branch must be staffed 24x7x365, nonstandard business hours (night shifts) may be required of the incumbent from time to time. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). 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. Education Education may not be substituted for experience at this grade level. Additional Information If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information. This is a Non Bargaining Unit position. ENHANCED SECURITY REQUIREMENT: Sensitivity Level is Special Sensitive. The incumbent of this position will require a Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance to be able to attend Top Secret briefings with other Department of Commerce and Department of Homeland Security entities to assess cyber threats and vulnerabilities that are Top Secret SCI in nature. If selected for this position, you may be required to complete the Fair Credit Act Memo, which gives consent so that one or more consumer credit reports may be obtained for employment purposes. Background Investigation - If selected for this position, you may be required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306), which includes a fingerprint and credit check, to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. The USPTO participates in E-Verify. For more information on E-Verify, please visit the Department of Homeland Security Website. Supervisory Probationary Period-If selected, you may be required to complete an initial one-year supervisory probationary period. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice. Relocation Expenses are not authorized and will not be paid. CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a "well qualified" rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: OPM CTAP/ICTAP. CTAP/ICTAP documentation requirements are listed in the 'Required Documents' section of this announcement. More than one selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 90 days from the date the certificate was issued. All application materials become the property of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. USPTO Job Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should request accommodation(s) from the USPTO at USPTO Reasonable Accommodation. The United States Patent and Trademark Office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate 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, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors. If you believe that you have been discriminated against and would like to file an EEO complaint, you must do so within 45 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act. Claims of employment discrimination must be submitted to the attention of the USPTO's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity via email (oeeod@uspto.gov) or phone (571-272-8292).