IT Specialist (INFOSEC/CUSTSPT)
About This Position
This position is located in the Operations Division, Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), Federal Election Commission. The FEC OCIO provides cross-discipline technical guidance, training, and operational development, and support for technologies and infrastructure used, guiding development and administration processes, and helping stakeholders understand potential solutions, risks, and costs from the perspective of the ever-changing technological landscape.
Qualifications
In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience described below.
Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. Specialized Experience GS-13: Applicants must have at least one full year of IT related specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) that demonstrates each of the following competencies: attention to detail, customer service, oral communication, and problem solving. This specialized experience must include activities such as: (1) developing plans to mitigate risks associated with IT systems vulnerabilities; (2) making recommendations to upper management that will enhance IT systems to meet customer requirements ; (3) coordinating work efforts with technical experts as well as with non-technical users; (4) recommending solutions to resolve complex issues associated with customer requests and requirements; (5) leading projects and team members to resolve critical problems in existing systems.
In addition, you must provide a cover letter describing your experience with the competencies identified below: 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. Information Systems/Network Security- Knowledge of methods, tools, and procedures, including development of information security plans, to prevent information systems vulnerabilities, and provide or restore security of information systems and network services. TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible.
One year at the GS-12 is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 grade level. (Must submit your SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade. No award SF-50 will be accepted). 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
This position provides the Federal Election Commission (FEC) the technological support as the agency's primary Senior IT Specialist conducting IT systems security analysis and remediation for the Operations Division. As the IT Specialist (INFOSEC/CUSTSPT) in this position, you will: Diagnose and resolve IT security vulnerabilities within the purview of the Operations Team. Coordinate with the Cybersecurity Team, and represent the Division and Office with Departmental officials, other Federal agency officials, executives of the private sector, external partners, customers, vendors, and suppliers of FEC's information technology initiatives.
Identify significant actual and potential cyber security problems, trends, and weaknesses. Continually update the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) Plan of Action & Milestones by documenting remediation or risk acceptance of vulnerabilities pertaining to the Operations Team. Serve as a Senior Customer Help Desk Support Specialist providing Tier 2/Tier 3 support for complex issues beyond basic troubleshooting.
Education
There is no substitution of education for experience at the grade level(s) of this announcement.
How You Will Be Evaluated
Once the announcement closes, we will conduct a review of your application package to verify your eligibility and qualifications. If you are found qualified, your application will move forward to additional phases of the review process which will determine the best qualified candidates. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
Additional Information
FEC offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules, telework and transportation subsidies. If you receive a tentative offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty.
False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. This is not a Bargaining Unit position. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.
Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: The following links contain information on the eligibility requirements to be considered under a noncompetitive appointing authority: Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses Other Special Appointment Authorities Additional selections may be made from this announcement.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/24/2026 to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply Online.
Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents.
You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
You will be taken to an online application.
Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application.
Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package including the documents listed below. We strongly encourage applicants to doublecheck that all required items are properly submitted to ensure consideration.
Your Resume listing hours worked per week, dates of employment (month/year) and duties performed for each position held. Limit your resume to two pages. Only resumes 2 pages or less in length will be accepted to determine eligibility and qualifications.
Cover Letter which addresses the competencies identified in the Qualifications section above. Please limit your cover letter to 2 pages. Other supporting documents if applicable: Veterans documents (if claiming preference, or applying under VEOA or 30% disabled veteran eligibility): DD-214 including character of service, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions within 120 days, and if applicable, SF-15 Form, VA letter, or other documentation required by that form.
Current Federal Employees, including current FEC employees and those eligible for transfer : to claim Transfer eligibility as a current federal employee, please confirm you are employed as a federal civilian on a permanent competitive or excepted service appointment. To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50), or equivalent personnel action, reflecting your permanent competitive or excepted service status with Block 24 as "Tenure 1 or 2" and in Block 34 as "Competitive Service" or "Excepted Service." No award SF-50s will be accepted as proof of eligibility.
In addition to submitting your most recent SF-50, if you have held a higher grade than the one you're applying for on a permanent basis, please submit an SF-50, or equivalent personnel action, which documents the highest grade you have held on a permanent basis. Former Federal Employee Eligible for FEC Reinstatement: To claim Reinstatement eligibility as a former federal employee, please confirm you were formerly employed as a federal civilian on a permanent competitive or excepted service appointment but are not currently a permanent competitive or excepted federal employee. To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50), or equivalent personnel action, reflecting your permanent competitive or excepted service status reflecting one of the criteria listed below: You are a former Federal employee who previously attained Career status identified on your last Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) in Block 24 as "Tenure 1" and in Block 34 as "Competitive Service" or "Excepted Service." You are a former Federal employee without veterans' preference who separated within the past three years and previously attained Career-Conditional status as identified on your last SF-50 in Block 24 as "Tenure 2" and in Block 34 as "Competitive Service" or "Excepted Service." You are a former Federal employee with veterans' preference who previously attained Career-Conditional status identified on your last SF-50 in Block 24 as "Tenure 2" and in Block 34 as "Competitive Service" or "Excepted Service."
In addition to submitting your most recent SF-50, if you have held a higher grade level on a permanent basis please submit your SF-50, or equivalent personnel action, which documents the highest grade you have held on a permanent basis. Additional supporting documentation requirements are listed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.
Your last Federal performance appraisal plan must reflect a rating of Fully Successful or equivalent. Certain Family Members of Overseas Employees Eligible under E.O. 12721: Your most recent non-award SF-50 and performance appraisal. Certain Military Spouses Eligible under E.O. 13473: Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, issued within the last 2 years, that lists you as authorized to accompany the Military member to the new duty permanent station; OR verification of the member's 100% disability (VA Letter); and/or verification of the member's death while on active duty (DD-1300 and Death Certificate) AND verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage).
Peace Corps volunteers and VISTA members: submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility. If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, please also provide the necessary documentation to support your request. Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities Appointment Eligibles: Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation or benefits office citing disability - eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u).