Summary The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is recruiting professionals to support a range of technical roles in Secure Network Operations, including Systems Administrator, Network Engineer, Distributed Systems Engineer, and Network Operations Specialist. All positions are in the DHS Cybersecurity Service. Duties 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 Secure Network Operations 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 Secure Network Operations opportunities across the Department, including supporting several specialized programs at the DHS Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans (PLCY), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) , DHS Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE), and the U.S. Secret Service.
Depending on your career level and role, DHS Cybersecurity Service employees in the Technical Career Track, with a technical capability in Secure Network Operations, will generally apply their expertise to perform a range of tasks, including:
- Developing and implementing best practices, security guidance and documentation to ensure compliance with DHS or Component information systems (IS) and network policies.
- Scanning computer networks that DHS or Components rely on to access, share, and store information, diagnosing network connectivity issues or addressing network vulnerabilities.
- Installing and maintaining network infrastructure device operating system software (e.g., Windows, Linux, iPhone Operating System [IOS], firmware).
- Supporting the implementation of DHS Headquarter (HQ) or Component information security programs, policies, procedures, and tools to optimize asset security and advise on network operations efforts.
- Assessing effectiveness of security controls through testing and maintaining network infrastructures including software and hardware devices.
- Actively monitoring computer network, desktop, mobile, and mainframe operating systems and their applications to include network capacity and performance.
- Engaging with system and network administrators to manage the operation, administration, and maintenance of networks, telecommunication systems, linked systems, and peripherals.
- Assessing the configuration and optimization of network hubs, routers, and switches (e.g., higher-level protocols, tunneling) in accordance with Departmental or Component policies and best practices supporting the installation and replacement of network hardware.
- Developing and testing new system design procedures and quality standards to integrate new systems into existing architecture.
- Actively engaging with stakeholders across Department or Component providing feedback on network requirements, including network architecture and infrastructure when recommending security requirements for minimizing network user risk.
Qualifications
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. This position is in the Technical Track across a range of career levels. Employees in this career track generally:
- Have between 5-15 years of cybersecurity work experience.
- Range from experienced cybersecurity professionals who apply technical expertise and independent judgement to perform cybersecurity work - to - recognized Federal cybersecurity technical authorities with uncommon technical expertise who advise on cybersecurity challenges impacting DHS and the Nation.
DHS Cybersecurity Service employees with a technical capability in Secure Network Operations will generally:
- Understand the installation, configuration, testing, operation, maintenance, and management of networks and their firewalls, including hardware and software, which permit the sharing and transmission of all spectrum transmissions of information to support the security of information and information systems.
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. 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. How you will be evaluated All DHS Cybersecurity Service (DHS-CS) applicants participate in a multi-phase assessment process, which varies by career track. For the Technical Career Track, applicants participate in a two-phase assessment process:
- You must successfully complete each phase to advance to the next phase.
- The total time commitment for the two phases is approximately 4 hours (many applicants require less time!).
- Before each phase, DHS will e-mail you instructions and information to help you prepare.
- Assessments are time sensitive, so monitor your e-mail to ensure you have plenty of time to complete them prior to any deadlines.
PHASE I: ONLINE ASSESSMENTS
- Un-proctored - Completed online within a prescribed period of time.
- Includes two assessments: (1) a work styles inventory that will take about 30 minutes to complete; (2) a work simulation that you will have up to 2 hours to complete.
- The two assessments take about 90 minutes (on average) to complete.
- Requires a computer with audio (speakers or headphones) and a reliable internet connection.
- No knowledge of DHS or cybersecurity is required for these assessments, which measure non-technical capabilities that are important for professional success in the DHS-CS. This includes how you communicate, analyze information, and collaborate with others:
- The work styles inventory presents you with questions about your work-related interests and preferences.
- The work simulation presents you with realistic, work-related scenarios and asks you to respond to them.
PHASE II: TECHNICAL CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT
- Proctored - must be scheduled in advance and completed at a designated assessment center within a prescribed period of time
- There is a different assessment for each DHS-CS technical capability (visit Jobs to learn more about the technical capabilities).
- Most individuals only have a primary technical capability and complete only one Technical Capability Assessment, but in limited circumstances, you may complete a second Technical Capability Assessment.
- You will have up to 2.5 hours to complete each Technical Capability Assessment; each takes about 90 minutes (on average) to complete.
- Assessments present realistic, work-related cybersecurity scenarios and questions to assess technical skills.
- Cybersecurity knowledge is assessed, but no knowledge of DHS is required.
*Applicants who successfully complete Phase II will undergo a resume review to confirm required experience.
NOTE: Your resume must explicitly outline your cybersecurity experience.
Your proctored assessment results are valid for a period of one year after completion and will be kept and used toward future positions for which you might apply, that require the same assessments.
To learn about the assessment process for this Technical Track position, visit our portal and read the "Assessment Process" guide. How to apply To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online questionnaire, required assessments, and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/21/2026 to receive consideration. The application process will follow the bullets outlined below.
- To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
- Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
- Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
- After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA HIRE platform. This message will be delivered via email notification.
- If you are asked to take the online assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning online assessments. Note: set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use the URL sent to you via email and also found on the Additional Application Information page that can be located in the application record in your USAJOBS account.
Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing online assessments on the USA HIRE platform, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the online assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the online assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the online assessments. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for online assessments here: http://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire. Other information Salary: Listed salary ranges reflects typical starting salaries available to employees in most of the United States across applicable career levels. Within the provided range, average salaries vary for each career level.
Senior Cybersecurity Specialist: $106,700 - $138,000
Staff Cybersecurity Specialist: $129,700 - $163,00
Principal Cybersecurity Specialist: $154,600 - $196,500
Senior Principal Cybersecurity Specialist: $170,600 - $214,500
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.
