Cybersecurity Specialist Jobs in Virginia
Cybersecurity Specialist jobs in Virginia are among the most active in the country, concentrated in federal defense contracting, intelligence community support, and financial services, with openings at every level from entry-level analyst through senior architect and team lead. The heaviest hiring runs across Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads corridor, where major employers including Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and Northrop Grumman maintain large and permanent workforces. The most in-demand specialties are cloud security, network defense, security operations center analysis, and compliance frameworks tied to federal requirements like FedRAMP and CMMC. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 22+ Cybersecurity Specialist jobs
Summary
The Cybersecurity Engineering and Architecture Branch establishes foundational security within the USPTO's digital infrastructure. This branch provides the framework to embed security considerations into every phase of the design and development process and champion security best practices in a hands-on, engineering-oriented manner, fostering an environment. This position serves as the Cybersecurity Engineering and Architecture Branch Chief.
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to
The public
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Clarification from the agency
This vacancy is using the Direct-Hire Authority to recruit for positions for which there is a critical hiring need. Using the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved government-wide direct hire authorities, agencies may appoint candidates directly to jobs, without regard to the provision of Title 5 U.S.C. 3309 through 3318, for which OPM determines that there is a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need.
Duties
The physical worksite for this position is located in Alexandria, Virginia. Presence at the Alexandria, VA campus is required for this role, as it includes on site functions that must be performed in person. Position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with agency policy/business unit discretion. The agency currently allows for 52 hours of telework per calendar year.
Come join our team if:
1. You are enthusiastic about providing expert advice and solutions for securing cloud environments, including public, private, and hybrid cloud models.
2. You are motivated to lead the branch to ensure that protection and detection capabilities are acquired or developed using security engineering approaches consisting of organization-level cybersecurity architecture.
3. You are driven to manage implementation of Zero Trust Architecture to ensure strict access controls and compliance with OMB directives, focusing on securing all resources regardless of location.
4. You enjoy identifying the need for special projects and initiating milestones and goals.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- Applications will only be accepted from United States Citizens and Nationals.
- Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related competencies.
- You must meet the definition of specialized experience.
- Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
- Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
- If selected, you may be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
- You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
- You must be suitable for Federal Employment.
- Must obtain one of the following within 120 days of Entry on Duty: (ISC)2 CAP or CISSP; ISACA CISM; GIAC GISF or GSLC.
- If selected, you may be required to complete an initial one-year supervisory probationary period.
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
Specialized Experienceis 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, you must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience 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:
Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position Includes:
1. Leading teams to develop system security Concept of Operations (CONOPS); AND
2. Planning implementation strategies to integrate enterprise components with security architectures; AND
3. Developing protection and detection capabilities using security engineering methods.
Basic Requirement Competencies: The specialized experience must include, or be supplemented by, information technology related experience (paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training, as appropriate) which demonstrates each of the competencies, as defined:
- Attention to Detail
- Customer Service
- Decision Making
- Information Management
- Interpersonal Skills
- Oral Communication
- Problem Solving
- Teamwork
- Technical Competency
In addition to the GS-2210 competency-based qualification competencies, applicants must demonstrate the following supervisory competencies to be successful in this position:
- Accountability
- Customer Service
- Decisiveness
- Flexibility
- Integrity/Honesty
- Interpersonal Skills
- Oral Communication
- Problem Solving:
- Resilience
- Written Communication
Education
Education may not be substituted for specialized 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 critical sensitive. The incumbent of this position will require a Top Secret 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.
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.
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.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA 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 USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.
You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
- Accountability
- Customer Service
- Decisiveness
- Flexibility
- Interpersonal Skills
- Problem Solving
- Resilience
The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.
In addition to the USA Hire Assessment, your resume will be evaluated, using a Structured Resume Review, for evidence of your ability to demonstrate possession of any specialized experience and how well your background and experience relate to the job announcement, required by this position. Any experience claimed in a cover letter should be substantiated by information contained in your resume. A HR Representative will validate the qualifications of those candidates eligible to be referred to the hiring official.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
The best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview. If referred all relevant documents submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the selecting official, due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 CFR § 335.103(b)(3), during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager. Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for not hiring you or for changing your scored responses to questions you've answered, which may affect your overall final score.
To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13062982
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 sexual orientation), national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, retaliation for engaging in protected activity, 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 via email (oeeo@uspto.gov) or phone (571-272-8292).
Required Documents
A complete application consists of:
1. Resume: All applicants are required to submit a two-page resume (NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES). Resumes exceeding this limit will not be considered eligible. Please submit only one resume. Only the document uploaded under the "Resume "section as the "Document Type" will be reviewed to assess your qualifications and for evaluation purposes. To receive full credit for relevant experience, please list the month/year (MM/YY - MM/YY) and number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. We suggest that you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions. Resume should clearly state your experience related to this position as described in the Duties section and Qualifications section.
2. Professional or Academic References: Provide 2-3 professional/academic references (name, phone, email); one must be your current supervisor. We'll notify you before contacting them.
Please Note: Any experience claimed in a cover letter should be substantiated by information contained in your resume. A HR Representative will validate the qualifications of those candidates eligible to be referred to the hiring official.
Supporting Documents:
1. Veterans' Preference Documentation: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility, you will be asked to submit a copy of your DD-214 containing your discharge disposition, dates of service, and rank. If you are a preference eligible claiming a service-connected disability of 10 percent or more, you will be asked to submit documentation (i.e., a letter dated 1991 or later from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces) certifying to the veteran's present receipt of compensation. Veterans must include dates of military service within the automated application process and submit a copy of each Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214. For more information, please visit Feds Hire Vets.
2. Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50): For current and/or former Federal employees, your status eligibility and highest permanent grade/step/salary held in the Federal service will be validated with a copy of your most recent NON-AWARD (PREFERABLY YOUR LAST PROMOTION OR WITHIN-GRADE INCREASE (WGI)) SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" so that we may verify your time-in-grade.
You can upload your documents when you register or update your information on the Dept. of Commerce site which you access through the USAJobs site.
Your application and all required documents must be received by 11:59 pm ET on the closing date of this job announcement.
NOTE: The preceding documents requirement are based on job requirements and individual applicant eligibility. Not all documents are applicable to all applicants; if you are unsure which documents apply to you, contact the HR Specialist listed on this announcement.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
- 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 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
- If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
- Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
- Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
- Set aside at least 2 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
- Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us.
To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/howto/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.
Agency contact information
Office of Human Resources
Mail Stop 171
P.O. Box 1450
Alexandria, VA 22314
US
Next steps
You will receive a notice generated by the USAJobs System when you have successfully submitted your application.
You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJOBS website at http://usajobs.gov/ and clicking on "Track Your Online Application." The four points of notification are:
1. Application Received or Application Incomplete;
2. Minimum Qualification Requirement Met or Minimum Qualification Requirement Not Met;
3. Eligible (Application Referred to the Selecting Official) or Eligible (Application Not Referred to the Selecting Official); and
4. Selected or Not Selected.
After all application packages have been received, we will review your application and transcript(s) (if you are qualifying based on education) to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and you may be contacted for follow-up supplemental documentation. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide any supplemental documents or information requested by the Office of Human Resources within the allocated timeframes.
You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.). You can check the status of your application by logging into USAJOBS. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application has changed by logging into your USAJobs Account, editing your profile and changing the "Notification Settings" to indicate that you want to be notified by email when the status changes. Information regarding the status of your application should be updated in the system within 2 weeks after the closing date of this job announcement.
Overview
- 2210 Information Technology Management
- Credentialing
- Suitability/Fitness
- National security
Summary
The Cybersecurity Engineering and Architecture Branch establishes foundational security within the USPTO's digital infrastructure. This branch provides the framework to embed security considerations into every phase of the design and development process and champion security best practices in a hands-on, engineering-oriented manner, fostering an environment. This position serves as the Cybersecurity Engineering and Architecture Branch Chief.
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to
The public
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Clarification from the agency
This vacancy is using the Direct-Hire Authority to recruit for positions for which there is a critical hiring need. Using the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved government-wide direct hire authorities, agencies may appoint candidates directly to jobs, without regard to the provision of Title 5 U.S.C. 3309 through 3318, for which OPM determines that there is a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need.
Duties
The physical worksite for this position is located in Alexandria, Virginia. Presence at the Alexandria, VA campus is required for this role, as it includes on site functions that must be performed in person. Position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with agency policy/business unit discretion. The agency currently allows for 52 hours of telework per calendar year.
Come join our team if:
1. You are enthusiastic about providing expert advice and solutions for securing cloud environments, including public, private, and hybrid cloud models.
2. You are motivated to lead the branch to ensure that protection and detection capabilities are acquired or developed using security engineering approaches consisting of organization-level cybersecurity architecture.
3. You are driven to manage implementation of Zero Trust Architecture to ensure strict access controls and compliance with OMB directives, focusing on securing all resources regardless of location.
4. You enjoy identifying the need for special projects and initiating milestones and goals.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- Applications will only be accepted from United States Citizens and Nationals.
- Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related competencies.
- You must meet the definition of specialized experience.
- Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
- Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
- If selected, you may be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
- You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
- You must be suitable for Federal Employment.
- Must obtain one of the following within 120 days of Entry on Duty: (ISC)2 CAP or CISSP; ISACA CISM; GIAC GISF or GSLC.
- If selected, you may be required to complete an initial one-year supervisory probationary period.
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
Specialized Experienceis 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, you must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience 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:
Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position Includes:
1. Leading teams to develop system security Concept of Operations (CONOPS); AND
2. Planning implementation strategies to integrate enterprise components with security architectures; AND
3. Developing protection and detection capabilities using security engineering methods.
Basic Requirement Competencies: The specialized experience must include, or be supplemented by, information technology related experience (paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training, as appropriate) which demonstrates each of the competencies, as defined:
- Attention to Detail
- Customer Service
- Decision Making
- Information Management
- Interpersonal Skills
- Oral Communication
- Problem Solving
- Teamwork
- Technical Competency
In addition to the GS-2210 competency-based qualification competencies, applicants must demonstrate the following supervisory competencies to be successful in this position:
- Accountability
- Customer Service
- Decisiveness
- Flexibility
- Integrity/Honesty
- Interpersonal Skills
- Oral Communication
- Problem Solving:
- Resilience
- Written Communication
Education
Education may not be substituted for specialized 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 critical sensitive. The incumbent of this position will require a Top Secret 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.
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.
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.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA 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 USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.
You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
- Accountability
- Customer Service
- Decisiveness
- Flexibility
- Interpersonal Skills
- Problem Solving
- Resilience
The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.
In addition to the USA Hire Assessment, your resume will be evaluated, using a Structured Resume Review, for evidence of your ability to demonstrate possession of any specialized experience and how well your background and experience relate to the job announcement, required by this position. Any experience claimed in a cover letter should be substantiated by information contained in your resume. A HR Representative will validate the qualifications of those candidates eligible to be referred to the hiring official.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
The best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview. If referred all relevant documents submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the selecting official, due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 CFR § 335.103(b)(3), during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager. Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for not hiring you or for changing your scored responses to questions you've answered, which may affect your overall final score.
To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13062982
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 sexual orientation), national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, retaliation for engaging in protected activity, 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 via email (oeeo@uspto.gov) or phone (571-272-8292).
Required Documents
A complete application consists of:
1. Resume: All applicants are required to submit a two-page resume (NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES). Resumes exceeding this limit will not be considered eligible. Please submit only one resume. Only the document uploaded under the "Resume "section as the "Document Type" will be reviewed to assess your qualifications and for evaluation purposes. To receive full credit for relevant experience, please list the month/year (MM/YY - MM/YY) and number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. We suggest that you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions. Resume should clearly state your experience related to this position as described in the Duties section and Qualifications section.
2. Professional or Academic References: Provide 2-3 professional/academic references (name, phone, email); one must be your current supervisor. We'll notify you before contacting them.
Please Note: Any experience claimed in a cover letter should be substantiated by information contained in your resume. A HR Representative will validate the qualifications of those candidates eligible to be referred to the hiring official.
Supporting Documents:
1. Veterans' Preference Documentation: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility, you will be asked to submit a copy of your DD-214 containing your discharge disposition, dates of service, and rank. If you are a preference eligible claiming a service-connected disability of 10 percent or more, you will be asked to submit documentation (i.e., a letter dated 1991 or later from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces) certifying to the veteran's present receipt of compensation. Veterans must include dates of military service within the automated application process and submit a copy of each Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214. For more information, please visit Feds Hire Vets.
2. Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50): For current and/or former Federal employees, your status eligibility and highest permanent grade/step/salary held in the Federal service will be validated with a copy of your most recent NON-AWARD (PREFERABLY YOUR LAST PROMOTION OR WITHIN-GRADE INCREASE (WGI)) SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" so that we may verify your time-in-grade.
You can upload your documents when you register or update your information on the Dept. of Commerce site which you access through the USAJobs site.
Your application and all required documents must be received by 11:59 pm ET on the closing date of this job announcement.
NOTE: The preceding documents requirement are based on job requirements and individual applicant eligibility. Not all documents are applicable to all applicants; if you are unsure which documents apply to you, contact the HR Specialist listed on this announcement.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
- 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 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
- If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
- Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
- Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
- Set aside at least 2 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
- Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us.
To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/howto/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.
Agency contact information
Office of Human Resources
Mail Stop 171
P.O. Box 1450
Alexandria, VA 22314
US
Next steps
You will receive a notice generated by the USAJobs System when you have successfully submitted your application.
You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJOBS website at http://usajobs.gov/ and clicking on "Track Your Online Application." The four points of notification are:
1. Application Received or Application Incomplete;
2. Minimum Qualification Requirement Met or Minimum Qualification Requirement Not Met;
3. Eligible (Application Referred to the Selecting Official) or Eligible (Application Not Referred to the Selecting Official); and
4. Selected or Not Selected.
After all application packages have been received, we will review your application and transcript(s) (if you are qualifying based on education) to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and you may be contacted for follow-up supplemental documentation. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide any supplemental documents or information requested by the Office of Human Resources within the allocated timeframes.
You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.). You can check the status of your application by logging into USAJOBS. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application has changed by logging into your USAJobs Account, editing your profile and changing the "Notification Settings" to indicate that you want to be notified by email when the status changes. Information regarding the status of your application should be updated in the system within 2 weeks after the closing date of this job announcement.
Overview
- 2210 Information Technology Management
- Credentialing
- Suitability/Fitness
- National security
See All 22 Cybersecurity Specialist Jobs in Virginia
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Find Cybersecurity Specialist JobsCybersecurity Specialist Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Cybersecurity Specialist Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in cybersecurity specialist jobs across Virginia.
- Active security clearance or eligibility for federal clearance required by most Virginia employers
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional or Security+ certification strongly preferred
- Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, computer science, or a closely related technical field
- Hands-on experience with SIEM platforms, intrusion detection systems, and vulnerability management tools
- Familiarity with NIST cybersecurity framework and federal compliance standards including FedRAMP or CMMC
- Experience supporting or securing cloud environments on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
Cybersecurity Specialist Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a cybersecurity specialist in Virginia?
Virginia does not require a state-issued license to work as a cybersecurity specialist, so the path runs through education and industry credentials. Most Virginia employers, particularly in the defense contracting sector, expect a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity or computer science paired with certifications such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH. Federal contractor roles routinely also require a security clearance, which is initiated by the sponsoring employer after hiring.
How much do cybersecurity specialists make in Virginia?
Cybersecurity specialists in Virginia earn a median of about $134,900 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $81,410 for the lowest 10% to over $205,750 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire cybersecurity specialists in Virginia?
Employers hiring cybersecurity specialists in Virginia right now include U.S. Department of Commerce, Dark Wolf Solutions, and ICF, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Virginia's dense concentration of federal agencies and defense contractors means many of these openings tie directly to government programs requiring cleared or clearance-eligible candidates.
Which Virginia cities have the most cybersecurity specialist jobs?
The cities with the most cybersecurity specialist openings in Virginia are Alexandria, Arlington, and Fort Belvoir. Northern Virginia dominates because of its proximity to federal agencies, intelligence community campuses, and the headquarters of major defense contractors, while Richmond and Hampton Roads contribute openings tied to financial services firms and military installation support contracts.
Are there remote cybersecurity specialist jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than most technical fields, since much cybersecurity work involves monitoring systems and analyzing data that can be done off-site. About 42% of cybersecurity specialist openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, though roles requiring physical access to classified networks or government facilities remain on-site by requirement. Cloud security, threat intelligence, and compliance advisory positions tend to offer the most remote flexibility.
How can I get hired as a cybersecurity specialist in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a help desk, IT support, or network technician role at a Virginia defense contractor or government agency, then moving laterally into a junior security analyst position once you hold CompTIA Security+. Large Northern Virginia employers including Booz Allen Hamilton and Leidos run associate and junior analyst programs that accept recent graduates. Community colleges in Virginia, including Northern Virginia Community College, offer cybersecurity certificates that pair well with an entry-level clearance sponsorship.
Where can I find and apply to cybersecurity specialist jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to cybersecurity specialist jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find roles that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly through the listing.
See All 22 Cybersecurity Specialist Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Cybersecurity Specialist Jobs