IT Cybersecurity Specialist

Lead cybersecurity-focused support for DFAS Cognos reporting environments, with hands-on responsibility for report delivery and security protections.

• Develop and deploy Cognos reports, interactive dashboards, and active reports
• Build and maintain metadata models using Framework Manager and Data Modules
• Troubleshoot failing processes using advanced Cognos report development and deployment knowledge
• Collaborate with developers to deploy Cognos objects in alignment with DFAS and IBM best practices
• Serve as a subject matter expert for Cognos installation, upgrade, and troubleshooting
• Execute security procedures to help prevent unauthorized intrusion into the Cognos environment

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship
• Background Investigation
• Suitable for Federal Employment
• Selective Service registration if applicable
• DoD 8140 policy series: complete Foundational Qualifications within 9 months and complete Residential Qualification requirements within 12 months
• National security: position may require access to classified information; requires favorable suitability review and security clearance as a condition of employment
• Maintain eligibility: failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination
• Attention to Detail: experience reviewing your own IT-related work/data and having others review theirs to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency with standards
• Customer Service: experience maintaining customer relationships, assessing customer IT needs, and developing or identifying IT products/services tailored to customer needs
• Oral Communication: brief mid-level management and IT staff on IT system status, projects, or daily operations, including translating technical information for non-technical audiences
• Problem Solving: identify alternatives for complex IT issues by gathering and applying information from multiple sources to generate potential solutions
• Specialized experience: one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade GS-11 level in federal service
• Specialized Experience definition: experience serving as an IBM Cognos Developer, including administering Cognos environments; developing reports, dashboards, data models, and related business intelligence solutions
• Education: not substitutable for specialized experience at this grade level

Technologies

• Cognos
• Framework Manager
• Data Modules
• SQL
• Relational databases
• Windows Server
• IIS
• IBM Cognos

Benefits

• Health, vision, and dental insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Paid time off
• Educational benefits
• Moving expenses will be paid

Eligibility and Placement

• Job open to the public
• All US citizens (clarification from the agency)
• May be filled as permanent or term, full-time or part-time
• Telework availability depends on mission requirements and supervisory determination
• Travel requirement: Seldom
• Not covered by a bargaining unit
• Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act
• Veteran’s Preference: does not apply under the Direct Hire Authority (DHA) for certain personnel of the Department of Defense
• A one year probationary period may be required
• Selections subject to restrictions from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment
• Pay will vary by geographic location
• DFAS may close the announcement early or extend as needed
• Qualified application packages may be referred to management at various points depending on application timing
• Selections may be made any time during the announcement open period

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed above
• Evaluated based on application materials (resume, supporting documents), application questionnaire responses, and required assessments
• USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score for minimum required proficiency in critical general competencies
• You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered
• Not considered if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment
• Overstating qualifications may result in removal from consideration
• Cheating on an assessment may also result in removal from consideration
• Assessment Questionnaire preview: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13085686
• Criminal history inquiries: if selected, criminal history will not be asked before a conditional job offer

Required Documents

• Resume
• Complete assessment questionnaire
• Other supporting documents
• If requesting reasonable accommodation for USA Hire competency-based assessments: submit documentation, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form
• Transcripts and/or certifications: submit documentation if substituting education for experience
• Cover letter: optional; forwarded to the selecting official with your resume
• Military Spouse Preference (MSP): include completed Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days (if eligible)
• Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligible: include completed MR/NG Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist
• MR/NG Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible: include completed MR/NG Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist
• Retained Grade PPP Eligible: include completed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist

Conditions and Application Deadline

• Complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement
• Warning: failure to submit a complete application package (including required documents) by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/27/2026 may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration
• Education credit requirement: must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education

Location: Indianapolis, IN (onsite)

Salary: USD 90,341 - 117,446 per year

Minimum experience: 1 year