National Security Agency Hiring for Cyber Network Professional – Offensive/Defensive Operations Job at Fort Meade, MD Full Time

The professionals at the National Security Agency (NSA) have one common goal: to protect our nation. The mission requires a strong offense and a steadfast defense. The offense collects, processes and disseminates intelligence information derived from foreign signals for intelligence and counterintelligence purposes. The defense prevents adversaries from gaining access to sensitive classified national security information.
On the offensive side of the NSA mission you will:
– Execute computer network operations against foreign adversaries’ information systems and networks
– Use advanced software applications for network navigation, tactical forensic analysis, and collection of valuable intelligence information
– Research and implement solution sets to influence and enhance network offensive posture.
On the defensive side of the NSA mission, as part of the Red, Blue or Hunt Team, you will:
– Execute computer network operations against official US government organizations worldwide for the purpose of strengthening information system security (Red team)
– Identify intrusions and vulnerabilities and recommend mitigation strategies and techniques to secure networks (Blue Team)
– Identify, analyze and develop defensive measures to thwart advanced, state-sponsored intrusions of DoD and Federal Government networks around the world (Blue Team)
– Conduct and support Computer Network Operations to interactively search for Advanced Persistent Threats (APT) and Indicators of Compromise (IOC) using enhanced data collection and analysis methods (Hunt Team)
– Use advanced software applications for network navigation, perform tactical forensic analysis and collect valuable network data to proactively identify and characterize adversarial activity (Hunt Team).

Job Summary

The United States has experienced profound changes that impact the way the National Security Agency (NSA) conducts its mission. The explosion of Internet communications has created a need for the Computer Network Operations (CNO) mission. This very important mission includes computer network defense and computer network exploitation. In order to carry out these functions NSA is looking for IT Security Professionals who are highly skilled, want to stay on the leading edge of technology and impassioned about ensuring the United States maintains a strategic edge in cyberspace. These are NOT your average Cyber, Computer Science, Networking, or Engineering jobs!
NSA is in search of top-notch cyber professionals with technical expertise and driving desire at the forefront of their field. We have positions in penetration testing, defensive operations, identifying cyber threats and vulnerabilities and building defensive capabilities, designing, developing, deploying, sustaining and monitoring state-of-the-art network solutions (WAN, CAN, LAN, DCN and Satellite communications networks) that are deployed across NSA worldwide. Help protect national security interests as part of the world’s most advanced team of cyber professionals!

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.
You will be required to take a test battery in order to be considered for this position. The test battery includes four sections. The first section measures your ability to draw conclusions based on available information. The second measures your knowledge in these topic areas: Fundamentals and Theory of Computing, Networking, Security, Windows, UNIX, and Programming. The third and fourth sections measure your previous work experiences and your work-related preferences and tendencies.
Degree must be in Network Engineering, Systems Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, Mathematics, Data Science, or related field (e.g., General Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Forensics, Cyber Security, Software Engineering, Information Assurance, or Computer Security).
Relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: computer or information systems design/development, programming, information/cyber/network security, vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, computer forensics, information assurance and/or systems engineering. Additionally, must have experience in network or system administration. Completion of military training in a relevant area such as JCAC (Joint Cyber Analysis course), Undergraduate Cyber Training (UCT), Network Warfare Bridge Course (NWBC)/Intermediate Network Warfare Training (INWT), Cyber Defense Operations will be considered towards the relevant experience requirement (i.e., 20-24 weeks course will count as 6 months of experience, 10-14 weeks will count as 3 months of experience).
ENTRY
Entry is with a Bachelor’s degree and no experience. The following may also be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position: an Associate’s degree plus 2 years of relevant experience; or at least 18 semester hours of military coursework/training in networking, computer science, or cyber topics plus 2 years of relevant experience; or successful completion of CNO Technical Fundamentals Training (for example, ROC ICO certification or completion of FORGE 101-301) plus 2 years of relevant experience.
FULL PERFORMANCE
Entry is with a Bachelor’s degree plus 3 years of relevant experience; a Master’s degree plus 1 year of relevant experience; a Doctoral degree and no experience. The following may also be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position: an Associate’s degree plus 5 years of relevant experience; or at least 18 semester hours of military coursework/training in networking, computer science, or cyber topics plus 5 years of relevant experience; or successful completion of ROC Apprentice Exploiter (A*X) certification plus 3 years of relevant experience.
SENIOR
Entry is with a Bachelor’s degree plus 6 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree plus 4 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 2 years of relevant experience. The following may also be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position: an Associate’s degree plus 8 years of relevant experience; or at least 18 semester hours of military coursework/training in networking, computer science, or cyber topics plus 8 years of relevant experience; or successful completion of either ROC Journeyman Exploiter (J*X) or ROC Master Operator, or Red Team Journeyman certification, plus 4 years of relevant experience.

Competencies

The ideal candidate is someone with solid decision making and problem solving skills, ability to react quickly, and technical proficiency in several of the following areas:
– Operating systems fundamentals (Windows and/or Unix/Linux)
– System administration (Windows and/or Unix/Linux)
– Network administration
– Network traffic analysis
– Penetration testing
– Network security
– Incident response
– Computer and network forensics
– Vulnerability and malware analysis
– Low level protocol and packet analysis
– Scripting and/or programming languages
This position is well-suited for individuals who enjoy visiting network security websites, attending conferences such as Black Hat / DEFCON, setting up and maintaining their own network or competing in Capture the Flag events.

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Salary offers are based on candidates’ education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position.
Salary ranges very by location and work level. Most of these positions are located at Fort Meade, Maryland. On occasion there may be limited opportunities at sites in Hawaii, Texas and Georgia.
Salary Range: $74,682 – 164,102
On-the job training, Internal NSA courses, and external training will be made available based on the need and experience of the selectee.
Work Schedule: Applicants should be aware that some of these jobs support 24/7 operations based on mission requirements and shift schedules may vary to include night shift.

How to apply

U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. NSA is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph.
Due to time sensitive communications regarding your application, please ensure your spam filters are configured to accept email from [email protected]. Please review the job posting thoroughly to ensure you meet the described qualifications and are aware of all associated requirements. To apply for this position, please click the ‘Apply’ button located at the top right of this posting. After completing the application for the first time, or reviewing previously entered information, and clicking the ‘Submit’ button, you will receive a confirmation email. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as job postings could close earlier than the closing date due to sufficient number of applicants, or the position is no longer available. You may be asked a series of questions depending on the position you apply for. Your responses will be used as part of the application screening process and will assist in determining your eligibility for the position. Be sure to showcase within your resume those experiences relevant to this position. Failure to provide the required information or providing inaccurate information will result in your application not being considered for this position. Only those applicants who meet all position qualifications, may be contacted to begin employment processing. Please remain diligent in monitoring email and your SPAM folder. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process where appropriate. Please visit our Diversity link for more information.
This position is a Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) position in the Excepted Service under 10 U.S.C. 1601. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans’ Preference to eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans’ preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you may be asked to submit documents verifying your eligibility.

DCIPS Disclaimer

The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the DoD Intelligence Community Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions in the NSA are in the Excepted Services under 10 United States Codes (USC) 1601 appointment authority.