Digital Forensics

**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.

There are a variety of Digital Forensics opportunities across the Department, including supporting several specialized programs at DHS Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans (PLCY) the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), DHS Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
- Using forensic artifacts, data, and reports to understand and/or reconstruct a digital process, event, or activities, and assisting others who are less seasoned in these areas.
- Preserving digital media (e.g., hard drives, CDs, mobile phones, GPS, etc.) for examination and analysis to see the intrusion as the user may have seen it, avoiding unintentional alteration to the native environment.
- Conducting analysis of log files, evidence, and other information using network monitoring tools to capture and analyze data and network traffic associated with malicious activities and determine best methods to identify network perpetrators.
- Collecting and analyzing intrusion artifacts (e.g., source code, malware, and system configuration) to identify the TTPs (tactics, techniques and procedures) of an adversary and use discovered data to enable mitigation of potential cyber events.
- Communicating incident findings from a forensic investigation to appropriate stakeholders outlining recommendations to prevent and mitigate future risks and threats using cyber defense techniques.
- Providing key technical input to assist organizational leaders with decision-making and actions related to a variety of critical cybersecurity threats and/or incidents and providing strategic-level analysis to support broader DHS cyber missions.
- Providing technical and non-technical assistance to investigative personnel on digital evidence matters using a full range of investigative tools and processes in accordance with applicable laws, policies, guidelines regulations and procedures.
- Advising Federal and National DHS stakeholder organizations on handing highly complex cybersecurity investigations and influencing policy decision making on a range of technical topics within and outside DHS.
- Leveraging collaborative networks of internal and/or external DHS partners and/or national technical experts to facilitate achievement of strategically important DHS and national cybersecurity goals.

**Requirements**:
**Conditions of Employment**:

- You must be a U.S. Citizen or national.
- You must be 18 years of age.
- Must be registered for the Selective Service (if you are a male).
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. Security clearance levels may vary.
- Must be able to submit to a drug test and receive a negative result.
- Must be able to comply with ethics and standards of conduct requirements, including completing any applicable financial disclosure.
- May be required to serve a 3 year probationary period.
- While many of these positions are considered telework eligible, some individuals must live within 2 hrs driving distance to a DHS SCIF in either Chandler, AZ; Stennis, MS; Idaho Falls, ID; Arlington, VA; Pensacola, FL; Springfield, VA or D.C.
- Remote work may be available for some positions.

**Qualifications**:
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.

DHS Cybersecurity Service employees with a technical capability in Digital Forensics will generally:

- Collect, process, analyze, interpret, preserve, and present digital evidence in support of network vulnerability mitigation, intelligence operations, and different types of investigations (including but not limited to administrative, criminal, counterintelligence and law enforcement).
- This position is focused on Digital Forensics.**Education**:
**Additional 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: $104,000 - $133,500
Staff Cybersecurity Specialist: $126,500 - $159,500
Principal Cybersecurity Specialist: $150,800 - $188,000
Senior Principal Cybersecurity Specialist: $166,400 - $207,500

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