Information Systems Security Specialist (ISSO)

Empower AI is AI for government. Empower AI gives federal agency leaders the tools to elevate the potential of their workforce with a direct path for meaningful transformation. Headquartered in Reston, Va., Empower AI leverages three decades of experience solving complex challenges in Health, Defense, and Civilian missions. Our proven Empower AI Platform® provides a practical, sustainable path for clients to achieve transformation that is true to who they are, what they do, how they work, with the resources they have. The result is a government workforce that is exponentially more creative and productive. For more information, visit www.Empower.ai.

Empower AI is proud to be recognized as a 2024 Military Friendly Employer by Viqtory, the publisher of G.I. Jobs. This designation reflects the company’s commitment to hiring and supporting active-duty and veteran employees.

As the Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO), you will act as a model of customer service excellence to all organizational staff members in the Office of Military Commissions (OMC) Military Commission Defense Office (MCDO) as part of DISA’s Joint Service Provider (JSP) Service Delivery contract as part of DISA’s Joint Service Provider (JSP) Service Delivery contract. You will be responsible for participating with a team of highly qualified professionals and interacting daily with the customer to ensure productivity and resolve IT issues that the end-users may have with existing desktops, laptops, software installation issues, and other critical needs. Further, you will participate in the planning and implementation of key OMC IT initiatives anticipated during this effort.  Although this position resides in the NCR, there may be a requirement to travel to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB) occasionally.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure that all OMC information systems meet Department of Defense Instruction 8500.01 mandated Cybersecurity requirements.
• Provide Information System Security Officer (ISSO) support for OMC systems.
• Facilitate information system authorization to operate (ATO) compliance and re-accreditations IAW with DOD 8510.01 and ICD503. This will be for any or all the NIPRNET, SIPRNET, JWICS, and Special Access Program (SAP) Systems supporting OMC.
• Facilitate registration and maintenance of OMC information systems in the Enterprise Mission Assurance Support Service (eMASS) system. This support includes all efforts associated with the Risk Management Framework (RMF) activities, such as artifact preparation, submission, and updates.
• Facilitate the completion and submission of waivers, exceptions to policy requests, and system change requests.
• Provide host-based security system (HBSS) client management.
• Implement and maintain anti-virus and malicious code protection for all OMC information systems using government-provided software.
• Provide and/or facilitate the distribution and installation of security patches.
• Provide or coordinate security vulnerability scanning and reporting using government-provided applications.
• Support scheduled OMC Command Cyber Readiness Inspections (CCRI), and Security Assessment Visits (SAV).
• Provide onsite incident management during regular working hours for NIPRNET, SIPRNET, JWICS, Special Access Program (SAP) Systems, and equipment.
• Develop performance measurements (goals/metrics/reports) utilizing the current RMF tracking Systems (eMASS and XACTA) and facilitate a feedback system to team members and the customer to enhance the quality of security support delivered.
• Utilize ITIL best practices to enhance and optimize the services provided to end users.
• Participate in implementing an enterprise knowledge base and knowledge management best practices for RMF and ISSO responsibilities.
• Coordinate with OMC and JSP IT support teams to request scans, patching, and STIG compliance and institute continuous improvement initiatives and methods.
• Resolve customer issues effectively or escalate them to appropriate support tiers.
• Assist in the professional and technical development of the team, especially for RMF topics.
• In addition, the contractor may be required to provide surge support after regular working hours, including weekends and holidays, as approved by the COR.

Requirements:

• DoD TOP SECRET w/ SCI Eligible security clearance
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Proven analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Good written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to conduct research into PC and software issues and products as required.
• Ability to present ideas in business-friendly and user-friendly language.
• Highly self-motivated and directed.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Team-oriented and skilled in working within a collaborative environment.

Education and Experience: 

• Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Computer Science or other related field
• Required Experience:
  • 8-10 years (with Bachelor’s) or 6-8 years (with a Master’s) of professional experience supporting DoD or IC RMF activities.
  • 5+ years of experience with ATOs and eMASS.
  • 4+years of experience as an ISSO with tasks of a similar size/scope

• Preferred Experience: 5+ years of ISSO and other RMF duties with DOD (JSP/DISA) or IC (DIA), especially with SAP solutions.

• Required Certification:
  • DoD 8570 IAT II certification (e.g., Security+, CND, CCNA-Security, CySA+, GICSP, GSEC, SSCP)

• Preferred Certification:
  • ITILv4 Foundation minimum certification
  • DoD8570.01M IAT Level III (one of the following)
    • CASP+ CE
    • CCNP Security
    • CISA
    • CISSP (or Associate)
    • GCED
    • GCIH

Physical Requirements: 

This position requires the ability to perform the below essential functions:

• Sitting for long periods.
• Standing for long periods.
• Ambulate throughout an office.
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl as required.
• Repeatedly lift and carry weights up to 50 pounds.

All hiring and promotion decisions at Empower AI are based on merit to bring the best talent available to contribute to our firm’s overall success. It is the policy of Empower AI not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status. Empower AI is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.