I'm sure a lot of members on this board are curious where all those computer security jobs are in the Fedral Gubment. After all, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was formed last year with all kinds of expectations and many folks are still waiting for those mythical jobs to appear.

Believe me, they are there. As a senior "Computer Security Professional" working for one of the larger cabinet level agencies, I've had occasion to hire all kinds of people to assist me in moving the program forward. Since 9/11, there has been significant new legislation requiring agencies to get the lead out and become more secure. That takes people with talent to do.

I can absolutely guarantee you that the cyber security field is the hottest government employment opportunity in the country today. The demand for skilled pros is staggering, and in many cases, ex-military with a security clearance can literally find work in 15 minutes or less. That's IF you know where to look.

One common starting place to look is OPM, or the office of personnel management. Try this URL: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ This is a slightly confusing site however, and most folks don't know what the proper search criteria is.

When you click on Search Jobs, you get a Basic Search screen. The Keyword search string you need to input is a 4 number code: 2210

This is the GS series that almost every agency uses to look for IT people. Essentially, you want to apply for a GS-2210 position. Most computer security slots fall under this category. The more money you're asking for in the search criteria, the less number of slots are returned for your consideration. The higher paid slots are at the Grade 15 level, which starts at about 98,000 a year in the DC area.

Remember that these are Federal jobs that absolutely require citizenship. No way around that, however, even Foreign Nationals who are really talented can find work with a number of "Beltway Bandit" contractors that are always looking for cyber security talent. The big Contractor firms are typically project-oriented, in that they have won some huge contract and must staff up to fulfill the terms of the contract they have won. I'll give you one guess on what they're constantly looking for.

The jobs are there, waiting for pros who can handle the pressure. A security clearance maybe required for some of these, and you may have to wait months for one of those to complete. FBI is especially slow, taking up to a year for a clearance to come through.

I've been hard pressed to find IT security postions, esp. entry level, in the DC area. Very informative, thanks.

st3@1th,

The market is tough right now. Security jobs will be more abundant in the Summer/Fall of 2004 and all of 2005/2006 due to OMB linking security report cards to agency funding. Sec jobs will get real hot.

However, many jobs require a security clearance. My recommendation is try to get ANY job that submits you for at least a secret clearance. Even if it's a janitor position. Doesn't matter. Once you're in and cleared, it'll be a cinch to get hooked up with security work.

I need a L.A.M.P Tomcat Java developer for a security app right now. No clearance required. Two or three months work. Depending on product launch timing, you could be set for more work, could be submitted for clearance. Only guarantee is the 2 or 3 months of work for now.

I'm looking for AES, Java and C++ coders to contribute to other security products being built on prospect. Some will make million dollar sales. Non-paid chances at being filthy stinking rich by becoming a code investor. Moonlight for success.

We're already making great progress with FedSpell (www.fedspell.com) which was built on prospect. Government agencies and large corps are snatching it up because it solves spell checking for every web application.

Need sales and marketing too. 15% easy money.

Federal agencies are loath to issue Security Clearances to new employees unless it is an absolute requirement. That's because they're expensive to do and significantly increases the market value of the cleared person. Many leave soon after for more lucrative positions and the agency is out 20 large. Slots with security clearances are some of the most in demand contractor opportunities in Washington. Check this site out:

http://www.intelligencecareers.com

I am prior Navy. I had a clearance 8 years ago. This is no help. Is their anyway to pay for my own security check to get my clearance back?

The thing that sucks about being so young is the fact that businesses just see you and basically think you're just some wannabe hacker who doesn't know very much. When in fact, I just don't have enough money to take the Cert. courses, and I am sure I don't know everything, but I am positive I can help out a lot.

twebb-

After I got out of the Navy, I joined Army ROTC and got an extension on my clearance. Then I found a National Guard MOS that required at least a SECRET clearance. I'm currently looking to transfer back to the Navy Reserves as an Officer working in InfoSec, which requires a clearance. I really wanted to transfer to the Air Force and work for AFCERT. I don't know if you want to work for the military again, but they will pay for your clearance.

Hi,

I was reading theese posts, and wondering a few things:

1) Whats the age minimum that they wont even look at ur? (ie...18yrs old and ur no good)

2) How extensive and stressful is the security clearance, as i saw some that u need polygraph testing? (Like are they personal questions etc)

Im just curious about this, as a goverment would be a nice thing, and pay is good

I concur with PolicyBoy as I've never heard of anyone paying for their own security clearance.

Being you were prior military, and if you left the military on "Honorable" terms not General or Other than Honorable. You'll be required to fill out an "EPSQ" or something to that effect. If your clearance is more then 5 years old you may be required to fill out a new form going back 7 to 10 years. Depending on your clearance request.

Your best bet would be to join up with a company that is "cleared", and find something that would place you in a position that is abased on a need to know.

You can check this link to help you out. But some of them will require you to have on in place that is active.

Tech Expo

Hope that helps you out in your quest, and GL.

You may want to look into Civil Service Positions also. Being a Vet you are entiltled to certain benefits - If you are a combat action Vet and can provide the correct documentation you can be entitled to benefit points.

First things first, not all people qualify for a clearance. To keep it simple if your relatives and immediate family are U.S. citizens then your generally clearable.
Bottom line is the government decides who's clearable and to what level you qualify.

There is no mystery to the process. I got mine by joining the military and I never intended to use it for an IT job at the time.

Check out CSC, Lockheed Martin, SAIC, Booze Allen Hamilton, to name a few. There are thousands of positions available daily!

Here's some options to get a clearance:

Option 1. Join the military in the reserves for a job that requires a clearance. You may get an all expenses paid trip to Iraq, beware!

Option 2. Have a decent college degree and apply with a company like Lockheed Martin, SAIC, they have a place called the tank where people draw a paycheck for a year awaiting clearance.
Experience maybe equal to a degree depending on you.

Option 3. Apply to DISA.mil, the goverment always has positions available. Even consider a non-IT job until you can get cleared.

Option 4. If your resume is good enough a small company may submit you as a casual employee without pay. I had a company submit me to NSA and they sponsored me. This process can take over a year, even if you have a current clearance since NSA wants a final clearance before acceptance.

Option 5. Apply to other Department of Defense jobs, sure the process sucks but if you properly qualified you will get a job.

Hell, send me your resume and I will forward it to my boss.

If someone is serious about looking for a job and has what it takes to get hired I am willing to help.

Here is a query of some IT jobs at DHS

Department Of Homeland Security IT Job Openings

Clearances are overrated. They are usually a condition of the specific slot you're applying for, or, in the case of the Intelligence Community, a condition of joining the Agency itself. I have a dozen contractors weorking for me, and only one has a TS. They all have Cyber responsibilities, so like I said, a Clearance is not a total necessity to work in Cyber for the gubment. Depends on where you work and what you do.