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Explore the documents, FAQs, and videos below to learn more about the DHS Cybersecurity Service. If you have additional questions, please email cybersecurityservice@hq.dhs.gov.

FAQs

What is the DHS Cybersecurity Service?

The DHS Cybersecurity Service is a special cadre of DHS employees working to protect the Nation's information technology infrastructure. DHS Cybersecurity Service employees are hired, compensated, and developed using the Cybersecurity Talent Management System (CTMS), a modernized and enhanced system designed to recruit and retain individuals with mission-critical skills.

What DHS organizations are hiring DHS Cybersecurity Service employees?

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Office of Chief Information Officer (OCIO), and Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans are actively using CTMS to hire employees. Please check the featured jobs on the View Jobs page to see what opportunities are currently available.

What types of skills do DHS Cybersecurity Service employees have?

DHS organizations hire DHS Cybersecurity Service employees with a variety of cybersecurity skills at all stages of a career. Most DHS Cybersecurity Service employees join with a primary technical capability, reflecting the majority of their cybersecurity technical expertise and experience. Those just beginning a career in cybersecurity will work with DHS to identify and develop a primary technical capability after they join the Cybersecurity Service. You can learn more about the technical capabilities on the Capabilities page.

How much cybersecurity experience do I need to apply?

The amount of experience you need depends on the career track of the position you are interested in. Entry level: 0-2 years; Developmental: 3+ years; Technical: 5+ years; Leadership: 5+ years; Executive: 5+ years of cybersecurity management experience. For more information on the career tracks, you can review the Career Levels Overview or the individual fact sheets for all five career tracks.

How will I be assessed?

All DHS Cybersecurity Service applicants go through a multi-part assessment process. Instead of completing self-rating questionnaires, which are common in federal government job application processes, applicants respond to questions/ prompts in several different formats, including:

  • Tests that are completed online;
  • Tests, including simulations of work situations, that must be scheduled and completed through an assessment center; and
  • Scenario-based interviews conducted virtually or in-person at a DHS office

Additional information about what to expect in the assessment process can be found on the Application process page and in the Assessment Process overview.

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