🟢 Status: OPEN – Closes June 26, 2026 | Portland, OR | Source: USAJOBS.gov
Job Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Job Title | Supervisory IT Cybersecurity Specialist |
| Agency | Bonneville Power Administration |
| Department | U.S. Department of Energy |
| Announcement # | 26-BPA-51339-12988733-DH |
| Pay Scale & Grade | GS-14 |
| Salary Range | $135,522 – $176,183 per year |
| Locations | Portland, OR |
| Work Schedule | Full-time |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Service Type | Competitive Service |
| Promotion Potential | None |
| Security Clearance | DOE “Q” Access Authorization |
| Drug Test | Required (initial + random) |
| Who May Apply | US Citizens — Open to the Public |
| Closing Date | June 26, 2026 |
| USAJOBS Link | Click Here to Apply |
Supervisory IT Cybersecurity Specialist Jobs 2026 — Bonneville Power Administration | GS-14 Direct Hire | Apply USAJOBS
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is hiring for cybersecurity specialist federal jobs at the GS-14 level, leading the Cyber Assessment, Verification, Remediation and Reporting group inside its Office of Cyber Security in Portland, Oregon. This supervisory it cybersecurity specialist jobs 2026 opening is announced under Direct Hire Authority, meaning every applicant who meets the qualifications gets forwarded straight to the selecting official — no competitive ranking, no waiting on veterans’ preference scoring. BPA markets wholesale power from 31 federal hydroelectric projects across the Pacific Northwest, and the agency’s cybersecurity team is responsible for protecting the grid infrastructure that keeps electricity flowing to millions of homes and businesses.
This is a permanent, full-time role with real teeth: you’ll supervise a team of cybersecurity professionals, own the agency’s security assessment and authorization lifecycle, and serve as the senior technical voice advising leadership on emerging threats. If you’ve spent a year at the GS-13 level leading technical security programs and you’re ready to step into a department of energy cybersecurity jobs leadership seat, this is a strong next move — especially with a salary range that runs well above the GS-2210 median nationwide.
About the Role
As the Supervisory IT Cybersecurity Specialist, you’ll lead the Cyber Assessment, Verification, Remediation and Reporting (JBC) group — the team responsible for making sure BPA’s IT systems actually hold up against real-world threats, not just paper compliance. That means owning the full lifecycle of security control assessments, continuous monitoring, and the agency’s security awareness training program from end to end.
This isn’t a desk job removed from the mission. BPA’s networks connect to direct hire authority cybersecurity 2026 infrastructure that keeps the lights on across the Pacific Northwest — hydroelectric dams, transmission lines, and the systems that schedule power across the grid. A vulnerability here isn’t theoretical; it’s a regional risk. You’ll be the senior technical authority advising management on what’s coming next, translating national-level cyber guidance into action, and weighing in on major IT projects before they ever reach production.
“We protect the systems that protect the Northwest’s power supply – that’s not a slogan here, it’s the job description.” — BPA Office of Cyber Security
Key Duties & Responsibilities
- Plan, direct, and evaluate the work of a team of cybersecurity professionals
- Establish team priorities and develop performance standards for direct reports
- Direct the full lifecycle of the security assessment and authorization (A&A) program
- Manage ongoing security control assessments and continuous monitoring activities
- Oversee execution of risk analyses to identify system vulnerabilities and recommend countermeasures
- Ensure compliance with federal cybersecurity laws, regulations, and agency-specific policy
- Interpret national-level guidance and translate it into actionable controls
- Report compliance status to leadership and external oversight entities
- Serve as senior technical authority on emerging cyber threats and long-range IT security strategy
- Evaluate major IT project proposals and interagency initiatives for cybersecurity alignment
- Advise on innovative technologies and how they fit the agency’s security architecture
- Coach and mentor team members on technical and administrative matters
Qualifications & Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Basic Requirement | IT-related experience demonstrating Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Oral Communication, and Problem Solving at an Advanced (GS-14) proficiency level |
| Specialized Experience | 1 year equivalent to GS-13, including: leading technical programs in information system security; conducting risk and vulnerability assessments; advising management on cybersecurity policy and strategic planning |
| Education | No specific degree requirement — experience-based qualification |
| Citizenship | U.S. Citizen required |
| Clearance | DOE “Q” Access Authorization (Critical-Sensitive/High Risk) |
| Selective Service | Required for males born after 12/31/1959 |
Career Ladder & Salary by Grade
| Grade | Salary Range | Level | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-13 | ~$117,962 – $153,354/yr* | Full performance, non-supervisory | 1 year specialized experience at GS-12 |
| GS-14 (this position) | $135,522 – $176,183/yr | Supervisory, full performance | 1 year specialized experience at GS-13 |
*Locality-adjusted estimate for reference; actual figures vary by duty station.
💡 Note: This is a how to become a federal cybersecurity specialist leadership track — there’s no further promotion potential listed beyond GS-14 for this specific position, but the role itself sits near the top of the standard gs-2210 cybersecurity jobs pay scale before agencies move into Senior Executive Service or Cyber Excepted Service pay bands.
Other Requirements
- Initial and random drug testing
- Office of Government Ethics Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of employment
- First-time supervisors serve a 1-year probationary period
- May be required to support on-call duties including after-hours, weekends, and holidays
Salary & Benefits
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Salary | $135,522 – $176,183/year (GS-14) |
| Direct Hire Incentive | Hiring incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates, subject to budget |
| Paid Time Off | 26 days vacation + 13 sick days/year |
| Federal Holidays | 11 paid federal holidays |
| Health Insurance | FEHB (Federal Employees Health Benefits) |
| Dental & Vision | FEDVIP |
| Retirement | FERS |
| TSP (401k) | 5% government matching |
| Paid Parental Leave | 12 weeks |
| Life Insurance | FEGLI |
| Work/Life Programs | BPA’s “Be Well” program supporting career, community, financial, physical, and social wellness |
How to Apply
- Create a USAJOBS.gov account with a verified login.gov ID — this is required to apply.
- Build your federal resume — limit it to two pages. Include your pay plan/series/grade if you’re current or former federal, and detail your specialized experience leading technical security programs.
- Navigate to the announcement (Control #873394600, Announcement #26-BPA-51339-12988733-DH) and click Apply.
- Complete the application questionnaire and respond to the four optional essay questions if you choose — they’re reviewed by the hiring manager but not scored.
- Submit required documents: your two-page resume, an optional cover letter, transcripts (only if relying on education to qualify), and CTAP/ICTAP documentation if applicable.
- Click Submit Application before 11:59 PM ET on June 26, 2026.
- Track your status in your USAJOBS account — under Direct Hire Authority, all qualified applicants are forwarded directly to the selecting official, so there’s no competitive ranking step to wait on.
⚠️ Important: This announcement closes June 26, 2026. Because it’s Direct Hire, get your application in early — qualified candidates can be referred and selected on a rolling basis before the closing date. Apply directly at USAJOBS.gov.
Veterans’ Preference
Veteran’s Preference and traditional category rating do not apply under Direct Hire Authority for this announcement — all qualified applicants are forwarded for consideration regardless of preference status. That said, veterans and persons with disabilities are still encouraged to apply, and prior military cyber or IT leadership experience (information systems security, network defense, or technical program management) translates well to the specialized experience requirement. If you have relevant DoD Cyber Excepted Service or military cybersecurity background, highlight it clearly in your federal resume even though formal preference scoring isn’t part of this hiring path.
About Bonneville Power Administration
The Bonneville Power Administration is a self-funding, nonprofit federal power marketing administration based in the Pacific Northwest, operating under the U.S. Department of Energy. BPA markets wholesale electrical power from 31 federal hydroelectric projects, one nonfederal nuclear plant, and several smaller nonfederal power plants, and it’s been named among the top federal employers for veterans. Headquartered in Portland — a city known for its bike-friendly streets, the Portland International Rose Garden, and easy reach of the Columbia River Gorge — BPA offers a mission that’s tangible: keep the Northwest’s power grid running safely and securely.
FederalJobsAlert.us is an independent job notification website. This listing is sourced from USAJOBS.gov for informational purposes only. Always verify the latest details and apply directly at usajobs.gov/job/873394600. We are not affiliated with the Bonneville Power Administration, the U.S. Department of Energy, or any US government agency.
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