Cybersecurity Advisor Job – Multiple US Locations (DHS CISA) 2026

⏰ 13 min read

Job Overview

Cybersecurity professionals who want to work directly with critical infrastructure owners and local communities may want to take a look at this opening. The Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is accepting applications for a Cybersecurity Advisor, with many vacancies open across the country, from Tucson, Arizona to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

This announcement is issued under Direct Hire Authority because the role is considered a critical hiring need, and the official title of the position is Information Technology Cybersecurity Specialist (INFOSEC), GS-2210-13/14. It is a mobile, field-based role that offers telework eligibility but is not a remote job, since selectees must reside within their assigned area of responsibility.

The ideal applicant enjoys building relationships with local governments and critical infrastructure operators, is comfortable traveling regularly, and can translate technical cybersecurity concepts for a wide range of audiences.

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Important: this announcement closes quickly, on August 11, 2026, so candidates interested in one of the many available locations should apply promptly.

About the Employer

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) operates under the Department of Homeland Security and leads national efforts to protect critical infrastructure from cyber and physical threats. This role sits within CISA’s Integrated Operations Division, which works directly with regional partners, including state, local, tribal, and territorial governments.

The agency describes its mission as building cybersecurity coalitions and promoting the resilience of infrastructure throughout the U.S. and its territories. The agency has not publicly detailed additional background beyond what is shared in the official announcement, so readers are encouraged to visit CISA’s official careers resources directly for a fuller picture of the agency’s mission.

Position Summary

Here is a quick snapshot of the basics for this opening, straight from the official announcement:

This is a permanent, full-time position with many vacancies, and additional vacancies may be filled from this same announcement.

Key Responsibilities

As a Cybersecurity Advisor, your work would include building regional and local cybersecurity coalitions to promote information sharing on best practices and strengthen the resilience of cyber infrastructure throughout the U.S. and its territories. You would develop collaborative relationships with critical infrastructure owners and operators, as well as state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments, to reduce risk and threats.

You would coordinate cyber incident reporting and support cybersecurity assessment programs, and you may present at regional conferences, summits, and seminars on cybersecurity initiatives. Performing security reviews, identifying gaps in security architecture, and developing security risk management plans are also part of the role.

Collaboration is central to this job: you would work with critical infrastructure owners, operators, IT security experts, and managers, while also coordinating with other federal departments, DHS and CISA divisions, and SLTT leadership on situational awareness and incident response. You would also advise senior management on regional trends and analyses, and help identify and prioritize protection of critical cyber defense infrastructure.

Required Qualifications

To be minimally qualified, you must demonstrate IT-related experience across nine required competencies, including attention to detail, customer service, decision making, information management, interpersonal skills, oral communication, problem solving, teamwork, and technical competence.

To qualify at the GS-13 level, you need at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level, performing all of the following: providing advice and guidance to resolve, implement, or manage cybersecurity issues; conducting systems security evaluations, audits, and reviews; and developing cybersecurity policies and guidelines.

To qualify at the GS-14 level, you need at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level, performing all of the following: providing authoritative technical guidance on information systems security, including frameworks and auditing requirements; monitoring compliance of security programs; and serving as a senior representative for complex, high-visibility IT projects. There is no substitution of education for experience at this grade level.

Preferred Qualifications

The employer has not published a separate list of preferred or desired qualifications beyond the required competencies and specialized experience described above for the GS-13 and GS-14 levels.

Required Skills

Based on the assessment criteria, the agency evaluates candidates on accountability, attention to detail, customer service, decision making, flexibility, influencing/negotiating, information management, integrity/honesty, interpersonal skills, learning, oral communication, problem solving, reading comprehension, reasoning, self-management, stress tolerance, teamwork, and technical competence.

In practice, this means the role rewards someone who can build trust with community and industry partners, communicate technical cybersecurity concepts clearly, and stay organized while managing multiple regional relationships and incident response coordination duties.

Salary and Compensation

According to the official posting, this position pays between $90,925 and $139,684 per year, reflecting the GS base rate before locality pay. The pay scale and grade for this role is listed as GS 13 through GS 14, with a promotion potential of GS 14.

The salary range reflects the minimum base pay at GS-13, Step 1, up to the maximum base pay at GS-14, Step 10. Since this announcement covers many locations, the actual salary will be adjusted based on the grade, step, and locality of the selectee’s duty station.

Eligibility Requirements

Before applying, it is important to confirm that you meet the basic eligibility conditions the agency has set for this role. These conditions come directly from the official job announcement.

Employee Benefits

The employer states that a career with the U.S. government comes with a comprehensive benefits package, giving employees and their families access to a range of benefits designed to support a rewarding federal career. The agency has not published a fully itemized list of benefits within this announcement.

Benefit eligibility depends on the type of position you hold and whether it is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Since this specific role is listed as full-time and permanent, it would generally be expected to carry standard federal employee benefit eligibility.

Work Schedule

This is a full-time position that will infrequently require work hours beyond a normal business schedule. It is telework eligible as determined by agency policy but not classified as remote, and travel of 25% or less is expected, potentially including 7 to 10 travel nights per month.

Work Location

This announcement covers many vacancies across the country. The primary locations listed include Tucson, AZ; Los Angeles, CA; San Diego, CA; Denver, CO; and Jacksonville, FL. Additional locations include Miami, FL; Orlando, FL; Springfield, IL; Detroit, MI; Fargo, ND; numerous cities across New Jersey (including Newark, Jersey City, and Trenton); New York, NY; Cincinnati, OH; Cleveland, OH; Salem, OR; Charleston, SC; Rapid City, SD; and Milwaukee, WI. The employer specifically states that relocation expenses are not reimbursed, and selectees must reside within their assigned area of responsibility, since this is a mobile work position.

Hiring Process

After you apply, subject matter experts will conduct a Structured Resume Review to determine your technical qualifications based on the required specialized experience. Applicants passing this review move on to a USA Hire Assessment, which includes a cut score you must meet or exceed to remain under consideration.

The agency notes that veterans’ preference procedures are not applicable when candidates are selected through Direct Hire Authority, which is the hiring path used for this announcement. The agency expects to make a job offer within 30 to 60 days after the application deadline, and if selected, you may be called for an in-person or phone panel interview, followed by a suitability and security background investigation.

How to Apply

This position can be applied for directly through USAJOBS. Here is how the official process works, according to the employer:

Step 1
Click “Apply” on the official USAJOBS announcement to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account.

Step 2
Answer the application questions and attach your resume, limited to no more than two pages, along with any necessary supporting documentation.

Step 3
Click “Submit Application” prior to 11:59 PM EST on August 11, 2026.

Step 4
Watch for an email notification about whether you need to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.

Step 5
If required, access USA Hire using your unique assessment link and complete the assessments, setting aside about two hours.

Step 6
Track your application status by logging into your USAJOBS account.

Keep in mind that your resume must not include photographs, social media links, or personal information such as date of birth, Social Security number, gender, or religious affiliation, or it will not be considered.

Helpful Tips Before Applying

Since this announcement closes quickly and covers many locations, review the full list of duty stations carefully and select the ones you are genuinely willing to work and reside in, since this is a mobile position tied to a specific area of responsibility.

Describe your specialized experience clearly and specifically in your resume rather than copying language from the announcement, since subject matter experts will only review your resume (not a cover letter) during the structured resume review. Include your pay plan, series, and rank or grade if you have military or federal civilian experience.

Since a security clearance and background investigation are required, be prepared for a credit check and review of any financial or criminal history issues. Finally, budget time for the USA Hire Assessment, since you must meet the minimum cut score to move forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is this a remote position?
No, though it is telework eligible as determined by agency policy. It is a mobile, field-based role, and selectees must reside within their area of responsibility.

2. Where is this job located?
Many vacancies are available across more than 30 U.S. cities, including Tucson, AZ; Los Angeles and San Diego, CA; Denver, CO; Jacksonville, FL; and many more listed in the Work Location section.

3. What is the salary range for this role?
The official base salary range is $90,925 to $139,684 per year, before locality pay, at the GS 13 to GS 14 pay grade.

4. What is Direct Hire Authority?
It is a hiring path used for positions with a critical hiring need. Under this authority, veterans’ preference procedures do not apply in the same way as standard hiring.

5. Is a security clearance required?
Yes. This position requires a Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance and is classified as Special-Sensitive/High Risk.

6. Will relocation expenses be covered?
No. The official posting states relocation expenses are not reimbursed for this position.

7. When does this announcement close?
It closes on August 11, 2026.

8. How much travel is required?
Travel of 25% or less, which may include being in travel status 7 to 10 nights per month.

9. Is a driver’s license required?
Yes, the selectee must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license.

10. How do I apply?
You apply directly through USAJOBS by clicking “Apply” on the official announcement and submitting your resume and required documents.

Final Thoughts

This Cybersecurity Advisor opening may appeal to experienced cybersecurity professionals who enjoy field-based, relationship-driven work supporting critical infrastructure resilience across the country. With many locations available, it could be a strong fit for candidates with the right specialized experience who are based near one of the announced duty stations.

Because this announcement closes quickly and requires a security clearance, interested candidates should prepare their materials and confirm their eligibility without delay. Readers should always verify the latest information directly through the official USAJOBS announcement before applying.

Official Application Information