Sr. Information Assurance Security Specialist
Role details
Job location
Tech stack
Job description
Synergy is seeking aSr. Information Assurance Security Specialistto support the United States Coast Guard (USCG) at the Aviation Logistics Center (ALC)-Information Systems Division (ISD). The Sr. Information Assurance Security Specialist will lead audit preparation and execution, support continuous RMF lifecycle activities, and oversee compliance with federal cybersecurity requirements across on-premises, virtual, and cloud-hosted systems. This position will serve as a senior technical advisor in security compliance efforts, guiding cross-functional teams through POA&M development, control remediation, ATO documentation, and continuous monitoring in accordance with NIST 800-53, DHS 4300A, and FISMA standards. Primary Responsibilities:
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Oversee the Risk Management Framework (RMF) lifecycle, including assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring across all ALC-ISD systems.
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Lead and coordinate internal and external cybersecurity audits, including pre-audit readiness assessments and post-audit remediation tracking.
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Validate the implementation of security controls (NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5) and ensure they are effectively documented within System Security Plans (SSPs), Security Assessment Reports (SARs), and related artifacts.
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Design and implement vulnerability management strategies, assess threat vectors, and develop comprehensive Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms).
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Analyze cyber risks and provide guidance on remediation strategies aligned with DHS policy and evolving cybersecurity threats.
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Perform and document risk assessments, penetration testing coordination, and impact analyses to evaluate the security posture of information systems.
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Collaborate with Security Control Assessors (SCAs), engineers, ISSOs, and DevSecOps teams to ensure audit alignment with enterprise system modernization efforts.
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Manage and maintain audit packages, compliance dashboards, and evidence repositories using platforms like Jira, Confluence, and SharePoint.
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Assess and validate configurations of infrastructure (e.g., Windows, Linux, databases, Active Directory) for compliance with security benchmarks (e.g., DISA STIGs, CIS).
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Draft and update security-related documentation including SOPs, incident response plans, and security test procedures.
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Serve as a subject matter expert to stakeholders on RMF best practices, ATO sustainment, and security documentation management.
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All other duties as assigned by management.
Requirements
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Advanced knowledge of NIST RMF, NIST SP 800-37, 800-53, DHS 4300A, and FISMA compliance.
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Experience preparing and maintaining RMF ATO documentation and conducting system assessments.
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Familiarity with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms for log analysis and incident monitoring.
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Proficient in evaluating and documenting security configurations and technical implementations for federal systems.
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Strong understanding of cybersecurity audit workflows, control testing, and risk-based prioritization of vulnerabilities.
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Excellent writing and communication skills, capable of producing technical documentation and executive summaries.
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Experience in Agile or DevSecOps environments, with a strong understanding of security integration within CI/CD pipelines.
Education/Experience Requirements:
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Bachelor's or Associate's degree in Computer Science, Math, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field. Two (2) years of directly relevant experience may substitute for one (1) year of formal education.
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Minimum of five (5) years of experience in Information security with auditing and IT controls design experience.
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Minimum of five (5) years of experience with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM).
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Minimum of five (5) years of experience in the risk management framework.
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Hands-on experience with Active Directory, Windows/UNIX systems, and relational databases in secure environments.
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Previous support of federal government enterprise systems or DHS/DOD programs is strongly preferred.
Clearance:
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U.S. citizenship required
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Must have an active DoD Secret Clearance.
Certification Requirement
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CompTIA Security+
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Additional certifications (Network+, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), ITIL Foundation, TOGAF, or other cybersecurity architecture certifications) are a plus.
Compensation for roles at Synergy varies depending on a wide variety of factors including but not limited to the requirements of the role; education and certifications; knowledge, training, skills and abilities; level of experience; geographic location; and alignment with market data, law, and other business and organizational needs. As required by local law, the posted pay range represents the lowest to the highest pay that Synergy believes in good faith it might pay for this particular job, depending on the circumstances. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current pay range is: $85,000 - $120,000.
Essential Job Function Physical Requirements:The physical requirements of this position are critical in evaluating the qualifications and abilities of an applicant or employee. The physical efforts needed to perform the essential duties of this job 90% of the time are repetitive motions, grasping, holding, and finger dexterity of the hands, reading, writing, eye-hand coordination, color distinction, and full visual abilities, hearing, talking, sitting, and use of IT equipment, phones, and office machines.
To a reduced degree, <30% of the time, candidates may have to stand, walk, lift 0-30 pounds, push or pull objects, climb stairs, bend, squat, reach, drive a car, or work overtime.