IT Specialist (SYSADM)

Summary

See QUALIFICATIONS for information about qualifying this position.

Serves as a technical advisor and expert member of the component's systems staff. Provides complex planning, design, coordination, testing, operation, troubleshooting and maintenance of hardware and software systems and servers.

See DUTIES for additional responsibilities of this position.

This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
  
  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
• The public
  
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• Military spouses

Clarification from the agency

Vacancy is open to All US Citizens. This position is not authorized to be filled virtually or through outstationing. The Official Duty Station (ODS) for this position is SSA-HQ in Woodlawn, Maryland. To participate in telework, you must reside within a 2-hour commute to the ODS by the time of your appointment.

Duties

• Serves as a technical authority over advanced client/server systems and computer networking hardware and software services.
• Works nationally with component personnel installing, troubleshooting, and overseeing all or portions of major project initiatives using a variety of utility, communication, word processing, database, spreadsheet and network software.
• Supports and manages users who oversee sensitive information pertaining to employee relations, labor relations, physical security measures and executive-level correspondence.
• Serves as technical expert on component computer systems and application service solutions when problems occur.
• Advises component management on acquiring, installing and utilizing personal computers, physical servers, network storage and peripheral equipment.
• Defines associated systems support, configuration, software and other services for ongoing systems operation.
• Advises component management on selecting systems solutions, infrastructure equipment and systems support software.
• Serves as a component subject matter expert on client/server, database and systems services while representing the component on agency workgroups.
• Evaluates, designs and implements security permissions and controls to ensure appropriate levels of access to all files, services, networks and software on the agency network infrastructure.
• Diagnoses and resolves highly complex systems integration or configuration related problems in response to customer reported incidents.
• Serves as a point of expertise and escalation to other systems staff in utilizing and responding to an electronic ticketing system used for tracking IT problems reported by systems staff and customers.
• Writes business and technical documents, including large procurement justifications, configuration procedures, troubleshooting guidelines, systems policies and end-users' policies.
• Prepares written work products, such as project plans, status reports, contact reports, executive level briefings, procedures and training materials.
• Develops, writes and evaluates policies and procedures utilized by systems staff for support of security and by all staff to enhance user productivity, systems security and workload efficiency.
• Designs and leads management and executive level briefings on workload operations, systems status and proposed systems initiatives.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• US Citizenship is required. Selective Service Registration requirements apply (www.sss.gov).
• Fingerprinting and background and/or security investigations may be required. Job offers are contingent on fingerprinting and background/security investigation results.
• See QUALIFICATIONS, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED, REQUIRED DOCUMENTS and HOW TO APPLY for other information specific to this position.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

To qualify for this GS-13 IT Specialist (SysAdmin) position you must demonstrate:

(1) IT Competencies required for the GS-2210 series AND

(2) Specialized Experience.

(1) IT COMPETENCIES: You must perform duties in each of the four IT-Competencies below. These duties must be IT-related and may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of qualifying IT education or training (for example, IT certification). Your responses are subject to verification against the information you provide. You may be asked to provide evidence or supporting documentation that substantiates claimed experience.

(a) Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.

(b) Customer Service: Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.

(c) Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, considering the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues and responds appropriately.

(d) Problem Solving: Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and to make recommendations.

(2) SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE must have been gained in a federal position at or above GS-12 OR (if your position and/or experience is in another federal pay scale OR outside of federal service) by performing duties at a level of responsibility and difficulty equivalent to GS-12.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE must include planning and coordinating the installation, testing, operation, troubleshooting and/or maintenance of hardware and software systems.

Such experience should includeevaluating, analyzing, developing and supporting Top Secret/mainframe security processes and procedures at a local and national level.

If you have this experience, your resume must describe, in your own words, the duties you perform that demonstrate it.

Since Specialized Experience also has a time component, it must be evident that the duties you describe are at the required level for at least 52 weeks.

Reviewers cannot assume you perform duties you don't describe.

An affirmative response to the online questionnaire is not sufficient to demonstrate experience.

SAMPLE DUTIES THAT DEMONSTRATE QUALIFYING EXPERIENCE INCLUDE:

developing and supporting procedures to maintain mainframe security

maintaining and overseeing profile assignments

creating new mainframe profiles and matrices to meet access needs for specific customer projects

providing advice to management on how to handle new policy or procedural implementation

leading an effort to troubleshoot a significant top-secret access problem

implementing a new security access for a team of IT specialists

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (IT Competencies and Specialized Experience) must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Information on this job series can be found at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/2200/information-technology-it-management-series-2210-alternative-a/

Education

This position does not have an educational requirement.

Education cannot be used in lieu of (or in combination with) Specialized Experience to meet Minimum Qualifications.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made for this vacancy six months from the closing date of this announcement.

If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov .

If you are a federal contractor, do not identify yourself as a federal employee.

OTHER NOTES:

See QUALIFICATIONS for information on qualifying for this position.

See REQUIRED DOCUMENTS and HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED for information on applying for this position.

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

This position is on a full-time, flex-time schedule and may be eligible for an Alternate Work Schedule (AWS).

This position is eligible for telework after all conditions for telework have been met.

This position is not authorized to be filled virtually or through outstationing. The Official Duty Station (ODS) for this position is SSA-HQ Woodlawn, Maryland. To participate in telework, you must reside within a 2-hour commute to this ODS by the time of your appointment.

Relocation expenses will not be paid; salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions.

Successful performance of work in this position and adherence to conditions of this position will be assessed during the 1-year probationary period served that may be served by new appointees (e.g., new to SSA and/or new to this series).

This is a moderate-risk public trust position. You may be required to complete SF-85 (Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions) to have the appropriate investigation conducted.

Position is Assigned To:

Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Budget, Finance and Management (DCBFM)

Office of the Deputy Commissioner / Systems Support Staff

• Benefits
  
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  Review our benefits
  
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

(1) Eligible applicants will receive a score based on your responses to the experience questions in the online questionnaire.

Preview questions here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12531939

It is not sufficient to make claims in the questionnaire that are not supported in your resume.

(2) Using that score, you will be placed into one of three Category Rating groups:

Best Qualified: candidates who demonstrate a high level of knowledge, skills and abilities

Well Qualified: candidates who demonstrate a satisfactory level of knowledge, skills and abilities

Qualified: candidates who demonstrate a minimum level of knowledge, skills and abilities

Veterans' Preference is considered during this part of the evaluation.

(3) If you are among the highest-ranking applicants based on your score, your resume will be reviewed by HR to determine if you demonstrate the IT Competencies and Specialized Experience required for this position.

Your resume must describe duties you perform that meet the Specialized Experience required for this position (see QUALIFICATIONS), as well as duties that demonstrate the following as they relate to the Specialized Experience. It must be evident that the duties you describe are at the required level for at least 52 weeks. Duties not clearly described cannot be credited.

Skill in performing Top Secret/mainframe security processes

Skill in providing technical guidance a team of IT security mainframe specialists

Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

SEE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS for more resume requirements.

(4) The highest-ranked applicants who demonstrate the IT Competencies and Specialized Experience will be referred to the hiring manager following Priority Selection procedures and applicable documents will be forwarded for further review. (See Priority Selection below.)

Your claimed knowledge, skills and abilities are subject to verification by the selecting official. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation or to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed knowledge, skill or ability.

PRIORITY SELECTION:

Eligible well-qualified ICTAPapplicants will receive first consideration ONLY IF appropriate supporting documents are provided (see Career Transition Guide AND the Required Documents section).

Qualified Veterans' Preference eligibles will be placed ahead of others in the category for which they are ranked.

Qualified preference-eligibles who demonstrate a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be placed in the Best Qualified category.

See Required Documents for information on how to support these claims.

• Benefits
  
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  Review our benefits
  
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  Resume all applicants (SSA employees may use SSA-45)
  
  SF-50 recommended for all current and former federal employees
  
  Veterans' documents if claimed
  
  ICTAP documents if claimed
  
  Military Spouse documents if claimed
  
  DOCUMENTS PREVIOUSLY UPLOADED TO YOUR USAJOBS ACCOUNT MAY BE OUTDATED AND CAN CAUSE YOU TO LOSE CONSIDERATION.
  
  RESUME (or SSA-45) must include:
  
  your name and contact information
  
  employer name, full-time or part-time hours worked per week
  
  full start and stop dates (month/day/year) for each position
  
  your grade and pay scale (for all federal positions) and
  
  a clear description of the duties you perform that relate to the experience required for this position.
  
  If you no longer hold a position, it must show an ending date.
  
  Since Specialized Experience has a time component, it must be evident that the duties you describe are at the required level for at least 52 weeks.
  
  Information not specifically stated in your resume cannot be assumed. Information copied or restated from the announcement or rating criteria will not be considered. If this occurs, you may be found ineligible.
  
  Do not simply list projects on which you worked or list experience in terms of accomplishments or achievements. You must describe, in your own words, the duties you perform that pertain to the requirements for this position.
  
  It is not sufficient to make claims in the questionnaire that are not supported in your resume.
  
  See QUALIFICATIONS and HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED for information on what your resume must demonstrate.
  
  If your qualifying experience is part of a federal career-ladder, separate that experience from duties performed at the lower grades. Career-ladders described as a single position may not satisfy the requirement to demonstrate 52 weeks performing specific work at the required level.
  
  See QUALIFICATIONS for information on what your resume must demonstrate.
  
  SF-50 - recommended for all current or former federal employees.
  
  VETERANS' DOCUMENTS - submit DD-214 / Member 4 copy showing Dates of Service and Character of Service. This information must be provided to establish veterans' preference. (*See below if still on active duty.)
  
  For 10-point preference based on a service-connected disability, also submit completed SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference) and documents specified on the reverse of the SF-15.
  
  For derived preference submit completed SF-15 and documents specified on the reverse of the SF-15.
  
  *Current active-duty military claiming preference under Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act submit certification that you will be discharged under honorable conditions within 120 days of the certification date. Your letter must be signed by or under direction of the appropriate personnel office, unit commander or higher headquarters. Certifications must be on official letterhead from appropriate military branch and must include dates of service, expected discharge date. type of discharge, character of service, rank and date when terminal leave begins. Since service after Aug 31, 2010 is generally not qualifying for preference, include any qualifying campaign or expeditionary medals you received.
  
  ICTAP-eligibles must provide:
  
  written notice of eligibility or copy of separation SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action) and
  
  most recent performance rating of at least "fully successful" (Level III) or equivalent
  
  For more information see Career Transition (opm.gov)
  
  Preference will be granted based on the documents received.
  
  MILITARY SPOUSES see USAJOBS Help Center | Military Spouses submit marriage certificate and proof that your spouse is still an active-duty member of the military or is 100% disabled and unemployable.
• How to Apply
  
  (1) Click APPLY to create a USAJobs Account or log into your existing account.
  
  (2) Confirm that your USAJobs Biographic Information is correct.
  
  (3) Follow prompts to complete the questionnaire and upload required documents.
  
  (4) Click Submit My Answers at the end of the process.
  
  (5) "View/Print My Answers" to confirm you have answered every question as intended AND
  
  (6) print a copy of the announcement for your reference if you are called for an interview (optional)
  
  READ "NEXT STEPS" FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
  
  Applications must be received by 11:59 pm (EST) September 13, 2024 and must include:
  
  (1)responses to online questionnaire
  
  (2) uploaded resume
  
  (3) uploaded eligibility documents (SF-50, veterans' documents, ICTAP documents or military spouse documents, if claimed)
  
  See QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIRED DOCUMENTS and HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED before you submit your application.
  
  The questionnaire takes about 15 minutes. Answer all questions and follow instructions. Your score will be based on your responses. Errors or omissions may affect your overall evaluation.
  
  It is not sufficient to make claims in the questionnaire that are not supported in your resume.
  
  We cannot accept documents submitted via email, fax or standard mail, but you may email inquiries about the position or How to Apply PRIOR TO the closing of the announcement.
  
  Individuals with hearing or speech disabilities may use the listed email or 7-1-1 for TTY-based Telecommunications Relay Services to call the listed phone number. Additional Telecommunications Relay Services options are available in each state: https://www.fcc.gov/general/trs-state-and-territories
  
  Notice Concerning Materially False, Fictitious or Fraudulent Statements Anything you claim in the occupational questionnaire, or your resume is subject to verification. By submitting your application, you are certifying that any statements you make are true, complete, and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief and are made in good faith. Materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations are subject to disciplinary action.
  
  Agency contact information
  
  OPE Staffing DCBFM
  
  Phone
  
  410-965-1234
  
  Email
  
  OPE.Staffing.DCBFM@ssa.gov
  
  Address
  
  DCBFM Front Office
  
  6401 Security Boulevard
  
  Baltimore, MD 21235
  
  US
  
  Next steps
  
  Incorrect information in your USAJobs Account means you may not receive important emails pertaining to this announcement. SSA/HR is not responsible if outdated information in your USAJobs Account causes you to miss emailed notifications or job offers.
  
  No matter what information is provided on your resume, HR and USAStaffing can only contact you using the information in your USAJobs Account. Your Biographic Information for this vacancy cannot be changed once your application has been submitted.
  
  If you applied correctly and provided a valid email address in your Biographic Information, you will receive an Acknowledgement of Occupational Questionnaire. This is not an indication that your application is complete. Follow the instructions in the "How to Apply" and "Required Documents" sections to ensure that you submit a complete application.
  
  HR cannot provide copies of announcements or application documents to you.
  
  You are responsible for verifying that your application is complete, and your documents have been properly submitted.
  
  After applications are evaluated, a Best Qualified List will be issued and you will be notified of your status (e.g., highly qualified and referred to the selecting official; qualified but not referred; or ineligible).
  
  INTERVIEWS may or may not be conducted, but if an interview is desired, it will be scheduled by the hiring office and a representative from that office will contact you directly.
  
  HR will not have information pertaining to the scheduling of interviews and cannot provide feedback pertaining to completed interviews.
  
  For a status of your application, go to your USAJobs account. Select Application Status then More Information to see if updates are available.
  
  Updates will not be available during the interview/selection process, which may take up to 90 days.
  
  After selections have been completed, final notices will be sent to applicants who were referred to the selecting official. Applicants who are not referred will not receive a final notice.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Resume all applicants (SSA employees may use SSA-45)

SF-50 recommended for all current and former federal employees

Veterans' documents if claimed

ICTAP documents if claimed

Military Spouse documents if claimed

DOCUMENTS PREVIOUSLY UPLOADED TO YOUR USAJOBS ACCOUNT MAY BE OUTDATED AND CAN CAUSE YOU TO LOSE CONSIDERATION.

RESUME (or SSA-45) must include:

your name and contact information

employer name, full-time or part-time hours worked per week

full start and stop dates (month/day/year) for each position

your grade and pay scale (for all federal positions) and

a clear description of the duties you perform that relate to the experience required for this position.

If you no longer hold a position, it must show an ending date.

Since Specialized Experience has a time component, it must be evident that the duties you describe are at the required level for at least 52 weeks.

Information not specifically stated in your resume cannot be assumed. Information copied or restated from the announcement or rating criteria will not be considered. If this occurs, you may be found ineligible.

Do not simply list projects on which you worked or list experience in terms of accomplishments or achievements. You must describe, in your own words, the duties you perform that pertain to the requirements for this position.

It is not sufficient to make claims in the questionnaire that are not supported in your resume.

See QUALIFICATIONS and HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED for information on what your resume must demonstrate.

If your qualifying experience is part of a federal career-ladder, separate that experience from duties performed at the lower grades. Career-ladders described as a single position may not satisfy the requirement to demonstrate 52 weeks performing specific work at the required level.

See QUALIFICATIONS for information on what your resume must demonstrate.

SF-50 - recommended for all current or former federal employees.

VETERANS' DOCUMENTS - submit DD-214 / Member 4 copy showing Dates of Service and Character of Service. This information must be provided to establish veterans' preference. (*See below if still on active duty.)

For 10-point preference based on a service-connected disability, also submit completed SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference) and documents specified on the reverse of the SF-15.

For derived preference submit completed SF-15 and documents specified on the reverse of the SF-15.

*Current active-duty military claiming preference under Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act submit certification that you will be discharged under honorable conditions within 120 days of the certification date. Your letter must be signed by or under direction of the appropriate personnel office, unit commander or higher headquarters. Certifications must be on official letterhead from appropriate military branch and must include dates of service, expected discharge date. type of discharge, character of service, rank and date when terminal leave begins. Since service after Aug 31, 2010 is generally not qualifying for preference, include any qualifying campaign or expeditionary medals you received.

ICTAP-eligibles must provide:

written notice of eligibility or copy of separation SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action) and

most recent performance rating of at least "fully successful" (Level III) or equivalent

For more information see Career Transition (opm.gov)

Preference will be granted based on the documents received.

MILITARY SPOUSES see USAJOBS Help Center | Military Spouses submit marriage certificate and proof that your spouse is still an active-duty member of the military or is 100% disabled and unemployable.

How to Apply

(1) Click APPLY to create a USAJobs Account or log into your existing account.

(2) Confirm that your USAJobs Biographic Information is correct.

(3) Follow prompts to complete the questionnaire and upload required documents.

(4) Click Submit My Answers at the end of the process.

(5) "View/Print My Answers" to confirm you have answered every question as intended AND

(6) print a copy of the announcement for your reference if you are called for an interview (optional)

READ "NEXT STEPS" FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

Applications must be received by 11:59 pm (EST) September 13, 2024 and must include:

(1)responses to online questionnaire

(2) uploaded resume

(3) uploaded eligibility documents (SF-50, veterans' documents, ICTAP documents or military spouse documents, if claimed)

See QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIRED DOCUMENTS and HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED before you submit your application.

The questionnaire takes about 15 minutes. Answer all questions and follow instructions. Your score will be based on your responses. Errors or omissions may affect your overall evaluation.

It is not sufficient to make claims in the questionnaire that are not supported in your resume.

We cannot accept documents submitted via email, fax or standard mail, but you may email inquiries about the position or How to Apply PRIOR TO the closing of the announcement.

Individuals with hearing or speech disabilities may use the listed email or 7-1-1 for TTY-based Telecommunications Relay Services to call the listed phone number. Additional Telecommunications Relay Services options are available in each state: https://www.fcc.gov/general/trs-state-and-territories

Notice Concerning Materially False, Fictitious or Fraudulent Statements Anything you claim in the occupational questionnaire, or your resume is subject to verification. By submitting your application, you are certifying that any statements you make are true, complete, and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief and are made in good faith. Materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations are subject to disciplinary action.

Agency contact information

OPE Staffing DCBFM

Phone

410-965-1234

Email

OPE.Staffing.DCBFM@ssa.gov

Address

DCBFM Front Office

6401 Security Boulevard

Baltimore, MD 21235

US

Next steps

Incorrect information in your USAJobs Account means you may not receive important emails pertaining to this announcement. SSA/HR is not responsible if outdated information in your USAJobs Account causes you to miss emailed notifications or job offers.

No matter what information is provided on your resume, HR and USAStaffing can only contact you using the information in your USAJobs Account. Your Biographic Information for this vacancy cannot be changed once your application has been submitted.

If you applied correctly and provided a valid email address in your Biographic Information, you will receive an Acknowledgement of Occupational Questionnaire. This is not an indication that your application is complete. Follow the instructions in the "How to Apply" and "Required Documents" sections to ensure that you submit a complete application.

HR cannot provide copies of announcements or application documents to you.

You are responsible for verifying that your application is complete, and your documents have been properly submitted.

After applications are evaluated, a Best Qualified List will be issued and you will be notified of your status (e.g., highly qualified and referred to the selecting official; qualified but not referred; or ineligible).

INTERVIEWS may or may not be conducted, but if an interview is desired, it will be scheduled by the hiring office and a representative from that office will contact you directly.

HR will not have information pertaining to the scheduling of interviews and cannot provide feedback pertaining to completed interviews.

For a status of your application, go to your USAJobs account. Select Application Status then More Information to see if updates are available.

Updates will not be available during the interview/selection process, which may take up to 90 days.

After selections have been completed, final notices will be sent to applicants who were referred to the selecting official. Applicants who are not referred will not receive a final notice.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request