IT SPECIALIST (SYSADMIN) Job in Meridian, MS

Vacancy No. MS-13097588-AF-26-087 Department Air National Guard Units
Salary $89,508.00 to $116,362.00 Grade 12 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/27/2026 Close Date 11/10/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Meridian, MS


IT SPECIALIST (SYSADMIN)

Department of the Air Force
Air National Guard Units
MS 186 ARW

Summary

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 32 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION THAT REQUIRES MILITARY MEMBERSHIP.

This National Guard position is for a IT SPECIALIST (SYSADMIN), Position Description Number PDD1617P01 and is part of the Mississippi National Guard.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to CURRENT Federal Technicians employed by the Mississippi Air National Guard

Duties

As a IT SPECIALIST (SYSADMIN), GS-2210-12, you will serve as the technical expert and project leader for information technology (IT) systems administration. The systems administered involve multiple computers running multiple operating systems. The incumbent is responsible for the planning and coordinating the installation, testing, system security configuration and monitoring, operation, troubleshooting and maintenance of all server hardware and software. Due to the unique mission of the cNAF, this PD cannot be used in any other organization.

--Serves as project leader responsible for developing, assigning, and coordinating duties and projects for systems administrators. The project members are specifically assigned to one or more of the multiple system platforms located within an Air Operations Center (AOC) Weapon System.

--Develops, modifies, and tests overall system backup and recovery strategies for all systems.

--Serves as the technical expert and focal point for installation, configuration and testing of hardware and software associated with multiple operating systems and computer platforms. Provides technical assistance and analysis to other IT personnel involved in system design, programming, database performance, and adapting commercially available software. Determines equipment requirements, communications, and interfaces with other systems. Evaluates machine usage based on current usage patterns and develops plans for the acquisition of hardware and software needed to support future IT requirements.

--Serves as the senior systems administrator responsible for planning, coordinating, modifying, implementing, and troubleshooting to support customer needs. Work pertains to the administration of all systems including ensuring the efficient integration between systems as well as compatibility with local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN) infrastructure.

--Analyzes, evaluates, and recommends hardware/software changes to various computer systems. Considers factors such as compatibility with standard systems, conversion or implementation costs, and impact on existing equipment.

--Develops guidelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs), bulletins and flyers concerning the operation/use of C4 systems, services, and activities. Provides interpretations of higher authority regulations and guidance concerning IT system activities/services and coordinates with internal departments and external agencies concerning the resolution of problem areas encountered. Advises staff on issues pertaining to operating systems and hardware status.

--Plans and schedules the installation of new or modified hardware, operating systems, and software applications. Directs testing of Special Program Office (SPO) provided software. Develops, documents, coordinates, updates and validates the AOG Continuity of Operation Plan (COOP) procedures for system disaster recovery. --Implements operating system releases and maintains the operational status of systems.

--Performs security management in accordance with NGB, AOC SPO, and Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) regulations and state policies. Develops and analyzes local policies regarding system access, network rights, and physical access to systems and equipment.

--Develops policy for all systems storage requirements throughout the AOG. Designs and modifies the storage structure and correlation between systems. Modifies system parameters on multiple operating systems, integrating the use of Storage Area Networks (SAN), to achieve maximum system efficiency. Analyzes system operations to identify bottlenecks and takes action to resolve problems and ensure optimal performance and consistency.

--Troubleshoots problems and implements changes on multiple computer platforms. Diagnose system failures to isolate source of problems between equipment, system software, and application programs. When problems are found, modifies code, devises fixes, documents problems and advises AOC Help Desk or other outside party. Interacts with peers and vendors to resolve hardware and software problems and reports unresolved problems to the appropriate party.

--Coordinates with specialists and managers at higher levels to obtain information for interfacing with systems at those levels and to facilitate the acquisition and exchange of information technology. Serves as the organization authoritative expert at meetings and seminars designed to arrive at solutions for mutual systems administration problems.

--Manages the Group Emissions Security (EMSEC) program. Coordinates with Base EMSEC Manager to conduct periodic EMSEC inspections. Incorporates EMSEC requirements and considerations into plans for modification of existing systems and plans for future facilities and systems. Conducts EMSEC customer Education.

--Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

Military Grades: E3- E8

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT & NOTES:

1. Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position.

2. Ability to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers and customers, contributing to a cooperative working environment and successful accomplishment of the mission.

3. May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours; overtime may be required.

4. The duties and responsibilities of your job may significantly impact the environment. You are responsible to maintain awareness of your environmental responsibilities as dictated by legal and regulatory requirements, your organization, and its changing mission.

5. Wear of the military uniform is MANDATORY.

6. Participation in direct deposit is MANDATORY.

7. For positions requiring the operation of motor vehicles, candidates must have a valid state driver's license.

Qualifications

NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED: This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the National Guard. Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform. Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment.

MILITARY MEMBERS WITH BONUSES: Upon acceptance of a military technician position military members who are currently receiving a military Reenlistment/Extension Bonus (REB) or GI Bill-SR Kicker may lose incentive eligibility and may be subject to termination or suspension of incentive (includes indefinite and temporary technicians on assignment for more than 180 days in any continuous 12-month period).

GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Experience, education or training that has provided a basic knowledge of data processing functions and general management principles that enabled the applicant to understand the stages required to automate a work process. Experience may have been gained in work such as computer operator or assistant, computer sales representative, program analyst, or other positions that required the use or adaptation of computer programs and systems.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Must have at least 36 months experience, education, or training that approaches techniques and requirements appropriate to an assigned computer applications area or computer specialty area in an organization. Experience planning the sequence of actions necessary to accomplish the assignment where this entailed coordination with others outside the organizational unit and development of project controls. Experience that required adaptations of guidelines or precedents to meet the needs of the assignment. Experience preparing documentation on cost/benefit studies where is involved summarizing the material and organizing it in a logical fashion.

If your resume does not include a narrative description of how you meet the GENERAL, SPECIALIZED experiences, and OTHER requirements, you may lose consideration for this position. Ensure that the Questionnaire is completed online in Application Manager.

NOTES TO CANDIDATES: Must have at least 36 months experience, education, or training that approaches techniques and requirements appropriate to an assigned computer applications area or computer specialty area in an organization. Experience planning the sequence of actions necessary to accomplish the assignment where this entailed coordination with others outside the organizational unit and development of project controls. Experience that required adaptations of guidelines or precedents to meet the needs of the assignment. Experience preparing documentation on cost/benefit studies where is involved summarizing the material and organizing it in a logical fashion.

a. Situations of inversion of military rank are not permitted, i.e., a military technician may not be militarily senior to his or her full-time supervisor.

b. Candidates may be screened and evaluated on military attributes directly related to the compatible military position required to be assigned into, such as, but not limited to, military bearing, leadership, or ability to work with others (teamwork) in a military environment.

c. Include any volunteer work experience in your resume. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social).

d. Final selection will be based upon qualifications, suitability, and available manpower resources.

e. This employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

f. Multiple vacancies may be filled from this announcement.

g. If this announcement results in a temporary promotion for the selectee, it may become permanent at any time without further competition dependent on funding and manpower requirements.

Education

No substitution of education for specialized experience.

Additional information

If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT USE A MOBILE DEVICE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

1. RESUME
Your resume MUST BE IN PDF document format. The resume maybe submitted in any writing format but must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. To avoid plagiarism, DO NOT copy and paste the positions description or qualifications from this announcement into your resume. YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FOR PLAGIARISM.
If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
For qualifications determinations your resume must contain SALARIES, HOURS WORKED PER WEEK, JOB DUTIES AND THE DATES OF EMPLOYMENT FOR EACH JOB.
Example:
$55,000 per year; 40 hours per week, January 2001-July 2009 or January 2001-present........DETAILED description of your experience and qualifications. If your resume does not contain this information, your application will be marked as incomplete, and you will not receive consideration for this position.

2. SF 50
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF 50) reflecting your Tenure in Block 24 (1 or 2). Do NOT submit an award SF 50, or a General Adjustment SF-50 for proof of Time in Grade. Current MSNG applicants can verify your eligibility, by retrieving a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF 50) from MyBiz, https://compo.dcpds.cpms.osd.mil OR eOPF, https://eopf.opm.gov/nationalguard/.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application/Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To view the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13097588~

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.

Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.

You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Agency contact information

James Bunyard
Phone
601-484-9597
Email
james.bunyard@us.af.mil
Address
MS 186 ARW
6225 M Street
Meridian, MS 39307-7112
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

Air National Guard Units

The National Guard is the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States. Since the earliest American colonial days, citizens have joined together for collective defense. We have a proud tradition of coming to the aid of our friends and neighbors in times of serious emergencies. Join our National Guard team and serve your nation, your states and your community!

Agency contact information

James Bunyard
Phone
601-484-9597
Email
james.bunyard@us.af.mil
Address
MS 186 ARW
6225 M Street
Meridian, MS 39307-7112
US

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https://www.ng.ms.gov/CAREERS/FEDERAL