IT Specialist Job

Vacancy No. SH12542488 Department Social Security Administration
Salary $90,744.00 to $128,956.00 Grade 12 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/16/2024 Close Date 9/20/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Urbana, MDWoodlawn, MDDurham, NC


Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary

Serves as a technical specialist in areas including: the design, analysis, engineering, integration and implementation of network system software and hardware; design, analysis, engineering and implementation for SSA's LAN/WAN business requirements; troubleshooting LAN/WAN connections; network operations and automation design; integration of network services, facilities, software and systems. Makes technical recommendations in support of SSA's computer systems environment.


Duties

  • Designs, develops, implements, and supports automated management techniques and procedures for the operations personnel in the effective control, use, and management of the network systems.
  • Provides third level problem determination support and coordination for major problems. Employs sophisticated problem analysis and resolution techniques.
  • Analyzes and resolves problems and determines most effective methods of recovery. Determines area of problem responsibility and makes the decision to call in the vendor when required.
  • Integrates, tests, and implements telecommunications services and equipment with computer systems.
  • Provides technical advice for the design, analysis, engineering, implementation and maintenance of systems and communications networks; considering such factors as end user requirements and operating system environments.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required
  • Selective Service Registration, if applicable (www.sss.gov)
  • Fingerprinting and background and/or security investigation may be required
  • Job offers are contingent on fingerprinting and background / security investigation results
  • Selectees may be required to serve a 1 year probationary period
  • Relocation expenses will not be paid
  • All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement

Qualifications

Applicants must qualify for the series and grade of the posted position. Experience must be IT related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate.

Your resume must provide sufficient experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and proficiency of any required competencies to perform the specific position for which you are applying. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your experience, education, knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies as they relate to this position. Your resume and supporting documents must specifically address the evaluation criteria for the position. Describe duties you perform (not just knowledge, skills and abilities) as they relate to the specialized experience required for this position. Be clear, accurate and specific when describing your experience; e.g., list all positions separately, include full start and stop dates for each position, your work schedule (number of hours per week), your grade (if your position is federal) and a comprehensive description of the relevant duties you performed in each position.

This information is instrumental in determining the highest quality candidates to be referred to the Selecting Official. Please submit a thorough resume that directly relates to this position. If your application materials do not demonstrate the knowledge, skills, abilities, experience, and/or education needed for this position, your application will be ineligible for consideration.

To qualify for the 2210 IT Specialist series, applicants must demonstrate the following IT-related competencies:

Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.

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.

Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account 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.

Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

In addition, to qualify for this GS-12 level position, applicants must possess and demonstrate 52 weeks of specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-11 level in the Federal government that is in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such IT-related experience must include the following: Evaluating and working with large computer systems (mainframes); monitoring networks using mainframe networking monitoring software, testing communication systems in a multi-OS, SYSPLEX or other complex system environments; ability to communicate with external partners in order to share information or collaborate.

All of this specialized experience is REQUIRED and must be explicitly documented/described in your resume or you will be disqualified from further consideration. Please describe duties you perform (not just knowledge, skills and abilities) as they relate to the specialized experience required for this position.

Qualification standards and additional information for this IT position can be found here: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/2200/information-technology-it-management-series-2210-alternative-a/

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

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

This is a bargaining unit position represented by AFGE.

See General Schedule (opm.gov) for 2024 locality pay tables.

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

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.

The evaluation you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire, which is designed to capture the desired competencies for this position. These competencies include:

  • Knowledge of 3270 configurations (Mainframe and Client) in an IBM mainframe sysplex environment.
  • Skill in TCP/IP network protocols and system configuration on IBM mainframe sysplex systems.
  • Ability to configure and test External Business Partner (EBP) TCP/IP connectivity based on knowledge of large enterprise network infrastructure concepts.
  • Skill in evaluating new mainframe operating system releases, network monitoring software, communication testing, and External Business Partner (EBP) site communication problem determination/resolution in a multi-OS, multi SYSPLEX mainframe environment. (Including Netview monitoring and automation software)
Please make sure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation. The questionnaire takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. To preview the questions, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12542488

Your application will be evaluated under the Category Rating method, based on your responses to the Assessment Questions. If you meet the basic requirements for the position, your application will be evaluated and placed into one of three categories:

1 - Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements.
2 - Well Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and demonstrate a satisfactory level of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
3 - Best Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and demonstrate a high level of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.

Candidates eligible for veterans' preference will be placed ahead of other candidates in the appropriate category for which they have been rated. Additionally, preference eligibles who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent and who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements will automatically be placed in the Best Qualified Category.

Required Documents

You must submit supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to claim certain types of preference.

INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP): ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority for competitive service vacancies. To receive selection priority, candidates must meet the requirements for the Well Qualified category as described in the vacancy announcement. Candidates must also provide:

  • proof of eligibility with your application. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation Notice of Personnel Action, (SF-50); and
  • proof of your most recent performance rating of at least "fully successful" (Level III) or equivalent.
For more information visit http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE: If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your military discharge certificate (DD-214 member 4 copy preferred) or an official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty. To be acceptable, the document must contain dates and show Character of Service. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference based on a service-connected disability, you must also submit an Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference (SF 15) and the required documentation specified on the reverse of the SF-15. Applicants claiming derived preference must submit the SF-15 and the required documentation specified on the reverse of the SF-15. Preference will be granted based on the documents received.

Note: If you are a current active duty military member who does not have a DD-214 and are claiming preference under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces indicating that you will be discharged or released under honorable conditions from active duty within 120 days of the date on the certification. Certifications must be on letterhead from the appropriate military branch and include the following information: military dates of service and expected discharge or release date, the character of service, military rank, type of discharge, and date when terminal leave will begin. Certifications must be signed by or under the direction of military members' military personnel offices, unit commanders, or higher headquarters.

For more information visit the Vet Guide.

How to Apply

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

  1. Your Resume
  2. The Occupational Questionnaire
  3. Additional Required Documents, if applicable (see Required Documents section)


The complete Application Package must be submitted before midnight (EST) on 09/20/2024.

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.

If you use assistive software or an adaptive device, or you are experiencing some other type of technical difficulty and/or otherwise require assistance with the application process, please contact OPE Staffing OCIO at OPE.Staffing.OCIO@ssa.gov or 410-965-1234.

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

Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any applications submitted via email or standard mail. The email address is listed only for inquiries about the position or the How to Apply process.

To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account.

Agency contact information

OPE Staffing OCIO
Address
OCIO - OSOHE
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once you have successfully submitted your application materials, you can expect to receive at least two or more of the following email notifications concerning your application status: (1) Receipt of application; (2) Qualifications status and whether your application has been Referred/Not Referred to the selecting official; and (3) Selection status for the position.

Selection interviews may be conducted with one or more of the candidates, but there is no requirement that interviews be conducted. The hiring office will contact candidates directly for interviews. Interviews may be conducted via video conferencing software, if technically feasible. Applicants referred for consideration will receive a final disposition notice after selections have been made.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.