Information Technology Specialist Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. 25-06 Department U. S. Sentencing Commission
Salary $69,923.00 to $131,826.00 Grade 9 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 3/17/2025 Close Date 4/14/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

The U.S. Sentencing Commission is looking for a self-motivated, dedicated, and well-rounded Information Technology Specialist with experience managing software application lifecycles in a Microsoft Windows environment to support current agency information technology needs and planning for future growth. This position requires a balance of knowledge, ingenuity, and initiative, with a constant emphasis on security and performance. Performing duties during non-business hours may be required.

Duties

The incumbent will serve as a member of the Technology and Solutions Services team, reporting directly to the Senior Information Technology Specialist, and will serve as the agency's business software subject matter expert, providing guidance, training, and support to staff, while continuously monitoring, testing, and managing application updates. Working in unison with the other members of the Technology and Solutions Services team, the incumbent will also provide primary and secondary support across a wide range of technology-related disciplines. Coordination and communication with direct team members, agency staff, as well as external support staff and vendors, will be essential to effectively discharge the duties expected of this position.

Responsibilities include:

  • Acting as the subject matter expert for the planning, implementation, and support of business software to include (but not limited to):
    • Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise (such as Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.).
    • Adobe desktop applications (such as Adobe Creative Cloud and Adobe Acrobat DC)
    • Statistics-related applications (such as SAS Visual Analytics, Stat\Transfer, IBM SPSS, etc.).
    • Education-related applications (such as Articulate 360, TechSmith Camtasia, etc.).
    • Secure Shell (SSH) and Telnet clients (such as MobaXterm, PuTTy, WinSCP, etc.).
  • Assisting with the planning, implementation, and support of security-related tools, services and solutions (such as Patch and Asset Management, Anti-virus\Anti-malware protection, Vulnerability Scanning and Remediation, Multi-factor Authentication, etc.).
  • Providing direct support for the organization's public facing website, coordinating with both the U.S. Court Services Hosting Branch and external vendors to implement security and recommended updates, site modifications, environment modifications, as well as assisting the Office of Public Affairs with content update mechanics, troubleshooting and remediation of website malfunctions.
  • Aiding with the planning and implementation of Microsoft Windows desktop and laptop configurations.
  • Researching and recommending new business software and applications to enhance staff productivity and improve end user experience.
  • Assisting with onboarding and offboarding staff to ensure that accounts, licenses, and hardware are accurately managed in a timely manner.
  • Providing direct end-user technical support to address questions or technical issues.
  • Providing end-user technical training, to include 1-on-1 tutorials, classroom instruction, or written guides.
  • Maintaining accurate documentation of procedures and ongoing projects.
  • Lifting, and moving, moderately heavy items (such as computers, desktop printers, battery backup units, etc.) may be required.
  • Performing supplemental technical support duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment


Qualifications

MANDATORY QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university in information technology or a related field of study, and/or equivalent professional certifications and training. Applicants must have three (3) years of specialized experience directly related to the line of work of this position, or experience that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. One (1) year of specialized work experience equivalent to the previous level in the federal service is required. For example, one (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level is required to qualify for appointment at the JS-12 level.

Specialized experience is defined as progressively responsible work experience that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities that will enable the individual to successfully perform the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position.

TECHNICAL SKILL REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must have:
  • Knowledge of automation software and hardware in a Microsoft Windows environment;
  • Demonstrated experience installing, upgrading, patching, configuring, and problem resolution of automation software;
  • Experience providing End-User technical assistance and application training;
  • Ability to research and recommend new business software and applications;
  • Experience with implementing stringent system security controls;
  • Ability to handle a variety of tasks within tight deadlines; and,
  • Ability to communicate complex technical information in non-technical terms both verbally and in writing.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preference will be given to applicants with one or more of the following areas of experience:
  • Master's degree in information technology or related field.
  • IT Security certifications/credentials (e.g., CISSP, CISA, CISM, SSCP); and/or,
  • Microsoft Windows/Active Directory experience/certifications (e.g., MCSE, MCSA, MTA).
  • Experience with Windows desktop provisioning and deployment.
  • Experience with Identity and Access management in support of two-factor authentication, user roles, and user access.
BENEFITS
The Commission participates in the following federal benefits: The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program; the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program, federal retirement, the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and the federal leave program. In addition, the Commission participates in the Judiciary's Flexible Spending Program for dependent care, health care, and commuter reimbursement, the government-wide Long Term Care Insurance Program, unemployment, and workers' compensation benefits.

The Commission offers a monthly transit subsidy to employees who use mass transit to commute to and from work, subject to the availability of funds. The Commission offers alternative work schedules (AWS), which are fixed work schedules that enable full-time employees to complete the basic 80-hour biweekly work requirement in less than 10 workdays.

The Commission offers regular telework (not full-time) to employees in positions deemed eligible by the staff director and who meet the requirements of an approved telework arrangement in which an employee performs official duties at home or at an approved telework site.

The Commission also offers training opportunities to employees through LinkedIn Learning, and the Judiciary's Online University, which offers academic credit and professional credit programs through web-based learning. These training tools assist Commission employees with taking online courses in a flexible way, by offering training courses in the areas of: staff training and development; credit toward undergraduate degree programs; continuing education and non-credit certificate programs; executive education; contract training; credit credentials courses for continuing professional education and credit for individuals who hold credentials and achieve certifications associated with several globally-recognized sponsored organizations.

Education

Applicants must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university in information technology or a related field of study, and/or equivalent professional certifications and training.

Additional information

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

  • The selected applicant must relocate to the Washington DC Metropolitan area.
  • This position is in the excepted service and does not carry the tenure rights of positions in the competitive Civil Service.
  • All information is subject to verification. Applicants are advised that false answers or omissions of information on application materials or inability to meet the following conditions may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed.
  • Selection for this position is contingent upon completion of OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment during the pre-employment process and proof of U.S. citizenship or, for noncitizens, proof of authorization to work in the United States and proof of entitlement to receive compensation. Additional information on the employment of non-citizens can be found at: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Employment_of_Non-citizens. For a list of documents that may be used to provide proof of citizenship or authorization to work in the United States, please refer to http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf.
  • The Commission participates in E-Verify and will confirm your authorization to work in the United States.
  • A background security investigation is required for all selectees. Appointment will be subject to a selectee's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. A background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time.
  • All new Commission employees must identify a financial institution for direct deposit of pay before appointment, mandated by the Federal Compensation Act.
  • All new Commission employees, those converted from a temporary appointment to a permanent appointment, and all rehired former Commission employees are required to serve a one-year probationary period. The probationary period begins on the effective date of the employee's appointment, conversion, or rehire.

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.

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 Commission evaluates applicants through a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. Applicants who do not address the qualification requirements (mandatory and preferred) in his or her application materials as stated in the vacancy announcement are automatically disqualified from consideration and must re-apply before the closing date to be considered for employment.

The Office of Human Resources:

  • Reviews the applicant's application to ensure the proper materials are submitted.
  • Ensures that the application addresses all the qualification requirements (mandatory and preferred) as stated in the vacancy announcement.
  • Determines whether the applicant meets the qualification requirements for the position and notifies the applicant about the status of his or her application.

Required Documents

Resume
Cover Letter
Recent job performance evaluation (if available)
College transcript (if available)

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

In order to be considered, all applicants must submit an electronic resume and cover letter that address all of the qualification requirements listed in this announcement, and if available, provide a recent job performance evaluation and college transcripts. Applicants will also need to complete the online occupational questionnaire. All applications must be submitted at www.usajobs.gov.

Agency contact information

Corinne Smith
Address
United States Sentencing Commission
One Columbus Circle NE Suite 2-500
Washington, DC 20002
US

Next steps

Applicants who meet the mandatory qualification requirements will be considered and their application materials will be forwarded to the screening panel for review. Applicants who do not meet the mandatory qualification requirements for the position are automatically disqualified from consideration. In addition, some applicants may be tested using various assessment tools not listed on the vacancy announcement to verify an applicant's experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job to identify the best qualified applicants for consideration and selection.


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


© 2006-2025, exclusive of U. S. government job opportunity announcements