Information Technology Specialist Audio Visual (SysAdmin) Job in Arlington, VA

Vacancy No. FSI-2025-0007 Department Department of State - Agency Wide
Salary $139,395.00 to $181,216.00 Grade 14 to 14
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/6/2024 Close Date 11/14/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Arlington, VA


Summary

The U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute (FSI) is the United States government’s (USG) premier foreign affairs training provider and primary source of professional development for America’s diplomats as well as U.S. Government foreign affairs professionals for 50 agencies. 

This serves as public notice for the use of OPM's Direct Hire Authority. Applicants who meet the qualification requirements will be forwarded to the selecting official for consideration.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

Duties

  • Provides monitoring and compliance tracking for the protection of information assets to business units throughout Foreign Service Institute (FSI) and is a key member of the various information security work groups.
  • Directs root cause analysis efforts to determine improvement opportunities when failures occur.
  • Conducts and coordinates risk analysis and risk assessments on existing and proposed systems, documents findings, and recommends security safeguards.
  • Evaluates custom-built and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) application software packages for security vulnerabilities, scans systems, analyzes results, and provides results to technical staff and management.
  • Ensures compliance of security configurations for IT systems and aid in providing clear and concise processes and procedures for the implementation and enforcement of system security configurations.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Must be able to maintain a moderate risk clearance.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/
  • Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements, including education and any selective placement factors described below by the closing date of this announcement. 

Applicants applying for the GS-14 grade level must meet the following requirements:

Have IT-related experience demonstrating EACH of the four competencies AND specialized experience listed below:

  • Subject Matter Expertise: Demonstrated experience as a subject matter expert in major audiovisual systems design, installation, and operation projects related to audiovisual technologies.
  • System Design and Development: Proven ability to design, develop, and customize complex audiovisual hardware systems, networks, and software programs to control and monitor these systems. This includes integrating hardware and software components within the systems environment.
  • Security Evaluation: Experience in evaluating systems security issues for audiovisual system development projects, identifying potential problems, and recommending effective solutions. Ensures that cybersecurity vulnerabilities are mitigated.
  • Team Leadership: Ability to direct and lead interdisciplinary teams in conducting a wide range of complex engineering and administrative activities. This includes administering, developing, delivering, and supporting major audiovisual technology and service requirements.
  • Project Management: Skilled in developing comprehensive project plans that include defining the scope of tasks, setting milestones, and conducting detailed analyses. Oversees audiovisual system projects, managing and evaluating complex audiovisual system design, software integration, installation, and operation activities.

AND

Have at least 1 full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service which provided you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

  • Experience as a subject matter expert in major audiovisual systems design, installation, and operation projects related to audiovisual technologies.
  • Experience designing, developing, and customizing complex audiovisual hardware systems, networks, and software programs to control and monitor these systems. This includes integrating hardware and software components within the systems environment
  • Experience in evaluating systems security issues for audiovisual system development projects, identifying potential problems, and recommending effective solutions. Ensures that cybersecurity vulnerabilities are mitigated.
  • Experience directing and leading interdisciplinary teams in conducting a wide range of complex engineering and administrative activities. This includes administering, developing, delivering, and supporting major audiovisual technology and service requirements.
  • Experience in developing comprehensive project plans that include defining the scope of tasks, setting milestones, and conducting detailed analyses. Oversees audiovisual system projects, managing and evaluating complex audiovisual system design, software integration, installation, and operation activities.

NOTE: In order to qualify for this position, your 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.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-14 position.

Education

See the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement for education requirements, if applicable.

Additional information

This position is Under the Division Director's supervision, the incumbent serves as an expert technical authority. You will independently plan and execute complex audiovisual systems projects to support campus IT training services. This includes designing, developing, and integrating systems to meet FSI’s instructional goals, ensuring cybersecurity, and leading interdisciplinary teams.

For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at (202) 663-3474 or ReasonableAccommodations@state.gov.

 If eligible, telework and remote work agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval. Please note that any approved remote work arrangement is subject to the locality pay area of the alternative telework worksite.

 If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department that may require a higher security clearance.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROGRAM (E-Verify) – U.S. law requires organizations to employ only individuals who may legally work in the United States - either U.S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. This agency utilizes E-Verify to compare information from the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) records to confirm employment eligibility. If the employee’s information does not match DHS and/or SSA records, the employee is given an opportunity to resolve the problem. If eligibility cannot be verified, employment will be terminated.

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.

Under the provisions of the Direct-Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply. Traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply. For this announcement, all applicants will be assessed to determine if they meet the qualifications for this position, specifically the education, specialized experience, and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) necessary to perform the work of the position. Applicants will not be rated or ranked. All applications that meet the required qualifications will be referred to the selecting official in the order in which the applications were received.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following KSAs and other characteristics that are relevant to the duties of this position and must be fully supported by information in your resume: 

  • Knowledge of information security concepts, standards, and methods.
  • Skill in applying infrastructure protection environment, systems security certification and accreditation processes and requirement.
  • Skill in developing long-range plans for IT security systems.
  • Knowledge of technical advances in Application Certification standards, software, and database administration techniques.

Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. 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). Your resume should include the dates of all qualifying experience (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours worked/volunteered per week.

For assistance with creating a resume, please click here. Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) candidates must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for selection priority. Candidates are considered well qualified if their knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) exceed the minimum qualifications described in the announcement.

Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Your application package must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you meet the basic/specialized experience requirements as stated in this job opportunity announcement for each grade level(s) for which you are applying and support your answers to the self-assessment questions related to basic eligibility.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

All required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted to our automated system by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

1.  Resume showing relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training. MUST Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours per week worked/volunteered. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must support your answers to the completed online assessment questions. 

2. Other Qualification Documentation (e.g. certificates, certifications, etc.), if applicable.  See the Qualification section of this announcement for more information. 

3. Veterans' Preference Documentation, if applicable. Veterans’ preference does not apply to this vacancy. Any supporting documentation received from veterans will be retained to document veteran’s status if selected.

  • To claim 5-point preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
  • To claim 10-point preference, submit all required documentation outlined on the SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) to support your claim (e.g., DD-214, official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs, etc.).  If we cannot verify your 10-point preference claim, your application will be reviewed for 5-point preference.
  • To claim 10-point derived preference (i.e., spouses, widows, widowers or mothers of veterans), submit a completed SF-15 and all required documentation listed on the SF-15 to support your claim.
  • To claim 0-point Sole Survivorship preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 or another form of official documentation showing that your discharge or release from active duty occurred on or after August 29, 2008 and was based on a sole survivorship discharge.
  • For all preference claims:
    • DD-214 Member 4 copies are preferred and must show the dates of service, type of discharge, and any qualifying service campaign medals.
    • If you are currently on active duty and applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must provide a certification on letterhead from your military branch which contains your military service dates, expected date of discharge or release, and the character of service to show that your military service was performed under honorable conditions. The expected date of discharge or release must be no later than 120 days after the certification is submitted for consideration for this vacancy announcement.
  • For more veterans’ preference information, visit the USAJOBS Help Center.

4.  ICTAP/CTAP documentation, if applicable. Visit our agency’s ICTAP and CTAP sites for required documentation.

How to Apply

Prepare your application in USAJOBS To start your application, click Apply and we’ll walk you through the process where you’ll attach a resume and any required documents. During the application process you can review, edit, delete, and update your information. We’ll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won’t lose any changes. Please carefully read all the instructions before you apply. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process.

STEP 1: Select the "Apply On-line" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS.

STEP 2: Submit a detailed resume or any other written format you choose documenting your job-related qualifications, experience, and education (if applicable). Cover letter is optional. If you submit a cover letter, you must also submit a resume. Please see the How You Will Be Evaluated section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume.

STEP 3: Complete the online assessment questions

STEP 4: Submit all required documentation applicable to you, as listed in the Required Documents section of this announcement, to the Department’s Gateway to State automated application system prior to the closing date of this announcement.

For instructions on how to view the status of your supporting documentation, please click here.

Technical assistance with your on-line application is available through the Help Desk at mgshelp@monster.com or by calling (866) 656-6830 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET

ALTERNATE APPLICATION PROCEDURES

NOTE: If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package by fax. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET at least 2 working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. Paper applications and information sent by mail WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Agency contact information

Cynthia King
Address
U.S. Department of State
Shultz Center, 4000 Arlington Blvd.
Rm. F2127, SA-42
Arlington, Virginia 22204
United States
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once the online application package is received, you will be notified through USAJOBS of your qualification status and referral or non-referral to the hiring official for further consideration. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. If a tentative job offer is made, the Department of State will conduct a suitability and/or security background investigation. You will be notified up to four times during the hiring process:

1. Upon receipt of your application.

2. Upon minimum qualification determinations.

3. After the certificate is issued.

4. After final selection is made.

You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging onto the USAJOBS "My Account" tab and clicking on "Application Status." Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.


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