Summary

The Commission is looking for an Information Technology Specialist (Software) with extensive experience with Microsoft Office 365 administration and application knowledge to assist in the daily Information Technology needs of the agency, as well as long term planning for future growth. This position requires a balance of knowledge, ingenuity, and ability, with a constant emphasis on security.

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

Open Until Filled. The first review of applications will be on Monday, July 24, 2023.

Duties

The incumbent will serve as the Commission's business software subject matter expert, providing guidance, support and training for a wide variety of business software. The incumbent reports directly to the Information Technology Manager. Responsibilities include:

Act as subject matter expert for the planning, implementation, and support of Office 365 and Hybrid-Office 365 implementations, Active Directory Synchronization, or Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS).
Proactively secure Microsoft 365 enterprise and hybrid environments, implement and manage security and compliance solutions. Maintain a highly secure system through proper configuration and regular system monitoring.
Manage Exchange Online including delegation rights, distribution lists, content searches, and eDiscovery.
Manage basic SharePoint online functions including the creation of site collections, applications, permissions and End-User training.
Champion the adoption of Office 365 services as appropriate for our agency.
Drive and implement solutions for Cyber-security threats against email messaging environments deterring attacks such as business email compromise, spear phishing, and account takeover.
Research and recommend new business software and applications to enhance staff productivity and improve end user experience.
Plan and implement the deployment of new software outside the Office 365 realm.
Draw on professional experience and expertise to determine best practices and make recommendations to improve current business practices and participate in efforts to make changes in business practices.
Implement and manage Intune for Windows and mobile device management, application deployment and management, and security policies.
Provide support for server infrastructure, including troubleshooting, patch management, performance monitoring and optimization.
Manage Microsoft Teams, ensuring smooth communication and collaboration across the organization.
Develop and automate workflows using Power Automate to streamline business processes and enhance productivity.
Monitor cloud services for performance, availability, and security, promptly addressing any issues that arise.
Stay up to date with industry standards and best practices in cloud technologies.
Provide End-User technical assistance for questions and problems.
Provide End-User training.
Perform other duties as assigned.

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 four (4) years of specialized work experience as an Office 365 administrator or equivalent 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-12 level is required to qualify for appointment at the JS-13 level.

Specialized experience is defined as progressively responsible work experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular 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:

Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 administration.
Extensive experience with the planning, implementation, and support of Office 365 and Hybrid-Office 365 implementations, Active Directory Synchronization, or Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS).
Advanced knowledge of securing Microsoft 365 enterprise and hybrid environments, including protection for identity, endpoints and data, implementing and managing security and compliance solutions.
Demonstrated experience with Exchange Online including delegation rights, distribution lists, content searches, and eDiscovery.
Demonstrated experience with SharePoint online functions including the creation of site collections, applications, permissions and end user training.
Experience and knowledge planning and implementing the deployment of new software outside the Office 365 realm.
Proficiency in supporting Windows Server environments, including Active Directory, Group Policy, patching and monitoring.
Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze and resolve complex technical issues.
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 communicate clearly and effectively.

PREFERRED SKILLS
Highly competitive applicants will have the following:

Knowledge of, and experience with, PowerShell.
Experience with Microsoft Group Policies.
Experience with Windows desktop provisioning and deployment.
IT Security certifications/credentials (e.g., CISSP, CISA, CISM, SSCP).
Microsoft Windows/Active Directory experience/certifications (e.g., MCSE, MCSA, MTA).
Microsoft Office 365 certifications (e.g., Microsoft 365 ENTERPRISE ADMINISTRATOR).
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
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
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 is conveniently located next to Union Station on Capitol Hill, and is easily accessible by public transportation, including the Metro, and the MARC and VRE commuter trains. In addition to the federal benefits package, the Commission's location in the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building offers various amenities such as a health unit, credit union, day care center, cafeteria, and free on-site fitness center.

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

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.
The selected applicant must relocate to the Washington DC Metropolitan area.

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.

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 of the qualification requirements (mandatory and preferred) as stated in the vacancy announcement.
Determines whether the applicant meets the qualification requirements for the particular position and notifies the applicant about the status of his or her application.

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 in order to identify the best qualified applicants for consideration and selection.

Resume
Cover letter that addresses all of the qualification requirements listed in this announcement
If available, college transcripts
If available, a recent job performance evaluation

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.

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

Phone

202-502-4500

Email

hr@ussc.gov

Address

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

Learn more about this agency

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 in order to identify the best qualified applicants for consideration and selection.

Information Technology Specialist (Software) Job in Washington, DC