Information Technology Specialist (Systems Administration)

Clarification from the agency

U.S. citizens or U.S. Nationals; no prior Federal experience is required. Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.

We are truly honored that DOE has been named America's #1 Best Employer for Veterans in 2023 by Forbes-not only among Government agencies, but among employers across the U.S. We are so proud of this ranking which reflects our commitment to the employment of veterans. As so many veterans at DOE renew their service to our Nation, we are deeply committed to their success and advancement. Veterans shape the future of energy

As an Information Technology Specialist (Systems Administration), you will:

• Serves as the primary developer and systems engineer responsible for designing, testing, deploying, and maintaining real-time Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and secure batch data transfers (e.g., SFTP) to manage complex integration data flows between modern SaaS HR platforms (e.g., Workday) and other auxiliary enterprise systems.
• Troubleshooting and diagnoses system integration malfunctions, identifying technical anomalies in data pipelines, and implementing code/rule modifications to optimize data accuracy, minimize latency, and resolve critical operational sync issues.
• Acts as the principal technical authority and subject matter expert for the design, development, and integration of the agency's comprehensive HRIS landscape, aligning cloud-based HR systems with complex federal HR policies and civil service regulations.
• Engineers and leads highly complex, secure HRIS integrations that span multiple federal agencies, ensuring seamless data exchange and synchronization with OPM data standards, federal reporting streams, and government-wide HR systems modernization initiatives.
• Conducts in-depth analytical reviews of market trends and emerging HRIT technologies. Evaluates these solutions against functional human capital requirements, providing data-driven recommendations to leadership that balance business benefits with performance constraints and technical risks.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• 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.
• If selected, your appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
• Occasional travel maybe required.
• This position is not remote, the selectee will be expected to report to the duty station(s) listed. If selected, military spouses, veteran caregivers, and spouses of foreign service employees may be eligible for applicable workplace flexibilities.
• This position is not included in a Bargaining Unit.

Qualifications

You must meet both the Basic Requirement and the Specialized Experience to qualify for this series as described below.

BASIC REQUIREMENT:

Applicants must have IT-related education and experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below at a proficiency level equivalent to the next lower grade level in federal service.

1. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: In addition, to the basic requirement.A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-13 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 2 out of 4 of the following:

1. Leading the technical implementation of comprehensive cloud-based Human Resources Information System (HRIS) landscapes, ensuring alignment with federal HR policies, cross-agency integration standards, and critical Office of Personnel Management (OPM) data exchanges.
2. Performing hands-on software engineering to sustain custom applications and platforms that extend native (HRIS) capabilities.
3. Improving highly complex, secure, real-time data exchanges using Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and secure batch data transfers (e.g., SFTP) between an enterprise HRIS (such as Workday) and other auxiliary enterprise systems.
4. Applying federal security frameworks and architectures (such as FedRAMP, NIST, OMB, and agency-specific mandates) to secure high-impact cloud-based HR systems and integrations.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This position is announced under a government-wide Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) for Information Technology Specialist (Systems Administration) positions in the 2210 series. Under the DHA, applicants who meet the Education and Qualification requirements listed in this announcement will be referred for consideration. Veteran's Preference, category rating, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply under the DHA process.

Appointments made under the DHA are processed as "new" appointments. Current Federal employees may be required to serve a new probationary period (5 CFR 315.802(b).

Successful candidates will possess the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

• Accountability
• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Information Systems/Network Security
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Personnel and Human Resources
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Software Engineering
• Stress Tolerance
• Systems Integration
• Systems Life Cycle
• Teamwork

CTAP/ICTAP Eligible Applicants: To receive selection priority, you must submit the following documentation with your application:

1. Proof of Eligibility: A copy of your agency-issued Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice, a copy of your separation SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) noting transition/displaced status, or other official agency documentation confirming your eligible status.
2. Proof of Performance Rating: A copy of your most recent performance appraisal/rating of record, which must include:
   • Your final rating (must be at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent); and
   • The rating scale/guide (explaining what each level/numeric score means), unless the rating scale is clearly defined on the appraisal document itself.

Note: While a formal performance appraisal is highly recommended and requested to expedite your evaluation, if your agency-issued RIF separation notice or other official separation documentation explicitly states that your performance was at least "Fully Successful" (or equivalent) and notes your rating of record, it may be accepted in lieu of a formal performance appraisal. Failure to provide any documentation proving a rating of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent will result in the loss of your priority consideration.

Shared Certificates: The Department of Energy shares lists of applicants among its internal Departmental Elements and organizations. You may be referred for consideration to other DOE Hiring Managers throughout the Department for more than one position based on this application. By applying to this announcement, you understand your application materials may be shared with multiple Hiring Mangers throughout DOE. If additional positions are filled from this announcement conditions of employment may differ. You will be notified if you are referred for additional positions.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (07/29/2026) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13015917

To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package which includes:

• Your RESUME showing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
• Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume.
• Transcripts, if specific educational requirements are indicated in this job announcement.Unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements.
• Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable(e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.

Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Do not provide photos or list a Social Security Number or date of birth on any attachment.

Next steps

Additional locations