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
- Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion or national origin.
Qualifications
Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered, please visit the new resume guidance for more information.
READ ALL SECTIONS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY. THIS INFORMATION IS CRUCIAL TO SUBMITTING A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION.
The Social Security Administration's technology team plays a vital role in supporting the agency's mission to serve millions of Americans. We are responsible for the strategic planning, implementation, operation, and maintenance of the agency's computer systems and enterprise information technology infrastructure. Our team is dedicated to designing, building, testing, and delivering innovative technology solutions that ensure uninterrupted, 24/7 availability of critical services to the public.
As an Operating Systems Technician at the Social Security Administration, You will perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities in one of the Division of Operational Software Support (DOSS) branches. Your work will involve providing analysis, technical, and programming expertise in the development and maintenance of operating system software and data center operations support. You will be responsible for ensuring the availability of systems, networks, and data through the planning, analysis, development, implementation, maintenance and enhancement of operating system software, policies, procedures, and tools. Your work will also involve one or more of the following platforms/operating systems: mainframe, PC/Windows, and or UNIX on multiple hardware platforms.
To qualify for the 2210 IT Specialist series, the applicant must demonstrate the following competencies:
Attention to Detail (Level 4, Advanced) - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
Customer Service (Level 4, Advanced) - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work 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; know about available products and services; and am committed to providing quality products and services.
Oral Communication (Level 3, Intermediate)- Express 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); make clear and convincing oral presentations; listen to others, attend to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
Problem Solving (Level 4, Advanced)- Identify problems; determine accuracy and relevance of information; use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
Teamwork (Level 4, Advanced)- Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
Technical Competence (Level 4, Advanced)- Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
Information Management (Level 4, Advanced)- Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems.
Interpersonal Skills (Level 4, Advanced)- Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations
Decision Making (Level 3, Intermediate) - Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
Specialized Experience:
Applicants must have specialized experience that is directly related to the work of the position and have equipped them with the competencies required to successfully perform the duties of the role. These knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies are normally attained through the equivalent of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of the position being filled.
To qualify at the
GS-12 level, you must have specialized experience at the
GS-11 level, or equivalent. This experience must demonstrate proficiency in the following:
- Experience providing analysis, technical, and programming expertise in the development and maintenance of operating system software and data center operations support within one or more of the following platforms/operating systems: mainframe, PC/Windows, and/or Linux/UNIX on multiple hardware platforms.
- Ensuring the availability of systems, networks, and data through the planning, analysis, development, implementation, maintenance and enhancement of operating system software, policies, procedures, and tools.
Qualification standards and additional information for this position can be found here:
Competency-Based Qualification Standard for the Information Technology Management Series, 2210
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
See announcement cutoff dates below under How to Apply.
Additional selections may be made for this vacancy six months from the closing date of this announcement. This Direct Hire announcement may be used to fill the same or similar position in another office.
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.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
Required Documents
You must also submit ALL supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to claim certain types of preference.
Resumes exceeding two pages will not be considered. To be considered, your resume must:
- Clearly demonstrate your qualifications for the position
- Include your contact information
We recommend using a clear, easy-to-read format and focusing on information most relevant to the job announcement
You must also submit ALL 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. Well-qualified is defined as having knowledge, skills, and abilities that clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. 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.Veteran's preference does not apply under this Direct Hire Authority for these positions. 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.