Information Technology Specialist (Computer Specialist)

Summary

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.

Duties

Help

This position involves analytical and evaluative duties related to computer networks and/or telecommunications with primary knowledge requirements of information processing methodology, information technology, computer capabilities, and processing techniques.

Oversees implementation of new system hardware and software and develops operating procedures.

Monitors the ongoing operation of a complex network environment with a large number of users in an installation and ensures corrective action to restore operational service is accomplished.

Receives network, communications, and related operating systems from various sources such as design centers and commercial vendors and ensures that an inventory of all network hardware and software is maintained.

Along with all other correctional institution employees, incumbent is charged with responsibility for maintaining security of the institution. The staff correctional responsibilities precede all others required by this position and are performed on a regular and recurring basis.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

Career Transition Programs (CTAP): This program applies to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must:

1. Meet CTAP eligibility criteria;
2. Be rated well-qualified for the position, scoring at least half of the total possible points for the vacancy KSAs or competencies; and
3. Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP eligibility:
   
   • A copy of the agency notice (i.e., separation notice or agency RIF letter),
   • Most recent performance appraisal, and
   • Most recent SF-50 showing current/former position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location.
   • See USAJOBS' Career Transition Programs for more information.

Key Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship is Required.
• See Special Conditions of Employment Section.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

Applicants may qualify by meeting or exceeding the minimum proficiency level established for each of the required competencies listed below,

GS-11:

The required competencies for the GS-11 grade level are Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving, Teamwork, and Technical Competence.

GS-12:

The required competencies for the GS-12 grade level are Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Decision Making, Information Management, Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Problem Solving, Teamwork, and Technical Competence.

Competency Definitions:

• Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
• 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.
• Decision Making - 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.
• Information Management - Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems.
• Interpersonal Skills - 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.
• 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.
• Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
• Teamwork - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
• Technical Competence - 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.

AND

Specialized Experience:

You must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level(or equivalent). Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies to perform successfully the duties of the position and is related to the work of the position to be filled but may now be obtained through other means. Such demonstratable knowledge, skills, and abilities/competences may be typically gained in the IT field or through the performance of work where the primary concern is IT.

Some examples of qualifying experience:

GS-11:

• - Experience in training end users on policies, procedures, regulations, and directives.
• - Experience in performing backups and recovery of databases and file storage using provided diagnostic tools.
• - Experience in network system modifications and installations.

GS-12:

• - Experience in writing policies, procedures, regulations, directives, and requirements related to physical, personnel, and information security.
• - Experience in complex database and file accessing techniques, search strategies, database security procedures, backup and program recovery techniques, and testing techniques.
• - Experience in developing training and providing formal or informal training to end users.

OR

Applicants may also be considered to have satisfied the minimum qualification requirements for a position if they can present evidence that clearly justifies a high evaluation of their competence, such as one or more of the following:

• - Appropriate licensure, registration(s), certification(s); or
• - A substantial record of experience, achievement, and publications that demonstrates eminence in the appropriate profession/technical field.

Applicants can qualify fully on the basis of licensure, certification, registration, or special training as an alternative to experience. Applicants must provide copies of all such documentation when submitting an application.

If applicable, credit will be given for any acceptable experience, including paid and unpaid, as well training or non-formal experience. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as number of hours worked per week) spent on the activities.

Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.

Education

See Qualifications Section for education requirements, if applicable.

ONLY if education is a requirement/substitution for specialized experience, applicant MUST upload legible transcripts as verification of educational requirement. Transcripts MUST be uploaded and electronically linked from USAJOBS at the time you apply and MUST include identifying information to include School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, Click Here.

Foreign Education: For information regarding foreign education requirements, please see Foreign Diploma and Credit Recognition at the U.S. Department of Education website: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.

Additional information

Duty location

FCC Forrest City, AR

MDC, Los Angeles, CA

FCI Leavenworth, KS

FCI Seagoville, TX

FCI Oxford, WI

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION INFORMATION:

In this announcement, you must select at least one preferred duty location. Your preference helps us understand your interest but cannot be guaranteed. Final assignments depend on the Bureau's staffing needs, available positions, and funding. You may be offered employment at a duty station within an approved Bureau of Prisons worksite outside of your stated preference(s). By applying, you acknowledge that you may be assigned to any duty location required to support the Bureau's nationwide mission.

In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3307, a maximum entry age of 36 has been established for original appointment to a position in a Bureau of Prisons institution.

The representative rate for this position is $98,459 per annum ($47.17 per hour).

Special Conditions of Employment Section:

This position isincluded in the bargaining unit.

Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a urinalysis, physical, and background investigation.

All applicants are subject to National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and credit checks.

All applicants not currently working in an institution will be required to complete a qualification inquiry regarding convictions of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence in order to be authorized to carry a firearm.

Successful completion of the "Introduction to Correctional Techniques," three-week training course at Glynco, Georgia is required.

The addresses listed on the USAJOBS account/resume must be the primary residence at the time of application. You may be required to provide proof of residence.

Additional selections may be made if vacancies occur within the life of the certificate.

Although competitive and non-competitive applications are being accepted, the selecting official may elect to have only one group reviewed.

Expand Hide additional information

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.

Benefits

Help

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.