Information Technology Specialist (Senior 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

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Provides assistance to field personnel in identifying and resolving conflicting requirements found

among diverse institution environments; provides support for the nationwide inmate education

network and video conferencing management.

Plans, directs and coordinates activities of the applicable Field IT Operation Support Section

technology projects within the Computer Services Administration and User Support (CSAUS) Branch to

ensure that goals and objectives for the Branch are accomplished within prescribed times frames and

budget.

Serves as a technical expert in personal computers (PC) hardware, local area networks (LANs),

commercial PC software, custom PC programming and telecommunications.

Monitors the implementation of the Office of Information Systems (OIS) technical bulletins to

ensure compliance throughout the respective regions.

Serves as the technical lead in the design, procurement, deliveries and installation of network

hardware and software for field locations as it relates to inmate education related IT projects.

Requirements

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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

To be considered for the position, you must meet the following qualification requirements:

Basic Requirements:

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

GS-12 and GS-13:

The required competencies for the GS-12 and above grade level(s) 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-12:

- Experience with the planning, analysis, design, development, testing, quality assurance, configuration, installation, implementation, integration, maintenance, and/or management of networked systems used for the transmission of information in voice, data, and/or video formats.

- Experience with ensuring the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of information systems through the planning, analysis, development, implementation, maintenance and enhancement of systems, programs, policies and procedures.

- Experience with the planning and delivery of customer support services at the point of computer user/specialist interface, including installation, configuration, troubleshooting, user assistance, and/or training related to the Inmate Education Network as well as applications supported by the

Field IT Operations Support Section.

- Experience with strategic planning, capital planning, policy and standards development, budgeting, resource management, knowledge management, auditing.

GS-13:

- Experience serving as technical expert in personal computer (PC) hardware, local area networks (LANs), commercial PC software, custom PC programming, and telecommunications.

- Experience developing and providing training for institutions, regional offices, and Central Office staff, based on stipulated areas of focus, weakness or new initiatives relating to the Inmate Education Network and other Field IT Operations Support Section initiatives.

- Experience in designing, configuration, and implementation of LAN. The Specialist may be called upon to brief upper management on development of new networking developments and networking standards, and the results of new installations.

- Experience serving as the technical lead in the design, procurement, deliveries and installation of network hardware and software for field locations as relates to inmate education related IT projects.

- Experience developing test plans to ensure that the system functions as designed and that security requirements are being met.

OR

GS-12 and GS-13:

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 paid and unpaid experience. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as the number of hours worked per week) spent in activities.

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

application.**

Education

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

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.

The representative rate for this position is $118,991 annually ($57.05 per hour).

Special Conditions of Employment Section:

This position IS NOTincluded in the bargaining unit.

The incumbent is subject to geographic relocation to meet the needs of the agency.

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.

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.

This is a secondary/non-law enforcement coverage position. Individuals that DO NOT have three years of law enforcement coverage gained in a primary law enforcement position by the closing date of the vacancy announcement are ineligible for secondary law enforcement position(s) and coverage but may still be considered for a non-law enforcement position.

Individuals selected who are under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and who have not had three years "primary" law enforcement retirement coverage, will not be covered by law enforcement retirement while in this position. To regain coverage, individuals must return to a position with "primary" coverage.

Current Federal Law Enforcement Employees:

Completion of the mandatory courses "Introduction to Correctional Techniques (ICT) Phase I and Phase II" is a condition of employment for this secondary law enforcement position. Employees who have not yet completed ICT Phase I and II will be required to do so after entering the position. This requirement does not apply to non-law-enforcement positions.

Eligibility for secondary law enforcement coverage is determined in accordance with applicable regulations. Coverage may be attained through any qualifying federal law enforcement officer service that meets the definitions in 5 U.S.C. 8401(17) and satisfies the conditions in 5 CFR 842.803.

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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

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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.