Summary

As a IT Specialist (NETWORK) at the GS-2210-13/14, you will be part of Ofc of the Chief Information Officer, Office of Personnel Management. If selected, you will serve as a senior network engineer analyzing, designing, and securing the OPM enterprise data network, including WAN/LAN services, large-scale VPN infrastructure, virtualized network services, and network services supporting enterprise AI/ML systems.

Duties

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• Analyze, design, and secure updates, implementations, and enhancements to the OPM enterprise data network, including WAN/LAN services.
• Serve as a senior networking engineer responsible for planning, coordinating, modifying, implementing, and troubleshooting all aspects of the OPM network and associated interfaces, providing Tier 4 support for highly complex issues.
• Assist OCIO management in strategic and long-range planning, defining WAN/LAN service enhancements, developing technical strategies, and preparing detailed implementation plans.
• Set up and secure VPN configurations, including IPSEC, IPSEC over GRE, GETVPN, RA-VPN, DMVPN, remote access, point-to-point, and bulk encryption technologies, for internal and interagency connections.
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact and engineer for maintaining and deploying enterprise virtualized network services, including layer 3 services, micro-segmentation, and service insertion.
• Lead the design, security, optimization, and integration of enterprise network services supporting artificial intelligence and machine-learning systems, including cloud connectivity, segmentation, access controls, and high-volume data transfer.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin
• Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required
• You will be required to report to an OPM assigned office.
• This position is not eligible for inclusion in a bargaining unit

Qualifications

For the GS-13: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, or equivalent, performing senior-level information technology network engineering work that includes:

• Analyzing, designing, and securing implementations and enhancements to enterprise LAN/WAN network services;
• Serving as a senior network specialist responsible for coordinating, implementing, and troubleshooting unusually complex network issues affecting enterprise services; and
• Setting up and securing large-scale, multi-site VPN infrastructure (such as IPSEC, GETVPN, RA-VPN, DMVPN, remote access, point-to-point, or bulk encryption technologies); and
• Developing complex operating policies, procedures, technical guides, or implementation plans for enterprise network services; and
• Conducting in-depth evaluations of available technologies and the performance of LAN, WAN, VPN, or virtualized network environments and recommending changes to improve security, availability, resiliency, and performance.

For the GS-14: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service, or equivalent, performing senior-level information technology network engineering work that includes:

• Analyzing, designing, and securing updates, implementations, and enhancements to enterprise LAN/WAN network services with minimal technical oversight;
• Serving as a senior networking engineer responsible for planning, coordinating, implementing, and troubleshooting all aspects of an enterprise network, including resolving highly complex (Tier 4) network issues; and
• Defining enhancements to WAN/LAN services, developing technical strategies, and preparing detailed implementation plans in support of strategic and long-range planning; and
• Setting up and securing large-scale, multi-site VPN infrastructure (such as IPSEC, GETVPN, RA-VPN, DMVPN, remote access, point-to-point, or bulk encryption technologies), and developing highly complex operating policies and procedures; and
• Leading the design, security, optimization, and integration of enterprise network services, including services supporting artificial intelligence and machine-learning systems, and serving as a primary technical point of contact for enterprise virtualized network services.

AND

Competency Requirement: In addition to the Specialized Experience above, you must meet the competency requirements for the Information Technology (IT) Management Series 2210, as described below. The required competencies and minimum proficiency levels are the same at the GS-13 and GS-14 grade levels.

A. You must have Information Technology related experience demonstrating each of the following required competencies, and must meet or exceed the *minimum proficiency level for each (Please see the Education section below for the Minimum Proficiency Level scale):

For the GS-13 and GS-14: Attention to Detail (Level 4, Advanced), Customer Service (Level 4, Advanced), Decision Making (Level 3, Intermediate), Information Management (Level 4, Advanced), Interpersonal Skills (Level 4, Advanced), Oral Communication (Level 3, Intermediate), Problem Solving (Level 4, Advanced), Teamwork (Level 4, Advanced), Technical Competence (Level 4, Advanced).

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.

or

B. You do not fully meet the competency requirements outlined above, but you are nonetheless demonstrably well qualified to perform the work of the position. You possess appropriate licensure, registration, or certification (Examples include: Cisco CCNP, Cisco CCIE, Juniper JNCIP, Palo Alto Networks PCNSE, CompTIA Security+, AWS Certified Advanced Networking, Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate, CISSP, ITIL, or other networking, cloud, cybersecurity, or enterprise IT certification). You must provide copies of licensure, registration, or certification.

or

C. You do not fully meet the competency requirements outlined above, but you are nonetheless demonstrably well qualified to perform the work of the position. You have a substantial record of experience, achievement, and publications that demonstrates eminence in the appropriate profession/technical field. You must provide examples such as published works, industry keynotes, peer research, awards, board memberships, etc.

OPM Qualification Standards and additional information for this position can be found here: Competency-Based Qualification Standard for the Information Technology Management Series, 2210

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

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). 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.

Additional information

This announcement will be used to fill vacancies through OPM-authorized Direct Hire Authority due to Critical Hiring Need/Severe Shortage of Candidates. Veteran preference and traditional rating/raking of applicants do not apply. For more information on OPM's authorization of Direct Hire Authority, please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/direct-hire-authority/

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across OPM.

If you are unable to apply online and would like to request information about the Alternate Application process, please use the contact information at the bottom of this announcement.

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.

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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.