IT Specialist (Operating Systems)

Summary

The primary purpose of this IT Specialist (OP) position is in (2) two branches in the Information Technology (IT) Division: Enterprise Support branch and Security Engineering branch. The descriptions for both program areas are listed under the duties section.

Duties

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This IT Specialist (Operating Systems) position is located in (2) two branches in the Information Technology Division, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Duties include but are not limited to:

• Supports a variety of information technology (IT) infrastructure operations, engineering, and system projects such as installation of new operational technical environments or engineering support of various systems capabilities, patches, upgrades and releases using advanced knowledge and experience.
• Performs technical analysis and reviews a wide range of information systems in terms of design, development, implementation, approval, and periodic evaluation as well as providing a variety of operational systems to TSA with minimal supervision.
• Leads support functions and promotes the protection of the IT infrastructure by incorporating IT security and cybersecurity requirements, technologies, and processes into all engineering projects and activities.
• Collaborates with internal/external organizational offices and agencies to support and maintain the operational environment.
• Performs asset management/inventory of information technology (IT) resources and evaluates cost/benefit, economic, and risk analysis in the decision-making process.

Note: The duties are listed at the full performance level of SV-I band.

Descriptions of Program Areas

1. Systems Deployment & Integration Branch: The incumbent serves as IT Specialist (OP) for the Systems Deployment & Integration branch, responsible for performing as a contributing technical specialist supporting the full range of system life cycle activities including planning, analyzing, developing, implementing, maintaining, testing, and enhancing enterprise-wide information systems.
2. End User Services Division, Enterprise Support Branch to deliver essential technology support for the TSA Freedom Center and the TSA Continuity of Operations (COOP) facility. In this role, you will ensure the continuous reliability of mission-critical, 24x7x365 Watch Floor operations and collaborate closely with Government Interagency Partners to maintain vital IT and Audio/Visual systems. As a key technical contributor, you will drive the full system lifecycle by actively participating in the planning, procurement, deployment, and maintenance of TSA information systems.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

1. You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National.
2. You must have reached the minimum age (18) at the time of application.
3. You must complete a favorable Background Investigation (BI).
4. Selective Service registration is required.
5. Must obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance.
6. Must possess a FAC COR Level II certification or obtain certification within 18-months of appointment.

If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing any of the scheduled appointments, the hiring agency may rescind their tentative offer of employment.

Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for TSA to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

Qualifications

FOR ALL IT POSITIONS: To qualify, you must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below.

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.

(SV-I band) In addition to competencies above:

1. 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.
2. Information Management - Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems.

In addition to the minimum qualifications described above, you must meet the following requirement(s) to be considered qualified for the position:

To qualify for the SV-H band (equivalent to GS-12), you must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-G band or GS-11 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Experience supporting the deployment and configuration of IT systems, applications, or infrastructure service for end-users, devices, or locations, helping improve service availability and user access.
• Experience monitoring backup and recovery operations for IT systems or environment, identifying recurring job failures, and helped implement corrective actions that improved backup-success rates.
• Experience collaborating with the technical team, vendor, or program office to troubleshoot an integration or performance issue involving an IT system or service, contributing to a successful resolution.

To qualify for the SV-I band (equivalent to GS-13), you must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-H band or GS-12 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Experience leading and supporting the installation, configuration, testing, maintenance, patching, upgrading, and release of enterprise IT systems and services.
• Experience contributing to technical projects involving Microsoft-based and UNIX/Linux environments, database platforms, storage, backup and recovery, mobile device management, and data-center infrastructure.
• Experience identifying, documenting, presenting with recommendations on technical and functional requirements for IT systems, including system interfaces, dependencies, performance requirements, and integration considerations.
• Experience creating reports and dashboards by gathering requirements, identifying business rules and reporting criteria to deliver data visualizations and written products to management and stakeholders.

Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

Additional information

Eligibility to apply for other Federal positions: TSA is an Excepted Service agency exempt from most of Title 5 United States Code, including regulations which apply to displaced Federal employees (CTAP/ICTAP) of other agencies, and employment with TSA does not confer "Competitive Status" that generally results from selection and service in Competitive Service agencies. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has established an Interchange Agreement, which allows most permanent TSA employees to apply and be considered for vacancies in Competitive Service agencies. Information from OPM on this or other Interchange Agreements is available at: www.opm.gov/

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.

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; situational telework may be permitted in accordance with departmental policy telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

Employees who transfer to TSA from an agency that allows employees to maintain an annual leave balance higher than the maximum accumulation for the appointed position will have their leave ceiling set to the maximum accumulation for t