Summary

This position is for a Lead Information Technology Specialist (ENTARCH) located in the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) at the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). In this role, the incumbent will lead and conduct both ongoing operational programs and special projects to ensure the functioning of the Agency's IT infrastructure.

Duties

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Office of the Chief Information Officer

The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) is responsible for ensuring the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of FHFA's information systems and assets. The Office maintains the Agency's information technology (IT) infrastructure; oversees the IT infrastructure program; develops and maintains custom applications and data repositories; manages technology resources, investments, and assets; establishes IT strategic plans, policies, and procedures; supports business partners; and manages the Agency's records and information management program.

Position Overview

The Lead Information Technology Specialist (ENTARCH) is responsible for overall IT processes that relate to the ongoing operation and maintenance of the Agency's IT infrastructure, with specific responsibility for network, servers, Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS) and will serve as the principal OCIO point of contact for Customer Support services. In this role, the incumbent will provide authoritative technical advice, guidance, and recommendations to management and other technical specialists on critical Customer Support issues; apply new developments to previously unsolvable problems; and make decisions or recommendations that influence important Agency IT policies and programs.

In addition, the Lead Information Technology Specialist (ENTARCH) will lead a team of IT Specialists by communicating FHFA's mission, vision, and strategic priorities; assigning and balancing workload; mentoring and training staff; monitoring progress; and ensuring high-quality outcomes. The incumbent will represent the team in meetings with leadership and stakeholders, communicate consensus recommendations, and advise on process improvements to strengthen IT operations. Through this combination of technical expertise and leadership, the incumbent will ensure seamless delivery, compliance, and efficiency of IT systems, and strategic alignment of Customer Support services with Agency IT priorities.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct special projects related to IT infrastructure maintenance and security, including the assessment of FHFA needs and requirements, project planning, and oversight of projects underway.
• Identify critical deficiencies, recommend/initiate key improvements, and manage the implementation of improved processes, systems, and tracking mechanisms in collaboration with IT stakeholders.
• Oversee the server administration for the Agency's server infrastructure, both cloud-based and on-site, including the installation, configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting of IT equipment.
• Deploy and manage systems that are secure, robust, and scalable.
• Lead the recovery of the FHFA's IT infrastructure in the event of a security breach or disaster,
• Manage migrations and deployments and ensures other parts of IT architectures are functional, secure, and stable including identifying and effectively remediating previously unsolvable security risks.
• Develop operational policies, procedures, requirements, practices, and metrics for delivery of customer support services.
• Coordinate with pertinent specialties within the OCIO on the development of such.
• Recommend ways to optimize the delivery of customer support services.
• Implement and monitor enterprise systems to ensure availability, security, and performance.
• Represent the Agency on external taskforces or working groups on the full range of issues related to system engineering and security.
• Lead a team of IT Specialists by communicating FHFA's mission, vision, and strategic priorities; assigning and balancing workload; mentoring and training staff; monitoring progress; and ensuring high-quality outcomes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Status Candidates (Merit Promotion and VEOA Eligibles) and those eligible for other hiring authorities.
• An SF-50 is required with the exception of current FHFA employees. Please include one showing your tenure and competitive status. You must provide an SF-50 that indicates your competitive eligibility. You will not be considered without this.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
• Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level).
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply).
• FHFA participates in e-Verify. All New hires must complete the I-9 Employment Verification form either on or before their first day of employment. If a discrepancy arises, you must take affirmative steps to resolve the matter.
• This position is eligible for inclusion in the bargaining unit. The union that represents employees in this position is the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) Local 343.
• This is NOT a remote position; you MUST live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of the duty location.
• 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.

Qualifications

You may qualify for your desired series and grade level if you meet the following qualification requirements:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

To be eligible for the 2210 series, 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.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements listed above, applicants must also meet the following minimum qualifications for their desired grade level:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualification EL-14: Applicants must have 52 weeks (one-year) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level as described below.

Experience: I qualify for the EL/GS-14 because I have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the EL/GS-13 or equivalent demonstrating work experience with two or more of the statements described below.

Examples of specialized experience include:

• Leading enterprise-wide IT infrastructure and security initiatives, directing cloud and on-premises projects, identifying deficiencies, and implementing improved architectures, processes, and/or controls; AND/OR
• Implementing enterprise security measures, coordinating with cross-functional teams, leading infrastructure recovery after incidents, and/or conducting or supporting forensic analysis and risk remediation; AND/OR
• Serving as a technical authority in cloud and server administration, designing and optimizing secure, scalable platforms, and/or influencing agency-level or enterprise-wide IT operational policies; AND/OR
• Providing technical guidance to senior leadership and cross-functional teams on issues affecting the performance, availability, and security of enterprise systems; AND/OR
• Directing or supporting highly complex IT customer support initiatives, including developing and implementing operational policies, procedures, performance metrics, and/or service delivery models; AND/OR
• Researching and evaluating trends in incidents and service requests, developing innovative methodologies and technologies to enhance customer support, and ensuring all solutions comply with agency IT requirements.

Time-In-Grade: Current or former Federal government employees who have held an EL/GS position in the preceding 52 weeks, must meet the time-in-grade requirement.

• To be eligible for the EL-14 position, applicants must have served 52 weeks as an EL/GS-13 or higher in the Federal Service.

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

An Overview of FHFA's Benefits provides a summary of benefits for the current fiscal year.

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).

Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to Federal employees who have been involuntarily separated or whose positions are surplus. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet CTAP/ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified with a score of 90 or above; and (3) submit required documentation. For more information, visit: For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.

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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.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of p