INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST (NETWORK SERVICES)-Direct Hire Authority

Full Job Description

Veteran's preference does not apply to DHA recruitment. "Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for more information.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a senior Information Technology (IT) Specialist with responsibility for managing the base Local Area and Wide Area Network.

Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Information Technology (IT) Management Series 2210 (Alternative A)..

INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have one 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the GS-11 (or higher) it's equivalent in other pay systems (may have been obtained in the federal experience, military or public sector) at the next lower grade (GS-11), level, pay band (NH-02), or equivalent (pay schedule, pay band, etc).

Specialized experience is described as: Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Oral Communication and Problem Solving, the working ability to gather facts and use effective analytical and evaluative methods to assess information, plan the sequence of actions necessary, make sound decisions, and solve a variety of network problems; and to analyze component interrelationships and evaluate network systems and computer applications from an operational perspective; experience with installing, configuring, and troubleshooting complex network and application server hardware, operating system software, and peripheral network equipment such as routers, bridges, cabling system, network interface cards, modems, multiplexers, and concentrators.

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 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.

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 judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and make recommendations.

Ideal Candidate Possesses a strong background in network engineering, coupled with a deep understanding and practical experience in network automation.

Proficient in scripting languages such as Python, Ansible, or similar tools, and have a proven track record of developing and implementing automation solutions to improve network efficiency, reliability, and security.

Adept at identifying opportunities for automation, designing robust and scalable solutions, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deploy and maintain them.

Experience with configuration management, infrastructure-as-code principles, and network monitoring tools is highly desirable.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Knowledge of a full range of network systems (LAN/WAN) design principles, methodologies, and approaches used in developing, testing, installing, operating, managing, and maintaining network services that support functional requirements.

Knowledge of the network architecture, interrelationships, operating modes, configuration, topology, and protocols typically found at base level.

Knowledge of network operating and maintenance concepts and methods to troubleshoot network problems.

Knowledge of complex configuration management techniques, and requirements appropriate to managing base level network systems.

Ability to gather facts and use effective analytical and evaluative methods to assess information, plan the sequence of actions necessary, make sound decisions, and solve a variety of network problems; and to analyze component interrelationships and evaluate network systems and computer applications from an operational perspective.

Ability to maintain an up-to-date awareness of technological advances and predict how management can meet future requirements.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work.

You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Major Duties:

Manages the base LAN/WAN systems, designs and monitors new complex network systems, configures and installs network hardware/software, and maintains LAN Operations.

Installs, configures, and troubleshoots complex network and application server hardware, operating system software, and peripheral network equipment such as routers, bridges, cabling system, network interface cards, modems, multiplexers, and concentrators.

Develops and implements configuration management plans which ensure optimization of connectivity between remote sites throughout the installation.

As a senior IT specialist, performs feasibility studies on complex information systems and conducts in-depth analyses complicated by novel problems.

Keeps abreast of emerging technology to predict future network needs. As a senior IT specialist, participates in management discussions, meetings, committees, or special projects.