Supervisory IT Specialist (OS/System Admin)
What you'd do
Deliver secure and high availability infrastructure solutions supporting VA's mission. Serve as an operational service provider of foundational compute, storage, physical database, and client management components. Implement and sustain technical, management, and operational security controls and supporting processes to protect mission critical networks, systems, and applications throughout the VA enterprise. Apply today!
Major duties
Directs and/or performs studies that identify opportunities for introducing or improving utilization of server technologies. Prepare flowcharts, data flow, process control, and supporting documentation. The incumbent is a contact in the VA for initial inquiries regarding a wide range of information about contemporary server platform technology issues; including improvements for existing systems, and entirely new systems needed to meet specific requirements. Manages engineering, implementation, evaluation and continuous improvement of processes and technology in accordance with management priorities and objectives. Documents statistics on information assets and maintains information flow and asset prioritizing documents and maintains asset dependencies and contingency deficiencies; develops technology assessments, as well as critical asset protection implementation plans; and implements critical information protection training awareness programs. Develops and maintains SOPs, practices, and procedures to manage the use, access, and availability of secured databases and systems. Performs server operating system and server hardware security work using a variety of tools, industry best practices, and government guidelines including VA Handbook 6500, Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) requirements, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) security controls. Cybersecurity Code: 641 - Systems Requirement Planner. Consults with customers to evaluate functional requirements into technical solutions. Cybersecurity Code: 451 - System Administrator. Responsible for setting up and maintaining a system or specific components of a system (e.g., for example, installing, configuring, and updating hardware and software; establishing and managing user accounts; overseeing or conducting backup and recovery tasks; implementing operational and technical security controls; and adhering to organizational security policies and procedures). Cybersecurity Code: 461 - Systems Security Analyst. Responsible for the analysis and development of the integration, testing, operations, and maintenance of systems security. Promotion Potential: This position is at full performance level. Work Schedule: Sunday - Thursday, 5pm - 1:30am Compressed/Flexible: Upon supervisor discretion Telework: This position may be authorized for ADHOC telework. Virtual: This is not a virtual position Position Description/PD#: Supervisory IT Specialist (OS/System Admin)/PD20144A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/05/2026. Applicants must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below at a proficiency level equivalent to the next lower grade level in federal service You must meet both the Basic Requirement and the Specialized Experience to qualify for this series as described below. 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. 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. AND Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-12 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: mastery-level expertise in enterprise server and operating system administration, cybersecurity compliance, IT operations sustainment, and supervisory leadership to oversee secure, reliable, after-hours operations. Leads staff and contractors across Swing/Midnight shifts, ensuring effective incident triage, escalation, ServiceNow queue management, emergency changes, maintenance, shift turnover, service restoration with thorough documentation and adherence to company policy, NIST controls, and configuration/change management standards. Specialized knowledge to sustain 24/7/365 enterprise service availability, minimize operational and compliance risk, and protect mission-critical infrastructure. Disciplined execution across a geographically dispersed team and operating system services. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
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