Information Technology Specialist
What you'd do
The incumbent in this position serves as an Information Technology (IT) specialist for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Information and Technology (OIT), Product Delivery Service (PDS) Health Services Portfolio. Health Portfolio supports and is responsible for the mandatory sustainment of the Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) and nationally deployed enterprise/web applications and programs.
Major duties
OIT Mission: The mission of the Office of Information and Technology (OIT) is to collaborate with our business partners to create the best experience for all Veterans. OIT Vision: To become a world-class organization that provides a seamless, unified Veteran experience through the delivery of state-of-the-art technology. Major Duties: Utilizes medical information systems expertise to assist national task forces, fact finding groups and committees in determining nation-wide goals, specifications and policy. Troubleshoots complex software/hardware problems. Uses a national ticketing system to address site issues. Consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner. Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Assists in standardizing the processes and procedures for support. Provides input to request for modifications or new development projects in their area of expertise. Manages stressful situations and deal with obstacles within the working environment. Handles multiple tasks while remaining flexible, creative and a team player. Uses knowledge of management and/or clinical applications in support of VistA Applications throughout the agency. Provides subject matter expertise services for assigned projects and independently provides advice and guidance and resolves problem matters. Uses oral and written communication skills and manages projects simultaneously are essential. Handles multiple concurrent projects with proven excellence in researching, organizing, writing, and presenting technical information. Presents findings/recommendations for product/application improvements and on implementation plans to agency officials with both IT and non-IT backgrounds. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: As determined by the Agency Policy Telework: Adhoc telework may be authorized at management discretion Virtual: This is not a virtual position Position Description/PD#: Information Technology Specialist/PD 17270A/14297A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical Demands: The work is predominantly sedentary and does not require any special physical effort. Some work may require walking and standing in conjunction with travel and attendance at meetings and conferences away from the work site. Employee may carry light items such as meeting materials and a portable computer, and may be required to drive a motor vehicle to meetings. Since the VA VistA and Enterprise applications are used at VA facilities throughout the nation, considerable travel to facilities and national meetings is required. Incumbent will be required to work off-hours and weekends to ensure continuity of computer operations. The work requires almost constant use of a video display device. Working Conditions: The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The work environment involves everyday risks and discomforts that require normal safety precautions. Most work is performed in an office setting. The work often requires long hours to meet project deadlines and to devise corrective action and solutions to unexpected technical and/or management crises resulting in sometimes highly stressful work situations. The work requires almost constant use of a video display terminal. Travel is required for educational and training programs, national and local meetings, consultations, evaluations, installations, and maintenance of systems software and hardware, which may subject the incumbent to various resultant environmental changes. The incumbent may be expected to access remote databases at VA facilities throughout the nation. In doing so incumbent must take all necessary measures to guarantee the integrity and confidentiality of such information. Appropriate security measures must be taken to guard against disclosures of access codes and sensitive data contained on these systems. Designated Drug Testing Position: Not applicable This is a bargaining unit eligible position.
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/10/2026. You must meet the Basic Requirements Experience and Specialized Experience to qualify for this series as described below: Basic Requirements Experience: Experience must be IT related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate. For all positions individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the five competencies listed below. The employing agency is responsible for identifying the specific level of proficiency required for each competency at each grade level based on the requirements of the position being filled. 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: Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, Specialized Experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. For the GS-12: You must possess a minimum of one (1) year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: experience assisting with Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) and enterprise application software functionality, sustainment maintenance, patch review and release processes, and trouble ticket troubleshooting for VistA and enterprise applications for medical center customers. Experience includes analyzing existing VistA or enterprise applications to isolate problem areas, solving operational problems, identifying new requirements, and testing programs to ensure systems meet business expectations while requiring oversight by a senior support person. -OR- For the GS-13: You must possess a minimum of one (1) year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: experience providing expertise and technical authority with Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) and enterprise application software functionality, sustainment maintenance, patch review and release processes, and trouble ticket troubleshooting for VistA and enterprise applications for medical center customers. Analyzing existing VistA or enterprise applications to isolate problem areas, solving operational problems, identifying new requirements, and testing programs to ensure systems meet business expectations. Experience with imaging-based medical devices or interfaces between systems such as Health Level Seven (HL7) and Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM). Experience with Windows networking and Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) networking is a plus. 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. 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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