IT Specialist
What you'd do
This position is located in the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), Office of Information and Technology (OIT), Development, Security, and Operations, Enterprise Command Operations (ECO). The incumbent serves as Senior IT Analyst responsible for the full range of duties within one of more IT specialty areas required to support the DR/COOP and Devolution Division in support of our nation's Veterans.
Major duties
This position serves as the subject matter expert for the enterprise on NIST & FISMA standards for cyber security protocols. The position serves as the functional expert and enterprise control leader for Contingency Planning (CP). Serves as the expert for OIG audits ensuring the enterprise follows cyber security best practices. Works closely the Office of Cyber Security to develop policies for CP controls that ensure plans and exercises meet statutory requirements thus ensuring "authority to operate" ATO are granted for all systems. Undertakes enterprise operations of a special and/or critical nature; evaluates the impact of changes in business needs, evaluates feasibility, identifies solutions; and presents recommendations to senior management orally or in written reports. Directs and manages ongoing or ad hoc technical teams in the overall operations and maintenance of systems and infrastructure. Ensures appropriate documentation is developed to substantiate plans and procurements, and to ensure usability and effectiveness of processes and technology once implemented. Ensures VA policies comply with regulatory requirements and legislated mandates governing those programs. Provides technical direction to staff and contract team members. Documents statistics on planning, testing, and emergency communication capabilities. Attends and participates in a variety of management conferences and meetings with representatives of higher, lateral and lower echelons. Handles administrative personnel duties for their assigned division and provides leadership and project planning guidance to division analysts. Provides operational oversight of the change control and configuration management processes within their assigned division. Supports and assists the Director of Enterprise Command Operations and other IT pillars in support of planning, testing, and emergency operations stemming from a natural disaster or IT outage. Provides technical expertise and management on the implementation of assigned programs and projects. Researches, tests, and plans for the integration of new information technologies. Perform needs analysis to determine opportunities for new and improved business process solutions. Resolve conflicts in laws, regulations, policies, standards, or procedures. Review or conduct audits of information technology (IT) programs and projects. Support, implement, and manage national emergency preparedness equipment, processes, policies, and procedures. Coordinates with VACO and VA Program Managers on the operations, maintenance, and documentation needed for national satellite communications. This includes Iridium Satellite phones and VSAT systems under OIT control. Manage the internal relationship with information technology (IT) process owners supporting the service, assisting with the definition and agreement of Operating Level Agreements (OLAs). Participate in the acquisition process as necessary. Conduct import/export reviews for acquiring systems and software. Identify and address cyber workforce planning and management issues (e.g. recruitment, retention, and training). Lead and oversee budget, staffing, and contracting. This position is primarily aligned to the following NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework work roles of: Cyber Security 801 and 461. Additional duties may be required, within scope of the position description. For more information about these work roles, where they fit within the larger Cyber Workforce, and how they can support your unique career journey, please visit the Cyber Career Pathways tool on the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies website: https://niccs.us-cert.gov/workforce-development/cyber-career-pathways Position Description/PD#: IT Specialist/PD10089A Bargaining Unit: Yes Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required. Travel Required: Up to 25%. Occasional travel may be required as needed for this position. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 9:30AM to 6:00PM EST. (Tour of duty may be subject to change based on organizational needs). Compressed/Flexible: May be available/authorized, at Manager's discretion, determined by the Agency Policy. Telework: May be authorized at Manager's discretion. (Ad Hoc) Virtual/Remote: This is NOT a virtual NOR a remote position. Physical Demands: This position is sedentary working at a keyboard and monitor. Walking, standing, bending, or occasional lifting of boxes or IT equipment weighing up to 50lbs may be required. *Subject to call back outside of regular tour of duty.* Working Conditions: Work is performed in a typical computer operations environment. Rooms are well-lighted, air-conditioned office spaces with moderate noise from common office equipment. Computer equipment on the operations floor involves the use of high voltage electricity.
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/17/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12 level. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement. ***You must meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements AND Specialized Experience to qualify for this series as described below.*** Minimum Qualifications Requirements EXPERIENCE: To qualify for this position, you must have information technology-related experience demonstrating all of the four competencies listed below. Ensure that this experience is clearly described in your resume: 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 for GS-12: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. 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. Such experience is typically gained in the IT field or through the performance of work where the primary concern is IT. Specialized experience is defined as: Experience in applying IT principles, cybersecurity standards, and contingency planning practices to support enterprise information systems and emergency preparedness operations. Experience includes analyzing and implementing IT solutions; managing or supporting network, infrastructure, or communications systems; conducting risk management or security compliance activities; coordinating contingency or continuity operations; evaluating emerging technologies; and providing technical guidance to support organizational IT operations and mission requirements. Experience communicating with stakeholders and coordinating across multiple organizations in support of complex IT initiatives is also required. 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. 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. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more.
Before you apply
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