Information Technology Specialist

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

The experience may have been gained in either the public, private sector or volunteer service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week on your résumé.

Key Requirements

• Please refer to "Conditions of Employment."
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National
  
  

***IMPORTANT INFORMATION BELOW***

• After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you via email notification. The email may be routed to your "Spam" or "Junk" folder.
• If you are asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments. Click here for Computer System Requirements (https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=USA_Hire_System_Requirements)
• Note, set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can reuse the URL sent to you via email and also found in your USAJOBS account under the "Track my application" link for the corresponding application.
  
  

Qualifications

You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Specialized Experience for the GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Completing assigned project tasks that require knowledge of IT requirements and techniques with minimal levels of supervision; AND
• Experience independently providing various information technology customer services and support; AND
• Experience independently installing, troubleshooting and updating certified Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) and customized software on workstations.
  
  

OR

You may substitute education for general or specialized experience as follows:

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR
• Three (3) full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.
  
  

Specialized Experience for the GS-9: You must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-7 level in the federal service which has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Completing assigned project tasks that require knowledge of IT requirements and techniques with moderate supervision; AND
• Assisting senior IT support with various information technology customer services and support; AND
• Experience following general guidance or assisting senior IT support with installing, troubleshooting and updating certified Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) and customized software on workstations.
  
  

OR

You may substitute education for general or specialized experience as follows:

• Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree; OR
• 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree.
  
  

Specialized Experience for the GS-7: You must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-5 level in the federal service which has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Completing assigned project tasks that require knowledge of IT requirements and techniques with extensive supervision; OR
• Assisting senior IT support with various information technology customer services and support; OR
• Experience following set guidance from senior IT support with installing, troubleshooting and updating certified Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) and customized software on workstations.
  
  

OR

You May Substitute Education For Specialized Experience As Follows

• 1 full year of graduate level education; OR
• Superior academic achievement: Superior academic achievement is based on:
• Class standing: upper third of graduating class;
• Grade-point average (G.P.A.): 3.0 out of 4.0 overall or 3.5 out of 4.0 in major; OR
• Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society
  
  

FOR ALL GRADE LEVELS: In order to be creditable, education must be related to the position being filled with a major study of computer science, information science, information systems management, mathematics, statistics, operations research, engineering, or technology management, or course work that required the development or adaptation of computer programs and systems and provided knowledge equivalent to a major in the computer field.

In addition to specialized experience, individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed 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.
  
  

Time-in-Grade: In addition to the above requirements, you must meet the following time-in-grade requirement, if applicable:

For the GS-11, you must have been at the GS-9level for 52 weeks.

For the GS-9, you must have been at the GS-7 level for 52 weeks.

For the GS-7, you must have been at the GS-5 level for 52 weeks.

Time After Competitive Appointment: Candidates who are current Federal employees serving on a non-temporary competitive appointment must have served at least three months in that appointment.

Education

The education generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Refer to the OPM instructions.

Additional information

Other Information

• We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.
• CEC offers alternative/flexible/telework schedules for eligible positions.
• This is a bargaining unit position.
  
  

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• A one year probationary period may be required.
• Must successfully complete a background investigation.
• Pass a pre-employment security investigation
• Public Trust - Background Investigation will be required.
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
• Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
• Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form i-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
• Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.
• Must obtain a valid state driver's license and maintain a valid license while you occupy the position.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
  
  

Our comprehensive benefits are very generous. Our benefits package includes:

• Challenging work, opportunities for advancement, competitive salaries, bonuses and incentive awards.
• Eleven paid holidays, 13 days of sick leave, and 13 to 26 days of vacation time each year.
• Access to insurance programs that may be continued after you retire.
• A wide choice of health insurance plans, coverage for pre-existing conditions, and no waiting periods. We pay a substantial amount (up to 75%) of the health insurance premiums.
• A retirement program which includes employer-matching contributions.
  
  

Learn more about Federal benefits programs at: https://www.usajobs.gov/help/working-in-government/benefits/

Read more

• Help Help 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.
  
  

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.