Information Technology Specialist (Senior Computer Specialist)

Summary

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.

Duties

• Provides assistance to field personnel in identifying and resolving conflicting requirements found among diverse institution environments; provides support for the nationwide inmate education network and video conferencing management. Plans, directs and coordinates activities of the applicable Field IT Operation Support Section technology projects within the Computer Services Administration and User Support (CSAUS) Branch to ensure that goals and objectives for the Branch are accomplished within prescribed times frames and budget. Serves as a technical expert in personal computers (PC) hardware, local area networks (LANs), commercial PC software, custom PC programming and telecommunications. Monitors the implementation of the Office of Information Systems (OIS) technical bulletins to ensure compliance throughout the respective regions. Serves as the technical lead in the design, procurement, deliveries and installation of network hardware and software for field locations as it relates to inmate education related IT projects.

Requirements

Career Transition Programs (CTAP or ICTAP): These programs apply to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: Meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; Be rated well-qualified for the position [with a score of 85 or above] based on the competencies listed above; and Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility: A copy of the agency notice (i.e., separation notice or agency RIF letter), Most recent performance appraisal, and Most recent SF-50 showing current/former position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location. See USAJOBS' Career Transition Programs for more information. EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: U.S Department of Justice - Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Key Requirements: U.S. Citizenship is Required. See Special Conditions of Employment Section. Selective Service Requirement

Qualifications

To be considered for the position, you must meet the following qualification requirements: Basic Requirements: Applicants may qualify by meeting or exceeding the minimum proficiency level established for each of the required competencies listed below, GS-12 and GS-13: The required competencies for the GS-12 and above grade level(s) are Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Decision Making, Information Management, Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Problem Solving, Teamwork, and Technical Competence. Competency Definitions: 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. Decision Making - Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change. Information Management - Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems. Interpersonal Skills - Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations. 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. Teamwork - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals. Technical Competence - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues. AND Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level (or equivalent). Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies to perform successfully the duties of the position and is related to the work of the position to be filled but may now be obtained through other means. Such demonstratable knowledge, skills, and abilities/competences may be typically gained in the IT field or through the performance of work where the primary concern is IT. Some examples of qualifying experience: GS-12: Experience with the planning, analysis, design, development, testing, quality assurance, configuration, installation, implementation, integration, maintenance, and/or management of networked systems used for the transmission of information in voice, data, and/or video formats. Experience with ensuring the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of information systems through the planning, analysis, development, implementation, maintenance and enhancement of systems, programs, policies and procedures. Experience with the planning and delivery of customer support services at the point of computer user/specialist interface, including installation, configuration, troubleshooting, user assistance, and/or training related to the Inmate Education Network as well as applications supported by the Field IT Operations Support Section. Experience with strategic planning, capital planning, policy and standards development, budgeting, resource management, knowledge management, auditing. GS-13: Experience serving as technical expert in personal computer (PC) hardware, local area networks (LANs), commercial PC software, custom PC programming, and telecommunications. Experience developing and providing training for institutions, regional offices, and Central Office staff, based on stipulated areas of focus, weakness or new initiatives relating to the Inmate Education Network and other Field IT Operations Support Section initiatives. Experience in designing, configuration, and implementation of LAN. The Specialist may be called upon to brief upper management on development of new networking developments and networking standards, and the results of new installations. Experience serving as the technical lead in the design, procurement, deliveries and installation of network hardware and software for field locations as relates to inmate education related IT projects. Experience developing test plans to ensure that the system functions as designed and that security requirements are being met. OR GS-12 and GS-13: Applicants may also be considered to have satisfied the minimum qualification requirements for a position if they can present evidence that clearly justifies a high evaluation of their competence, such as one or more of the following: Appropriate licensure, registration(s), certification(s); or A substantial record of experience, achievement, and publications that demonstrates eminence in the appropriate profession/technical field. Applicants can qualify fully on the basis of licensure, certification, registration, or special training as an alternative to experience. Applicants must provide copies of all such documentation when submitting an application. If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as the number of hours worked per week) spent in activities. You MUST meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/30/2027. Your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating. See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume. After you submit your application, you will receive notification indicated whether or not the USA Hire assessment is required. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement to complete the assessment which is part of your application.

Education

ONLY if education is a requirement/substitution for specialized experience, applicant MUST upload legible transcripts as verification of educational requirement. Transcripts MUST be uploaded and electronically linked from USAJOBS at the time you apply and MUST include identifying information to include School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, Click Here. Foreign Education: For information regarding foreign education requirements, please see Foreign Diploma and Credit Recognition at the U.S. Department of Education website: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications. If you are selected for this position and qualified based on education (i.e. basic education requirement and/or substitution of education), you will be required to provide an OFFICIAL transcript prior to your first day on duty.

Required documents

Failure to provide legible required documents and/or follow the prescribed format often results in removal from consideration. If uploading documentation, do not identify/save your documents utilizing a special character such as %, #, @, etc. Documentation should be identified/saved as VA Letter, DD-214, or Transcripts. Veterans' Preference Documentation: Failure to submit all required documents at the time of application will result in the loss of claimed preference eligibility. DD-214: Veterans MUST provide a DD-214 demonstrating that they have been discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions (i.e., the individual must have received either an honorable or general discharge). SF-15: If you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the parent of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit: A completed Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference" and all required documentation identified on the SF-15. Note: A Department of Veterans Affairs letter must contain the Veteran's Name and Combined Service-Connected Evaluation. For a copy of the most current SF-15, Click Here. If you are on active duty and expect to be discharged or released from active duty service within 120 days, you may submit a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty from the appropriate Branch Personnel Office containing the following information: the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and the character of service (must be an honorable or general discharge); and any qualifying service/campaign/expeditionary medals Resume - All Applicants: You must submit a resume (a two page or less resume is required) that includes your name, contact information, and relevant experience (cover letter optional). Additionally, for each job entry listed in your employment history, you must include: Official position title, Employer name and contact information, Start and end dates (month and year, MM/YYYY, format), Indicate number of hours worked per week, and A list of duties performed and accomplishments. Experience that would not normally be part of the Federal employee's position is creditable when documented by satisfactory evidence of qualifying experience (e.g., a memorandum from the manager, Human Resource Manager, SF-52, MOU, etc.). If providing a memorandum, it must follow the format above AND clearly cite the duties performed. For more help, visit USAJOBS Help Center - What should I include in my resume? College Transcripts: If you are using education to qualify for this position, or education is required, you must submit a transcript containing a school name and student name in addition to full listing of courses, credit earned, grade and grade-point-average, subject area, degree(s) earned, and dates of award (if applicable). Note: If you are selected for this position, official transcripts will be required prior to your first day. SF-50: If you are a current/former federal government employee, you must provide an unredacted copy of your latest SF-50. Proof of ICTAP/CTAP Eligibility: If you are a displaced Federal employee claiming eligibility under CTAP or ICTAP, you must submit: A copy of the agency notice (i.e., letter of intent to separate, separation notice, or agency RIF letter), Your most recent performance appraisal, and Most recent SF-50 showing current/former position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location. Professional Certification/License: if applicable. We cannot be held responsible for incompatible software, delays in mail service, applicant application errors, etc.