IT SPECIALIST

About the role

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the Chief Security Officer (OCSO), Enterprise Security Services Division. The primary purpose of this position is tot serve as an IT Specialist technical expert who is responsible for extremely complex, state-of-the-art systems administration functions. Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.

What you will do

• Serving as a technical expert responsible for analyzing and verifying the feasibility of advanced systems design and integration within established and planned frameworks; evaluates technological advancements and determines optimum hardware and software requirements for new initiatives.
• Planning, managing, and directing information systems administration projects and operations; monitors the implementation of approved programs and projects, ensuring compatibility with broad policies and program guidance.
• Providing expert guidance on all matters pertaining to planning, implementing, and managing computer automation and networking technology; provides authoritative program-related advice and recommendations regarding current and future information systems concepts, doctrine, and methods.
• Coordinating with users and the technical community on operating requirements; analyzes and evaluates proposed services and technology and assists in developing fielding requirements throughout the DHS community to ensure successful implementation.
• This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 100 applications have been received, whichever happens first.
• View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.

Education

Not Applicable.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Accountability, Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Decision Making, Flexibility, Influencing/Negotiating, Information Technology Program Management, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Learning, Process Control, Reading Comprehension, Reasoning, Requirements Analysis, Self-Management, Stress Tolerance, Teamwork, and Technical Credibility To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process.

In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. The USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies.

You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered.

You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. If you are the best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Interviews are required for this position.

Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veteran must be 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

(Note: Veteran's preference does not apply under Merit Promotion procedures. View VEOA information on Feds Hire Vets.) Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

To be considered well qualified under ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement. Due weight will be given to performance appraisals in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3).

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

After DHS Headquarters completes its hiring, the resumes of the remaining candidates referred for selection consideration may be shared with other DHS Components. During the application process, you may choose to opt-in if you would like your name, application material, and assessment results to be shared.

There is no guarantee of further consideration, and you can continue to explore other job opportunity announcements.

Documents you must provide

• Limit your resume to no more than two pages.
• The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages.
• For what to include in the resume, click on the link: USAJOBS Help Center.
• Your responses to certifying accuracy of your application package.
• Are you a current or former Federal employee?
• Submit your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that demonstrates your eligibility for consideration, e.g., length of time you have been in your current grade; your highest grade held; your current promotion potential and proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases or accessions.
• You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility.
• The member 2 or 4 copy of your DD214 (Member 1 copies will not be accepted to verify preference), "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable.
• If claiming 10 point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15), "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference." If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification.
• This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions.
• View more veterans' information.
• Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)?
• Submit the following: A copy of your agency notice (applicants who retired, or pending retirement are not eligible under ICTAP), A copy of your most recent performance rating, and A copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.
• Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee employee?
• Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position title, Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee), Agency, Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
• Are you applying under special hiring authorities as a military spouse?
• Provide a copy of your: Marriage certificate, and Your spouse's PCS orders or a completed SF-15 with supporting documentation.
• Are you applying under Schedule A hiring authority for persons with severe disabilities?
• Provide evidence of your intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefit.
• Information on documentation can be found here.
• If you are referred, you may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal(s).

What to expect next

Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessments. The online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement.

You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Your assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.

To be considered for the position, you must meet all qualifications, including meeting or exceeding the cut score on the required assessments. Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews.

We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. We expect to make a job offer with 60 days after the deadline for applications.

If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment. Note: If you receive a final job offer to onboard, please complete the onboarding forms and submit them electronically in an expeditious manner.

Your start date may be delayed if the action above is not completed. DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about e-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

Any Offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Personnel Management guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.

Additional information

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707.

Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs.

To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.

Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result. This position will be filled at the GS-13 level. You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.

Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will NOT be paid. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty.

False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy.

To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for a Secret Clearance as a condition of placement in this Non-Critical Sensitive position.

This review may include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.