IT Specialist

Duties

DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority under 5 CFR 337.201 (DA-002) for this occupation.

Major Duties:

• Diagnoses and resolves problems in response to IT reported incidents. Manages the movement and installation of IT equipment to assure coordination of IT support and customer service. Documents and provides feedback on trends associated with customer support, including viable recommendations for improvement.
• Provides support for technology endpoints (personal computers, laptops, tablets, smart phones, desk phones, video teleconferencing equipment, etc.) by implementing, maintaining and updating VA standard baseline configurations for these devices. This includes the support of specialized endpoint applications and troubleshooting. Provides support, implements, and manages Desktop software patching and installation, including packet creation, using VA approved processes and tools.
• Reviews proposed changes to the client operating environment; suggests resolutions that are most likely to be used on a regular basis; performs account management on a regular basis to clear duplicate and outdated entries; trains lower graded IT Specialists in account management procedures; and investigates and recommends purchase of tools and technologies to improve responsiveness to customer requirements.
• Evaluates usage patterns and incorporates customer feedback into recommendations to the Lead or Supervisory IT Specialist for improving the functionality or performance of a given system. Identifies and breaks down problems using structured problem resolution approaches; and works with network specialists, application developers, system administrators, and security specialists to prevent recurring problems. Documents solutions to problems and recommends fundamental changes to system configurations to prevent recurrences. Coaches junior IT specialist in resolving the highly complex IT problems and systems issues.
• Provides group and one on one systems/software applications training to customers as required; and provides on the job training to lower graded IT Specialists. Promulgates and assures conformance with VA/OI&T security policies by de-commissioning equipment, completing appropriate paper work and following procedures to surplus outdated or damaged systems and equipment and ensures all data storage media are accounted for, sanitized and destroyed per VA Policy and local procedure.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• To be considered for this position, applicants must complete all required steps in the process.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Benefits

  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.

  Review our 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.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes one or more of the following documents. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included documents required for your application. You will not be contacted for additional information.

  • Resume detailing specialized experience and competencies as they relate to this position.
    • For each position in your resume, you must specify the start and end dates (month/year) and a description of duties. If the position was Federal, you should also indicate the grade level. Resumes containing a general summary of all positions held, not specifying start/end dates, and/or not including documentation supporting Federal grade level(s) are insufficient to determine basic qualifications.
    • Your experience must be clearly stated in your resume. We cannot make assumptions on your experience based on your current, or former, position titles on your resume. Failure to clearly demonstrate your qualifying experience in your resume may result in disqualification for this position and your rating will be adjusted as necessary.

  • Complete All Required Assessments.

  • If your application is rated as well-qualified (score 85 or above) and you are claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (I/CTAP) submit:
    • a copy of your agency notice.
    • 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.

  Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.

  Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.
  
  Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application. Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• How to Apply

  Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments, and required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:

  • Click the Apply Online button.

  • Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.

  • Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.

  • If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.

  • Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.

  • Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.

  • Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.

  • Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.

  For more general information, system requirements, reasonable accommodation information, and to request assistance regarding the USA Hire Assessments, review the following resources: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=USA_Hire_Assessments.
  
  To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
  
  To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.

  Agency contact information

  Recruitment Team Two B

  Email

  VACOVAOITOPSHRRPTeam2B@va.gov

  Address

  DAS for Information Technology - 103
  810 Vermont Ave. NW
  Washington, DC 20240
  US

  Next steps

  After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
  
  You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS and current/former Federal employees who are eligible for CTAP/ICTAP. This position is being filled using Direct Hiring Authority 5 CFR 337.201 (DA-002).