Summary Deliver secure and high availability infrastructure solutions supporting VA's mission. Serve as an operational service provider of foundational compute, storage, physical database, and client management components. Implement and sustain technical, management, and operational security controls and supporting processes to protect mission critical networks, systems, and applications throughout the VA enterprise. Apply today! Responsibilities Provides a variety of IT customer support services essential to the effective performance of organizational systems, including planning and delivering technical support, troubleshooting, installation, removal, moves, and systems knowledge assistance or training in response to customer requirements. Applies customer support concepts and methods, including procedures for troubleshooting and recovering systems and files, and understanding customer organizations' IT infrastructures to review, validate, and standardize problem resolutions for inclusion in the problem resolution database. Document solutions to problems and recommending fundamental changes to system configuration to prevent recurrences. Resolves the most difficult customer support requests, such as those involving integration or configuration-related issues. Installs, updates, and troubleshoots systems and servers. Sets up and maintains a system or specific components of a system, such as installing, configuring, and updating hardware and software, establishing and managing user accounts, and overseeing or conducting backup and recovery tasks. Provides technical support to customers who need assistance utilizing client-level hardware and software in accordance with established or approved organizational process components (e.g., Master Incident Management Plan, when applicable) This is a Bargaining Unit Position. This position is primarily aligned to the following NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework work roles: Cybersecurity Code 451 - System Administrator: Responsible for setting up and maintaining a system or specific components of a system (e.g. for example, installing, configuring, and updating hardware and software; establishing and managing user accounts; overseeing or conducting backup and recovery tasks; implementing operational and technical security controls; and adhering to organizational security policies and procedures). Cybersecurity Code 411 - Technical Support Specialist: Provides technical support to customers who need assistance utilizing client-level hardware and software in accordance with established or approved organizational process components (i.e., Master Incident Management Plan, when applicable). 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 Promotion Potential: GS-11-The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am to 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: As determined by the Agency Policy Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: IT Specialist (CUSTSPT)/GS-11: PD19097A, GS-09: PD19096A, and GS-07:PD19095A Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, but may involve some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items such as books, papers, or laptop computers. Work may require occasional travel and the ability to safely move and install IT equipment. Working Conditions: Work is usually performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating, and ventilation. Incumbent may occasionally be required to travel or work in remote environments to support users. There may be periods of increased stress and work demands due to resolving critical IT issues or meeting project deadlines. Position may involve minimal physical effort, such as moving IT equipment or supplies. 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. Selectee is subject to background/suitability investigation. Selected applicant will be required to complete an online onboarding process. This position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required. To be considered for this position, applicants must complete all required steps in the process. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: - your performance and conduct; - the needs and interests of the agency - whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and - whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period or 2-year trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/09/2026. Basic Requirement - Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): Applicants 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. You must meet both the Basic Requirement and the Specialized Experience to qualify for this series and grades as described below. -AND- GS07: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include: A working knowledge of IT customer support principles and procedures sufficient to deliver technical support services in a Windows environment. This includes installing, configuring, and troubleshooting hardware and software; managing user accounts and security; and applying basic networking knowledge with devices such as routers, switches, and wireless access points. Experience must also include responding to service tickets, communicating resolutions to users, and documenting troubleshooting steps according to established processes. OR, Education: 1 full year of Undergraduate or Graduate Education or Superior Academic Achievement: Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above. GS-09: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level that demonstrates knowledge of directory services, networking fundamentals, and Windows Server administration sufficient to resolve moderately complex issues with limited supervision. Experience includes administering Active Directory (such as creating, modifying, and disabling user accounts; managing security and distribution groups; and applying Group Policies), applying networking concepts (including IPv4 addressing, subnetting, DHCP, DNS, and protocols such as TCP/IP and HTTP/S), and managing Windows Server roles, features, and permissions. This work requires documenting solutions, validating resolutions in a problem resolution database, and using independent judgment in applying analytical and troubleshooting techniques within IT infrastructure. AND, Education: Master's or Equivalent Graduate Degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Master's Degree or equivalent graduate degree. NOTE: Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above... GS-11: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level that demonstrates mastery of enterprise directory services, server operations, and technical problem-solving sufficient to independently complete complex assignments and enhance support operations. This experience includes advanced Active Directory administration (such as managing computer objects, enforcing least-privilege access, and applying authentication mechanisms like Kerberos and LDAP integrated with DNS), administering server operations (including DHCP scope management, patching, backup and restores, and performance monitoring), and diagnosing/resolving the most difficult issues using structured troubleshooting tools. The work also involves coordinating projects and providing coaching to junior specialists, typically performed with little or no supervision, requiring substantial judgment in analyzing system interrelationships and standardizing solutions across the enterprise. OR, Education: Ph.D. OR equivalent doctoral Degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. OR equivalent doctoral degree: Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above. A Quality Ranking Factor is a knowledge, skill, or ability that is highly desirable for successful performance in this position. Applicants with this qualification may be ranked above others in the selection process. For this vacancy, the Quality Ranking Factor is: experience in automated industrial or control system environments (e.g., PLC/SCADA) sufficient to accelerate familiarity with Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP) operational systems. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
