About this role
Job SummaryDeliver 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!
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/15/2026. You must meet both the Basic Requirement and the Specialized Experience to qualify for this series and grades as described below. 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. - AND- Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience include, independently applying information systems security principles, remediating vulnerabilities, providing technical security recommendations, and resolving complex IT issues. Planning and executing technical assignments, adapting established methods to new requirements, and interpreting regulations to address unprecedented challenges. This experience demonstrates expertise in information security, IT project management, and technical problem-solving within a federal environment. 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 independently supporting technical or project teams by coordinating and sharing technical knowledge with peers, as well as working in automated industrial or control-system environments (e.g., PLC/SCADA), to quickly adapt to 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/.
Major DutiesDetermines the most appropriate principles, practices, and methods to apply in all phases of assignments, including the approach to be taken, degree of intensity and depth of research in management advisories; Coordinates, plans and communicates effectively with a wide variety of people to accomplish goals. Investigates violations of security, gathers information and reports it to the ISO; ensuring sound security principles are reflected in the organization's goals and mission. Advises the ISO and labor-management officials regarding the technical details of security violations and provides authoritative guidance on the implications of such violations. Keeps the supervisor informed of progress and of potentially controversial matters and has the authority to direct other computer and maintenance employees to assist in completing assignments and projects. Sets up and maintains a system or specific components of a system (e.g. for example, installing, configuring, and updating hardware and software; establishing and managing user accounts. Oversees or conducts backup and recovery tasks; implementing operational and technical security controls; and adhering to organizational security policies and procedures). Installs, updates and troubleshoots systems/servers. 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). 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 Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am to 4:30pm. Compressed/Flexible: Available at managers discretion. Telework: Ad hoc/Situational as determined by Agency Policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: IT Specialist (Operation Systems)/PD03387A Physical Requirements: The work requires frequent walking, bending, stooping, twisting and lifting. Travel may be required. Incumbent may be required to work off-hours and weekends to ensure continuity of computer operations. Working Conditions: The work is performed in an office setting, warehouse setting, or computer environment. Travel to medical centers and/or SCs is required for national and local meetings, consultations, installations, maintenance, and evaluation of systems hardware and software. When working in the warehouse or computer room, incumbent may be exposed to the noise level resulting from mechanical operations (printers, large air conditioning units, disk and tape drives, etc.). The incumbent may be expected to access remote databases at medical centers throughout the agency. In doing so, he/she must take all necessary measures to guarantee the integrity and confidentiality of such information. Appropriate security measures must be taken to guard against disclosure of access codes to these systems.RequirementsYou 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.