Operating Systems Technician

Summary

IT Specialist positions are being filled through the Office of Personnel Management's delegated Direct Hire Authority, open to all U.S. citizens. Selections made under this bulletin will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would, therefore, be given new appointments to the civil service. Under the provisions of the Direct Hire Authority, Veterans Preference and the "Rule of Many" do not apply.

Duties

• This announcement serves as public notice. Applications submitted be placed into a pool and will remain on file for selection as positions become available.
• Vacancies may be filled for up to 6 months after the closing date of this announcement.
• Positions filled with applications from this pool will be placed into positions where artificial intelligence duties occupy the majority of the work performed.

Qualifications

Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered, please visit the new resume guidance for more information. READ ALL SECTIONS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY. THIS INFORMATION IS CRUCIAL TO SUBMITTING A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION. The Social Security Administration's technology team plays a vital role in supporting the agency's mission to serve millions of Americans. We are responsible for the strategic planning, implementation, operation, and maintenance of the agency's computer systems and enterprise information technology infrastructure. Our team is dedicated to designing, building, testing, and delivering innovative technology solutions that ensure uninterrupted, 24/7 availability of critical services to the public. As an Operating Systems Technician at the Social Security Administration, You will perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities in one of the Division of Operational Software Support (DOSS) branches. Your work will involve providing analysis, technical, and programming expertise in the development and maintenance of operating system software and data center operations support. You will be responsible for ensuring the availability of systems, networks, and data through the planning, analysis, development, implementation, maintenance and enhancement of operating system software, policies, procedures, and tools. Your work will also involve one or more of the following platforms/operating systems: mainframe, PC/Windows, and or UNIX on multiple hardware platforms. To qualify for the 2210 IT Specialist series, the applicant must demonstrate the following competencies: Attention to Detail (Level 4, Advanced) - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. Customer Service (Level 4, Advanced) - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work 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; know about available products and services; and am committed to providing quality products and services. Oral Communication (Level 3, Intermediate)- Express 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); make clear and convincing oral presentations; listen to others, attend to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Problem Solving (Level 4, Advanced)- Identify problems; determine accuracy and relevance of information; use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. Teamwork (Level 4, Advanced)- Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals. Technical Competence (Level 4, Advanced)- 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. Information Management (Level 4, Advanced)- Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems. Interpersonal Skills (Level 4, Advanced)- 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 Decision Making (Level 3, Intermediate) - 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. Specialized Experience: Applicants must have specialized experience that is directly related to the work of the position and have equipped them with the competencies required to successfully perform the duties of the role. These knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies are normally attained through the equivalent of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of the position being filled. To qualify at the GS-12 level, you must have specialized experience at the GS-11 level, or equivalent. This experience must demonstrate proficiency in the following: Experience providing analysis, technical, and programming expertise in the development and maintenance of operating system software and data center operations support within one or more of the following platforms/operating systems: mainframe, PC/Windows, and/or Linux/UNIX on multiple hardware platforms. Ensuring the availability of systems, networks, and data through the planning, analysis, development, implementation, maintenance and enhancement of operating system software, policies, procedures, and tools. Qualification standards and additional information for this position can be found here: Competency-Based Qualification Standard for the Information Technology Management Series, 2210

Evaluations

The evaluation you receive is based on your responses to the online assessment questions completed during the application process. Please make sure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation. Information not specifically stated in your resume cannot be assumed. Information that is copied or restated language from the vacancy announcement or rating criteria will not be considered. If this occurs, you may be found ineligible.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the cutoff date of the announcement closing date to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: To begin the application process, 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 11:59PM (ET) on the cut-off date or announcement closing date. Announcement cutoff dates: 8/06/2026 8/13/2026 8/20/2026 8/27/2026 9/3/2026 9/10/2026 9/17/2026 9/24/2026 10/1/2026 10/8/2026 10/15/2026 10/22/2026 10/29/2026 11/5/2026 11/12/2026 11/19/2026 11/27/2026 12/03/2026 12/10/2026 12/17/2026 12/24/2026 12/31/2026 01/07/2026 01/14/2027 01/21/2027 01/30/2027 You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account. There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. If you use assistive software or an adaptive device, or you are experiencing some other type of technical difficulty and/or otherwise require assistance with the application process, please contact Careers at SSA at [email protected] or 000-000-0000. Individuals with disabilities may also call us via Federal Relay using the (voice) contact telephone provided. Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any applications submitted via email or standard mail. The email address is listed only for inquiries about the position or the How to Apply process.

What to expect next

Once you have successfully submitted your application materials, you can expect to receive at least two or more of the following email notifications concerning your application status: Receipt of application. The hiring office will contact candidates directly for interviews. Interviews may be conducted via video conferencing software, if technically feasible. To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.

Required documents

You must also submit ALL supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to claim certain types of preference. Resumes exceeding two pages will not be considered. To be considered, your resume must: Clearly demonstrate your qualifications for the position Include your contact information We recommend using a clear, easy-to-read format and focusing on information most relevant to the job announcement You must also submit ALL supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to claim certain types of preference. INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP): ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority for competitive service vacancies. To receive selection priority, candidates must meet the requirements for the Well Qualified. Well-qualified is defined as having knowledge, skills, and abilities that clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. Candidates must also provide: proof of eligibility with your application. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation Notice of Personnel Action, (SF-50); and proof of your most recent performance rating of at least "fully successful" (Level III) or equivalent. For more information visit http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.Veteran's preference does not apply under this Direct Hire Authority for these positions. 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.

Other information

See announcement cutoff dates below under How to Apply. Additional selections may be made for this vacancy six months from the closing date of this announcement. This Direct Hire announcement may be used to fill the same or similar position in another office. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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 your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.