IT Specialist (System Administration/System Analysis)

Summary

The Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Inspector General is currently looking for a IT Specialist (System Administration/System Analysis) in the Division of Technology - Systems Operation. Join our professional team of auditors, criminal investigators, and inspectors who help support DOE's mission through performance and financial audits, inspections of management issues and administrative allegations, and investigations into alleged violations of law.

Duties

• As an IT Specialist (System analysis/System administration), you will be responsible for a wide range of complex duties. Your major duties include, but are not limited to, the following: The duties described below are at the full-performance level of the position. Serves as a senior technical specialist responsible for managing, integrating, and modernizing mission-critical IT systems and platforms. Plans and implements installations, upgrades, migrations, patches, configuration changes, and performance improvements; resolves highly complex cross-platform problems; and develops technical standards and procedures for systems, websites, SharePoint, and Microsoft Power Platform services. Leads systems-analysis and requirements-development activities by evaluating organizational needs, conducting business-case and technical analyses, defining business and technical requirements, and recommending IT products and solutions. Determines testing, integration, implementation, and modernization approaches and provides expert technical advice and briefings to management and stakeholders. Performs senior-level systems-security analysis and coordinates implementation of security controls, system authorization and assessment support, security documentation, vulnerability remediation, corrective actions, and cybersecurity compliance activities. Provides advanced technical support, resolves complex customer-reported incidents, and coordinates required system and service changes with customers, technical officials, contractors, vendors, and the Cyber Security Team. Designs, develops, administers, and modernizes complex databases and data services. Optimizes performance and capacity; resolves data-integrity, integration, storage, backup, recovery, migration, and continuity issues; and develops SQL queries, reports, dashboards, and other data products supporting operational and management decision-making. Manages IT projects and coordinates cross-functional technical activities involving systems administration, systems analysis, cybersecurity, databases, applications, websites, contractors, vendors, and DOE technical organizations. Develops project plans, milestones, schedules, resource and risk estimates, performance measures, and technical acquisition requirements and monitors contractor and vendor technical performance. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Qualifications

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (08/10/2026) of this announcement. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 for each federal position listed as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of qualifying experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected BASIC REQUIREMENT: In accordance with OPM's Individual Occupational Requirements and competency based framework for the GS-2210 series, Applicants must meet the following basic requirement for the Information Technology Management Series, GS-2210, positions at the GS-12 and GS-13 grade levels and must demonstrate all nine required general competencies at or above the minimum proficiency level applicable to the grade level for which they are being considered. Level 3-Intermediate: Applies the competency in difficult situations and requires occasional guidance. Level 4-Advanced: Applies the competency in considerably difficult situations and generally requires little or no guidance. Required competencies Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. GS-12: Level 4 GS-13: Level 4 Customer Service: Works with clients and customers to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve problems, or satisfy expectations; knows about available products and services; and is committed to providing quality products and services. GS-12: Level 4 GS-13: Level 4 Decision Making: Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; considers the impact and implications of decisions; and commits to appropriate action, including in uncertain situations. GS-12: Level 3 GS-13: Level 3 Information Management: Identifies the need for information and knows where or how to gather it; organizes and maintains information or information-management systems. GS-12: Level 4 GS-13: Level 4 Interpersonal Skills: Develops and maintains effective working relationships; demonstrates courtesy, tact, and understanding; and works effectively with individuals from varied backgrounds and in different situations. GS-12: Level 4 GS-13: Level 4 Oral Communication: Expresses information, ideas, or facts effectively to individuals or groups, considering the audience and nature of the information; listens to others and responds appropriately. GS-12: Level 3 GS-13: Level 3 Problem Solving: Identifies problems; determines the accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives; and makes recommendations. GS-12: Level 3 GS-13: Level 4 Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, trust, and commitment and works with others to achieve organizational or team goals. GS-12: Level 4 GS-13: Level 4 Technical Competence: Uses job-related technical knowledge acquired through training or experience; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information; and provides technical advice to others. GS-12: Level 3 GS-13: Level 4 -AND- SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE FOR GS-12: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience that demonstrates ALL of the following: Administering and maintaining organizational IT systems or platforms, including monitoring system performance and availability; performing system configuration, maintenance, upgrades, or patching; managing user accounts or system access; and diagnosing and resolving difficult operational or performance problems. Gathering, analyzing, documenting, or validating business and technical requirements; evaluating IT products, services, or technical alternatives; and supporting the testing, integration, implementation, or enhancement of IT systems and solutions. Implementing information-system security controls; maintaining system-security documentation; and supporting security-control assessments, system-authorization or compliance activities, incident reporting, vulnerability remediation, or corrective-action activities. Administering or maintaining databases or data-management services, including performance, capacity, backup, recovery, query, reporting, or data-integrity activities; and diagnosing difficult customer-reported technical problems or coordinating technical solutions with customers, technical personnel, contractors, or vendors. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE FOR GS 13: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience that demonstrates ALL of the following: Leading or managing the administration, configuration, monitoring, maintenance, upgrading, migration, or modernization of complex IT systems or platforms; evaluating system performance, capacity, availability, serviceability, or recoverability; and resolving highly complex operational, integration, or cross-platform problems. Leading organizational-needs, business-case, or technical analyses; eliciting, analyzing, documenting, and validating business and technical requirements; evaluating IT products, platforms, or technical alternatives; and defining or leading system-testing, integration, implementation, deployment, or modernization activities. Leading or coordinating system-security, authorization, or compliance activities; developing or interpreting security procedures, technical criteria, or control-implementation guidance; analyzing significant vulnerabilities, incidents, or control deficiencies; and directing or coordinating corrective and remediation actions. Designing, developing, administering, or modernizing complex databases or data services; resolving complex database-performance, capacity, data-integrity, backup, recovery, or integration problems; and coordinating database or data-service changes with customers, technical personnel, contractors, or vendors. -OR- I do not meet the normal one-year specialized-experience pathway, but I qualify under an alternative qualification pathway. My resume and submitted application materials identify licensure, registration, professional certification, special training, substantial technical accomplishments, or a combination of experience and skills that may demonstrate the competencies and technical capability required to perform the full range of work at a level comparable to GS-12 and/or GS-13. I understand that this claim requires a comprehensive HR and technical review and does not automatically establish qualification. QUALIFICATIONS CONTINUES IN THE EDUCATION SECTION BELOW.

Education

QUALIFICATIONS (CONTINUED FROM ABOVE): Applicants requesting consideration under an alternative qualification pathway, must clearly identify the supporting evidence in their resume and other application materials submitted by the closing date. The application materials should identify the license, registration, certification, special training, substantial technical accomplishment, or other evidence relied upon, including the issuing organization, date obtained, current status or expiration date when applicable, and its relationship to the work of the position. Selecting an alternative qualification response does not automatically establish qualification. In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined above by the closing date of the announcement. Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: Competency-Based Qualification Standard for the Information Technology Management Series, 2210 Volunteer Experience: "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. There is no substitution of education for experience at the grade level(s) of this announcement.

Evaluations

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), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all 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 Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork 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. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories: Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13024527

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 sections. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement 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 required and supporting documentation. You must 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 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 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 at a later time, you can re-use your 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. You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account, select Update Application: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the application 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. 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.

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 assessment. 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 Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Your assessment result 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 assessment. Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The status of your application will be updated in USAJOBS as it is evaluated. You can check the status by logging into USAJOBS. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application changes by logging into your USAJOBS Account and editing the Notification Settings. You will be contacted directly if an interview is required.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package which includes: Your two (2) page RESUME showing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date). Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume. Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable, DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; current active duty members- certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter. For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center & OPM CHCOC website for VOW information. Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition. Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

Other information

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE. For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov This announcement may be used to fill additional similar positions across OIG-DOE if identical vacancies occur within 120 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. More than one selection may be made from this announcement Promotion Potential: Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactory perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommending by the position's supervisor..