Job Listing: Information Technology Specialist

Duty Locations

 2 vacancies - Kansas City Metro area, MO
This position is located in the USDA Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), National Information Technology Center (NITC), Technology Operations and Services Division, Computer Operations Branch.  The incumbent serves as the Lead Information Technology Specialist performing shift work on one of the 7X24X365 shift with responsibilities for coordinating and performing duties in a multi tier server environment.

Major Duties

The incumbent researches and/or analyzes constantly changing or atypical administrative and/or program related IT issues or problems, such as needed for regularly changing organizational requirements.  Determines pertinent issues and collects relevant information from a wide variety of sources.  Reviews information and applies standard analytical techniques.  Performs work involving planning and coordinating the maintenance, upgrade, and support of servers.  Schedules maintenance activities during off-peak-usage periods.  Resolves problems, such as defective hardware components or corrupted software.  Runs tests to verify operability and functionality, and implements systems security plans/policies and preventive maintenance schedules, identifies, and recommends potential areas for enhancing systems reliability and functionality.  Researches, interprets, modifies and develops requirements and specifications for new or upgraded computer hardware or peripheral equipment.  Analyzes computer equipment already in use to evaluate the relative merits of the equipment for meeting immediate and future needs.  Inspects system operation for adequacy and makes recommendations on identified requirements for improvement.  Plans and implements telecommunications procedures involving a variety of available communications equipment, services, security methods and procedures, and operating techniques. 

How to Apply

TO BE CONSIDERED, YOU MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING.  FAILURE TO COMPLY MAY RESULT IN NON-CONSIDERATION:

*     A resume, or OF-612 (optional Application for Federal Employment), or any written application.  Be sure to indicate the Vacancy Announcement Number.  Electronic versions of the OF-612 and an on-line resume builder may be accessed at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov.

Your written responses to the KSAs describing how your experience, education, training, and recognition distinguish you from other applicants.   Your KSA responses are considered your SUPPLEMENTAL STATEMENT.  Failure to address any of the KSA’s listed in this announcement will exclude applicants from further consideration.   

If you are a CURRENT or FORMER Federal employee with reinstatement eligibility for permanent appointment and wish to be considered under the corresponding MERIT PROMOTION announcement you must submit a separate application under announcement number NITC-08-116A. 



Please be sure to indicate your email address, as further communication with you on the status of your application may be by email.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY C.O.B. (4:30 P.M. EST) ON THE CLOSING DATE of this announcement.  If you request forms late in the open period, you are still required to have your application received by the closing date. No extensions will be given.

We are sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause; however, due to mail being irradiated, we have no control over when we receive mail.  The Human Resources Services Division staff wants to ensure that your application package is timely and is considered for further processing.

WHERE TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS:                                            

                    USDA-DA-OHCM-DHRD

                    ATTN:  Ron Jeanotte

                    ANNOUNCEMENT NO: NITC-08-116B        

                    STOP 1921, ROOM 17-W, JLW    

                    1400 INDEPENDENCE AVE., SW

                    WASHINGTON, DC 20250-1921

Call the Staffing and Placement Services Branch at (202) 720-2101 for additional information.

VETERANS PREFERENCE:  If you are claiming 5-point veteran’s preference, you must submit a DD-214.  If you are claiming 10 points veterans preference based on a compensable service connected disability of 10 percent or more, you MUST submit a DD-214, SF-15 and letter from the Veterans Administration identifying the percentage of disability for preference determination.  Additional information on veteran’s preference is available in the Vet Guide available at http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.htm.  

“DID YOU KNOW”?

VETERANS: Preference eligibles or veterans who have been separated under honorable conditions from the Armed Forces after completing 3 or more years of continuous active military service may compete for vacancies under merit promotion procedures.  Additionally, you must submit a DD-214 with your application.

SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITY APPOINTMENTS: Applicants who are eligible for a special hiring authority (e.g., VRA eligible (VRA.click here), severely disabled individuals, former Peace Corps and VISTA Volunteers, etc.) are encouraged to apply and may also be considered under the corresponding “Merit Promotion” announcement number NITC-08-116A.  Eligibility documentation should be provided by the applicant.   Please indicate on your application the special hiring authority under which you’d like to be considered.

DISPLACED/SURPLUS EMPLOYEES: Individuals who have special priority selection rights under the USDA Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. [To be well qualified, you must receive a score or 85 or higher.]  CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well qualified if that applicant meets the qualification standard and eligibility requirements for the position, meets minimum educational and experience requirements, meets all selective factors where applicable and is able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry.

Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605 (a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.  Additional information on CTAP and ICTAP is available at http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.

REASONALBLE ACCOMODATION: The Department of Agriculture provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the point of contact listed on this vacancy announcement.  Additional information on persons with disabilities is available at http://www.opm.gov/disability/.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's Target Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 522a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position.

Appointments under this announcement include a one-year probationary/trial period requirement.   For supervisory or managerial positions, candidates are subject to a probationary period unless prior supervisory or managerial experience is creditable.

A background security investigation will be required for all new hires.  Appointment will be subject to the applicant’s successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.  Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

The use of Federal Government postage-paid envelopes in filing applications is a violation of federal law and will disqualify you from consideration.

The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program.  (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)   Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's Target Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).  To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER.

Contact Information:

Ron Jeanotte

Phone:  202-720-8360

Or write:

Department of Agriculture

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 17-W, STOP 1921

Washington, DC 20250

US

What To Expect Next:

Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking.  The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.  You will be notified of the outcome.

Legal and Regulatory Guidance:

Social Security Number – Your Social Security Number is requested under the authority of Executive Order 9397 to uniquely identify your records from those of other applicants who may have the same name.  As allowed by law or Presidential directive, your Social Security Number is used to seek information about you from employers, schools, banks, and others who may know you.  Failure to provide your Social Security Number on your application materials will result in your application not being processed.

Privacy Act – Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579):  The information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employees and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.

Signature – Before you are hired, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the information in your application

False Statements – If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.

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.

Contact Information:
Ronald Jeanotte

Phone: 202-720-8360

Fax: 202-690-1067

Email: Ronald.Jeanotte@usda.gov


Or write:
Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Room 17-W, JLW
WASHINGTON, DC 20250

US

Fax: 202-690-1067


What To Expect Next:
Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified of the outcome.