Job Listing: Supervisory IT Specialist (Network) (Branch Chief)

Duty Locations

 1 vacancy - St. Louis Metro area, MO 1 vacancy - Kansas City Metro area, MO 1 vacancy - Ft. Collins, CO

There is 1 position available in the Infrastructure Operations Division, Telecommunications Operations Branch of ITS in one of the following potential duty locations:  Kansas City, MO; St. Louis, MO, or Fort Collins, CO.

Current permanent USDA-OCIO employees with competitive status may wish to apply under merit promotion vacancy announcement 08-ITS-055 (closes on 06-12-08). Current permanent federal employees outside USDA-OCIO with competitive status, former Federal employees who have reinstatement eligibility, and individuals who are eligible to apply under special appointing authorities may wish to apply under merit promotion vacancy announcement 08-ITS-056 (closes on 06-23-08). Selections may be made from 08-ITS-055, 08-ITS-056, 08-ITS-057P, or from any other appropriate source.

 

Information Technology Services (ITS) is an organization within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Office of the Chief information Officer (OCIO).  Its prime directive is to meet the business needs of service center agencies within the USDA by providing outstanding customer service in the form of infrastructure support, as well as assistance in the field of information technology.  Among the many services provided by ITS are hardware/software acquisition, infrastructure security operations and management, telecommunications, and help desk support.  As the field of information technology continues its rapid growth into the 21st Century, ITS utilizes state-of-the-art methods and technology, and offers excellent career opportunities in several locations throughout the country.

Major Duties

The selectee for this position will serve as the Branch Chief who supervises approximately 50 staff members through the management of subordinate supervisors and team leaders. The incumbent manages a workforce, primarily comprised of employees engaged in carrying out technical information technology functions and programs. The incumbent will perform a combination of technical and managerial duties including but not limited to:

Managing the development, maintenance, and monitoring of the operations of a Network Operations Center.
Conducting performance and fault monitoring of network operations.
Conducting load management of network users and system (network) capabilities.
Conducting voice net management and monitoring.
Providing liaison and pertinent information to internal USDA and external organizations.
Overseeing the overall planning, direction, and timely execution of a major program segment, which is managed through separate subordinate organizational units.
Approving multiyear work plans developed by subordinate supervisors and team leaders.
Determining goals and objectives that need additional emphasis.
Exercising discretionary authority to approve the allocation and distribution of funds in the branch's budget.
Exercising full authority for the full range of personnel actions and organization design proposals.
Determining whether contractor performed work meets standards of adequacy necessary for authorization of payment.
Finding and implementing ways to eliminate or reduce significant bottlenecks and barriers to production, promoting team building, and improving business practices.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes BOTH of the following parts:

Your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire, AND
Your resume and all other documents specified in the "Required Documents" section of this vacancy announcement.

Apply online via Application Manager for the fastest and most convenient method of processing.

 

Option A:  Apply Online via Application Manager
To begin the online application process, please choose one of the following methods:
If you have a current resume established in the USAJOBS Resume Builder, you may begin the application process by simply clicking the "Apply Online" button near the bottom of this page.
Otherwise, you may begin the application process by clicking on the following link:  Online Questionnaire

Please follow the instructions outlined in Application Manager for uploading your resume and all required documents. OR You may fax your resume and all required documents to (478) 757-3144. If you submit the supporting documents via fax, you MUST include the official fax cover sheet found at the following link: http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf. Be sure to fill out the cover sheet clearly and completely. Include this Vacancy ID Number (VIN) - PI192124 - on the fax cover sheet. Please note that faxed documents will not be accepted if this particular official fax cover sheet does not accompany them. 

You may return to Application Manager at any time by visiting https://ApplicationManager.org  We encourage you to check this site to verify the status of your application.

If you have questions about Application Manager not answered in the help information, you may send an e-mail to ApplicationManagerHelpDesk@opm.gov.

 

 

Option B:  Submit a Paper Assessment Questionnaire

 

If applying on-line poses a hardship, applicants may apply manually. 

 

Applying manually involves faxing your submission to OPM; therefore, we cannot guarantee that all of your materials will be received on time or will be properly received and readable. 

 

If you are unable to apply online via Application Manager, you may complete a paper version of the assessment questionnaire and submit it, along with your resume and all required documents, by fax. To submit a paper assessment questionnaire, please complete the following steps:

1.      Print a copy of this vacancy announcement so that you can read the questions offline. You may find the questions under the "Questionnaire" heading near the bottom of the "How to Apply" section of this vacancy announcement.

2.      Obtain and print a copy of the OPM Form 1203-FX. You must use this form to fill in your answers to the questionnaire items listed below. You may obtain the form 1203-FX at http://www.opm.gov/Forms/pdf_fill/OPM1203fx.pdf or by calling USAJOBS at (703) 724-1850. 

3.      Submit the completed Form 1203-FX, along with your resume and all required documents, by fax.

·     Faxing Instructions: If you are faxing a Form 1203-FX, do not use a separate cover sheet. Simply make sure the Form 1203-FX is on top of any other documents you are faxing. However, if you are faxing any supporting documents without the Form 1203-FX on top, you MUST use the official fax cover sheet found at the following link: http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf. Be sure to fill out the official fax cover sheet clearly and completely.  Include this Vacancy ID Number (VIN) - PI192124 - on the fax cover sheet. The fax number is (478) 757-3144. 

 

OPM must receive your submission no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the closing date. Information not received in a timely manner will result in an incomplete application, and you will not be considered for this vacancy. Requests for extensions will not be granted.

 

PLEASE NOTE:  Application packages will NOT be accepted via e-mail.

 

 

 

Required Documents:

To submit the required documents, please follow the instructions in Application Manager for uploading or faxing supporting documents.

All required materials must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement. No attempts will be made to solicit missing materials from applicants who fail to submit them by the closing date. Such incomplete applications will be deemed ineligible and will receive no further consideration. Applications will not be returned. 

All applicants are required to submit the following:


1.  An application such as Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF 612), or résumé. The application must include work experience, training, education, and awards relevant to the qualifications requirements. For work experience, specify the dates and number of hours per week. For training or self-development activities, specify course titles, classroom hours completed and dates. Do not send position descriptions.

2.  For Applicants Claiming Veterans' Preference: Form DD-214 or other official documentation from a branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Eligibles claiming 10-point preference must also submit an Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, SF-15, along with the required documentation listed on the back of the SF-15.

For more information regarding Veterans Preference please visit: https://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetsinfo.asp

 

In addition, the following materials are recommended:

An OF 306, Declaration for Federal Employment.

A copy of college transcript or a list of college courses (if applicable).

Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles must also submit the following (all four are required):

1.  An SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or other official documentation, which shows that you were declared displaced or surplus while serving as a career or career conditional competitive service employee, in tenure group 1 or 2, OR are a current or former Executive Branch agency employee in the excepted service serving on an appointment without time limit, at grade levels GS-15 or equivalent and below, and who has been conferred noncompetitive appointment eligibility and special selection priority by statute for positions in the competitive service;

2.  An SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or other official documentation that shows the position you may be or are being separated from has the same or higher promotion potential as that of the vacancy;

3.  CTAP eligibles:  a copy of your Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area, Certificate of Expected Separation or other official notice indicating you are in a surplus organization or occupation or eligible for discontinued service retirement; ICTAP eligibles:  a copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area, documentation showing you were separated as a result of RIF or declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area, or a letter from OPM or your agency documenting other priority consideration status as described in 5 CFR 330.708(a)(2); and

4.  A copy of a current (or last) performance rating of record of at least fully successful or equivalent (required unless you are an ICTAP eligible due to compensable injury or disability retirement).

For Assistance:

ITS has contracted with the Treasury's Bureau of the Public Debt (BPD) to provide certain personnel services to its organization.  BPD's responsibilities include advertising ITS vacancies, accepting and handling applications, and extending job offers.

For more information, contact the Human Resources Specialist listed under 'Contact Information' below.

Anyone needing a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process may contact the Human Resources Specialist listed under 'Contact Information' below.

 

Questionnaire

 

(Complete this section only if you are submitting a paper questionnaire 1203FX form as described in Option B above.)

 

Social Security Number


Vacancy Identification Number

Please enter the following Vacancy Identification Number:  PI192124

1. Title of Job

Supervisory IT Specialist (Network) (Branch Chief)
2. Biographic Data

3. E-Mail Address


4. Work Information

5. Employment Availability

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

6. Citizenship

Are you a citizen of the United States?
7. Background Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

8. Other Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

9. Languages

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

10. Lowest Grade

Lowest Grade Acceptable
1415
11. Miscellaneous Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

12. Special Knowledge

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

13. Test Location

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

14. Veteran Preference Claim

15. Dates of Active Duty - Military Service

16. Availability Date


17. Service Computation Date

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

18. Other Date Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

19. Job Preference

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

20. Occupational Specialties


001 Public
21. Geographic Availability

Please select the location(s) that you would like to be considered for.
0224 St. Louis Metro area, MO0232 Kansas City Metro area, MO0346 Ft. Collins, CO
22. Transition Assistance Plan

23. Job Related Experience

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

24. Personal Background Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX, leave this section blank.

25. Occupational/Assessment Questions:

1. Do you have 52-weeks of experience at the GS-13 level or equivalent, which includes the following:

Accomplishment of computer project assignments, in an enterprise infrastructure environment, that required a wide range of knowledge of IT requirements and techniques. This knowledge is generally demonstrated by assignments where I analyzed a number of alternative approaches to advise management regarding major IT issues, problems and concerns.

AND

Experience leading or overseeing various IT projects, in an operational telecommunications environment.

A. Yes
B. No

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

2. Do you have 52-weeks of experience at the GS-14 level or equivalent, which includes the following:

Accomplishment of computer project assignments, in an enterprise infrastructure environment, that required a wide range of knowledge of IT requirements and techniques. This knowledge is generally demonstrated by assignments where I analyzed a number of alternative approaches to advise management or make decisions regarding major IT issues, problems and concerns.

AND

Experience as a supervisor or manager or above overseeing the work of a subordinate staff of employees engaged in the execution of IT related activities and/or projects in an operational telecommunications environment.

A. Yes
B. No

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

3. Which of the following best describes your IT leadership experience?

A. I have second-level management experience over first line supervisory staff.
B. I have experience as a permanent supervisor over a group of IT employees.
C. I have experience as a permanent "team leader" over a group of IT employees.
D. I have experience overseeing the work of other IT Specialists as a senior IT specialist, but not as a permanent "team leader".
E. I have experience leading various special IT projects
F. My experience is not reflected in any of the above statements.

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

For each question in this section, select the answer that best describes your experience managing a staff of employees.

A- Yes
B- No

4. I have provided employee performance reviews and counseling sessions.

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

5. I have been responsible for the training development of staff.

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

6. I have developed my organization's strategic plan, mission, vision and values.

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

7. I have integrated my organization's strategic mission, vision, and values into my unit's goals, work products, and work plans.

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

8. I have provided employee discipline and performance improvement plans.

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

9. Which of the following best describes your network operations management experience with troubleshooting problems?

A. I managed a network team responsible for troubleshooting an enterprise multi protocol label switched network of at least 2,500 nodes.
B. I have management experience troubleshooting facets of an enterprise network for example the LAN, WAN, last mile, and/or customer premise equipment.
C. I have experience troubleshooting various telecom environments.
D. My experience is not reflected in any of the above statements.

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

For each question in this section, select the answer that best describes your knowledge of Operating Systems, IOS, and Firewall software and appliances.

A- Yes
B- No

10. I have operations experience with multiple vendor telecommunication routing and switching platforms and internet work operating systems.

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

11. I have operations experience with multiple firewall architectures and vendor platforms.

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

12. I have operations experience with patching web servers including Microsoft, Unix, Linux, and Sun operating systems.

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

13. I have operations experience with the use of network blade technology for content switching and firewall policies.

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

14. I have operations experience with a network protected by a Nokia firewall appliance with Checkpoint NG software.

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

For each question in this section, select the answer that best describes your experience managing an enterprise telecommunications network.

15. Choose the answer that best describes your experience managing network support.

A. I have managed a tier one, customer agent level support and/or tier 2 medium triage operational center for an enterprise network of over 2,000 nodes.
B. I have managed a three tier detailed technical triage network operations center for an enterprise network of over 2,000 nodes
C. I have managed a three tier detail technical network supporting 2,000 nodes, an enterprise hosting network, and an internal end user network supporting email/local file and print.
D. My experience is not reflected in any of the above statements.

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

16. Choose the answer that best describes your experience managing a network using VPN and/or MPLS.

A. I have managed an enterprise telecom network using multiple secure communication methods including VPN AND MPLS.
B. I have managed an enterprise telecom network using VPN OR MPLS.
C. My experience is not reflected in either of the above statements.

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

17. I have managed an enterprise Voice over IP telephony system supporting over 1,000 customers.

A. Yes
B. No

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

18. I have managed Cisco IPCC Voice over IP telephony system including supporting a blended call agent environment.

A. Yes
B. No

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

19. Which of the following best describes your experience with oral communications in the field of information technology?

A. I have experience preparing and delivering oral presentations that involved negotiating and defending IT issues on behalf of my organization.
B. I have experience preparing and delivering oral information explaining complex IT technical data, training, or procedures to others. (Examples of this experience include: conducting training seminars, conducting on-the-job training for other employees, providing technical customer service support, or conducting explanatory briefings of technical data).
C. I have experience preparing and delivering oral presentations involving communicating routine IT information.
D. I have experience preparing and delivering oral presentations that do not involve the field of information technology.
E. My experience is not reflected in any of the above statements.

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

20. I have experience facilitating discussions and arriving at consensus between customer organizations, employees, etc. which influence project/program direction.

A. Yes
B. No

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

21. Which of the following best describes your experience with written communications in the field of information technology?

A. I have experience preparing and delivering written presentations that involved negotiating and defending IT issues and positions on behalf of my organization.
B. I have experience preparing and publishing written presentations involving complex IT technical data, information, or procedures to others. (Examples of this experience include: developing training materials, preparing system design documents for change management, or preparing briefings of technical data for use in hardening procedures or certification and accreditation support).
C. I have experience preparing status reports and briefing papers involving communicating routine IT information.
D. I have experience preparing and delivering oral presentations that do not involve the field of information technology.
E. My experience is not reflected in any of the above statements.

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

For each question in this section, answer whether or not you have experience managing the necessary acquisitions for an enterprise voice network.

A- Yes
B- No

22. I have experience in managing the acquisitions and operations of a telecom environment with an annual budget in excess of 60 million.

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

23. I have experience approving contract performance and authorizing payments (duties of a Contracting Officer's Technical Representative COTR) and have developed contract acquisitions to obtain support services.

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

24. I have experience in developing charging algorithms for services provided and measure accomplishments to a service level agreement.

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

25. I have managed cell phone, local voice, long distance services, calling cards, and/or conferencing, through the use of Government wide or enterprise-wide contracts.

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

26. I have experience with local exchange carriers to provision service for:

A. 2,000 plus offices
B. 1,000 plus offices
C. 50 plus offices
D. my local offices
E. I do not have experience with local exchange carriers.

Fully describe how you meet this level of experience. If this experience is clearly documented in your resume, indicate where we can find it to ensure you receive proper credit.

27. Reminder: In addition to this questionnaire, you must also submit all information/documents applicable to you as described under "Required Documents." Please read the vacancy announcement carefully. If all the required information is not submitted, you will be found ineligible.

A. OK
 

 

Contact Information:
Katrina Dickason

Phone: (304)480-8348

Email: katrina.dickason@bpd.treas.gov


Or write:
Administrative Resource Center
FESB Room A2-F
200 3rd Street
Parkersburg, WV 26106-5312

USA


What To Expect Next:

Once the assessment questionnaire has been received you will receive an acknowledgement message verifying that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application package has been made you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official.  If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted.