Job Listing: IT Specialist (CUSTSPT)

Duty Locations

 1 vacancy - Beltsville, MD Find Solutions to Agricultural Problems that Affect Americans Every Day, From Field to Table

In this position you will provide a wide range of Help Desk services to Agricultural Research Service customers, including troubleshooting connectivity and telecommunication problems, maintaining security access protocols, upgrading access for new applications, and other user assistance services.  You will also provide technical expertise within the Office of the Chief Information Officer to make recommendations regarding new technology acquisition and implementation and the formulation of policies, procedures and standards.

This position is being announced under both Demonstration Project and Alternative Merit Promotion procedures.  Applicants with federal civil service competitive status who wish to be considered under both procedures must submit two complete application packages.  If only one application package is submitted, status applicants will be considered under Alternative Merit Promotion procedures.

NOTE:  All applications for this position must be received on or before the closing date.

Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position.

Your U.S. citizenship must be verified prior to entrance on duty.

Major Duties

In this position you will provide a wide range of Help Desk services to Agricultural Research Service (ARS) customers, including troubleshooting connectivity and telecommunication problems, maintaining security access protocols, upgrading access for new applications, and other user assistance services.  ARS operates primarily in a Microsoft computing environment, and users employ a wide variety of hardware, software, and peripherals, including PDAs, Blackberry’s, scanners, network equipment, desktop PCs and printers, laptops, COTS applications, such as MS Office Suite 2003, SharePoint, Outlook 2003, Adobe, and other applications.  ARS also uses the FrontRange HEAT system to monitor service calls and generate a variety of management reports to track and evaluate services as well as the FrontRange IT Software Management (ITSM) system to manage system change requests.You will also provide technical expertise within the Office of the Chief Information Officer to make recommendations regarding new technology acquisition and implementation and the formulation of policies, procedures and standards.  If selected at a grade level below the GS-12 full performance level, you will receive training and/or on-the-job developmental assignments to prepare you to perform the duties at successive levels and for promotion up to the full performance level.  Specific duties and responsibilities at the full performance level include, but are not limited to the following:Planning, developing, and delivering customer support programs and services;

Assisting in problem identification in existing applications by analyzing system interrelationships and proposing alternative structures;

Performing studies of various technologies and other IT issues, including the various costs and benefits, advantages and disadvantages, to make recommendations related to adoption of or changes to technologies;

Recommending policies, procedures and standards governing the operation, support, and use of agency IT resources, such as PC hardware, software and peripherals; agency LANs; data communications systems; electronic mail systems, and other technologies;

Providing technical expertise on the research, analysis, design, development and implementation of new or upgraded agency IT technologies; and

Providing training, guidance and advice to agency customers on the use of IT technologies.

How to Apply

Applications may be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to the appropriate address and/or facsimile number, but they must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the closing date.

If sending your application as an attachment to an email, do not send zipped files.  They will be removed in accordance with standard electronic security procedures.

If hand delivered, be sure your application is received in the Human Resources Division on or before closing date.

If application packages do not contain all of the requested information, you may lose consideration for the job.  To help you ensure your application fully outlines your qualifications and eligibility for this position, please submit the following documentation as appropriate.   Some of the items listed may not apply to you.  NOTE:  Applications received in postage paid government envelopes will not be considered.

APPLICATION PACKAGE CHECKLIST

__ Optional Form 612 (Optional Application for Federal Employment), Resume, Curriculum Vitae, or other document outlining your qualifications (Go to http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/of.asp and scroll down to obtain the OF-612).

The following information is required of all applicants:

__ Announcement number, title, and grade(s) of the position

__ Full name, mailing address (including zip code) and day and evening phone numbers (with area code)

__ Statement that you are a U.S. citizen (if not using the OF-612)

__Copy of DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) (only if claiming veteran’s preference) (Visit the following web site for additional information: http://www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/html/vetguide.asp 

__SF-15 (Application for 10-point Veteran’s Preference) plus the support documentation required by this form (if claiming 10-point veteran’s preference) (Go to the web site at http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/sf.asp to obtain form.)

__ Paid and non-paid work experience related to the position.  For each period of work experience include:

          ___Job title

          ___Series/grade (if Federal employment)

          ___Duties and accomplishments

          ___Employer’s name and address

          ___Supervisor’s name and contact information

          ___Starting and ending dates of employment (at least month/year)

          ___Number of hours worked per week

          ___Salary

          ___Indicate if we may contact current supervisor/employer

__ Other job related information, such as training courses (title & year); skills (e.g., other languages, computer software/hardware, tools, etc.)

          ___Certificates/licenses (current)

          ___Honors, awards, and special accomplishments

          ___Supplemental questionnaire if applicable
                (usually for Federal Wage System positions - WG, WL, WS)

__ Copy of college transcripts (if qualifying all or in part on the basis of education for this position) (If you have non-conventional education, e.g., foreign study, continuing education units, life experience, etc., go to the web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e4.htm#e4a and look under the heading “Other Education” for information governing acceptability of this type of education.)

__ Copy of SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) to verify possession of competitive civil service status (if you are a current or previous federal employee)

__ Copy of most recent performance appraisal (if you are a current federal employee)

__ Second copy of application package IF you are a candidate with competitive status.  (NOTE:  All status candidates who wish to be considered under both alternative merit promotion and non-status competitive examining must submit two (2) complete applications when the position is open to both status and non-status candidates.  When only one (1) application is received, it will be considered under the alternative merit promotion procedures if the applicant is a current or former Federal employee with reinstatement eligibility.)

__ Support documentation for eligibility for special hiring authorities, such as disability, Peace Corps service, etc.  (If you have questions about whether you are eligible for a particular hiring authority, please call the servicing HR specialist or visit the web site at http://www.opm.gov/Strategic_Management_of_Human_Capital/fhfrc/default.asp.

__ Support documentation if you are a USDA surplus or federal displaced employee (See pertinent section under “Other Important Information” below.

__ Self-certification of typing speed (if required as a basic qualification for the position)

__ While not required, a separate response to the required knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs listed under Specialized Experience) and Selective Placement Factor(s), if present, for this position may better highlight your specific qualifications for this position.  (For an explanation of KSAs, go to the web site at http://www.ars.usda.gov/careers, and click on 'How to Apply.'

If this is your first time applying for a federal job, or if you wish to view more detailed information about  various aspects of applying for federal jobs, go to http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/of.asp and scroll down to access the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Optional Form 510.

Contact Information:
Liz Parker

Phone: 301-504-1403

Fax: 301-504-1535

TDD: 202-855-1234

Email: SCIRECRUIT@ARS.USDA.GOV


Or write:
Department Of Agriculture
USDA-REE-ARS-HRD/Announcement #ARS-X8E-0188
5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Stop #5104
Beltsville, MD 20705-5104

E-Mail: SCIRECRUIT@ARS.USDA.GOV

Fax: 301-504-1535


What To Expect Next:

Applicants will receive written confirmation from this office when their application package is received.

After the application has been received, applicants will not be notified of the status of their paperwork until a final selection has been made.