IT SPECIALIST (NETWORK)

Summary

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 32 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION.

This position is for an IT Specialist (NETWORK), Position Description Number D2181P01 and is part of the 158th Communications Squadron of the 158th Mission Support Group of the Vermont Air National Guard.

Duties

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MAJOR DUTIES:

1. Administers the base Local Area Network (LAN). Implements new network operating systems hardware and software and develops base wide network operating procedures. Analyzes LAN utilization statistics through data collection and performance measures to ensure the smooth, reliable, and robust operation of LANs to include classified and unclassified networks. Coordinates LAN installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and reviews, evaluates, and fine-tunes components such as virtual servers, hubs, switches, and routers to achieve peak efficiency within the overall network connectivity. Assists in the development, configuration, installation, and maintenance of network systems to include the LAN/WAN. Receives network, communications, and related operating systems from various sources such as design centers and commercial vendors. Maintains an inventory of all network hardware and software. Installs, configures, and troubleshoots network and application server hardware, network operating system software, and peripheral network equipment such as routers, bridges, cabling system, network interface cards, modems, multiplexers, and concentrators. Develops and maintains base wide procedures for networks, system operations, backups, and product assembly and installation. Implements network operating system and/or network application software, and maintain contact with software suppliers to ensure that current releases of software products are in use. Conducts testing of network systems to ensure current network software products are compatible with system configurations and to ensure operability, efficiency, and compliance with existing standards. Monitors operation of the LAN/WAN and ensures hardware and network operating software are functioning properly and that operation standards are met. Function tests systems components to identify and resolve technical problems, analyze system malfunctions, implement necessary corrective actions, and provide ongoing support for the resolution of complex problems and operating malfunctions. Performs system backups to ensure expedient restoration of the database for the respective network equipment. Assists customers on the use of office automation computers, local and wide area networks, and other automated tools. Ensures backups of network equipment configuration data are current. Resolves LAN related problems for the base. Recommends and prepares operating policies and procedures for networks, system operations, and product assembly and installation. Provides customer assistance and training for new network systems.

2. Conducts problem analysis to identify trends, ineffective practices or procedures, and equipment shortcomings. Identifies and documents network requirements for specific needs of customers. Determines if the facility environment can provide for network system requirements, and if infrastructure is in place to support the system. Conducts in-depth analyses of network usage, user complaints, traffic interruptions, hardware and software capabilities, and other relevant factors. Changes the components of existing equipment for efficient operation or recommends major modifications to existing systems. Recommends methods and procedures and coordinates corrective action to optimize utilization of present equipment. Uses benchmarks, performance measurement, and evaluation data, in conjunction with modeling and simulation techniques in planning for increased capacity and to support additional workloads. Identifies potential performance or capacity problems and plans for changes to avert problems. Works with technical support personnel in resolving problems. When required, participates with design team on new initiatives, contributing technical expertise on existing LANs. Ensures upgrades to the base infrastructure are identified and submits requests for equipment and funds. Cooperates and works with base communication agencies in planning and developing new or additional network infrastructure capabilities. Provides cost analyses for new and upgraded network infrastructure capabilities.

3. Plans for current and future technology integration and works issues for compatibility and standardization based on current and projected customer needs. Analyzes LAN utilization statistics, performance measures, and system profiles to ensure network robustness in serving the business needs of the installation. Forecasts future needs and prepares recommendations, justifications, and specifications for LAN equipment. Determines when improvements in networking capability are needed and makes detailed technical recommendations to the senior system specialist.

**REFER TO POSITION DESCRITPION FOR FULL LIST OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITES**

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• The incumbent of this position description must have, at a minimum, a completed National Agency Check (NAC) prior to position assignment.
• Irregular and overtime (compensatory) hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies.
• The employee may be required to travel in military and/or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.
• Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
• Work may require access to classified information. Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance.
• May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours; overtime may be required.
• *Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform
• *In order to be eligible, applicants must have a current military status. Prior service or non-prior service applicants are not eligible.

Qualifications

NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED: This is a Title 32 excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the Vermont Air National Guard. Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform. Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment.

OPEN AREAS OF CONSIDERATION: AREA 1

Area I: Current On-board Title 5 or Title 32 Dual Status Technicians (Tenure: 1-Career, 2-Conditional, 3-Indefinite or 4-Term ) - Only those current Vermont National Guard employees who are in permanent, indefinite, or term technician status as result of being competitively hired by the VTNG.

Military Grade/Rank: Individually Addressed up to TSgt/E6

For all positions individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below. The employing agency is responsible for identifying the specific level of proficiency required for each competency at each grade level based on the requirements of the position being filled.

1. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
2. Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit 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; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
3. Oral Communication - Expresses 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); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
4. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-09: GS-09 - 1-year specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade. In addition to the OPM IORs (Alternative A) specialized experience examples, specialized experience includes experience, education, or training receiving, maintaining, and issuing data storage media for computer operations. Experience in scheduling the use of computer time for program processing. Experience collecting and sequentially staging input media with associated program instructions for processing. Experience in at least one programming language. Translating detailed logical steps developed by others into language codes that computers accept where this required understanding of procedures and limitations appropriate to use of a programming language. Experience interviewing subject-matter personnel to get facts regarding work processes and synthesizing the resulting data into charts showing information flow. Experience in analysis of the interrelationship of pertinent components of the system. Experience planning the sequence of actions necessary to accomplish the assignment. Experience scheduling the sequence of programs to be processed by computers where alternatives had to be weighed with a view to production efficiency.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-11: 1-year specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade. In addition to the OPM IORs (Alternative A) specialized experience examples, specialized experience includes experience, education, or training that approaches techniques and requirements appropriate to an assigned computer applications area or computer specialty area in an organization. Experience planning the sequence of actions necessary to accomplish the assignment where this entailed coordination with others outside the organizational unit and development of project controls. Experience that required adaptations of guidelines or precedents to meet the needs of the assignment. Experience preparing documentation on cost/benefit studies where is involved summarizing the material and organizing it in a logical fashion.

NOTE: This information must be supported in your resume to be considered for the position

OR

Education: A Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or a degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one of more of the identified above fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks. Note: You must submit copies of your official transcripts.

Length of time is not of itself qualifying. Candidates' experience should be evaluated based on the duties performed rather than strictly on the rank of the individual; however, established compatibility criteria/assignments must be followed. The applicant's record of experience, training, and education must show possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to fully perform the duties of the position to be filled.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.

CONTINUATION OF CONDITIONS EMPLOYMENT & NOTES:

- Information Assurance Certification is a condition of employment. This position includes information assurance (IA) work as a paramount duty requirement. Per DoD 8570.01-M, the incumbent of this position must achieve the appropriate IA certification within six months of assignment of these duties. A waiver of this six month requirement may be granted per DoD 8570.01-M, C3.2.4.2 or C3.2.4.3. Failure to receive the proper IA certification may result in removal from this position.

- This position is designated as Essential Personnel and may be subject to duty in preparation for, or in response to, a state emergency or disaster declaration. This designation will not exceed 14 calendar days per year unless otherwise approved in advance by the TAG.

Please be advised:

1. Specialized experience will be used to determine qualifications for the announced position.

2. An applicant's RESUME must provide, in detail, how they meet the specialized experience listed.

3. It must be documented with "from (mm/yy)" and "to (mm/yy)" dates and description of the specialized experience.

4. If education or a degree is required as part of the "Specialized Experience", you must include transcripts.

Do not copy the specialized experience qualifications word for word and place into your resume; you must describe your personal experience as it pertains to each statement.

Education

Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience is allowed.

1) Qualifying based on education alone: Education may be substituted for specialized experience with a Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or a degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one of more of the identified above fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks. NOTE: In order to qualify for this position using education, you must submit a copy of your transcripts.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: ;br>
Additional information

If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (;br>
If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.