SummaryDeliver secure and high availability infrastructure solutions supporting VA's mission. Serve as an operational service provider of foundational compute, storage, physical database, and client management components. Implement and sustain technical, management, and operational security controls and supporting processes to protect mission critical networks, systems, and applications throughout the VA enterprise.
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- Determines the most appropriate principles, practices, and methods to apply in all phases of assignments, including the approach to be taken, degree of intensity and depth of research in management advisories; Coordinates, plans and communicates effectively with a wide variety of people to accomplish goals.
- Investigates violations of security, gathers information and reports it to the ISO; ensuring sound security principles are reflected in the organization's goals and mission.
- Advises the ISO and labor-management officials regarding the technical details of security violations and provides authoritative guidance on the implications of such violations.
- Keeps the supervisor informed of progress and of potentially controversial matters and has the authority to direct other computer and maintenance employees to assist in completing assignments and projects.
- Sets up and maintains a system or specific components of a system (e.g. for example, installing, configuring, and updating hardware and software; establishing and managing user accounts.
- Oversees or conducts backup and recovery tasks; implementing operational and technical security controls; and adhering to organizational security policies and procedures).
- Installs, updates and troubleshoots systems/servers.
This is a Bargaining Unit Position.This position is primarily aligned to the following NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework work roles:
Cybersecurity Code 451 - System Administrator: Responsible for setting up and maintaining a system or specific components of a system (e.g. for example, installing, configuring, and updating hardware and software; establishing and managing user accounts; overseeing or conducting backup and recovery tasks; implementing operational and technical security controls; and adhering to organizational security policies and procedures).
For more information about these work roles, where they fit within the larger Cyber Workforce, and how they can support your unique career journey, please visit the Cyber Career Pathways tool on the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies website:
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Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am to 4:30pm.
Compressed/Flexible: Available at managers discretion.
Telework: Ad hoc/Situational as determined by Agency Policy.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: IT Specialist (Operation Systems)/PD03387A
Physical Requirements: The work requires frequent walking, bending, stooping, twisting and lifting. Travel may be required. Incumbent may be required to work off-hours and weekends to ensure continuity of computer operations.
Working Conditions: The work is performed in an office setting, warehouse setting, or computer environment. Travel to medical centers and/or SCs is required for national and local meetings, consultations, installations, maintenance, and evaluation of systems hardware and software. When working in the warehouse or computer room, incumbent may be exposed to the noise level resulting from mechanical operations (printers, large air conditioning units, disk and tape drives, etc.).
The incumbent may be expected to access remote databases at medical centers throughout the agency. In doing so, he/she must take all necessary measures to guarantee the integrity and confidentiality of such information. Appropriate security measures must be taken to guard against disclosure of access codes to these systems.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Selectee is subject to background/suitability investigation.
- Selected applicant will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- This position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.
- Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required.
- To be considered for this position, applicants must complete all required steps in the process.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period or 2-year trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/15/2026.
You must meet both the Basic Requirement and the Specialized Experience to qualify for this series and grades as described below.
Basic Requirement - Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): Applicants must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below.
- Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
- 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.
- 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.
- Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
- AND-
- Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience include, independently applying information systems security principles, remediating vulnerabilities, providing technical security recommendations, and resolving complex IT issues. Planning and executing technical assignments, adapting established methods to new requirements, and interpreting regulations to address unprecedented challenges. This experience demonstrates expertise in information security, IT project management, and technical problem-solving within a federal environment.
A Quality Ranking Factor is a knowledge, skill, or ability that is highly desirable for successful performance in this position. Applicants with this qualification may be ranked above others in the selection process. For this vacancy, the Quality Ranking Factor is: Experience independently supporting technical or project teams by coordinating and sharing technical knowledge with peers, as well as working in automated industrial or control-system environments (e.g., PLC/SCADA), to quickly adapt to Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP) operational systems.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at ;br>
Education
There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
Additional information
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at ;br>
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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. 
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