Information Technology Specialist (Network)

Summary

Joining the Secret Service will allow you to serve as an Information Technology (IT) Specialist (Network) in the Network Support Branch (NSB), Critical Systems Protection Branch (CSP) and Applied Research Division (TEC), United States Secret Service (USSS). CSP and NSB is responsible for the technical operations and support of security systems that secure the White House, VP residence, investigative and National Special Security Events (NSSE) events.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Status Candidates (this includes current or former Federal employees with career or career-conditional tenure in the competitive service; Former Overseas Employees, CTAP, ICTAP, VEOA, 30% or More Disabled Veterans, Schedule A, Military Spouses, Americorps, Peace Corps, Vista, Land Management, and Interchange Agreement Eligibles)

Duties

The selectee will serve as a Information Technology Specialist (Network) in the Office of Technical Development and Applied Research, Network Support Branch (NSB), or Critical Systems Protection Branch (CSP). Typical work assignments include:

Administering and managing the operations of a multitude of network appliances, systems, and backbone routers and switches.

Programing and maintaining networking devices; Monitoring and troubleshooting network elements to ensure that problems are discovered and resolved in a timely manner.

Analyzing and evaluating agency-wide network architecture, infrastructure, mission and/or agency requirements.

Developing and enforcing standards for network device installation, testing, maintenance, monitoring, upgrades, backup and recovery.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.

One-year probationary period may be required.

Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see

Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required

Obtain and maintain a Top Secret Tier 5 clearance. For more information visit OPM Myth buster Page

Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position.

Submit to a polygraph examination prior to your appointment.

Qualifications

GS-12 Basic Requirement:

Applicant must have Information Technology (IT) related experience demonstrating each of the four required competencies:

A) Attention to Detail- Identifying trends contained within information technology data;

B) Customer Service- Assisting with identifying the requirements of customer's information technology systems;

C) Oral Communication- Collaborating with others while integrating information technology programs; and

D) Problem Solving- Recommending solutions to information technology security problems associated with system changes.

AND

GS-12: Applicant must possess one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing the following duties:

Monitoring the health and configuration of networks to identify abnormal situations;

Monitoring information technology problems to determine whether cable, equipment, and/or operations is the problem; and

Supporting administrators and/or engineers in maintaining operating data center devices, operating systems, applications and/or hardware.

GS-13 Basic Requirement:

Applicant must have Information Technology (IT) related experience demonstrating each of the four required competencies:

A) Attention to Detail- Identifying trends contained within information technology data;

B) Customer Service- Identifying the requirements of customer's information technology systems;

C) Oral Communication- Collaborating with others while integrating information technology programs; and

D) Problem Solving- Resolving information technology security problems associated with system changes.

AND

GS-13: Applicant must possess one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-12 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing the following duties:

Implementing the standard configuration software loads for network devices;

Providing troubleshooting support of WAN/LAN using automated reporting and/or monitoring systems; and

Applying knowledge of application program interfaces to resolve hardware/software interface and/or interoperability problems NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

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

Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. NOTE: All current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their SF-50 (you may need to submit more than one), "Notice of Personnel Action" that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP): This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet eligibility criteria for CTAP or ICTAP; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For information on eligibility criteria and required documentation, go to:

Education

Additional information

Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Personnel Management guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

Merit promotion and/or non-competitive referral lists may be issued based on the needs of the agency.

This position will require a credit check after a conditional offer of employment has been accepted.

More than one selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade and unit occur. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707., /, and possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

The Secret Service prohibits employees from having visible body markings (including but not limited to tattoos, body art, and branding) on the head, face, neck, hand and fingers (any area below the wrist bone) (exception: a single conservative and unobtrusive tattoo in the form of a ring is authorized on one finger).

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the duties of the position. A score will automatically be calculated based on your answers to the application questionnaire and your responses to all online assessments. All answers provided in the online process must be substantiated by your application package. Upon review, your resume and/or supporting documents need to support your answer choices and reflect the qualification requirements in order to be considered. If your application does not indicate you possess the listed minimum qualifications, you will be considered not qualified. The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:

Accountability

Attention to Detail

Customer Service

Cybersecurity Information Technology

Decision Making

Flexibility

Influencing/Negotiating

Integrity/Honesty

Interpersonal Skills

Learning

Reading Comprehension

Reasoning

Self-Management

Stress Tolerance

Systems Testing and Evaluation

Teamwork

Technical Problem Solving

The USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

For Competitive Merit Promotion and Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) Applicants: The highest rated candidates may be referred to the hiring agency.

For Noncompetitive Appointment Eligibles and Special Hiring Authority Eligibles: All qualified candidates may be referred based on the needs of the hiring agency.

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veteran must 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions (you must submit a DD214-member copy 4). Veteran's preference does not apply under Merit Promotion procedures. View VEOA information on

Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3).

To preview the assessment questionnaire, click the following link:

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your resume showing a detailed description of your job-related qualifications that includes beginning and ending dates with the month and year and hours worked per week (if less than 40) for each paid and non-paid work experience job title listed.

2. Other supporting documents (only submit if applicable to you):

Are you a current federal employee? Submit a copy of your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that demonstrates your eligibility for consideration, e.g., length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, with-in grade/range increases); your current promotion potential; proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement; etc.

Are you a former federal employee? Submit a copy of your last SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that demonstrates your eligibility for consideration and a copy of your last Federal Performance appraisal.

Are you a veteran? Submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 or other (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or notice form. Those applying for 10-Point preference must fill out the and provide an official document dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference. If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date you submit your application. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions.

For more information on veterans' preference see

Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP)? If so, submit the documents applicable to you:

A copy of the documentation demonstrating your status as a surplus or displaced employee (See for additional information regarding these statuses);

A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action," noting your position, grade level, and duty location. If you have already separated, submit a copy of your SF-50 documenting your separation;

A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating (if your separation notice does not have this information included); and

Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

Are you eligible for a special noncompetitive hiring authority (e.g., Schedule A Disability, Peace Corps, Former Overseas Employees, etc.)? Submit documentation of proof that supports your eligibility under a special hiring authority.

Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:

Position title;

Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);

Agency; and

Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

Are you applying under special hiring authorities as a military spouse? Provide a copy of your:

Marriage certificate, and

A completed SF-15 with supporting documentation.

You may be asked to