CORE-Information Technology Specialist - Department Of Homeland Security, Hyattsville, MD - Do you desire to protect American interests and secure our Nation while building a meaningful and rewarding career? If so, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling. DHS components work collectively to prevent terrorism, secure borders, enforce and administer immigration laws, safeguard cyberspace and ensure resilience to disasters. The vitality and magnitude of this mission is achieved by a diverse workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS.
When disaster strikes, America looks to FEMA. Now FEMA looks to you. Join our team and use your talent to support Americans in their times of greatest need. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) prepares the nation for all hazards and manages Federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. We foster innovation, reward performance and creativity, and provide challenges on a routine basis with a well-skilled, knowledgeable, high performance workforce.
Who May Apply
- All U.S. Citizens
For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here
This position is being announced under FEMA's CORE Program (Cadre of On-call Response/Recovery employees). These positions are authorized under P.L. 93-288 to perform temporary disaster work and are funded from the Disaster Relief Fund. Appointments are excepted service, temporary appointments. This is a 2 year temporary appointment in the Excepted Service .
EMERGENCY ASSIGNMENT: For all nonbargaining unit positions, the following applies: Every FEMA employee has regular and recurring emergency management responsibilities, though not every position requires routine deployment to disaster sites. All positions are subject to recall around the clock for emergency management operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the official duty station, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee's official position description. Travel requirements in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature (weeks to months), with little advance notice, and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically austere and operationally challenging conditions.
Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
- You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
- You must be able to obtain a Public Trust security clearance.
- You may be required to undergo periodic drug testing.
- This position may require occasional non-emergency travel.
- Direct Deposit is mandatory.
- Males born after 12/31/59 - Selective Service Registration required.
DUTIES:
This position is located within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Office of the Chief Information Officer, Operations Division, Site Support Section, NPSC Ops Team. The incumbent of this position performs troubleshooting and repair of computer equipment and hardware and software testing.
Specific Duties:
- Plan and oversee hardware and/or software installations, analyzing configuration management processes and procedures; developing and recommending processes, software, and procedures to ensure effective configuration management.
- Possess IT knowledge of voice and data network, desktop, and server computers; monitoring of servers, workstations and computers for vulnerability of an Agency network.
- Support systems involving a wide variety of different platforms, operating systems, applications, and desktops configurations; identifying and breaking down problems using structured problem resolution approaches; working with network specialists, application develpers, and security specialist to prevent recurring problems.
- Resolve customer support requests involving integration or configuration related issues.
- Analyze and adjust configuration parameters to maximize efficiency; performing computer measurement techniques using software or hardware tools; developing plans or specifications for carrying out proposed applications and program interrelationships as they pertain to configuration mangement.
- Review malfunctioning PCs, workstations, and/or associated hardware to isolate defective parts or determine whether inappropriate logical configurations are causing malfunctions; determining and carrying out the most effective actions for immediate remedy; recommending to management the most feasible solution from a cost benefit standpoint.
- Perform LAN administration and/or management; planning, developing, installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, testing, and documenting network software including network operating systems and applications; integrating, and/or maintaining existing local area network (LANs) consistent with existing or planned network infrastructure.
- Apply appropriate network topology (bus, star, ring, backbone) to the network design based on traffic pattern analysis; and keeping abreast of rapidly evolving technology; advising users on incorporation of hardware and software improvements.
- Recommend installation of new or modified LAN or LAN segments including hubs, switches, routers, new security patches to the NOS and LAN cabling infrastructure; troubleshooting, testing, and documenting network hardware, WAN routers, LAN routers and maintaining appropriate equipment inventory to ensure sufficient spare equipments to maintain continued integrity of the network.
- This position may require working long hours during times of increased disasters activities to support the FEMA mission. Weekends, nights and extended coverage may be required during large hurricanes or earthquakes or other large disaster events.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Qualifications Required: Information Technology (IT) Management Series, 2210 (Alternative A)
You qualify for this position at the GS-11 level if you possess one of the following:
You have at least one year of specialized experience and IT knowledge in voice, data networks, desktop and server computers; planning and overseeing hardware and/or software installations; analyzing configuration management processes and procedures; developing and recommending processes, software, and procedures to ensure effective configuration management; supporting systems involving a wide variety of different platforms, operating systems, applications, and desktop configurations; and recommending installation of new or modified LAN routers, or LAN segments, WAN routers, including hubs, switches, routers, and LAN cabling infrastructure.
OR
A Completion of a doctoral degree, Ph.D. or equivalent graduate degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or degree that provide a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience.
AND
In addition to meeting the above described specialized experience requirements; your IT experience will be evaluated and be expected to include described experience in the following competencies:
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.
All qualifications requirements must be met within 30 calendar days of the closing date of this announcement.
All academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.
Background Investigation : To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for Public Trust security clearance as a condition of placement into this position. This may include a review of financial issues, such as delinquency, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
All applicants will be evaluated based on responses to the Job Questionnaire for the announcement. Once the application process is complete, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire.
If you are qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click the following link: View Occupational Questionnaire
BENEFITS:
DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to www.dhs.gov/careers and select “benefits.”
OTHER INFORMATION:
This announcement may be used to fill one or more vacancies.
