Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals. Note: Federal employees with permanent status or individuals eligible for special appointing authorities may also apply to Job Announcement #23-62.

1. Linux Network administration. The SMA relies on complex network infrastructure based on the linux operating system for telescope operations. Linux network administration duties include: oversight of network operations and rapid response to outages; linux terminal command line based configuration of switches, routers, and firewalls to maintain network security; optimizing routing paths; documenting network architecture; planning, designing, and costing network improvements or expansions;  specification, acquisition, and installation of network hardware; maintaining network hardware; network software and security upgrades using linux and command line tools; and coordination with IT staff at other Maunakea observatories, the University of Hawaii, the SAO, and the Smithsonian.
2. Linux System administration. The SMA is controlled by a heterogenous collection of computers, primarily Red Hat Linux systems. Linux system administration duties include: oversight of computing operations and rapid response to outages; monitoring system status for anomalies or security issues; system configuration via the linux terminal and command line; linux system software and security upgrades; oversight of software license and support contracts; analysis of computing requirements; and planning, designing, and costing improvements or expansions.
3. Linux Virtual machine administration. The primary SMA linux servers are virtualized and run on linux servers. VM administration duties include: deployment of linux VMs and containers; analysis of server loads and balancing them with VM resources; migration of VMs between physical hosts; system software and security upgrades; maintenance of VM hosts; specification, acquisition, and installation of VM host hardware; and planning, designing, and costing improvements or expansions.
4. Data storage administration. SMA observations produce data at a rate that can exceed 1 TB per night. Data storage administration duties include: maintenance of data storage servers and backup systems using the Linux command line, including cloud storage; specification, acquisition, and installation of storage hardware; planning, designing, and costing improvements or expansions; and oversight of cloud storage contracts.

Conditions of employment

• Pre- and post-appointment background investigation
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
• U.S. citizenship
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Must have a valid State driver's license
• Passing a high altitude physical examination is a condition of employment.
• The Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) rate for 2023 is 3.50%

Must have a valid State driver's license as you must travel between Hilo and Maunakea using SMA (government) vehicles.  You may be required to provide a copy of your driver's license if contacted for an interview. 

Incumbent must pass a high altitude physical examination (condition of employment).

Frequent trips will be necessary to the SMA telescope on Maunakea at 4075 m (13375 ft) altitude, which experiences a broad range of weather conditions, including rain, snow, and high winds. Travel to the telescope over the mountain access road can be hazardous. Some outdoor work is involved, for example to adjust systems in the antenna cabins.

The SMA facilities include laboratory and industrial settings that require cognizance and observance of documented precautions regarding heavy equipment, cutting and welding operations, high voltage, chemicals, LN2 or other cryogens, and other potentially hazardous conditions, materials, or practices. Personal Protective Equipment must be worn when required.

Qualifications

Individuals 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

Experience for GS-12 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-11 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience that includes IT support activities such as network administration, system administration, virtual machine administration, data storage administration, user support, or writing or modifying computer software professionally

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.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

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 evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above.  The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:

1. Knowledge of and skill in administration of complex data networks comprising Linux systems using Linux command line tools and the Linux terminal.
2. Experience with and skill in administration of Linux servers. 
3. Skill in administration of Linux virtual machine hosts sufficient to balance server loads.
4. Knowledge of and skill in administration using Linux command line tools and Linux shell of data storage systems.
5. Knowledge of computer programming sufficient for Linux system administration tasks.
6. Ability to communicate technical information effectively to diverse audiences.  

Applicants who meet or exceed minimum qualifications will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria:

Best Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and excels in most of the job related competencies above.

Better Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and satisfies most of the job related competencies above.

Good Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but does not satisfy most of the job related competencies above to a substantive degree.  

This category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three", but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category.  A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied.

Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.

Applicants who have not submitted a resume in the USAjobs system and/or have not answered all of the vacancy questions will not be considered for this position.  

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

Important Note:

Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.