• Serve as technical expert and advisor within the command concerning the development, implementation, modification, and maintenance of long- and short-range planning.
• Develop USSOUTHCOM policies and broad-based plans to protect the integrity and confidentiality of automated systems, networks, data, and automation resources/functions.
• Coordinate a comprehensive zero-trust strategy for the organization to facilitate USSOUTHCOM's strategic business objectives.
• Translate USSOUTHCOM's business needs into integrated IT roadmaps, strategies, and requirements for integrations and implementation by the enterprise contract.
• Lead the development of strategic requirements and analysis, future technologies planning and development, and the integration of these efforts into a strategic J6/CIO program plan.
• Lead joint data-centric capability requirements and collaborates with senior-level action officers, engineering and network operations staff, and contractors providing support and data-centric services for the organization.
• Serve as technical expert in a breadth of information technology specialties and functions that potentially include network engineering, data-centric operations, IT security policy, IT architecture, cross domain solutions, and IT acquisition.
• Develop quality assurance plan to ensure IT policies and procedures implementation is consistent with current legislation and DoD, U.S. Army, and HQ USSOUTHCOM policies, directives, and procedures.
• Manage the IT budget and tracks expenditures for IT related equipment, software and furniture; AND manages budget expenditures by credit card, contracts and any other method of payment.
• Perform oversight of activities and products of organizations, and responsible for assessment of enterprise contract IT processes, plans, and operations.
• Perform initial contact and liaison activities with organizations responsible for new or emerging IT contracts

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Must obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Top-Secret-SCI security clearance or access for the duration of employment.
• A pre-employment background investigation that includes contact with all references, employers, co-workers, personal associates, and a review of your driving record, credit history, criminal history, and military service are required.
• The duties of this position meet the criteria for compliance with Federal and Department of the Army Drug Free Workplace Programs. Detection of the presence of drugs is warranted.
• This position is subject to a pre-employment screening, and random testing thereafter, to include testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident.
• This position is subject to a one year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 315. While probationary, the selectee can be terminated with limited appeal rights.
• This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 30% of the time.
• This position requires shift work to provide coverage on evenings, weekends, holidays, or special situations.
• Must complete training required certification/recertification as outlined in DoDM 8140.03, Cyberspace Workforce Qualification and Management Program, dated 15 Feb 2023 or updated version and/or additional guidance within 6 months of start date.
• Must obtain and maintain a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) course certification/recertification within 1 year of assignment.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for Information Technology Specialist (Policy and Planning): The specialized experience must include, or be supplemented by, information technology related experience (paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training, as appropriate) which demonstrates each of the four competencies, as defined:

(1) Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. Examples of IT-related experience demonstrating this competency include: completing thorough and accurate work independently, even in the most difficult or stressful situations; occasionally reviewing work completed by others.

(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. Examples of IT-related experience demonstrating this competency include: resolving routine and non-routine problems, questions, or complaints; developing and maintaining strong, mutually supportive working relationships with customers; conducting evaluation of support to determine quality of services and customer satisfaction, and recommending procedural changes based on customer need or changes in policy and/or regulation.

(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. Examples of IT-related experience demonstrating this competency include: convincingly conveying complex information to customers; presenting thoughts that are well-organized and demonstrating confidence in the facts and ideas; adjusting style when working with individuals with different levels of understanding; using various methods to explain and convey information.

(4) Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. Examples of IT-related experience demonstrating this competency include: solving complex or sensitive problems by developing and proposing strategic alternatives; identifying possible conflicts and shared benefits; helping team anticipate problems and identifying and evaluating potential sources of information; providing feedback and coaching to others to help solve problems; engaging appropriate stakeholders when developing solutions in order to understand and incorporate multiple perspectives and needs; evaluating the effectiveness of decisions and adjusting future decisions as appropriate.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service which includes developing policy, planning, and/or programming for new IT strategic investments such as zero trust, data centricity, and/or others; digesting, articulating, and planning how to use emerging technologies; establishing, evaluating, and assessing IT policies, strategies, and standards to meet organizational goals and objectives; AND establishing, implementing, and ensuring compliance with information security and cybersecurity programs. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-12).

Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements and minimum qualification requirements prescribed by OPM within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Separated Military Members: Resumes will be accepted from members of the Armed Forces who indicate in their applications that they are available for appointment within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement. Military members may be appointed while on terminal/transitional leave, before the effective date of their military retirement/separation.

Military Retirees: A retired member of the Armed Forces may not be appointed to a civilian position in DoD (including a non-appropriated fund position) within 180 days after retirement and are subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326 or 5 U.S.C. 5305.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

You may claim Military Spouse preference.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

Veterans will be considered along with all other candidates.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.