IT Specialist positions are being filled through the Office of Personnel Management's delegated Direct Hire Authority, open to all U.S. citizens. Selections made under this bulletin will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would, therefore, be given new appointments to the civil service. Under the provisions of the Direct Hire Authority, Veterans Preference and the "Rule of Many" do not apply.
Summary
IT Specialist positions are being filled through the Office of Personnel Management's delegated Direct Hire Authority, open to all U.S. citizens. Selections made under this bulletin will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would, therefore, be given new appointments to the civil service. Under the provisions of the Direct Hire Authority, Veterans Preference and the "Rule of Many" do not apply.
This announcement serves as public notice. Applications submitted be placed into a pool and will remain on file for selection as positions become available.
Vacancies may be filled for up to 6 months after the closing date of this announcement. Applicants may not receive notifications of referral status until the full 6-month eligibility period has elapsed.
Positions filled with applications from this pool will be placed into positions where Artificial Intelligence duties occupy the majority of the work performed.
Selective Service Registration, if applicable (www.sss.gov)
Fingerprinting and background and/or security investigation may be required
Job offers are contingent on fingerprinting and background / security investigation results
Selectees may be required to serve a 1 year probationary period
Relocation expenses will not be paid
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement
Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion or national origin.
Qualifications
Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered, please visit the new resume guidance for more information.
READ ALL SECTIONS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY. THIS INFORMATION IS CRUCIAL TO SUBMITTING A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION.
To qualify for the 2210 IT Specialist series, you must demonstrate the following competencies. Experience must be IT related. It may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate.
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; know about available products and services; and 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.
In addition, to qualify for this GS-15 position you must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-14 level or above, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled, that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience must primarily consist of supporting, designing, implementing, and troubleshooting complex enterprise CICS, MQ, and DB2 systems. This is particularly critical as the agency continues to upgrade the IBM mainframes and increase the reliance on CICS processing for the agency's many online applications.
PLEASE NOTE: Specialized Experience is REQUIRED and must be explicitly documented/described in your resume or you will be disqualified from further consideration.
This position does not have an educational requirement.
Education cannot be substituted for specialized experience.
Additional information
See announcement cutoff dates below under How to Apply.
The Social Security Administration's technology team plays a vital role in supporting the agency's mission to serve millions of Americans. We are responsible for the strategic planning, implementation, operation, and maintenance of the agency's computer systems and enterprise information technology infrastructure. Our team is dedicated to designing, building, testing, and delivering innovative technology solutions that ensure uninterrupted, 24/7 availability of critical services to the public.
Our technology environment is robust and dynamic, spanning agency data centers and hybrid cloud platforms. We provide continuous operations management for essential applications, maintain and monitor all computer storage, network assets, and technology services, and ensure seamless, high-performance delivery for key workloads such as online services, Social Security number verification, and secure data exchanges. We also lead governance activities for infrastructure and software change management, capacity planning, and performance testing, guaranteeing a highly available and resilient environment. We are committed to leveraging Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies to optimize processes, enhance system efficiency, and improve the experience for both users and employees.
With multiple specialized divisions, a central operations center, and regional service support centers, our team delivers comprehensive support and exceptional customer service to agency employees, state partners, and industry collaborators. If you are passionate about technology, innovation, and public service, we invite you to join our dedicated team and help shape the future of digital government services.
Recruitment incentive may be authorized.
Additional selections may be made for this vacancy six months from the closing date of this announcement. This Direct Hire announcement may be used to fill the same or similar position in another office.
Selective Service: If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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 your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
You may be required to file OGE form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, in accordance with 5 CFR section 2634, subpart i.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The evaluation you receive is based on your responses to the online assessment questions completed during the application process.
Please make sure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation. Information not specifically stated in your resume cannot be assumed.
Information copied or restated from the vacancy announcement or rating criteria will not be considered. If this occurs, you may be found ineligible.
Duties:
Provides technical advice and counsel to the Associate Commissioner, OHE, on short- and long-range efforts in the direction, management, and coordination of projects in support of SSA's programs and policies
Engineers studies and analyses to ensure SSA's IT systems are consistent with the mission, goals and operations of the agency. Resolves the most difficult and intricate IT performance problems.
Conducts and/or leads analyses of proposed improvements or enhancements to SSA operations.
Prepares and presents written reports and memoranda, oral briefings, seminars, workshops, and recommendations concerning long-range objectives that provide authoritative information and analyses, which examine, compare, and develop available options to devise new approaches to understanding issues involved, and contributes to the planning of solutions, including legislative options. Presentations must be appropriate for the target audience which may range from senior executives to teams of highly technical staff, including oversight committees, review boards and interagency workgroups.
Collaborates with intergovernmental and industry advisory groups to oversee, design, and implement critical changes and enhancements in areas of expertise.
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.
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.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
Other documents supporting qualifications and/or preference, if applicable.
You must also submit ALL supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to claim certain types of preference.
Resumes exceeding two pages will not be considered. To be considered your resume must:
-- clearly demonstrate your qualifications for this position and
-- include your contact information
We recommend using a clear, easy-to-read format and focusing on information most relevant to the job announcement.
INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP): ICTAP provides eligible displaced federal competitive service employees with selection priority for competitive service vacancies. To receive selection priority, candidates must meet the requirements for the Well Qualified. Well-qualified is defined as having knowledge, skills, and abilities that clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. Candidates must also provide:
proof of eligibility with your application. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation Notice of Personnel Action, (SF-50); and
proof of your most recent performance rating of at least "fully successful" (Level III) or equivalent.
Veteran's preference does not apply under this Direct Hire Authority for these positions. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the cutoff date or announcement closing date.
Announcement cutoff dates:
03/12/26
03/19/26
03/26/26
04/02/26
04/09/26
04/16/26
04/23/26
04/30/26
05/07/26
05/14/26
05/21/26
05/28/26
06/04/26
06/11/26
06/18/26
06/25/26
07/02/26
07/09/26
07/16/26
07/23/26
07/30/26
08/06/26
08/13/26
08/20/26
08/27/26
09/03/26
You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account. There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application.
The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. If you use assistive software or an adaptive device, or you are experiencing some other type of technical difficulty and/or otherwise require assistance with the application process, please contact Careers@ssa.gov.
Individuals with disabilities may also call us via Federal Relay using the (voice) contact telephone provided. Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any applications submitted via email or standard mail. The email address is listed only for inquiries about the position or the How to Apply process.
OCIO Front Office
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
US
Next steps
Once you have successfully submitted your application materials, you can expect to receive an email acknowledging receipt of your application.
The hiring office will contact candidates directly for interviews. Interviews may be conducted via video conferencing software, if technically feasible.
To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
Other documents supporting qualifications and/or preference, if applicable.
You must also submit ALL supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to claim certain types of preference.
Resumes exceeding two pages will not be considered. To be considered your resume must:
-- clearly demonstrate your qualifications for this position and
-- include your contact information
We recommend using a clear, easy-to-read format and focusing on information most relevant to the job announcement.
INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP): ICTAP provides eligible displaced federal competitive service employees with selection priority for competitive service vacancies. To receive selection priority, candidates must meet the requirements for the Well Qualified. Well-qualified is defined as having knowledge, skills, and abilities that clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. Candidates must also provide:
proof of eligibility with your application. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation Notice of Personnel Action, (SF-50); and
proof of your most recent performance rating of at least "fully successful" (Level III) or equivalent.
Veteran's preference does not apply under this Direct Hire Authority for these positions. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the cutoff date or announcement closing date.
Announcement cutoff dates:
03/12/26
03/19/26
03/26/26
04/02/26
04/09/26
04/16/26
04/23/26
04/30/26
05/07/26
05/14/26
05/21/26
05/28/26
06/04/26
06/11/26
06/18/26
06/25/26
07/02/26
07/09/26
07/16/26
07/23/26
07/30/26
08/06/26
08/13/26
08/20/26
08/27/26
09/03/26
You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account. There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application.
The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. If you use assistive software or an adaptive device, or you are experiencing some other type of technical difficulty and/or otherwise require assistance with the application process, please contact Careers@ssa.gov.
Individuals with disabilities may also call us via Federal Relay using the (voice) contact telephone provided. Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any applications submitted via email or standard mail. The email address is listed only for inquiries about the position or the How to Apply process.
OCIO Front Office
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
US
Next steps
Once you have successfully submitted your application materials, you can expect to receive an email acknowledging receipt of your application.
The hiring office will contact candidates directly for interviews. Interviews may be conducted via video conferencing software, if technically feasible.
To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
