Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

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• Exercises full supervisory, technical, and administrative responsibilities for planning, developing, implementing, executing, and evaluating the Information Technology (IT) Program.
• Manages, directs, plans, and coordinates employees performing work across a wide variety of information disciplines and functions, including a broad spectrum of automation efforts, local and wide area networks, data communications, and computer hardware and software.
• Manages the synchronization of specialized hybrid IT equipment with pharmaceutical robotics systems responsible for providing twenty-four-hour fulfillment to the Nation's Veterans and the Indian Health Service nationwide.
• Develops and executes Information Management (IM) Program goals and objectives, including strategic planning and short-range and multiyear IM master plans to meet and forecast IM and IT requirements for all elements.
• Oversees the daily operation of the unit, ensures agency policies and priorities are followed, develops performance standards, and evaluates the work performance of subordinates.
• Maintains situational awareness across all aspects of the security program and tracks: Authorization to Operate (ATO) status for local systems, Risk-Based Decisions (RBDs) and their renewals, Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) updates, expiring passwords, user account access reviews, and all other tasks identified on the Continuous Readiness in Information Security Program (CRISP) audit-prep SharePoint site.
• Remains available after hours for contingency support to meet mission needs and serves as the primary IT personnel, integrating IT relevance into the specialized pharmaceutical operations.
• Devises solutions and resolves integration issues between non-standardized medical systems and IT systems, incorporating architectural advancements in the medical field to allow specialized medical equipment acquired by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to coexist and operate with standardized IT elements in fulfillment of IT/VHA operational missions.

This is a Non Bargaining Unit Position.

This position is primarily aligned to the following NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework work roles:

Cybersecurity Code: 451 - System Administrator: Responsible for setting up and maintaining a system or specific components of a system (e.g. for example, installing, configuring, and updating hardware and software; establishing and managing user accounts; overseeing or conducting backup and recovery tasks; implementing operational and technical security controls; and adhering to organizational security policies and procedures).

Cybersecurity Code: 801 - Program Manager: Leads, coordinates, communicates, integrates, and is accountable for the overall success of the program, ensuring alignment with agency or enterprise priorities.

For more information about these work roles, where they fit within the larger Cyber Workforce, and how they can support your unique career journey, please visit the Cyber Career Pathways tool on the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies website: https://niccs.us-cert.gov/workforce-development/cyber-career-pathways

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8 am-4:30 pm
Compressed/Flexible: Upon supervisor discretion.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Supervisory IT Specialist/PD19341A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• May serve a probationary period.
• A complete application package; Resume, SF-50s, etc.
• Only resumes up to TWO total pages will be accepted. Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for position requirements listed in the job announcement. File size must not exceed 5MB.

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will 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.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/24/2026.

You must meet the Basic Requirements, Specialized Experience, and Selective Placement Factors to qualify for this series as described below.

Basic Qualifications Requirements

EXPERIENCE: To qualify for this position, you must have information technology-related experience demonstrating all of the four competencies listed below. Ensure that this experience is clearly described in your resume:

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.

-AND-

Specialized Experience for GS-13: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-12 level in enterprise platform and telecommunications engineering. This experience must include understanding, managing, and configuring Networking devices, Servers and Desktop Hardware, Software systems applying vulnerability & configuration management, and security management within production & support environments. Knowledge and abilities with level 4 Monitoring tools with the ability to optimize systems & servers performance accordingly. Able to inspire, lead, & manage at least 5 full time staff along with contractors and projects including budgets to achieve mission success.

-AND-

Selective Placement Factor: In addition to the basic qualifications and specialized experience described above, you must meet the following requirement(s) to be considered qualified for the position: Experience with demonstrating advanced proficiency leading and maintaining complex enterprise IT systems in a high-volume production environment, including expertise in network infrastructure, server-based applications, communication with diverse stakeholders, and specialized support for automated pharmacy technologies such as robotics, conveyors, fill stations, and packaging systems.

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.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

• Accountability
• Customer Service
• Decisiveness
• Flexibility
• Interpersonal Skills
• Problem Solving
• Resilience

USA Hire Assessments include 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.

Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

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

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; religions; 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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.