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IT Specialist (SYSADMIN/OS)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology
Office of Information and Technology (OIT)

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Information and Technology (OIT), Infrastructure Operations (IO) serving as a Senior Systems Administrator, IT Specialist (SYSADMIN/OS), responsible for operating systems, related hardware and software, installation, configuration, sustainment, and maintenance in support of VA systems.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—ADHOC, as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$106,437 - $138,370 per year

The salary range listed reflects the Rest of US salary table. Upon selection, the salary may be adjusted to include the location of the selectee.

Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
Yes
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
DHA-CCS-26-MI-13034707-BU
Control number
880889800

This job is open to

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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. This position is not remote. OI&T operates multiple worksites, and selected individual(s) may be assigned to any federal government location. This announcement will not be used to change duty locations. Current OIT employees selected who are not on an approved exemption will continue reporting to their current duty station.

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Duties

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Major Duties:

  • Research, designs, implements, and maintains SA related automated tools supporting provisioning, configuration management, patching, virtual machine administration, directory services, volume management, and system monitoring.
  • Assess security vulnerabilities and evaluate system impact and risks; determines corrective actions.
  • Develop systems security plans and contributes technical security practices for the hardening guides.
  • Monitors and reviews departmental systems' performance on a regular basis to evaluate CPU, memory, network and disk input/output (I/O), as well as other system resources to ensure system performance meets current and future system processing needs.
  • Manages the installation and integration of systems fixes, updates, and enhancements.

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

Cybersecurity Code 451:
Systems Administrator. Responsible for setting up and maintaining a system or specific components of a system in adherence with organizational security policies and procedures. Includes hardware and software installation, configuration, and updates; user account management; backup and recovery management; and security control implementation.

Cybersecurity Code 541: Vulnerability Analysis. Responsible for assessing systems and networks to identify deviations from acceptable configurations, enclave policy, or local policy. Measure effectiveness of defense-in-depth architecture against known vulnerabilities.

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

Position Description/PD#: IT Specialist (SYSADMIN/OS)/PD15114A
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; Tour of duty may be subject to change based on organizational needs.
Compressed/Flexible: As determined by Agency Policy
Telework: Yes, as determined by Agency Policy.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Physical Demands: The work is sedentary. Some work may require walking and standing in conjunction with travel and attendance at meetings and conferences away from the work site. Some employees may carry light items such as small IT hardware components, papers, books, or laptops.
Working Conditions: The work area is adequately lighted heated, and ventilated. Some employees may occasionally be exposed to circuitry of electronic equipment during hardware installation or testing, and therefore must apply precautions to avoid personal injury.
Designated Drug Testing Position: Not applicable

This is a Bargaining Unit Position.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • 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, 08/25/2026.

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

Minimum 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:

  • 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-

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Such experience is typically gained in the IT field or through the performance of work where the primary concern is IT. Specialized experience is defined as advanced technical knowledge of a wide range of operating systems including Microsoft Windows, Red Hat Linux as well as database platforms such as Oracle and SQL, cloud services like Azure, and various content management systems is required; Expertise in security hardening, operating system performance optimization, volume management, provisioning, data communications, networking, configuration management and administration of complex hosting environments; Proficiency with supporting software and automation tools, and a strong understanding of the interrelationships between system components; Comprehensive experience with automation, virtualization, configuration, security, networking, clustering, disaster recovery, storage, and performance optimization is essential for successfully supporting and advancing enterprise web hosting environments; and Strong oral and written communication skills are necessary for managing projects, collaborating with systems administrators, and providing solutions.

-AND-

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: In addition to the minimum qualifications described above, you must meet the following requirement(s) to be considered qualified for the position: Mastery in these areas ensures the delivery of secure, compliant, and user-friendly web solutions essential to the digital delivery of veterans' health and education benefits. Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and methods of web technologies, tools, and delivery systems including web security, privacy policy practices, and user interface issues.

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/.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

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.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

If selected you will be required to report to one of the following locations:


Little Rock, AR
North Little Rock AR
Phoenix, AZ
Anaheim, CA
Long Beach, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Oakland, CA
San Francisco. CA
Aurora, CO
Denver, CO
Washington DC
Miami, FL
Orlando, FL
St. Petersburg, FL
Tampa, FL
Atlanta, GA
Chicago, IL
Hines, IL
North Chicago, IL
Bedford, MA
Boston, MA
Baltimore, MD
Detroit, MI
Minneapolis, MN
St. Louis, MO
Eatontown, NJ
Albany, NY
Cleveland, OH
Philadelphia, PA
Pittsburgh, PA
Davidson, TN
Nashville, TN
Murfreesboro, TN
Arlington, TX
Austin, TX
Dallas, TX
Houston, TX
San Antonio, TX
Salt Lake City, UT
SeaTac, WA
Seattle, WA
Martinsburg, WV
Shepherdstown, WV

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.

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
  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


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.

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

The Office of Information and Technology (OIT) thrives on diversity. We recruit, develop, and sustain a 16,000+ team of employees and contractors who use their talents and backgrounds to deliver technologies and services that improve the Veteran experience. With Fortune 500 executives, lifelong public servants, government leaders, and service members transitioning out of the military - we have built a team whose primary motivation is to serve. That motivation drives us to identify improvement areas, become change agents, and transform OIT into a lean, agile, Veteran-focused enterprise.

OIT Mission: The mission of the Office of Information and Technology (OIT) is to collaborate with our business partners to create the best experience for all Veterans.

OIT Vision: To become a world-class organization that provides a seamless, unified Veteran experience through the delivery of state-of-the-art technology.

Agency contact information

Recruitment Team One A
Email
VAOITOPSHRRPTeam1A@va.gov
Address
DAS for Information Technology - 200
1615 Woodward St
Austin, TX 78772
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Deputy Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://digital.va.gov/careers/

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