The position description number for this position is PD2D2520. A summary of the major duties are listed below. You may also view the full position description on the Agency intranet at the following link: PD Search
Performs a key role in very difficult assignments with responsibility and accountability as a technical authority and advisor in a special functional area covering a wide range of technology and applications.
Summary
The position description number for this position is PD2D2520. A summary of the major duties are listed below. You may also view the full position description on the Agency intranet at the following link: PD Search
Performs a key role in very difficult assignments with responsibility and accountability as a technical authority and advisor in a special functional area covering a wide range of technology and applications.
Plans, analyzes, designs, develops and implements software test engineering services and technology for SSA programmatic administrative and management information systems.
Serves as a principal planner and advisor to the Systems top management, working with senior technical and managerial representatives in the development of Systems-wide directives, standards, specifications, policies and implementing strategies.
Designs and conducts comprehensive agency-wide studies and evaluations, and plans, organizes, and directs studies to develop long range (e.g., 5 to 10 year) ADP forecasts and recommendations affecting broad areas of future operations.
Identifies issues and discusses issues with other government agencies and the private sector. Considers legislative developments and assesses trends.
Serves as team leader for advanced system software/hardware project efforts; directs development of overall plans, criteria, and programming specifications; coordinate team efforts in accomplishing the work.
Chairs agency committees concerned with hardware/software acquisition; serves as ADP expert on interagency or national committees, boards, and working groups concerned with implementing computer state-of-the-art advancements.
All application materials must be received by the closing date.
Applicants must be in good standing.
Applicants must have a fully successful rating of record.
Official Personnel Folders will not be reviewed.
Requests for copies of application documents will not be accepted.
All application forms submitted become the property of SSA Human Resources.
Qualifications
Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered. Visit the 'Required Documents' section below for more information.
YOUR RESUME OR SSA-45 MUST INCLUDE YOUR OFFICIAL DUTY STATION AND YOUR ORGANIZATION (I.E., SECURITY AND RESILIENCY) OR YOU MAY BE FOUND INELIGIBLE.
To qualify for the 2210 IT Specialist series, the applicant must demonstrate the following competencies:
Attention to Detail (Level 4, Advanced) - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
Customer Service (Level 4, Advanced) - 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.
Decision Making(Level 3, Intermediate) - Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
Information Management (Level 4, Advanced) - Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems.
Interpersonal Skills (Level 4, Advanced) - Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations.
Oral Communication(Level 3, Intermediate) - 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 (Level 4, Advanced) - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
Teamwork (Level 4, Advanced) - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
Technical Competence(Level 4, Advanced) - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
Specialized Experience: Applicants must have specialized experience that is directly related to the work of the position and have equipped them with the competencies required to successfully perform the duties of the role. These knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies are normally attained through the equivalent of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of the position being filled.
To qualify at the GS-14 level, you must have specialized experience at the GS-13 level, or equivalent. This experience must demonstrate proficiency in three of the following:
Designing, managing, and optimizing IT environments: Experience planning, analyzing, and overseeing IT infrastructure projects, applying industry standards and best practices for platform implementation and automation. This includes developing and maintaining configuration management systems and scripting solutions, which demonstrates Technical Competence, Information Management, Attention to Detail, and Problem Solving.
Integrating and deploying IT solutions to meet organizational needs: Experience leading the coordination and implementation of complex IT systems, including cross-functional team integration and major system configuration changes. This includes deploying new technologies and ensuring seamless integration across environments, which reflects Technical Competence, Teamwork, Information Management, and Decision Making.
Configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting networked systems: Experience applying advanced networking concepts to administer and resolve issues in internetworking environments, including OSI model protocols, network topology, and performance optimization. This includes supporting connectivity and reliability across Windows and Linux platforms, which demonstrates Technical Competence, Problem Solving, and Information Management.
Communicating technical information and recommendations: Experience preparing and delivering clear, audience-appropriate reports, presentations, and documentation on IT topics. This includes distilling complex information for stakeholders and collaborating effectively with team members, which reflects Oral Communication, Interpersonal Skills, and Information Management.
Supporting and troubleshooting web server environments: Experience implementing, administering, and resolving issues in web services such as Apache, Nginx, IIS, or similar platforms. This includes deploying applications and ensuring robust service delivery to meet business and customer requirements, which demonstrates Technical Competence, Customer Service, and Problem Solving.
Managing and maintaining virtualized server environments: Experience deploying, administering, and troubleshooting Windows and Linux systems on platforms such as VMware or Hyper-V, including automating administrative tasks and optimizing performance. This includes working with IP Virtual Server (IPVS) and ensuring reliability in virtualized environments, which reflects Technical Competence, Information Management, and Problem Solving.
The specialized experience is REQUIRED and must be explicitly documented/described in your resume, or you will be disqualified from further consideration.
NOTE: You cannot be credited for experience unless you clearly show your grade level at the time the experience was gained, as well as the dates you were at that grade level. If you combine career-ladder experience into a single description of duties, you may be eliminated from consideration based on failure to clearly document the required experience at the required grade level for the required period of time.
Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Applicants for promotion must have 52 weeks at GS-13.
Time in grade requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
NONCOMPETITIVE CONSIDERATION DUE TO SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITY
Applications for noncompetitive consideration will be accepted from SSA employees in the area of consideration who are currently serving under the following types of appointments: Schedule A, Reg. 213.3102 (U) appointments for individuals with disabilities and time limited appointments for veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Applicants serving under these provisions do not need to submit copies of your disability or Veteran's documentation.However, you must submit a current SF-50 that provides information on the appointment authority under which you were hired. Otherwise, you will not receive non-competitive consideration.
NOTE: Excepted service employees serving under Schedule A appointments for Attorney positions or Pathways Programs appointments (Presidential Management Fellows, Recent Graduates, and Interns) are not eligible for consideration.
This is a non-bargaining unit position to be filled under the provisions of the Management Officials Promotion Plan. The best-qualified list for this vacancy may be used to fill the same or similar positions in a component(s) under the same Deputy Commissioner. Additional selections may be made within 6 months of the date the best qualified list is issued.
LOCALITY PAY: Salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions. Candidates currently receiving a higher locality pay than the office applied for are advised that should they be selected, they will lose entitlement to the higher locality pay.
OTHER NOTES:
This position is temporary not-to-exceed 1 year. Temporary promotions or reassignments may be extended or become permanent.
This position is not eligible for telework.
Relocation expenses will not be paid.
This is a high-risk public trust position. The selected employee will be required to complete a Standard Form 85P, Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions, in order to have the appropriate investigation conducted, unless the employee has been previously certified eligible to occupy a position at this level.
This is a non-critical sensitive. The selected employee will be required to complete a Standard Form 86, Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions, in order to have the appropriate investigation conducted, unless the employee has been previously certified eligible to occupy a position at this level.
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.
Applicants will be rated based on the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Advanced knowledge of current information technology (IT) and management practices.
Skilled in implementing and integrating complex information technology (IT) solutions to meet business needs.
Knowledge of computer networking principles as implemented in the Windows and Linux operating systems.
Able to communicate effectively orally and in writing, including preparing materials for and making presentations.
Skilled in implementing and troubleshooting web services using Apache, Nginx, IIS, or similar.
Skilled in implementing and troubleshooting the Windows and Linux operating systems on virtualized servers using VMware or Hyper-V.
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.
The following section provides information on supporting documentation that must be submitted.
We encourage you to submit a two-page resume for OPM compliance, as well as the SSA-45 under "Other," to ensure that all your qualifications are fully considered.
Per OPM's new resume guidance, resumes must be limited to 2 pages only. Additional documents such as the SSA-45 may be uploaded using the 'Other documents' option.
SSA-45 (all applicants)
SF-50 that provides information on the appointment authority under which you were hired (applicants for Noncompetitive Consideration due to a Special Hiring Authority only)
Your SSA-45 must provide all of the information necessary to make qualifications determinations (e.g., all experience related to your qualifications for this position, full performance level of your current position, the dates at each grade level of your current or prior career-ladder position(s), etc.). These documents will be referred to the selecting official if you are eligible for the best qualified list. Employees' Official Personnel Folders will not be reviewed.
Your SSA-45 must specifically demonstrate, in your own words, the possession of the required experience related to the minimum qualifications, selective placement factors and/or evaluation criteria. Information that is copied or restated language from the vacancy announcement, rating criteria, KSAs and/or position description will not be considered. If this occurs, you may lose consideration for one or more grade levels or found ineligible.
Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience is subject to verification by the selecting official. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task.
Notice Concerning Materially False, Fictitious, or Fraudulent Statements
Anything you claim in the occupational questionnaire or in your SSA-45 may be subject to verification. By completing the electronic application process, you are certifying that any statements you make are true, complete, and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief and are made in good faith. Materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations are subject to disciplinary action.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
The Occupational Questionnaire: Click on the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account and follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire.
Additional Required Documents, if applicable (See Required Documents section).
The complete Application Package must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. (EST) on 11/02/2026. Failure to upload any required documents will disqualify your application from consideration.
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 Christin Barnes Wilson at christin.e.barnes.wilson@ssa.gov.
Individuals with hearing or speech disabilities may use the listed email or 7-1-1 for TTY-based Telecommunications Relay Services to call the listed phone number. Additional Telecommunications Relay Services options are available in each state: https://www.fcc.gov/general/trs-state-and-territories
APPLYING FROM A PERSONAL COMPUTER OUTSIDE OF WORK
SSA employees may access Internal Vacancies On-Line (IVOL) postings and apply for vacancies from locations outside of SSA (e.g., from home, public computer, etc.). Please use the following link: https://www.ssa.gov/careers/ivol. Be sure to forward the link and other application materials (such as the SSA-45) to an email source accessible from outside of SSA (e.g., your personal computer, etc.).
Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any applications submitted via email, standard mail, or facsimile sent directly to the Servicing Personnel Office. Applicants are required to file through the online application process. The email address is listed only for inquiries about the position or the How to Apply process.
To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account.
CIO Front Office
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
US
Next steps
After all of the applications have been evaluated, you will receive notification via email explaining the status of your application. If you applied incorrectly or submitted an incomplete application, we will be unable to send you an electronic receipt of your application. Please read the How to Apply instructions carefully to ensure that you submit a complete application.
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.
Selection interviews may be conducted with one or more of the candidates, but there is no requirement that interviews be conducted. The hiring office will contact candidates directly for interviews. Interviews may be conducted via video conferencing software, if technically feasible. Applicants referred for consideration will receive a final disposition notice after selections have been made.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The following section provides information on supporting documentation that must be submitted.
We encourage you to submit a two-page resume for OPM compliance, as well as the SSA-45 under "Other," to ensure that all your qualifications are fully considered.
Per OPM's new resume guidance, resumes must be limited to 2 pages only. Additional documents such as the SSA-45 may be uploaded using the 'Other documents' option.
SSA-45 (all applicants)
SF-50 that provides information on the appointment authority under which you were hired (applicants for Noncompetitive Consideration due to a Special Hiring Authority only)
Your SSA-45 must provide all of the information necessary to make qualifications determinations (e.g., all experience related to your qualifications for this position, full performance level of your current position, the dates at each grade level of your current or prior career-ladder position(s), etc.). These documents will be referred to the selecting official if you are eligible for the best qualified list. Employees' Official Personnel Folders will not be reviewed.
Your SSA-45 must specifically demonstrate, in your own words, the possession of the required experience related to the minimum qualifications, selective placement factors and/or evaluation criteria. Information that is copied or restated language from the vacancy announcement, rating criteria, KSAs and/or position description will not be considered. If this occurs, you may lose consideration for one or more grade levels or found ineligible.
Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience is subject to verification by the selecting official. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task.
Notice Concerning Materially False, Fictitious, or Fraudulent Statements
Anything you claim in the occupational questionnaire or in your SSA-45 may be subject to verification. By completing the electronic application process, you are certifying that any statements you make are true, complete, and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief and are made in good faith. Materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations are subject to disciplinary action.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
The Occupational Questionnaire: Click on the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account and follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire.
Additional Required Documents, if applicable (See Required Documents section).
The complete Application Package must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. (EST) on 11/02/2026. Failure to upload any required documents will disqualify your application from consideration.
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 Christin Barnes Wilson at christin.e.barnes.wilson@ssa.gov.
Individuals with hearing or speech disabilities may use the listed email or 7-1-1 for TTY-based Telecommunications Relay Services to call the listed phone number. Additional Telecommunications Relay Services options are available in each state: https://www.fcc.gov/general/trs-state-and-territories
APPLYING FROM A PERSONAL COMPUTER OUTSIDE OF WORK
SSA employees may access Internal Vacancies On-Line (IVOL) postings and apply for vacancies from locations outside of SSA (e.g., from home, public computer, etc.). Please use the following link: https://www.ssa.gov/careers/ivol. Be sure to forward the link and other application materials (such as the SSA-45) to an email source accessible from outside of SSA (e.g., your personal computer, etc.).
Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any applications submitted via email, standard mail, or facsimile sent directly to the Servicing Personnel Office. Applicants are required to file through the online application process. The email address is listed only for inquiries about the position or the How to Apply process.
To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account.
CIO Front Office
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
US
Next steps
After all of the applications have been evaluated, you will receive notification via email explaining the status of your application. If you applied incorrectly or submitted an incomplete application, we will be unable to send you an electronic receipt of your application. Please read the How to Apply instructions carefully to ensure that you submit a complete application.
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.
Selection interviews may be conducted with one or more of the candidates, but there is no requirement that interviews be conducted. The hiring office will contact candidates directly for interviews. Interviews may be conducted via video conferencing software, if technically feasible. Applicants referred for consideration will receive a final disposition notice after selections have been made.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
