Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is open to current employees of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. This position allows for full-time remote telework.

The Information Technology Specialist (Network Services) works with and assists other engineers and contractors in the NOC, ensuring that the security infrastructure is operational and maintained within approved security policies and guidance, working very closely with the Information Technology Security Office (ITSO). The infrastructure consists of firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, proxies, web application firewalls, and other systems required for maintaining security posture and integrity. The incumbent is responsible for managing projects and tasks within their area of responsibility, developing and coordinating work plans and schedules dependent upon available resources. The incumbent works with the Administrative Office (AO) program and project managers to assure the Judiciary security systems on the wide area network, internet gateway datacenters, court locations, connections to other Judiciary partners, and emergency network services are available as needed.

Duties Include:

1. Working with and providing assistance to staff in the day-to day operations, maintenance, management, and administration of the security devices protecting the Judiciary wide area data communication network (DCN) and the public access courts electronic records network (PACER), to include next-gen firewalls, traditional firewalls IPS/IDS devices, remote access devices, and proxies.
2. Working with and aiding the support desks, Circuits, Courts, and AO program offices in troubleshooting connectivity issues with relation to all security devices.
3. Managing and maintaining device signatures and rules on NextGen Palo Alto Firewalls, DCN, and Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) traditional firewalls, IPS/IDS devices, proxies, remote access devices, and other security devices, in accordance with governing guidelines and policies, to mitigate threats and potential threats to the Judiciary networks.
4. Performing cost analysis and acquisition of network security equipment, which include hardware, operating systems, and software appliances.
5. Providing network related briefings to staff at all levels across the Federal Judiciary.
6. Developing proposed branch and division administrative controls, procedures, policies, and practices affecting the service and support to NIOO.
7. Maintaining electronic and paper filing systems within the section, branch and division.
8. Developing manuals, guides, articles, and other materials.
9. Coordinating meetings and programs sponsored by the branch or division, including providing administrative and logistical support for orientation programs, and training programs.
10. Assisting upper management and the Contracting Officer's Representative with preparation of open market and GSA Schedule acquisitions, purchase orders, and reviewing invoices.
11. Establishing regular mechanisms for information sharing to encourage collaboration with stakeholders, customers, and staff across the Federal Judiciary.

Conditions of employment

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

1. All information is subject to verification. Applicants are advised that false answers or omissions of information on application materials or inability to meet the following conditions may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed.
2. Selection for this position is contingent upon completion of OF-306, Declaration of Federal Employment during the pre-employment process and proof of U.S. citizenship for competitive status positions or conversion to a competitive status position with the AO. If non-citizens are considered for hire into a temporary or any other position with non-competitive status or when it is confirmed by the AO Human Resources Office there are no qualified U.S. citizens for a competitive status position (unless prohibited by a law or statue), non-citizens must provide proof of authorization to work in the U.S. and proof of entitlement to receive compensation. Additional information on the employment of non-citizens can be found at USAJOBS Help Center | Employment of non-citizens/. For a list of documents that may be used to provide proof of citizenship or authorization to work in the United States, please refer to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.
3. All new AO employees will be required to complete an FBI fingerprint-based national criminal database and records check and pass a public trust suitability check.
4. New employees to the AO will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights/responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
5. All new AO employees are required to identify a financial institution for direct deposit of pay before appointment.
6. You will be required to serve a trial period if selected for a first-time appointment to the Federal government, transferring from another Federal agency, or serving as a first-time supervisor. Failure to successfully complete the trial period may result in termination of employment.
7. If appointed to a temporary position, management may have the discretion of converting the position to permanent depending upon funding and staffing allocation.

Qualifications

Applicants must have demonstrated experience as listed below. This requirement is according to the AO Classification, Compensation, and Recruitment Systems which include interpretive guidance and reference to the OPM Operating Manual for Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions.

Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience which is in or directly related to the line of work of this position. Specialized experience is demonstrated experience in ALL of the following:

1. Managing and maintaining security devices on both wide and local area networks.

How you will be evaluated

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

We will review your resume and supporting documentation and compare this information to your responses on the occupational questionnaire to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for this job. If you meet the minimum qualifications for this job, we will evaluate your application package, to assess the quality, depth, and complexity of your accomplishments, experience, and education as they relate to the requirements listed in this vacancy announcement.

You should be aware that your ratings are subject to evaluation and verification. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume and/or narrative responses, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Failure to submit the mandatory narrative responses will result in not receiving full consideration and/or rating credit. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you, withdrawing an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed.