Information Technology Specialist (Senior Computer Specialist)

Bureau of Prisons / Federal Prison System; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bureau of Prisons is seeking corrections IT professionals to safeguard information networks and support inmate education and public safety through reliable IT services.

This role requires a strong suite of competencies, including attention to detail, customer service, decision making, information management, and teamwork, with opportunity for GS-12/GS-13 levels and specialized IT experience.

Qualifications

• Competencies include attention to detail, customer service, decision making, information management, interpersonal skills, oral communication, problem solving, teamwork, and technical competence.
• Specialized experience required: one year at the next lower grade level or equivalent.
• Eligibility may be based on licensure, certification, registration, or substantial related experience.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Customer Service

Decision Making

Information Management

Interpersonal Skills

Oral Communication

Problem Solving

Teamwork

Technical Competence

Job description

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.

To be considered for the position, you must meet the following qualification requirements:

Basic Requirements:

Applicants may qualify by meeting or exceeding the minimum proficiency level established for each of the required competencies listed below,

GS-12 and GS-13:

The required competencies for the GS-12 and above grade level(s) are Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Decision Making, Information Management, Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Problem Solving, Teamwork, and Technical Competence.

Competency Definitions:

• 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.
• Decision Making - 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 - Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems.
• Interpersonal Skills - 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 - 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.
• Teamwork - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
• Technical Competence - 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:

You must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level (or equivalent). Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies to perform successfully the duties of the position and is related to the work of the position to be filled but may now be obtained through other means. Such demonstratable knowledge, skills, and abilities/competences may be typically gained in the IT field or through the performance of work where the primary concern is IT.

Some examples of qualifying experience:

GS-12:

• Experience with the planning, analysis, design, development, testing, quality assurance, configuration, installation, implementation, integration, maintenance, and/or management of networked systems used for the transmission of information in voice, data, and/or video formats.
• Experience with ensuring the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of information systems through the planning, analysis, development, implementation, maintenance and enhancement of systems, programs, policies and procedures.
• Experience with the planning and delivery of customer support services at the point of computer user/specialist interface, including installation, configuration, troubleshooting, user assistance, and/or training related to the Inmate Education Network as well as applications supported by the Field IT Operations Support Section.
• Experience with strategic planning, capital planning, policy and standards development, budgeting, resource management, knowledge management, auditing.

GS-13:

• Experience serving as technical expert in personal computer (PC) hardware, local area networks (LANs), commercial PC software, custom PC programming, and telecommunications.
• Experience developing and providing training for institutions, regional offices, and Central Office staff, based on stipulated areas of focus, weakness or new initiatives relating to the Inmate Education Network and other Field IT Operations Support Section initiatives.
• Experience in designing, configuration, and implementation of LAN. The Specialist may be called upon to brief upper management on development of new networking developments and networking standards, and the results of new installations.
• Experience serving as the technical lead in the design, procurement, deliveries and installation of network hardware and software for field locations as relates to inmate education related IT projects.
• Experience developing test plans to ensure that the system functions as designed and that security requirements are being met.

OR GS-12 and GS-13:

Applicants may also be considered to have satisfied the minimum qualification requirements for a position if they can present evidence that clearly justifies a high evaluation of their competence, such as one or more of the following:

• Appropriate licensure, registration(s), certification(s); or
• A substantial record of experience, achievement, and publications that demonstrates eminence in the appropriate profession/technical field.

Applicants can qualify fully on the basis of licensure, certification, registration, or special training as an alternative to experience.

Applicants must provide copies of all such documentation when submitting an application.

If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as the number of hours worked per week) spent in activities.

Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.