IT Specialist

U.S. Department of Commerce; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) seeks a Senior IT Specialist to serve as an enterprise cloud engineer, building and administering Microsoft M365 and Azure cloud environments, while supporting the full spectrum of enterprise collaboration services.

You must meet the OPM qualification standards and possess the specialized experience, including governance, security, and documentation duties, to qualify for GS-12/13 levels.

Qualifications

• Experience engineering, implementing, and administering Microsoft M365 and Azure cloud environments.
• Experience with governance policies, security requirements, and data protection.
• Ability to gather requirements, design technical solutions, and document processes.

Responsibilities

• Engineer, implement, and administer M365 and Azure cloud environments for enterprise use.
• Monitor, troubleshoot, and resolve complex cloud issues while meeting operational needs.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate requirements into technical designs and delivery models.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation and lifecycle artifacts for cloud systems.

Skills

Microsoft M365

Azure Cloud

Configuration Management

Identity Management

Data Protection

Governance & Security

Monitoring & Troubleshooting

Technical Documentation

Stakeholder Collaboration

Tools

Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Azure

Azure Monitor

Security & Compliance Tools

Job description

This position is situated within the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO). As a Senior IT Specialist, the incumbent serves as an enterprise cloud engineer responsible for engineering, implementing, and administering Microsoft M365 and Azure cloud environments, while building proficiency to independently support the full spectrum of enterprise collaboration services. You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. OPM Qualifications Standards are available at Competency-Based Qualification Standard for the Information Technology Management Series, 2210

Specialized Experienceis experience that has equipped applicants with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, you must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade in the Federal service.

For this position, the next lower grade level is a GS-12

Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Experience engineering, implementing, and administering Microsoft M365 and/or Azure cloud environments, including configuration management, access controls, identity management, data protection and retention, and compliance with governance policies and security requirements; AND
• Experience monitoring, troubleshooting, and resolving complex issues in enterprise cloud environments, including analyzing usage and performance data, isolating configuration problems, and implementing solutions to meet operational and customer requirements; AND
• Experience collaborating with technical and business stakeholders to gather, analyze, and translate functional requirements into technical designs and customer delivery models, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, security mandates, and operational needs; AND
• Experience developing and maintaining technical documentation, standard operating procedures, and lifecycle management artifacts in support of enterprise cloud systems, including participation in certification, accreditation, and compliance activities.

For this position, the next lower grade level is a GS-13

Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Experience serving as a recognized technical authority on Microsoft M365 and/or Azure cloud environments, defining enterprise-wide configuration baselines, security architectures, and data protection strategies, and making decisions that significantly influence IT policies and programs; AND
• Experience isolating and resolving unprecedented, enterprise-impacting technical conditions in cloud environments, applying advanced analytical methods to identify systemic risks, and engineering remediation strategies that strengthen organizational resilience and prevent future disruptions; AND
• Experience driving consensus among senior management, cross-agency partners, cybersecurity teams, and vendors to develop technology roadmaps, shape enterprise cloud architecture, and influence the adoption of standards and policies across multiple organizational boundaries; AND
• Experience establishing enterprise-level technical standards, governance frameworks, and lifecycle management programs for cloud systems, directing accreditation and compliance activities, and serving as a subject matter authority that other technical experts rely on for guidance and direction.

Basic Requirement Competencies: The specialized experience must include, or be supplemented by, information technology related experience (paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training, as appropriate) which demonstrates each of the competencies, as defined:

1. Attention to Detail
2. Customer Service
3. Decision Making
4. Information Management
5. Interpersonal Skills
6. Oral Communication
7. Problem Solving
8. Teamwork
9. Technical Competency

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.