IT Specialist

US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology seeks candidates to deliver secure, highly available infrastructure solutions supporting VA's mission. Responsibilities include operationally managing foundational compute, storage, and database components while applying security controls across enterprise systems.

Applicants must demonstrate details-oriented work, strong customer service, and solid oral communication; the role requires sound problem-solving and the ability to plan

Qualifications

• Must substantiate core competencies on resume: attention to detail, customer service, oral communication, and problem solving.
• Ability to work with clients and users to assess needs and resolve issues.
• Clear, audience-appropriate oral communication and presentation skills.
• Judicious problem-solving with ability to evaluate alternatives and make recommendations.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Customer Service

Oral Communication

Problem Solving

Tools

Microsoft SQL Server

Job description

Deliver secure and high availability infrastructure solutions supporting VA's mission. Serve as an operational service provider of foundational compute, storage, physical database, and client management components. Implement and sustain technical, management, and operational security controls and supporting processes to protect mission critical networks, systems, and applications throughout the VA enterprise.

Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/26/2026.

Basic Requirement (IOR):

Individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below.

• 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.

The basic requirements MUST be substantiated in your resume. Failure to provide the required information will render your application ineligible for consideration.

You may qualify for the GS-12 based on your experience as described below:

• Specialized Experience GS-12: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: experience supporting and implementing Microsoft SQL Server database management systems, including installing, configuring, hardening, maintaining, monitoring, and troubleshooting SQL Server in a corporate environment; providing operational, backup, and recovery support; and applying IT concepts, principles, and practices sufficient to plan and carry out difficult and complex assignments and develop new methods, approaches, and procedures.

Specialized Experience GS-13: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-12 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: experience administering and supporting Microsoft SQL Server database management systems, including installing, configuring, hardening, maintaining, monitoring, and troubleshooting SQL Server in a corporate environment; identifying and resolving performance, availability, capacity, configuration, and operational issues; providing backup and recovery support; and applying IT concepts, principles, and practices to plan and carry out difficult and complex assignments, develop new methods, approaches, and procedures, and resolve complex technical problems.

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/.