Operating Systems Technician

Social Security Administration; Urbana (MD); On-site; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Social Security Administration seeks an IT Specialist (GS-12) to support operating system software and data center operations across mainframe, Windows, and UNIX/Linux environments. The role emphasizes analysis, programming, and system availability to ensure uninterrupted critical services to the public.

Candidates should have specialized experience at the GS-11 level or equivalent, with competencies in attention to detail, customer service, problem solving, teamwork, and technical proficiency.

Qualifications

• Competencies include detailed attention, customer service, communication, problem solving, teamwork, technical competence, information management, interpersonal skills, and decision making.
• Specialized experience at GS-12 level with OS, data center operations, and multiple platforms.
• Qualification standards and additional information are provided in the Competency-Based Qualification Standard for 2210.

Responsibilities

• Provide analysis, technical, and programming expertise in development and maintenance of operating system software and data center operations support.
• Ensure availability of systems, networks, and data through planning, analysis, development, implementation, maintenance and enhancement of OS software, policies, procedures, and tools.
• Work with mainframe, PC/Windows, and/or UNIX/Linux across multiple hardware platforms.
• Support the SSA's mission by delivering reliable IT services 24/7.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Customer Service

Oral Communication

Problem Solving

Teamwork

Technical Competence

Information Management

Interpersonal Skills

Decision Making

Job description

Summary

IT Specialist positions are being filled through the Office of Personnel Management's delegated Direct Hire Authority, open to all U.S. citizens. Selections made under this bulletin will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would, therefore, be given new appointments to the civil service. Under the provisions of the Direct Hire Authority, Veterans Preference and the "Rule of Many" do not apply.

Duties

This announcement serves as public notice. Applications submitted be placed into a pool and will remain on file for selection as positions become available.Vacancies may be filled for up to 6 months after the closing date of this announcement.Positions filled with applications from this pool will be placed into positions where artificial intelligence duties occupy the majority of the work performed.

Qualifications

Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered, please visit the new resume guidance for more information. READ ALL SECTIONS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY. THIS INFORMATION IS CRUCIAL TO SUBMITTING A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION. The Social Security Administration's technology team plays a vital role in supporting the agency's mission to serve millions of Americans. We are responsible for the strategic planning, implementation, operation, and maintenance of the agency's computer systems and enterprise information technology infrastructure. Our team is dedicated to designing, building, testing, and delivering innovative technology solutions that ensure uninterrupted, 24/7 availability of critical services to the public. As an Operating Systems Technician at the Social Security Administration, You will perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities in one of the Division of Operational Software Support (DOSS) branches. Your work will involve providing analysis, technical, and programming expertise in the development and maintenance of operating system software and data center operations support. You will be responsible for ensuring the availability of systems, networks, and data through the planning, analysis, development, implementation, maintenance and enhancement of operating system software, policies, procedures, and tools. Your work will also involve one or more of the following platforms/operating systems: mainframe, PC/Windows, and or UNIX on multiple hardware platforms. 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 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; know about available products and services; and am committed to providing quality products and services.
• Oral Communication (Level 3, Intermediate)- Express 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); make clear and convincing oral presentations; listen to others, attend to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Problem Solving (Level 4, Advanced)- Identify problems; determine accuracy and relevance of information; use 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.
• 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
• 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.

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-12 level, you must have specialized experience at the GS-11 level, or equivalent. This experience must demonstrate proficiency in the following: Experience providing analysis, technical, and programming expertise in the development and maintenance of operating system software and data center operations support within one or more of the following platforms/operating systems: mainframe, PC/Windows, and/or Linux/UNIX on multiple hardware platforms. Ensuring the availability of systems, networks, and data through the planning, analysis, development, implementation, maintenance and enhancement of operating system software, policies, procedures, and tools. Qualification standards and additional information for this position can be found here: Competency-Based Qualification Standard for the Information Technology Management Series, 2210

Additional Information

Additional selections may be made for this vacancy six months from the closing date of this announcement. This Direct Hire announcement may be used to fill the same or similar position in another office. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government;
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Do you have a desire to: help SSA manage its Social Security programs? analyze and solve problems? help and advise millions of retired and disabled individuals? work on a team to make a difference in people's lives and your own? Join SSA, one of the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government!

Informational Note:Creating a my Social Security (mySSA) account is a convenient way to access your personal Social Security information online. While not required for this position or the application process, you may wish to learn more about the benefits of having a mySSA account by visiting www.ssa.gov/myaccount.