IT Specialist at USDA Federal Milk Market Administrator in Bothell, Washington

Job Description:

IT Specialist

 

Position Title, Series, & Grade:  IT Specialist, MA-3341, MA 17-18 (This is not equivalent to GS pay schedule)

Vacancy Number:  24-05

Starting Salary Range:  $91,630-$128,571 (Includes locality adjustment) Salary commensurate with qualifications

Promotion Potential: MA 22

Opening Date:  May 1, 2024

Closing Date:  May 15, 2024

Duty Location:  Bothell, Washington

Area of Consideration:  All Market Administrator Offices and the Pacific Northwest Region (No Relocation Expenses Paid)

The mission of the Federal Milk Market Administrator (FMMA) Information Technology (IT) staff provides for the continual assessment of the effectiveness of current technology resources, implementation of new technology systems and assurance that accepted IT best practices and standards are followed.

Primary Duties of the Position:

The IT Specialist for the FMMA will be expected to help design, operate, and maintain IT products controlled by the FMMA offices located in Bothell, Washington and Phoenix, Arizona as follows:

• Analyze and recommend projects for improvement and enhancement of network infrastructure. Develop solutions to meet local and wide area network requirements. Conduct system security evaluations to ensure appropriate IT tools are acquired and available. Plan and report on network and cybersecurity projects including costs to acquire, implement, and operate new networking solutions.

• Collect network performance data, monitor network security, troubleshoot issues, and perform routine maintenance. Install, implement, and maintain network hardware and software, including network management systems, remote access, network access control, network services, and applications. Resolve problems with data communications hardware, software, and system management. Integrate networking hardware and software to existing network infrastructure.

• Ensure regulatory awareness and compliance with cybersecurity requirements and coordinate security incident response. Provide advice to management and staff on operating changes required for IT network resources, review network configurations, implement change management processes and monitor network security posture.

• Provides end user support for network access, desktop hardware and software, and other IT related services. Install, configure, and maintain network devices and software, and oversee the installation of network system hardware and software by vendors. Develop user documentation and procedural documents.

General Experience:

Applicants must have 3 years of general experience with technical work such as 1) work which required a general understanding of administrative functions or management practices and processes, 2) an ability to work or deal effectively with individuals or groups of persons, and 3) skill in analyzing problems, identifying relevant factors, gathering pertinent information, and recognizing solutions.

Specialized Experience:

Applicants must also have 2.5 years of specialized experience for a grade 17, or 3.5 years for grade 18, performing duties as an IT Specialist or similar position directly related to the primary duties listed above.

Education:

Successfully completed studies in an accredited college or university above the high school level may be substituted for general experience at the rate of 1 year of education (i.e., 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours) for 1 year of experience up to a maximum of 3 years of education for 3 years of experience. Only directly related graduate education may be substituted for specialized experience, at the rate of 15 semester hours or 18 quarter hours for 6 months of experience. If using education vs experience to qualify, a copy of college transcripts and certifications are required when applying for the position (unofficial copies are sufficient).

Evaluation Criteria:

Applicants must have an understanding of network systems development and associated platforms, coupled with a technical background in developing, implementing, maintaining, and supporting systems. Eligible applicants will be evaluated against the following criteria to determine the best qualified:

• Experience as an IT Network or Systems Engineer, or LAN\WAN Administrator in a medium to large environment.
• Microsoft computer endpoint and server OS, direct administration, maintenance, and support.
• Network hardware and technologies (firewall, router, switch, etc.).
• Remote laptop, tablet, and desktop device, connectivity support.
• Computer device imaging: development and deployment.
• IT Continuity of operations: development, maintenance, and testing.
• Systems backup and recovery technologies.
• LAN \ WAN technologies administration - including TCP/IP.

Items Listed below are considered a “plus”:

• Azure Cloud Computing Environment: Deployment, maintenance, and administration.
• Azure AD administration.
• IIS Web server administration.
• Active Directory.
• Microsoft 365 administration.
• Microsoft Exchange administration.
• RSA, DUO, YubiKey multifactor authentication administration.
• Cybersecurity policy implementation and evaluation.
• Cisco and Meraki network hardware maintenance and administration.
• Zoom videoconferencing and telephone system administration.

Special Requirements:

• Must be a United States citizen.
• Some local and out-of-town travel may be required.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Subject to satisfactory completion of one-year probationary period.
• You will be required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.

Application Procedures:

Complete applications must be received or postmarked by May 15, 2024.  Applicants must submit a cover letter, detailed resume (which includes personal contact information, education history, work history, and military history), unofficial college transcripts (if using education to qualify) and certifications. Please submit all documents by email to admindept@fmmaseattle.com, or mailed to the attention of Joanna Day, Federal Milk Market Administrator, 1930 - 220th Street S.E., Suite 102, Bothell, WA  98021.

To claim veterans’ preference, veterans are required to provide a copy of their DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from active Duty.  Veterans with service-connected disability and others claiming 10-point preference are required to submit form SF-15, Application for 10-point Veterans’ Preference.  (Standard forms may be downloaded at OPM’s website http://www.opm.gov/forms/standard-forms/.  These documents are required & must be submitted when applying for the position in order to receive veterans’ preference consideration.

Failure to submit all required documents will result in elimination from consideration. All application material must be postmarked or emailed by the closing date.

Federal Benefits:

Federal benefits include Retirement plan, health and life insurance, Thrift Savings Plan (Government 401(k)) with matching contributions, holidays, vacation & sick leave, and telework eligible.  Optional programs include dental and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts (health and dependent care), and mass transit/van pool reimbursement.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex (including gender identity and expression), marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs, genetic information, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).  To file a complaint of discrimination, write to: USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call toll-free at  (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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