IT Specialist (CUSTSPT)

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. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/09/2026. Basic Requirement - Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): Applicants 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. You must meet both the Basic Requirement and the Specialized Experience to qualify for this series and grades as described below.

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GS07:

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include: A working knowledge of IT customer support principles and procedures sufficient to deliver technical support services in a Windows environment. This includes installing, configuring, and troubleshooting hardware and software; managing user accounts and security; and applying basic networking knowledge with devices such as routers, switches, and wireless access points. Experience must also include responding to service tickets, communicating resolutions to users, and documenting troubleshooting steps according to established processes. OR, Education: 1 full year of Undergraduate or Graduate Education or Superior Academic Achievement: Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above.

GS-09:

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level that demonstrates knowledge of directory services, networking fundamentals, and Windows Server administration sufficient to resolve moderately complex issues with limited supervision. Experience includes administering Active Directory (such as creating, modifying, and disabling user accounts; managing security and distribution groups; and applying Group Policies), applying networking concepts (including IPv4 addressing, subnetting, DHCP, DNS, and protocols such as TCP/IP and and managing Windows Server roles, features, and permissions. This work requires documenting solutions, validating resolutions in a problem resolution database, and using independent judgment in applying analytical and troubleshooting techniques within IT infrastructure. AND, Education: Master's or Equivalent Graduate Degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Master's Degree or equivalent graduate degree. NOTE: Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above...

GS-11:

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level that demonstrates mastery of enterprise directory services, server operations, and technical problem-solving sufficient to independently complete complex assignments and enhance support operations. This experience includes advanced Active Directory administration (such as managing computer objects, enforcing least-privilege access, and applying authentication mechanisms like Kerberos and LDAP integrated with DNS), administering server operations (including DHCP scope management, patching, backup and restores, and performance monitoring), and diagnosing/resolving the most difficult issues using structured troubleshooting tools. The work also involves coordinating projects and providing coaching to junior specialists, typically performed with little or no supervision, requiring substantial judgment in analyzing system interrelationships and standardizing solutions across the enterprise. OR, Education: Ph.D. OR equivalent doctoral Degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. OR equivalent doctoral degree: Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above. A Quality Ranking Factor is a knowledge, skill, or ability that is highly desirable for successful performance in this position. Applicants with this qualification may be ranked above others in the selection process. For this vacancy, the Quality Ranking Factor is: experience in automated industrial or control system environments (e.g., PLC/SCADA) sufficient to accelerate familiarity with Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP) operational systems. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at #J-18808-Ljbffr US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology