Systems Administrator

Summary

The Systems Administrator is responsible for the administration, security, and operational maintenance of diverse Windows and Cloud Services. This role directly supports the Office of Information Systems Management (OISM) services and NIST Mission Essential Functions, ensuring the reliability, security, and performance of the NIST OISM and National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) infrastructure.

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Duties

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This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.

Working as a Systems Administrator for the Office of Information Systems Management (OISM), Infrastructures Services Division, your key responsibilities will include:

• Infrastructure & Cloud Management: Implement technical solutions, manage cloud environments, and maintain CI/CD pipelines. Deploy and manage cloud-based services and container orchestration platforms, identifying and resolving complex integration challenges.
• Operational Excellence: Independently apply established standard operating procedures (SOPs) and technical guidelines to resolve complex system issues. Coordinate technical workflows to ensure the stability, security, and efficiency of centralized IT infrastructure across OISM and Information Technology Lab (ITL) National CyberSecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE).

• Continuous Improvement: Analyze existing guidelines and workflows to recommend and implement measurable improvements in system performance and overall security posture.
• Collaboration & Communication: Maintain regular contact with IT staff, developers, and system users to coordinate technical initiatives and swiftly resolve service disruptions. Present technical findings, project updates, and clear explanations of complex system issues to stakeholders, recommending data-driven courses of action.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment
• Provides after-hours support as required to mitigate risk to mission-critical research systems.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience:

Applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level (ZP-III at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as:

• Administering Windows server environments
• Implementing infrastructure automation (e.g., PowerShell, Python)
• Managing Active Directory services and managed vulnerability remediation processes

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.

The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.

If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration

Education

Qualifications are based upon meeting specialized experience only. Education cannot be used to qualify for this position.

Additional information

This position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS), a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Learn more about the APMS here!

• We may share your application package with other selecting officials. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.
• Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions.
• You MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY to be considered for this position.
• All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible to make qualification or eligibility determinations.
• A probationary period may be required.

NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities. For more information, please visit our Careers website.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.