IT Specialist

IT Specialist

As an Information Technology (IT) Specialist in the Federal government, you will perform duties related to the installation and configuration of computer hardware, software, operating systems, networks, applications, and printers and scanners; providing technical support and troubleshooting issues; assisting with the maintenance of computer systems and networks; and ensuring the application of appropriate IT security measures.

Duties

For an Information Technology (IT) Specialist, specific duties vary by hiring agency. Examples may include:

• Performing routine and recurring assignments involved in installing and configuring computer hardware, software, operating systems, networks, applications, and printers and scanners.
• Performing ongoing monitoring, maintaining, and updating of computer systems, networks, and applications to include diagnosis of recurring network problems and service interruptions.
• Assisting users with IT-related issues, including hardware and software troubleshooting, and providing solutions to ensure optimal system performance.
• Performing routine IT system security duties in support of the management of the IT security program and protection of company IT assets against unauthorized, accidental, or deliberate modification, disclosure, and destruction of data.
• Utilizing approved artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled tools to assist with research, information gathering, document summarization, and preparation of routine written materials in support of program activities.

Requirements

This is a shared cross-government announcement open to agencies throughout Federal government. If you are invited to interview or offered a job, be sure to get clarification from the particular hiring agency about the duty location and other conditions of employment. Specific requirements vary by hiring agency and include:

• Current civil service employees selected will be given new appointments to the civil service and subject to a new probationary period; however, benefits, time served, and other Federal entitlements may remain the same.
• May be covered by a bargaining unit.
• May qualify for bonuses, incentives, and/or reimbursement of relocation expenses, in accordance with hiring agency policy.
• May require financial disclosure filing upon appointment and annually.
• May require a pre-employment drug test and/or random drug testing during the period of employment.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national.
• Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov.
• Per Public Law 104-134, all Federal employees are required to have Federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Promotion potential varies by hiring agency. Some positions may have promotion potential to higher grade levels.
• Security clearance varies by hiring agency. Must be able to pass a background investigation and/or obtain and hold a security clearance, as determined by the hiring agency.
• Selective service registration is required, as applicable.
• Travel varies by hiring agency.

Qualifications

THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. This announcement will close at 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/21/2026. Applicants will be referred periodically throughout the announcement open period, based on the schedule below. Applicants must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements by the cut-off dates listed below. Eligibility and qualification claims are subject to verification.

• First Cut-Off on May 6, 2026: To be considered in the first review, applicants must submit their application package and complete the USA Hire assessments by May 6, 2026.
• Final Cut-Off on May 21, 2026: Applicants who submit their application package and complete the USA Hire assessments after May 6, 2026 will be considered in the final review.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Under the updated Competency-Based Qualification Standard for the IT Management Series (2210), applicants must:

• Meet or exceed all required competencies at the minimum proficiency level for the GS-09 and/or GS-11 grade(s), as described below; and
• Have the required specialized experience for the GS-09 and/or GS-11 grade(s), as described below.

You may be considered ineligible and removed from further consideration for the position, if you fail to meet any of the criteria above.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

You must have the knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies which demonstrate the likelihood to perform successfully the duties of the position and are related to the work of the position to be filled. 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, but may now be obtained through other means. Such demonstratable knowledge, skills, and abilities/competences may be typically gained in the IT field or through the performance of work where the primary concern is IT.

For the GS-09, the following specialized experience is required:

• Performing IT system security duties in support of the management of an IT security program; and
• Installing or configuring computer hardware, software, operating systems, networks, applications, printers, or scanners.

For the GS-11, the following specialized experience is required:

• Assessing risk factors for vulnerability to attack in order to ensure the protection of IT systems and applications; and
• Providing technical guidance in the design, coding, testing, and debugging processes; and
• Using artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled tools to support research, data review, or preparation of reports, summaries, or materials.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. If your resume does not support your application questionnaire response(s), we may not allow credit for your response(s). A full-time year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours per week spent in such employment. 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.

COMPETENCIES:

For the GS-09, the following competencies are required:

• 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.
• Interpersonal Skills: 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.
• Reasoning: Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
• Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.

For the GS-11, the following competencies are required:

• 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.
• Interpersonal Skills: 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.
• Problem Solving: Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
• Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
• Technical Competence: 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.

Key Skills/Competency

• IT System Installation and Configuration
• Network Monitoring and Maintenance
• Hardware and Software Troubleshooting
• IT Security Measures
• Customer Support
• Technical Guidance
• AI-enabled Tool Utilization
• Risk Assessment
• Attention to Detail
• Teamwork