Information Technology Specialist (Computer Specialist)

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities., Help

This position is located in the Systems Development Branch, Information Technology and Data Division (ITDD), Central Office, Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The mission of the section is to provide Bureau ADP support in addition to providing system software support and technical assistance to the applications programming and computer operations staff.

Provide technical support for the SENTRY database management system (DB2), POSGRESQL and telecommunications software such as software installation (COBOL & JAVA), backup and recovery, data dictionary definitions and overall technical control of mainframe computer security.

Designs, implements, and maintains complex inhouse programs and sub-routines, including generalized record selection programs, linkage routines to operating systems, data communications systems and checkpoint/restart procedures.

Responsible for installation of new releases and maintenance of, a complex telecommunications system used to manage the SENTRY Network and the SENTRY database management system (DB2 & POSGRESQL)., Career Transition Programs (CTAP or ICTAP): These programs apply to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must:

1. Meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria;
2. Be rated well-qualified for the position, scoring at least half of the total possible points for the vacancy KSAs or competencies; and
3. Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP eligibility: + A copy of the agency notice (i.e., separation notice or agency RIF letter), + Most recent performance appraisal, and + Most recent SF-50 showing current/former position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location. + See USAJOBS’ Career Transition Programs for more information., Eligibility for secondary law enforcement coverage is determined in accordance with applicable regulations. Coverage may be attained through any qualifying federal law enforcement officer service that meets the definitions in 5 U.S.C. 8401(17) and satisfies the conditions in 5 CFR 842.803.

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.

Basic Requirements:

Applicants may qualify by meeting or exceeding the minimum proficiency level established for each of the required competencies listed below,

The required competencies for the GS-12 and above level(s) are Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Decision Making, Information Management, Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Problem Solving, Teamwork, and Technical Competence.

Competency Definitions:

• 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.

• Decision Making - 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.

• Information Management - Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

AND

Specialized Experience:

You must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level(or equivalent). Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies to perform successfully the duties of the position and is related to the work of the position to be 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.

Some examples of qualifying experience:

Experience in major operating system software, including the ability to modify code and diagnose and correct problems.

Experience in the development, implementation and maintenance of specialized areas, remote job entry, computer security, telecommunications software, on-line systems, intra and inter-governmental transfer of data, database management, backup and recovery and formatted file structure.

Experience providing technical expertise on mainframe computer security and monitors overall performance of SENTRY or their major applications and providing trouble shooting to determine cause of inadequate response time.

Experience evaluating user’s needs, hardware and software options, directing and formulating the design and testing of computerized systems, install hardware and software, and analyze broad system specifications.

Experience recognizing and resolving hardware and software problems.

OR

Applicants may also be considered to have satisfied the minimum qualification requirements for a position if they can present evidence that clearly justifies a high evaluation of their competence, such as one or more of the following:

• Appropriate licensure, registration(s), certification(s); or

• A substantial record of experience, achievement, and publications that demonstrates eminence in the appropriate profession/technical field., Applicants applying for this position, MUST also possess the following Selective Factors. In the event you do not possess the Selective Factors, you will be found ineligible for the position.

Applicant must have experience in the last twelve months using one or more of the following language or software development environments: Model View Controller (MVC) Framework, J2EE, Java, JavaScript, HyperText Markup Language (HTML), POSGRESQL and Structured Query Language (SQL).

AND

Applicant must have experience with one or more of the following operating systems or system level software: Microsoft Windows, MySQL, Web Servers, and PC utilities.

If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as the number of hours worked per week) spent in activities., ONLY if education is a requirement/substitution for specialized experience, applicant MUST upload legible transcripts as verification of educational requirement. Transcripts MUST be uploaded and electronically linked from USAJOBS at the time you apply and MUST include identifying information to include School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, Click Here., * Accountability

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment., NOTE: Candidates within the top-quality category and who are eligible for veterans’ preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles.

If you are entitled to veterans’ preference, you should indicate the type of veteran’s preference you are claiming on your resume. Although veterans’ preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described under “How You Will Be Evaluated”, veterans preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which they are qualified.

In addition, qualified veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more are placed at the top of the highest qualified category as defined by category rating procedures.

Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher). As noted above, an agency may not select a non-preference eligible in lieu of a preference eligible in the same category unless there are grounds for a passover and the agency has complied with the passover procedures at 5 U.S.C. § 3318(b).

Learn more about what it’s like to work at Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.