This position is located in the Information Technology Services Division for the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Clay Center, NE. In this position, you will provide support and administer scientific data systems and operations to meet research-specific information technology (IT) requirements.

Duties

Works closely with the Research Leader management team and provides leadership in the needs assessment, evaluation, procurement, and implementation of hardware, software, and cloud solutions; and engages with researchers on all IT-related activities. Serves as the liaison between services from partnering organizations (including collaborators such as university personnel, nonprofits, etc.) and/or IT hardware and software vendors. Monitors, evaluates, and responds to systems’ compliance with cyber security requirements. Works with scientists in maintaining and updating computational severs and software for the analysis of scientific data while ensuring scientists have access to servers and resources needed. Applies protocols, guidelines, standards, and policies in ensuring functionality and user interface. Installs and manages hardware and related software on computers, printers, electronic scale systems, bar code equipment, and other scientific equipment. Manages the operation of Window servers, Linux servers, workstations, and ancillary devices for LAN and Internet access. Maintains the operating system software, and assures all systems are operational.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Basic Requirement: Experience must be IT related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate 1. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. Problem-Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and make recommendations. AND In addition to the basic requirement above, all applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications: GS-11: Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-11 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-09 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience recommending IT methods or procedural guidance; performing the installation and maintenance of computer hardware or software; providing data management support; and identifying, troubleshooting and resolving IT problems. OR Education: Completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a related major field of study; or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral 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 and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks. GS-12: Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-12 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-11 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience modifying IT procedures; recommending IT methods or procedural guidance; determining system compatibility requirements; performing the installation and maintenance of computer hardware or software; providing data management support; and identifying, troubleshooting and resolving IT problems. 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 2150 Centre Avenue Building D, Suite 300 Fort Collins, CO 80526 US
• Name: Nelly Wilson
• Phone: (703) 259-9360
• Email: [email protected]