- Position Title
- IT Specialist
- Agency
- Agricultural Research Service
- Announcement Number
- ARS-M19Y-10484467-KAS Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Thursday, May 9, 2019 to Wednesday, May 22, 2019
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS CAREFULLY. YOUR RESPONSES WILL AFFECT YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR THIS POSITION.
The answers to the following questions will be used to determine your eligibility to apply to this job opportunity announcement. You will only be considered under the option(s) you select. You may qualify for and select more than one category.
If you respond that you do not meet any of the following criteria, you will not be considered for this position under this announcement.
NOTE: You must submit the required documentation to verify EACH type of eligibility you select. Failure to provide the required documents will result in an ineligible rating and your application will be excluded from consideration.
See instructions under the "Required Documents" and "How to Apply" tabs for submitting documentation.
If you have questions concerning your eligibility for consideration, please reach out to the contact in the announcement prior to the announcement's closing date. You must submit a complete application by the close of the announcement to be considered.
The answers to the following questions will be used to determine your eligibility to apply to this job opportunity announcement. You will only be considered under the option(s) you select. You may qualify for and select more than one category.
If you respond that you do not meet any of the following criteria, you will not be considered for this position under this announcement.
NOTE: You must submit the required documentation to verify EACH type of eligibility you select. Failure to provide the required documents will result in an ineligible rating and your application will be excluded from consideration.
See instructions under the "Required Documents" and "How to Apply" tabs for submitting documentation.
If you have questions concerning your eligibility for consideration, please reach out to the contact in the announcement prior to the announcement's closing date. You must submit a complete application by the close of the announcement to be considered.
1.
Do you claim Veterans' Preference?
2.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions (this means an honorable or general discharge) AND you either:
• retired from active military service with a disability rating of 30 percent or more; OR
• rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) since 1991 or later to include disability determinations from a branch of the Armed Forces at any time, as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more.
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
• retired from active military service with a disability rating of 30 percent or more; OR
• rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) since 1991 or later to include disability determinations from a branch of the Armed Forces at any time, as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more.
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
3.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
4.
Were you employed overseas as an Appropriated Fund employee AND did you:
• complete 52 weeks of creditable overseas service in an appropriated fund position(s) as a family member during the time you accompanied a sponsor officially assigned to an overseas area; AND,
• receive a fully successful or better (or equivalent) performance rating; AND,
• return to the United States to resume residence less than 3 years ago?
For more information, review USAJOBS Former Overseas Employees resources.
• complete 52 weeks of creditable overseas service in an appropriated fund position(s) as a family member during the time you accompanied a sponsor officially assigned to an overseas area; AND,
• receive a fully successful or better (or equivalent) performance rating; AND,
• return to the United States to resume residence less than 3 years ago?
For more information, review USAJOBS Former Overseas Employees resources.
5.
Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who has been issued orders for a permanent change of station (PCS)? If yes, confirm you are indicated on the PCS orders; and that you:
• have been married to the military member on or prior to the date of your spouse's PCS orders;
• are relocating with your spouse to the new duty location; AND,
• have not previously been appointed using this authority under these orders.
-OR-
Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating of 100 percent at the time of retirement or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100 percent from the Department of Veterans Affairs?
-OR-
(3) Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
• have been married to the military member on or prior to the date of your spouse's PCS orders;
• are relocating with your spouse to the new duty location; AND,
• have not previously been appointed using this authority under these orders.
-OR-
Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating of 100 percent at the time of retirement or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100 percent from the Department of Veterans Affairs?
-OR-
(3) Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
6.
Are you a current or former permanent Farm Service Agency County employee?
7.
Are you a Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment in the competitive service and has not held the full performance grade level or higher of this position?
8.
Are you a current Federal employee who has held or currently holds a career or career conditional appointment in the competitive service AND you hold or previously held a position with the full performance grade level or higher?
9.
Have you completed at least 1 year of continuous service immediately before separation from one or more nontemporary Foreign Service appointments; AND, your separation from a Foreign Service career-type appointment occurred in the last 3 years (individuals entitled to veteran's preference do not need to meet this 3-year requirement)?
-OR-
Have you completed at least 3 years of substantially continuous service under one or more nontemporary appointments in the Foreign Service immediately before separation from an unlimited, career-type appointment in that Service?
-OR-
Are you a current or former limited non-career appointee with the Foreign Service and have at least 48 months of continuous service, a performance rating of satisfactory or better, and if a former employee, no more than a one year break in service since your qualifying appointment?
-OR-
Have you completed at least 3 years of substantially continuous service under one or more nontemporary appointments in the Foreign Service immediately before separation from an unlimited, career-type appointment in that Service?
-OR-
Are you a current or former limited non-career appointee with the Foreign Service and have at least 48 months of continuous service, a performance rating of satisfactory or better, and if a former employee, no more than a one year break in service since your qualifying appointment?
10.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position AND
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
11.
Are you a current or former employee of a land management agency (Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) who:
• was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; and,
• served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a single break in service of two or more years; and,
• performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; and,
• if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and whose most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance.
Note: Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked. Non-pay status (such as LWOP) is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.
• was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; and,
• served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a single break in service of two or more years; and,
• performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; and,
• if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and whose most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance.
Note: Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked. Non-pay status (such as LWOP) is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.
12.
Are you a current Excepted Service employee of a Federal Agency that has a valid interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management?
For more information, review Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems.
For more information, review Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems.
-OR-
Are you a current:
• Postal Career Service Employee;
• Postal Rate Commission Employee;
• Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employee; or,
• Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee?
For more information, review Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
• Postal Career Service Employee;
• Postal Rate Commission Employee;
• Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employee; or,
• Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee?
For more information, review Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
13.
Are you a Peace Corps Volunteer or AmeriCorps VISTA Alumni who completed your service within the past 12 months; OR,
Are you a Peace Corps Volunteer or AmeriCorps VISTA Alumni who completed your service within the past 36 months AND you are requesting an extension of your non-competitive appointment eligibility due to your military service; study at a recognized institution of higher learning; or involvement in another activity, which the hiring agency may view warrants extension? OR,
Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who completed at least 36 months of continuous service without a break in service of 3 days or more AND has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?
Are you a Peace Corps Volunteer or AmeriCorps VISTA Alumni who completed your service within the past 36 months AND you are requesting an extension of your non-competitive appointment eligibility due to your military service; study at a recognized institution of higher learning; or involvement in another activity, which the hiring agency may view warrants extension? OR,
Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who completed at least 36 months of continuous service without a break in service of 3 days or more AND has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?
14.
Do you have a severe intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?
For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
15.
Are you a former USDA employee who served on a career or career conditional appointment in the competitive service who was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as the last annual performance rating?
OR
Are you a former USDA employee who served on a career or career conditional appointment in the competitive service who separated due to a compensable injury or disability or accepted a lower graded position in lieu of separation?
OR
Are you a former USDA employee who served on a career or career conditional appointment in the competitive service who separated due to a compensable injury or disability or accepted a lower graded position in lieu of separation?
16.
Are you a former Federal career or career-conditional employee in competitive service who has reinstatement eligibility and has not held the full performance grade level of this position?
17.
Are you a former Federal career or career-conditional employee in competitive service who has reinstatement eligibility and held the full performance grade level of this position or higher?
18.
Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you:
• served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
• are entitled to veterans' preference?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
• served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
• are entitled to veterans' preference?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
19.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
• recently separated (within the past 3 years);
• are a disabled veteran;
• served on active duty during a war, campaign or expedition; OR,
• received an Armed Forces Service Medal?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
• recently separated (within the past 3 years);
• are a disabled veteran;
• served on active duty during a war, campaign or expedition; OR,
• received an Armed Forces Service Medal?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
Preferences
1.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
Assessment 1
Your responses to the questions below will be used in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Your resume and application materials must support the level of experience and/or education you claim in this questionnaire. If, after a complete review of your application package, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible for this position.
1.
From the choices below, please select the response that best describes how your experience meets the minimum qualification requirements for this position at the GS-7 level. Your resume must clearly support the response you select or you will be rated as not qualified.
2.
From the choices below, please select the response that best describes how your experience meets the minimum qualification requirements for this position at the GS-9 level. Your resume must clearly support the response you select or you will be rated as not qualified.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
3.
Provide database development support, which includes writing scripts and managing data.
4.
Schedule, monitor and verify the integrity of server and/or desktop backups and restore files as needed.
5.
Correct IT security weaknesses and adhere to vulnerability management procedures in response to problems identified in vulnerability scans and incident reports.
6.
Provide software development for custom research projects including writing programs in various programming languages to help with data acquisition or customized user interfaces.
7.
Provide computer support for PCs and Macs, including troubleshooting hardware and software.
8.
Configure and install workstations including Windows and Macintosh desktops and laptops.
9.
Install all required applications and utilities.
10.
I have configured, maintained and troubleshot the following related to IT systems and infrastructure: (Select all that apply)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
11.
Connect hardware as part of the initial installation.
12.
Work with users, scientists and technicians on problems related to PC hardware, peripheral equipment and data issues.
13.
Review manufacturer's specifications and documentation to present alternatives to meet user requirements.
14.
Order, repair or replace IT user equipment when necessary.
15.
Develop schedules and advise preventive maintenance of PC's.
16.
Set up and perform tests of new equipment and train users on operations.
17.
Maintain computer inventory for research location reporting, standard policies and organizational guidelines.
18.
Develop written procedures and instructions for end users and system administrators.
19.
Maintain an awareness of customer service standards.
20.
I have performed the following on firewalls and server software configuration: (Select all that apply)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
21.
Manage security of IT systems including data telecommunications.
22.
Apply updates and patches on local servers and firewalls, and ensure that computers have the latest security protection or has waiver in place.
23.
Serve as technical IT contact responsible for local area network (LAN) administration and e-mail management.
24.
Provide support for ensuring databases are quality checked before being made available.
25.
Outline database or software system functions from user requirements.
26.
Provide software design, development and testing for research projects.
27.
I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.