IT Specialist (SYSADMIN/INFOSEC)

This position is part of the IT Infrastructure Operations and Engineering Team at the Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory, within the Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office. As an IT Specialist (SYSADMIN/INFOSEC), you will be responsible for the secure, technical, operational infrastructure supporting energy research, program management, and business operations for all three sites that comprise NETL. The Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office works to discover, integrate, and mature technology solutions to enhance the nation's energy foundation and protect the environment for future generations. Through forward-looking research and technology development, our team of talented and diverse experts provides technology solutions for today and options for tomorrow. We are truly honored that DOE has been named America's #1 Best Employer for Veterans in 2023 by Forbes-not only among Government agencies, but among employers across the U.S. We are so proud of this ranking which reflects our commitment to the employment of veterans. As so many veterans at DOE renew their service to our Nation, we are deeply committed to their success and advancement. Veterans shape the future of energy As an IT Specialist (SYSADMIN/INFOSEC), at the full performance GS-13 level, you will Serve as Service Manager directing the planning, configuration, preventive maintenance, and operational oversight of NETL Data Centers, private cloud, and externally hosted solutions across multiple sites to ensure maximum availability and energy efficiency. Conduct complex feasibility and infrastructure studies to design, evaluate, and establish IT operational policies, procedures, and long-term architecture strategies aligned with agency objectives. Direct the implementation of system security controls, sensor deployment, and vulnerability management to ensure compliance with federal mandates (FISMA, FITARA, NIST 800-53, DISA STIGs) and maintain system Authorizations to Operate (ATO). Serve as Project Manager and Technical Performance Monitor (TPM) for site support contracts, defining technical requirements, drafting Statements of Work (SOWs), evaluating proposals, managing budgets, and approving contractor work plans. Act as the senior technical authority to resolve escalated, complex hardware/software interoperability issues, operational engineering challenges, and cybersecurity incidents. Serve as the approval authority for staff IT acquisition requests, managing third-party maintenance contracts and enforcing federal compliance mandates such as EPEAT environmental purchasing standards. You must meet both the Basic Requirement and the Specialized Experience to qualify for this series as described below. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Applicants must have IT-related education and experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below at a proficiency level equivalent to the next lower grade level in federal service. 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. 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. GS-12 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting ALL of the following: Supporting on-premises enterprise data center infrastructure and cloud operations, including assisting with configuration, monitoring, and availability of data-center systems, server infrastructures, or cloud-hosting environments. Contributing to infrastructure modernization projects or contractor coordination, such as helping develop technical requirements, reviewing work products for accuracy, or tracking project schedules and costs to support modernization activities Providing Tier-2 to Tier-3 support for escalated infrastructure issues, including troubleshooting hardware, software, or interoperability problems and assisting in implementing data-lifecycle processes, cloud services, or foundational AI-enabling infrastructure. GS-13 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting ALL of the following: Leading the operations and administration of enterprise on-premises data centers and cloud hosting environments, overseeing configuration, capacity planning, availability management, and compliance with security and governance requirements. Managing technical infrastructure initiatives and contractor performance, including drafting technical requirements and Statements of Work (SOWs), developing cost estimates, reviewing engineering deliverables, and evaluating performance against measurable technical metrics. Providing Tier-3 engineering expertise for infrastructure issues, including resolving escalated hardware, software, or interoperability problems and architecting cloud solutions, structured data-lifecycle systems, and AI-enabling infrastructure that advance mission-aligned modernization "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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. CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section. You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. There are no specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience for this position.