IT SPECIALIST

ASSESSMENT FACTORS 1. Develops metric, critical success factors, and key indicators to monitor and results. 2. Diagnoses problems in computer hardware or software and makes recommendations for problem resolutions. 3. Implements the most effective solutions to resolve organization and stakeholder/customer problems. 4. Identifies the core IT challenge and identifies the appropriate resources for resolution based on a full understanding of the customer’s requirements. 5. Develops a series of recommendations for the planning, developing, implementation, operation, and/or maintenance of current and future IT systems to support mission requirements. HIGHLY DESIRED SKILLS 1. Already possess Security+ CE Certification 2. Desire to achieve CCNP certification. 3. Intermediate to advance network administration skills Individual Occupational Requirements Note: Applicants may meet the minimum qualification requirements for GS-5 and GS-7 positions in this series in two ways. These are described below as Alternatives A and B. These alternatives are designed to allow eligibility either through demonstrating prior computer-related education or experience (A) or demonstrating general analytical ability through other kinds of education or experience and passing a written test (B). Applicants who qualify on the basis of Alternative B must take a written test for competitive appointment at the applicable grade levels. The written test is not required by OPM for inservice placement. There is no written test for applicants who qualify on the basis of Alternative A. Education Undergraduate and Graduation Education Alternative A (for GS-5 through GS-11): Major study–computer science, information science, information systems management, mathematics, statistics, operations research, or engineering, or course work that required the development or adaptation of computer programs and systems and provided knowledge equivalent to a major in the computer field. Alternative B (for GS-5 and GS-7 only): Major study–any field. or Experience General Experience (for GS-5 positions) Alternative A: Experience that provided a basic knowledge of data processing functions and general management principles that enabled the applicant to understand the stages required to automate a work process. Experience may have been gained in work such as computer operator or assistant, computer sales representative, program analyst, or other positions that required the use or adaptation of computer programs and systems. Alternative B: Meet general experience requirements in the “Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions (https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/tabs/group-standards/).” Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5) For GS-7: Experience in the performance of tasks such as: • Translating detailed logical steps developed by others into language codes that computers accept where this required understanding of procedures and limitations appropriate to use of a programming language. * Interviewing subject-matter personnel to get facts regarding work processes, and synthesizing the resulting data into charts showing information flow. • Operating computer consoles where this involved choosing from among various procedures in responding to machine commands or unscheduled halts. • Scheduling the sequence of programs to be processed by computers where alternatives had to be weighed with a view to production efficiency. • Preparing documentation on cost/benefit studies where this involved summarizing the material and organizing it in a logical fashion. Such skills are typically gained in the computer field or through performance of work where the primary concern was the subject matter of the computer application (e.g., supply, personnel, chemical process control), and computer-related efforts were required to facilitate the basic duties. Also, work in management analysis, program analysis, or a comparable field may have provided such skills. (Such experience may also have been obtained by applicants for GS-9 and GS-11 positions in this field.) For GS-9: Experience that demonstrated knowledge of computer requirements and techniques in carrying out project assignments consisting of several related tasks, such as typically is the case in development of minor modifications to parts of a system on the basis of detailed specifications provided. The assignments must have shown completion of the following, or the equivalent: • Analysis of the interrelationships of pertinent components of the system; • Planning the sequence of actions necessary to accomplish the assignment; and • Personal responsibility for at least a segment of the overall project For GS-11: Experience that demonstrated accomplishment of computer project assignments that required a range of knowledge of computer requirements and techniques. For example, assignments would show, on the basis of general design criteria provided, experience in developing modifications to parts of a system that required significant revisions in the logic or techniques used in the original development. Accomplishments, in addition to those noted for the GS-9 level, normally involve the following, or the equivalent: • Knowledge of the customary approaches, techniques, and requirements appropriate to an assigned computer applications area or computer specialty area in an organization; • Planning the sequence of actions necessary to accomplish the assignment where this entailed coordination with others outside the organizational unit and development of project controls; and • Adaptation of guidelines or precedents to the needs of the assignment. For GS-12 and above: Experience that demonstrated accomplishment of computer project assignments that required a wide range of knowledge of computer requirements and techniques pertinent to the position to be filled. This knowledge is generally demonstrated by assignments where the applicant analyzed a number of alternative approaches in the process of advising management concerning major aspects of ADP system design, such as what system interrelationships must be considered, or what operating mode, system software, and/or equipment configuration is most appropriate for a given project.
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