Job Details for Information Technology Specialist
| Court Name/Organization | U.S. Sentencing Commission |
| Overview of the Position | The U.S. Sentencing Commission is looking for a self-motivated, dedicated, and well-rounded Information Technology Specialist with experience managing software application lifecycles in a Microsoft Windows environment to support current agency information technology needs and planning for future growth. This position requires a balance of knowledge, ingenuity, and initiative, with a constant emphasis on security and performance. Performing duties during non-business hours may be required. |
| Location | Washington, DC |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 03/17/2025 - 04/14/2025 |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade | JS 9-12 |
| Salary | $69,923 - $131,826 |
| Announcement Number | 25-06 |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
The incumbent will serve as a member of the Technology and Solutions Services team, reporting directly to the Senior Information Technology Specialist, and will serve as the agency's business software subject matter expert, providing guidance, training, and support to staff, while continuously monitoring, testing, and managing application updates. Working in unison with the other members of the Technology and Solutions Services team, the incumbent will also provide primary and secondary support across a wide range of technology-related disciplines. Coordination and communication with direct team members, agency staff, as well as external support staff and vendors, will be essential to effectively discharge the duties expected of this position.
Responsibilities include:
- Acting as the subject matter expert for the planning, implementation, and support of business software to include (but not limited to):
- Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise (such as Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.).
- Adobe desktop applications (such as Adobe Creative Cloud and Adobe Acrobat DC)
- Statistics-related applications (such as SAS Visual Analytics, Stat\Transfer, IBM SPSS, etc.).
- Education-related applications (such as Articulate 360, TechSmith Camtasia, etc.).
- Secure Shell (SSH) and Telnet clients (such as MobaXterm, PuTTy, WinSCP, etc.).
- Assisting with the planning, implementation, and support of security-related tools, services and solutions (such as Patch and Asset Management, Anti-virus\Anti-malware protection, Vulnerability Scanning and Remediation, Multi-factor Authentication, etc.).
- Providing direct support for the organization's public facing website, coordinating with both the U.S. Court Services Hosting Branch and external vendors to implement security and recommended updates, site modifications, environment modifications, as well as assisting the Office of Public Affairs with content update mechanics, troubleshooting and remediation of website malfunctions.
- Aiding with the planning and implementation of Microsoft Windows desktop and laptop configurations.
- Researching and recommending new business software and applications to enhance staff productivity and improve end user experience.
- Assisting with onboarding and offboarding staff to ensure that accounts, licenses, and hardware are accurately managed in a timely manner.
- Providing direct end-user technical support to address questions or technical issues.
- Providing end-user technical training, to include 1-on-1 tutorials, classroom instruction, or written guides.
- Maintaining accurate documentation of procedures and ongoing projects.
- Lifting, and moving, moderately heavy items (such as computers, desktop printers, battery backup units, etc.) may be required.
- Performing supplemental technical support duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Mandatory Qualification Requirements
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university in information technology or a related field of study, and/or equivalent professional certifications and training. Applicants must have three years of specialized experience directly related to the line of work of this position, or experience that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. One year of specialized work experience equivalent to the previous level in the federal service is required. For example, one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level is required to qualify for appointment at the JS-12 level.
Specialized experience is defined as progressively responsible work experience that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities that will enable the individual to successfully perform the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position.
Technical Skill Requirements
Applicants must have:
- Knowledge of automation software and hardware in a Microsoft Windows environment;
- Demonstrated experience installing, upgrading, patching, configuring, and problem resolution of automation software;
- Experience providing End-User technical assistance and application training;
- Ability to research and recommend new business software and applications;
- Experience with implementing stringent system security controls;
- Ability to handle a variety of tasks within tight deadlines; and,
- Ability to communicate complex technical information in non-technical terms both verbally and in writing.
Preferred Qualifications
Preference will be given to applicants with one or more of the following areas of experience:
- Master's degree in information technology or related field.
- IT Security certifications/credentials (e.g., CISSP, CISA, CISM, SSCP); and/or,
- Microsoft Windows/Active Directory experience/certifications (e.g., MCSE, MCSA, MTA).
- Experience with Windows desktop provisioning and deployment.
- Experience with Identity and Access management in support of two-factor authentication, user roles, and user access.
Education
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university in information technology or a related field of study, and/or equivalent professional certifications and training.
Employee Benefits
The Commission participates in the following federal benefits: The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program; the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program, federal retirement, the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and the federal leave program. In addition, the Commission participates in the Judiciary's Flexible Spending Program for dependent care, health care, and commuter reimbursement, the government-wide Long Term Care Insurance Program, unemployment, and workers' compensation benefits.
The Commission offers a monthly transit subsidy to employees who use mass transit to commute to and from work, subject to the availability of funds. The Commission offers alternative work schedules (AWS), which are fixed work schedules that enable full-time employees to complete the basic 80-hour biweekly work requirement in less than 10 workdays.
The Commission offers regular telework (not full-time) to employees in positions deemed eligible by the staff director and who meet the requirements of an approved telework arrangement in which an employee performs official duties at home or at an approved telework site.
The Commission also offers training opportunities to employees through LinkedIn Learning, and the Judiciary's Online University, which offers academic credit and professional credit programs through web-based learning. These training tools assist Commission employees with taking online courses in a flexible way, by offering training courses in the areas of: staff training and development; credit toward undergraduate degree programs; continuing education and non-credit certificate programs; executive education; contract training; credit credentials courses for continuing professional education and credit for individuals who hold credentials and achieve certifications associated with several globally-recognized sponsored organizations.
Miscellaneous
The incumbent will serve as a member of the Technology and Solutions Services team, reporting directly to the Senior Information Technology Specialist, and will serve as the agency's business software subject matter expert, providing guidance, training, and support to staff, while continuously monitoring, testing, and managing application updates. Working in unison with the other members of the Technology and Solutions Services team, the incumbent will also provide primary and secondary support across a wide range of technology-related disciplines. Coordination and communication with direct team members, agency staff, as well as external support staff and vendors, will be essential to effectively discharge the duties expected of this position.
Responsibilities include:
- Acting as the subject matter expert for the planning, implementation, and support of business software to include (but not limited to):
- Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise (such as Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.).
- Adobe desktop applications (such as Adobe Creative Cloud and Adobe Acrobat DC)
- Statistics-related applications (such as SAS Visual Analytics, Stat\Transfer, IBM SPSS, etc.).
- Education-related applications (such as Articulate 360, TechSmith Camtasia, etc.).
- Secure Shell (SSH) and Telnet clients (such as MobaXterm, PuTTy, WinSCP, etc.).
- Assisting with the planning, implementation, and support of security-related tools, services and solutions (such as Patch and Asset Management, Anti-virus\Anti-malware protection, Vulnerability Scanning and Remediation, Multi-factor Authentication, etc.).
- Providing direct support for the organization's public facing website, coordinating with both the U.S. Court Services Hosting Branch and external vendors to implement security and recommended updates, site modifications, environment modifications, as well as assisting the Office of Public Affairs with content update mechanics, troubleshooting and remediation of website malfunctions.
- Aiding with the planning and implementation of Microsoft Windows desktop and laptop configurations.
- Researching and recommending new business software and applications to enhance staff productivity and improve end user experience.
- Assisting with onboarding and offboarding staff to ensure that accounts, licenses, and hardware are accurately managed in a timely manner.
- Providing direct end-user technical support to address questions or technical issues.
- Providing end-user technical training, to include 1-on-1 tutorials, classroom instruction, or written guides.
- Maintaining accurate documentation of procedures and ongoing projects.
- Lifting, and moving, moderately heavy items (such as computers, desktop printers, battery backup units, etc.) may be required.
- Performing supplemental technical support duties as assigned.
Application Info
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The Commission evaluates applicants through a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. Applicants who do not address the qualification requirements (mandatory and preferred) in his or her application materials as stated in the vacancy announcement are automatically disqualified from consideration and must re-apply before the closing date to be considered for employment.
The Office of Human Resources:
- Reviews the applicant's application to ensure the proper materials are submitted.
- Ensures that the application addresses all the qualification requirements (mandatory and preferred) as stated in the vacancy announcement.
- Determines whether the applicant meets the qualification requirements for the position and notifies the applicant about the status of his or her application.
Required Documents:
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Recent job performance evaluation (if available)
- College transcript (if available)
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.