IT Specialist (System Administration)
Who We Are
EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) works to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles and engines and the fuels that power them. Within OTAQ, the Testing & Advanced Technology Division (TATD) employs engineers, technicians, computer scientists, chemists, and IT specialists who come from a wide range of professional and educational experiences to operate the National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory. This includes professionals with high school diplomas, certificates, apprenticeships, as well as two-year, four-year, or post-graduate degrees.
We continually work to embrace new perspectives and enhance workplace culture within the laboratory. Our team values employee feedback and collaboration, recognizing these as key avenues for exploring ways to improve our work and encourage employee involvement. We also actively support growth and advancement - celebrating each other's accomplishments is part of our regular routine, and management encourages employees to participate in professional development opportunities. Our team recognizes the important role that an adaptable work culture plays in maintaining an atmosphere that makes people excited to come to work. Seriously-- we love working here and know you will as well!
What We Do
The mission of EPA is to protect human health and the environment - safeguarding the air, water, and land upon which life depends. To support this mission, OTAQ develops and implements science-based policies and programs that reduce mobile source pollution. The lab's research and testing contribute to the development of the science supporting these policies and programs, such as vehicle emissions standards, and supports critical compliance and regulatory programs that protect people and the environment from transportation-source pollutants. TATD prides itself on its data quality programs and works to ensure that test data meets world-class standards for accuracy, repeatability, and security.
Working here means working at the forefront of emissions testing to support rulemakings, compliance programs, and enforcement actions that reduce and prevent air pollution at the national scale. If you're looking to work with technology while making a difference for public health and the environment in your community and across the nation, then TATD is the place for you. We're looking to add a range of new members to our team, including both seasoned experts as well as those looking to develop their skills and launch into a new career. We're excited to support your long-term professional goals, whether that be at the EPA or beyond.
Location
Home of the lab and over half of OTAQ's workforce, the city of Ann Arbor offers small town charm with big city amenities. A robust trail system, diverse food scene, numerous cultural institutions, and strong school system are only a sample of what this city can provide. Ann Arbor embraces and celebrates diversity, fostering an inclusive community where people from all backgrounds feel welcome and valued. No matter who you are or where you come from, there is a place for you in Ann Arbor.
EPA's Inclusivity
Generating effective solutions that support EPA's mission is only possible with an inclusive employee base that is representative of the nation we serve.At EPA, we welcome applications from candidates with a variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from differences of culture and circumstance.
Benefits
Working for the EPA offers you a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. Life and Careers at EPA
This position may be eligible for workplace flexibilities including expanded telework, remote work, and/or flexible work schedules. These flexibilities may be requested in accordance with EPA's Workplace Flexibilities policy.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Transportation & Air Quality (OTAQ)is accepting applications for an IT Specialist (System Administration) at the GS-13 level in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Duties at the entry level of this position include:
* Serve as an expert and advisor in the design and implementation of hardware and software systems in a variety of operating system environments, including database systems, application servers, web servers, messaging systems, enterprise tools, network infrastructure, and related business systems;
* Develop and implement diagnostic and maintenance tools to ensure availability and functionality of systems required in support of organizational objectives;
* Develop and ensure rigorous application of security policies, principles, and practices in the delivery of systems administration services to identify new threats and correct vulnerabilities;
* Develop outreach strategies and materials to communicate information about system changes to customers, stakeholders and internal and external partners, including states, tribes and the private sector;
* Serve as Project Officer, Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) with responsibility for assuring contractors perform the technical and management requirements of IT contracts in accordance with contract terms, conditions, and specifications in terms of cost, quality, quantity, and schedule.
To read more about the position or to apply, visit https://www.usajobs.gov and perform a keyword search for EPA-LA-DE-2024-0018 or click here. THE APPLICATION PERIOD IS 04/05/2024 TO 04/15/2024.
Only complete applications submitted via USAJobs on or before the deadline will be forwarded for consideration. Applications received by mail, e-mail, fax, or any method outside of USAJobs will not be considered.
U.S. citizenship is required. The U.S. EPA is an Equal Opportunity Employment at EPA
Job Requirements:
Qualifications
In addition to the educational requirements, we are looking for at least one year of specialized experience related to this position as described below:
To qualify for the GS-13 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-12 level defined as recommending hardware and/or software upgrades and/or replacements to meet current and future needs of the organization; identifying and resolving system migration and installation vulnerabilities, risks, and/or problems.
Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: 1) Skill in researching specifications and proposing recommendations to acquire new IT systems and software; 2) Skill in using tools to assess server performance, availability, capacity or configuration problems, and install software and hardware, systems fixes, updates and enhancements; 3) Knowledge of information technology operating systems, database systems, hardware, local area networks, and software applications; 4) Skill in oral communications to represent the organization on intra-agency/inter-agency workgroups or committees involving systems administration issues or change; 5) Skill in written communications to prepare presentations, systems documentation, and reports; 6) Knowledge of contract management sufficient to oversee requirements of IT contracts in accordance with terms, conditions, and specifications.
If you have part-time work experience, read this:EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.
Education
You need a degree or combination of education and experience as described below to qualify for this position.
All applicants must meet one of the following requirements to qualify for consideration for an engineering position:
* IT-related experience demonstrating each of these four competencies:
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 to make recommendations;
-OR-
* A bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university 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.
For information about accreditation requirements, visitEPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.
