IT SPECIALIST

Duties 1. Manages the assigned IT/communications environment with privileged access at the network level for the Wing, Geographically Separated Units (GSU), and Tenants. Plans, coordinates, installs, and continuously analyzes system design, hardware and software. Develops, recommends, and installs solutions and upgrades to ensure availability, integrity, efficiency, and reliability of all components of the assigned system. Provides Information Assurance systems support for all disciplines, ensuring the rigorous application of information security/information assurance policies, principles, and practices in the delivery of network services. 2. Serves as a focal point for ensuring functionality and operability of the assigned IT/data systems/functions, voice and wireless systems to support mission requirements of Wing, Geographically Separated Units (GSU), and Tenants. Optimizes the functionality and performance of hardware and software systems and ensures availability, integrity, efficiency, and reliability of system/functional resources while managing the communications focal point coordination and workload distribution duties. Analyzes, manages, and directs installation of any new hardware or software introduced into the environment to ensure its compatibility with existing architecture, its reliability, and functionality in relation to the organization's business requirements. 3. Provides customer technical assistance and support for all users. Provides ongoing technical support to customers to ensure proper functional use of equipment and programs and to preclude undue interruptions to IT and communications services. Works with customers to ensure efficient operations which support each units' requirements. Assists in solving problems associated with delivery of hardware and software orders. Provides management with information necessary to address difficult and complex problems in automating work processes. Tracks life of system equipment, prepares and provides analyses to determine future maintenance and replacement costs to help justify budget submissions. 4. Determines customer requirements and assists customers by recognizing and analyzing trends and providing instruction and orientation services. Identifies and documents system requirements for specific needs of customers. Conducts in-depth analyses of system usage, user complaints, traffic interruptions, hardware and software capabilities, and other relevant factors. Recommends methods and procedures and coordinates corrective action to optimize utilization of present equipment. Ensures upgrades to the base IT and communications infrastructure are identified and assists customers in developing and submitting recommendations for additional equipment and funds. Cooperates and works with unit personnel in planning and developing new or additional infrastructure/architecture capabilities. 5. Conducts feasibility studies to identify and analyze system failures and analyzes data to determine if trends exist which forecast the need for future replacement or modification of system hardware and software. Based upon the results of studies and the analyses of trends in usage and system problems, determines the feasibility of significant modifications vs. replacement to improve reliability. Participates with operating officials, system users, and others in progress review of established systems to determine the reliability, productivity, and user friendliness of the existing system hardware and software. As budget constraints dictate, evaluates alternative means of satisfying user requirements and provides management with the most technically feasible and cost efficient approaches to meet changing needs. 6. Coordinates frequency needs with command level spectrum management office to maintain current allocations and obtain new authorizations. Secures operating authority, and ensures minimal interference by ANG radio frequency (RF) operations. Analyzes RF spectrum requirements and determine compatibility with other users considering transmitter and receiver specifications, antenna data, emission characteristics, and modes of radio wave propagation. Reviews and validates radio frequency allocations. Maintains frequency records and associated databases. 7. Installs, maintains, and repairs hardware devices supporting a broad range of information and communications systems. Uses detailed knowledge of concepts, principles, methods, and practices with sophisticated diagnostic equipment and complex diagnostic software to identify and resolve internal system and network conflicts. Applies diagnostic equipment to test, configure, evaluate, and optimize all high bandwidth circuits. 8. Adheres to management control plan requirements by conducting self inspection and staff assistance visits. Resolves identified discrepancies. 9. Performs other duties as assigned. PLEASE CONTACT HRO FOR COMPLETE POSITION DESCRIPTION. Requirements Conditions of Employment * NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact a National Guard recruiter prior to applying for this position. * This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the employing state's National Guard, required prior to the effective date of placement. * Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform. * Applicants who are not currently a member of the National Guard must be eligible for immediate membership and employment in the National Guard in the military grade listed in this announcement. * May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours; overtime may be required. * May be required to successfully complete a probationary period. * Participation in direct deposit is mandatory. Qualifications MILITARY REQUIREMENTS: This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military grade in the Alabama Air National Guard. Applicants who are not currently a member of the Alabama Air National Guard must be eligible for immediate membership. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact an Alabama Air National Guard recruiter at 800-464-8273 prior to applying for this position. MINIMUM MILITARY RANK: SSGT MAXIMUM MILITARY RANK: MSGT *Other Requirements: For positions requiring the operation of motor vehicles, candidates must have a valid state driver's license. EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Each applicant must fully substantiate (in his/her own words) that he/she meets the requirements of the Specialized Experience listed below: Otherwise, the applicant will be considered unqualified for this position. DO NOT COPY THE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT OR THE POSITION DESCRIPTION. DOING SO MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION FOR THE POSITION. GENERAL EXPERIENCE: For all positions individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below. The employing agency is responsible for identifying the specific level of proficiency required for each competency at each grade level based on the requirements of the position being filled. * 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. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: 1-year specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade. In addition to the OPM IORs (Alternative A) specialized experience examples, specialized experience includes experience, education, or training that approaches techniques and requirements appropriate to an assigned computer applications area or computer specialty area in an organization. Experience 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. Experience that required adaptations of guidelines or precedents to meet the needs of the assignment. Experience preparing documentation on cost/benefit studies where is involved summarizing the material and organizing it in a logical fashion. Education Substitution of Education for specialized experience: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree Additional information If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency ( https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx ). * Benefits Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits . Review our benefits Eligibility for be