Senior Network Administrator

Summary

The IT Security and Networking Division is seeking an experienced Senior Network Administrator to manage, optimize, and secure the NIST enterprise network and Physical Access Control System (PACS) isolated network. This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.

Duties

The IT Security and Networking Division provides networking support for NIST. Come work in an energetic, lively, and collegial atmosphere on a wide range of complex, fast-paced, challenging matters providing support across the country, but primarily at the Gaithersburg, MD and Boulder, CO sites. Support the NIST research mission with high speed networking. In this role, you will ensure high availability and security while leading strategic infrastructure projects, equipment procurement, and lifecycle management. Limited travel and a flexible work schedule including occasional weekends and late nights are required for this position. Schedule may fluctuate on a biweekly basis to accommodate the service needs of the House. Grade level at time of appointment is determined by experience and designated level of responsibility. The position does not have day-to-day supervisory/managerial responsibilities. Key Duties: Collaborate with team members; analyze, validate, maintain and proposing changes to improve security posture of enterprise environment. Ensuring a stable and secure enterprise network for NIST. Research, develop, modify and apply security configuration settings to secure networks and network devices. Manage and automate networks and network security. Administer, support, perform data analysis and validation, and troubleshooting for enterprise networks and PACS systems. Automating and analyzing data through programming and scripting. Creating and maintaining original scripts, programs and reports for continuous monitoring. Serve as a technical consultant on network systems analysis, integration, implementation, and maintenance. Deploy and upgrade Cisco devices. Procure equipment replacements on 5-year refresh cycle. Support of the NIST Enterprise Network cable plant, switching, routing, wireless, DNS, VoIP, and access control. Key Responsibilities: Infrastructure Management: Administer, support, and troubleshoot enterprise networks, voice systems, and communication circuits to ensure continuous uptime and strict security. Strategic Planning: Drive IT management practices by developing strategic priorities, including a comprehensive 5-year equipment refreshment plan. System Maintenance: Proactively review and deploy critical vendor system and code updates, and oversee comprehensive network and service monitoring. Procurement & Project Management: Develop contract requirements for large equipment procurements and infrastructure solutions, acting as the lead project manager for related systems. Collaboration & Compliance: Partner with internal and external stakeholders to align system provisioning, policies, and procedures with OISM goals, industry best practices, and regulatory requirements. Qualifications

Selective Placement Factor: Applicants must possess a current/active IT CISCO CCNP certification or higher. A current/active copy of your certification must be provided in your application package. Specialized Experience: In addition to meeting the selective placement factor, applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level (ZP-III at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as: Upgrading Cisco IOS and NXOS software versions. Upgrading/Replacing Cisco Hardware Chassis and line cards. Using Cisco IOS and NXOS software commands, including Layer 2 switching and Layer 3 routing. Interconnecting and testing network devices using fiber optic and copper testing tools. Using Cisco ISE for network access control and micro segmentation. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). 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. The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook. If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration

Education

Qualifications are based upon meeting specialized experience only. Education cannot be used to qualify for this position. How You Will Be Evaluated

Please prepare a resume that is no longer than two pages; only the first two pages will be considered during the review process. Ensure your font is 11 points or larger and upload your resume as a .pdf document. This helps ensure your formatting looks exactly the way you intended. How you will be evaluated: You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed in this announcement. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) may be used to review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. SMEs will review ONLY two (2) pages of your resume. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume. Applications will be assessed on the following competencies: Customer Service Information Systems/Network Security Interpersonal Skills Requirements Analysis Referral: All applicants may be referred to the selecting official for consideration. Under Direct Hire Authority, applicants are not rated and ranked, and veteran preference does not apply. CTAP or ICTAP eligibility: If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must be determined eligible and rated as well-qualified to receive special selection priority. "Well Qualified" means that in addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective placement factor(s), if applicable, you must receive a score of 85 or higher. Please review the following site regarding required documents to support CTAP or ICTAP eligibility and additional information regarding this authority - CTAP/ICTAP Eligibility Other Information

This position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS), a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Learn more about the APMS here! We may share your application package with other selecting officials. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy. Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions. You MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY to be considered for this position. All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible to make qualification or eligibility determinations. A probationary period may be required. This position has physical requirements which include but may not be limited to: Heavy Lifting, 45 pounds and over Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over Reaching above shoulder Use of fingers Both hands required Ability to distinguish basic colors Ability to distinguish shades of colors Hearing (aid may be permitted) This position has environmental requirements which include but may not be limited to: Outside and inside Excessive noise, intermittent Working alone Working closely with others Protracted or irregular hours of work NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities. For more information, please visit our Careers website.