IT Specialist (NETWORK)

Summary

As an IT Specialist (Network), you will support system architectures across geographically dispersed environments, computer networks, and data communications operations for WAPA. Lead the implementation of large-scale projects and initiatives related to Networking ensuring their successful integration within the WAPA IT portfolio across all enclaves including General Support System (GSS), Secure Enclave Support Center (SESC) and SCADA/Environmental Management System (EMS) environments.

Duties

As a IT Specialist (NETWORK), you will: Project team member supporting complex, simultaneous, large-scale WAPA-wide IT projects through the full lifecycle (scope/design, testing, and implementation). Responsible for project support to multiple internal customers and external business partners, cloud services, and Internet services. Technical specialist for Network Operations systems responsible for routing, switching, communication equipment, circuits, Wi-Fi, and cloud network infrastructure. Provides secure, reliable network connectivity to multiple external business partners while supporting the network architecture, network operations, and site expansion. Technical specialist for Network Security systems by designing, implementing, and operating a secure network architecture throughout all security enclaves. Responsible in supporting firewalls, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), packet capture systems, WIFI, Load Balancers, and network security systems. Including compliance support and vulnerability management. Technical specialist for Network Management systems and network optimization, responsible for supporting the Domain Name Systems (DNS), IP address management, network authentication systems, load balancers, Network Time Protocol (NTP), quality of service (QOS), voice over IP (VOIP), video teleconferencing systems (VTC), and software defined network (SDN). Responsible for lifecycle management, network inventory management, system documentation, and Tier-3 Incident/Change/Patch Management expertise. Utilizes a variety of monitoring infrastructure to ensure efficient and effective operation of the network infrastructure. Requirements

This is NOT A REMOTE POSITION. For current WAPA federal employees, location is negotiable, limited to their current duty station; all other applicants are restricted to be physically present at one of the duty locations listed. Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. This employer participates in the e-Verify program. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation. Appointments made under the DHA are processed as "new" appointments. Status and Non-Status applicants from outside DOE selected under this authority are required to serve a mandatory one (1) year probationary period. A DOE career status employee selected for this position may be required to serve a new one (1) year probationary period, pursuant to 5 CFR 315.802. Employees serving on a probationary period may be terminated at any time during the probationary or trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service. Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications. In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to the four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answers to these questions are not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration. Must be able to obtain and maintain Defensive Drivers certification and possess a valid state driver's license. Designated as Emergency Essential. Overtime may be required on short notice to include nights, holidays and weekends in support of related mission requirements. On-call (Rotational) - The duties of this position may require the incumbent to be placed in a 24/7 on-call status on a rotational basis. On-call status on a rotational basis is anticipated to be approximately 15% of the year. While in an on-call duty status, required to carry a cellular phone and remain within one-half hour travel time of their primary place of residence (or approved on-call place of residence) and, will sustain themselves in an able to respond and perform work condition. Qualifications

QUALIFICATION REQUIRMENTS: To qualify for this position, you must meet the minimum qualification requirements as well as the specialized experience requirements outlined below: MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADE 12 and Above (GS or Equivalent): The competencies listed in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section will be used to evaluate whether or not you meet the minimum proficiency level established for the 2210 series SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: To qualify for the GS-12: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level or equivalent pay band. This experience MUST include at least two (2) of the following: Configure, maintain, and/or troubleshoot enterprise-grade routers, firewalls, switches (e.g., Cisco, Palo Alto, Fortinet), WAN circuits (e.g., MPLS, Ethernet, point-to-point), ISP connections, configuring secure IPsec/SSL site-to-site, manage core network protocols (e.g., BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, STP, VLAN), and/or remote-access VPNs. Conduct network vulnerability remediation, executing vendor patch management protocols, and perform firmware/OS updates across network devices to ensure adherence to cyber defense standards (e.g., FISMA, NERC-CIP, NIST 800-53, or PCI-DSS). Establish and manage networking components within public cloud environments (e.g., AWS DirectConnect, Azure ExpressRoute, VPCs/VNet routing, Transit Gateways). Operate and support Enterprise Network Access Control (NAC), DNS/DHCP/IPAM, NTP, Out of Band Management (OOBM), and/or authentication AAA systems (e.g., Cisco ISE, RADIUS, TACACS+, LDAP). Use an enterprise monitoring platform (e.g., SolarWinds, PRTG, Cisco Prime, Splunk) to track performance metrics, network health, and/or maintain full asset inventories. To qualify for the GS-13: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level or equivalent pay band. This experience MUST include at least three (3) of the following: Led the planning, design, and large-scale implementation of complex network routing, switching, and cloud network infrastructure across multiple enterprise enclaves. Establish standard operating procedures (SOPs) and/or up-to-date network diagrams that ensure a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective network environment. Design and operate secure network architectures throughout multiple enclaves while providing compliance oversight and vulnerability management in strict alignment with cyber defense standards (e.g., NERC CIP, FISMA, and/or NIST). Manage simultaneous, complex, and large-scale enterprise-wide IT networking projects from initial scope and design through testing and deployment; coordinated directly with multi-functional business units and procurement officials to align deliverables, mitigate schedule risk, and manage project budgets. Perform configuration, capacity planning, and Tier-3 incident management for core LAN/WAN infrastructures, actively directing the resolution of critical network outages and/or spearheading cyber incident response initiatives to safeguard operations.

Education

For this position, education cannot be substituted for experience. How You Will Be Evaluated

This position is announced under a government-wide Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) for IT Cybersecurity Specialist positions in the 2210 series. Under the DHA, applicants who meet the Education and Qualification requirements listed in this announcement will be referred for consideration. Veteran's Preference, category rating, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply under the DHA process. Minimum Qualifications: Once the application process is complete, the Human Resources Offices or Subject Matter Expert (SME) will review the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the minimum job qualifications. USAHire: To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Accountability Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Career Transition Assistance Programs: If you are eligible for career transition assistance, such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the Education and Qualification requirements to be referred for consideration. You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (10/08/2026) of this announcement. To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13068649 Benefits

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. Learn more about federal benefits. Other Information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE. For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov The selectee for this position may be eligible to receive a recruitment or relocation incentive. You will need to sign an employment agreement to be eligible for this incentive. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not authorized. This position may be eligible for creditable service towards annual leave. Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. DOE may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. Applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) when applying or competing for a job due to a medical condition or to exercise religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Agency Contact listed on this vacancy announcement. Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here. Salary: The salary range indicated in this announcement will be adjusted to include locality payment for selected duty location. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages. Lakewood/Loveland, CO: $99,800 - $154,280 Folsom, CA: $99,218 - 153,382 Phoenix, AZ: $93,629 - $144,741 Remaining locations fall under Rest of U.S.: $89,508 - $138,370