IT Specialist 6 month Register-Direct Hire

Summary

WHAT IS Information Technology Division? A description of the business units can be found at: https://www.jobs.irs.gov/about/who/business-divisions Position(s) are to be filled in the following area(s): IT - Consider each location carefully when applying. If you are selected for a location, that location will become your official post of duty. REVIEW THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BELOW FOR FURTHER DETAILS

Duties

• The following are the duties of this position at the full working level. If this vacancy includes more than one grade and you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform these duties and receive training to help you grow in this position. Develops and implements new cloud concepts, security architectures, methodologies, standards, and operational procedures in IT security across cloud service providers (Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP)). Provides expert guidance to other IT professionals throughout the IRS, Treasury, and in other agencies regarding cloud modernization initiatives, enterprise security integration, and emerging technologies, to develop the overall program area and to identify mission related work and/or how it may impact other IT initiatives. Oversees and manages the identification, evaluation, and reporting of information security, data protection, insider threat, and enterprise risk management issues to ensure compliance with federal laws, regulatory requirements, executive orders, and government-wide cybersecurity standards while aligning with and supporting the overall enterprise risk posture. Reviews, evaluates, and analyzes IRS cloud security policies, standards, and procedures to ensure they are up-to-date, comply with applicable federal mandates, cybersecurity frameworks, regulations, agency strategic objectives, and other binding standards. Ensures policies remain current and effectively address evolving threats, operational risks, and user impacts. Serves as the expert technical advisor on agency-wide information security, and privacy programs and initiatives to comply with federally mandated security requirements, Zero Trust Architecture principles, and commonly accepted industry security best practices while advising on integrating IT programs with other business programs of equivalent complexity within the IRS.

Qualifications

Federal experience is not required. Experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or through Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-timework is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume. You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement. QUALIFICATION REQUIRMENTS: To qualify for this position, you must meet the qualification requirements outlined below: MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADE 12 LEVEL UP (GS or Equivalent) Applicants must have Information Technology related experience demonstrating each of the following nine competencies: 1) Attention to Detail, 2) Customer Service, 3) Decision Making, 4) Information Management, 5) Interpersonal Skills, 6) Oral Communication, 7) Problem Solving, 8)Teamwork and 9) Technical Competence. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-13: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: Applying IT principles, methods, and engineering practices to develop, implement, integrate, maintain, troubleshoot, or enhance IT systems, cloud services, databases, hardware, software, applications, interfaces, scripts, or related technology environments. Developing, configuring, testing, deploying, documenting, or supporting IT solutions while ensuring compliance with applicable cybersecurity, privacy, accessibility, and regulatory requirements. Collaborating with customers, stakeholders, users, and technical teams to define business or technical requirements, advising on feasible IT approaches, and implementing secure, reliable, scalable IT solutions, including application enhancements where applicable. Evaluating system, service, cloud or application performance, availability, reliability, usability, and operational effectiveness; identifying technical issues, risks, recurring issues, or defects; and recommending or implementing corrective actions consistent with established policies and procedures. Analyzing multiple technical alternatives and advising management or IT specialists on the appropriate technologies, architectures, engineering approaches, or implementation strategies to support organizational objectives. And ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) EXPERIENCE Experience that includes one or more of the following: Designing, developing, implementing, integrating, or supporting Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Generative AI, Natural Language Processing (NLP), predictive analytics or related technologies within an IT environment Evaluating AI-enabled systems for performance, reliability, security, scalability, or operation effectiveness and recommending technical improvements Applying AI governance, responsible AI, , security, privacy, or risk management during the design, development, deployment, or operation of AI solutions. Or CYBERSECURITY EXPERIENCE Experience that includes one or more of the following: Implementing, configuring, integrating, or supporting cybersecurity technologies, security controls, cloud security, identity management, security monitoring, or enterprise security solutions. Analyzing cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, incidents, compliance requirements or operational risks and recommending or implementing mitigation strategies. Evaluating systems, applications, cloud environments, or enterprise architectures to ensure compliance with cybersecurity requirements, security frameworks, or risk management principles. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-14: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: Leading or serving as the technical authority for complex IT projects, enterprise applications, cloud services, cybersecurity initiatives, systems integration efforts, or modernization programs affecting multiple organizations or business functions. Applying advanced IT principles, to evaluate requirements, resolve complex technical issues, guide architecture and design decisions, and ensure compliance with cybersecurity, privacy, accessibility, and federal requirements. Leading collaboration among customers, stakeholders, users, product or business owners, and technical teams to define business or technical requirements, communicate technical impacts, and guide delivery of secure, reliable, scalable IT solutions. Evaluating system, service, or application performance, availability, reliability, security controls, usability, and operational effectiveness; identifying risks, issues, defects, or gaps; and leading corrective actions or modernization efforts. Analyzing competing technical approaches and providing authoritative recommendations to management, stakeholders, or IT specialists regarding enterprise architectures, technologies, cloud services, cybersecurity controls, engineering standards, or implementation strategies with organizational impact. And ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) EXPERIENCE Experience that includes one or more of the following: Leading or providing technical direction for AI, machine learning, or Generative AI solutions supporting enterprise business operations. Evaluating AI technologies, architecture, models, infrastructure or implementation strategies and recommend solutions or improvements. Developing or implementing technical approaches for AI governance, security, privacy, explainability, risk management, reliability, or responsible AI practices. Or CYBERSECURITY EXPERIENCE Experience that includes one or more of the following: Leading technical direction for the development, implementation , assessment, or improvement of cybersecurity programs, architectures, controls or solutions within an IT environment. Evaluating enterprise cybersecurity risks, threats, vulnerabilities, cloud security architectures, and technical requirements to develop or recommend risk mitigation strategies. Developing enterprise cybersecurity standards, technical guidance, security architectures or engineering solutions supporting secure IT operations. Please refer to EDUCATION for remaining Qualifications For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM's Qualifications Standards.

Requirements

Probationary Period - All newly appointed employees to the competitive (or excepted) service are subject to a probationary (or trial) period. During this time, your performance, conduct, and suitability for continued employment will be evaluated. You will not automatically convert to permanent status at the end of the probationary (or trial) period. Your supervisor must affirmatively determine that continued employment is in the best interest of the Federal service. If no certification is made before the probationary (or trial) period ends, your appointment will be terminated. You are encouraged to actively engage with your supervisor, seek feedback, and understand role expectations. Additional guidance and support will be provided during onboarding. Government Credit Card - Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel. Key Eligibility Requirements: U.S Citizenship - Must be a U.S. Citizen or National and provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. Selective Service Registration - Males born after December 31, 1959 are required to be registered with the Selective Service System or prove they are exempt from having to do so. Personal Identity Verification (PIV) - Must provide 2 forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. These documents must be unexpired original or certified copies. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS SHOWN IN QUALIFICATIONS OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SECTIONS

Education

QUALIFICATIONS CONTINUED SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-15: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: Directing, overseeing, or providing strategic guidance for major IT programs, enterprise-level projects, technology modernization efforts, or high-visibility initiatives with broad organizational, agency-wide, or mission impact. Applying IT principles, to evaluate requirements, resolve complex technical issues, guide architecture and design decisions, and ensure compliance with cybersecurity, privacy, accessibility, and federal requirements.. Collaborating with executives, senior leaders, customers, stakeholders, program or product leaders, and technical organizations to define mission needs, set priorities, and direct implementation of secure, resilient, scalable, and mission-effective IT solutions. Overseeing enterprise technology governance, risk management, modernization planning, and implementation efforts across multiple organizations. Evaluating competing technical, operational, software, and strategic approaches and advising senior leadership or executive stakeholders on decisions, tradeoffs, policies, standards, governance, and resolution of IT challenges that affect mission delivery. And ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE EXPERIENCE Experience that includes one or more of the following: Leading enterprise AI strategies or directing the design, development, integration, or implementation of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Generative AI, Natural Language Processing, or related technologies. Establishing enterprise AI architectures, governance, technical standards, security requirements, or modernization strategies. Advising executive leadership regarding AI strategy, responsible AI implementation, enterprise data architecture, vendor capabilities, or AI-enabled modernization initiatives. Or CYBERSECURITY EXPERIENCE Experience that includes one or more of the following: Providing executive-level technical leadership for enterprise cybersecurity, cloud security, Zero Trust, identity management, enterprise risk management, or infrastructure protection initiatives. Developing enterprise cybersecurity architectures, modernization strategies, technical standards, or risk management frameworks. Advising executive leadership regarding enterprise cybersecurity strategy, emerging threats, modernization priorities, technology investments, or government-wide cybersecurity initiatives. You must also meet the following requirements MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT: Minimum age for federal employment is 18 years old, or at least 16 years old and have: Graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or Completed a formal vocational training program; or Received a statement from school authorities agreeing with your preference for employment rather than continuing your education. EDUCATION A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click here (Section 3, Explanation of Terms) or here for Foreign Education Credentialing instructions. We recommend choosing an evaluator from a member organization of one of the following national associations of credential evaluation services: National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE).

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement. Initial consideration for this announcement is limited to the first 100 applicants. Additional applicants will be considered in application date order as needed, if there are still vacant positions after the first round. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET, Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, please contact us by noon ET on 03/01/2027. To begin the application process, click the "Apply Online" button. You will be re-directed to USA STAFFING to continue your application process; answer the online questions. To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13051540. Upload all required documents. (To submit supporting documents, import documents from USAJOBS to the appropriate document types. If the document you need is not imported from USAJOBS, you may upload it directly into this application.) Click the Submit Application button. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability. Set aside up to 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources. Visit USA Hire Online Help for online assessment information, system requirements, reasonable accommodations, and what to expect next. Reasonable Accommodations (RA): We provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact us if you require this for any part of the application and hiring process. To review reasonable accommodation policies and procedures please visit https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/reasonable-accommodations/. USA Hire Assessment Reasonable Accommodation (RA) 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 RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA 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, based on your adjudication decision. 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 RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information) To update your application, including supporting documentation: Visit USAJOBS - How to Update Application during the announcement open period, make updates or add supporting documentation, then continue through the entire application process and click Submit Application to send updates to the hiring agency. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.