Information Technology Specialist

Summary

This position is in the Division of Administration (DA) and responsible for directing the innovative internal management of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's (CFTC or Commission) business, human resources, financial, technological, security, and strategic operational resources. DA works efficiently and effectively to ensure the fulfillment of the Commission's mission through continued success in continuity of operations.

Duties

As an Information Technology Specialist (Network) within the Network Operations section, the incumbent collaborates closely with and functions as a technical advisor to the Network Operations Manager in carrying out the agency's responsibilities for implementing a robust and effective enterprise IT program that supports the mission, goals, and objectives of the CFTC. At the full performance level, the duties include: Design, deploy, administer, troubleshoot, and monitor a hybrid network infrastructure including LAN, WAN, SDWAN, VLANs, IPv4/IPv6, MPLS, and data center networks using routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs, and other network technologies. Ensuring the rigorous application of information security/information assurance policies, principles, and practices in the delivery of network services. Project planning, contingency planning, and risk management associated with network and cloud operations. Collaborate strategically with cross‐functional teams—including IT Operations, Cloud, and Security—to architect, synchronize, and optimize enterprise network capabilities across the agency's integrated physical and virtual infrastructures. This includes driving alignment of hybrid architectures, enforcing security and interoperability standards, and ensuring cohesive end‐to‐end operational performance across all network environments Manage, administer, and troubleshooting M365 technologies including Entra ID, Exchange, Purview, Teams, and OneDrive. Install, test, maintain, and upgrade various network operating systems (Windows/Linux) and software; Supporting other teams on policies, procedures, or technology solutions that have an impact on network infrastructure. Design, engineer, orchestrate, and continuously optimize highly complex virtual cloud network infrastructures (VCN) across AWS and Azure Government Commercial Cloud (GCC) environments. This includes architecting and governing Azure VNETs, network security groups, route tables, virtual firewalls, virtual WANs, ExpressRoute/Direct Connect integrations, and the full suite of enterprise-grade virtual network services—ensuring resilient, scalable, secure, and mission‐aligned cloud network architectures.

Requirements

Experience must be IT-related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate. For all positions, individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below. Project Management: Knowledge of the principles, methods, or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing projects and resources, including monitoring and inspecting costs, work, and contractor performance. Written Communication – Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience. Technical Competence/Expertise - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues. Incidence Response and Customer Service- Demonstrates the ability to detect and handle network computer incidents demonstrating technical skill and the ability to follow procedures, and works with clients and customers who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces. Critical Thinking – Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.

Qualifications and evaluation

Your application will be evaluated and rated under CFTC Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Names of all candidates in the best qualified category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Candidates within the best qualified category who are eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles. This recruitment will utilize the following assessment tools: Structured Evaluative Review and Structured Interview Review Your application will be evaluated through an SME Evaluative Review. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will independently review your resume to assess how well your experience demonstrates the required competencies for this position. SMEs will assign scores based on the strength, relevance, and clarity of the information provided in your resume. These individual evaluations will then be combined to determine your final score or rating category. Quality Category Definitions: • Best Qualified – Applicants who substantially exceed the minimum qualifications and demonstrate exceptional proficiency across the core competencies. • Well Qualified – Applicants who clearly exceed the minimum qualifications and demonstrate strong competency across most areas. • Qualified – Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for the position. When the application process is complete, we will review your resume and other supporting documentation, to ensure you meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this announcement. If you are found qualified, you may be referred to the Structured Interview process. Structured Interview: During the structured interview panel, you will be rated on your resume and other supporting documents in your application package. You will be rated on the following competencies (listed in the "Qualifications:" section): Project Management: Written Communication Technical Competence/Expertise Incidence Response and Customer Service Critical Thinking You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Education

Please refer to the OPM Qualification Standard Competency-Based Qualification Standard for the Information Technology Management Series, 2210 for the specific Education/Experience requirements for this position. Please refer to the requirements section of the announcement.

How to apply

RESUME REQUIREMENT: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. Please ensure your resume clearly demonstrates how you meet the qualifications for the position within the two-page limit. YOU MUST APPLY ONLINE: Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. You must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at USAJOBS.GOV. To begin, click the Apply Online button within the vacancy announcement and follow the prompts to create an account using LOGIN.GOV, if you have not done so already. LOGIN.GOV will walk you through each step of the account set-up and will automatically link your USAJOBS profile to LOGIN.GOV. Once you have established an account using LOGIN.GOV, you will then go back to USAJOBS.GOV using your LOGIN.GOV username and password to answer the questions and submit all required documents. If you already have established an LOGIN.GOV account or want to return to your saved application, go to USAJOBS.GOV using your LOGIN.GOV username and password to apply or view your profile. If you have problems completing your on-line application, including problems submitting your supporting documents, please contact the Help Desk by e-mail at mgshelp@monster.com or phone at 1-866.656.6831. The help desk is available Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account USAJOBS - Login Gov Acknowledgement, all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Next Steps: For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement. Also, note that if you provide an email address that is inaccurate or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

Required documents

You must provide a complete Application Package, which includes: Resume (required) showing all relevant and related experience (two pages max). If selected, your resume will be used to determine your initial pay setting decision; Cover Letter (optional); DD-214 or Disability Letter: (required if claiming status as a preference eligible) Special Hiring Authorities: (required paperwork must be submitted to receive consideration for specific hiring authorities (e.g. Schedule A, VRA, VEOA, etc.) Performance appraisal (optional); Transcripts (optional) (if required, an unofficial copy is accepted for application package, but an official copy with the date the degree was awarded is required prior to firm offer letter being extended) Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to veteran preference, you should indicate the type of veteran preference you are claiming on your resume. In order to verify your veteran preference entitlement, please submit a copy of your veteran's documentation including a DD-214 (member 4 copy preferred, however, the documentation provided must contain dates and character of service); official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions. In addition, if you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the natural mother of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, “Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference,” and the other required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your preference claim. Although veteran preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described under “How You Will Be Evaluated,” veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which they are qualified. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): The ICTAP provides eligible displaced federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must score 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.ICTAP Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP): Provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the CFTC with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If CFTC has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must rate equivalent to the Well Qualified or better category using established rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp. ICTAP/CTAP Candidates MUST submit: 1. A copy of their agency reduction-in-force notice; 2. A copy of your most recent Performance Rating; 3. A copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current or last position held, the grade level, and the duty location; and 4. A copy of your notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area or documentation showing you were separated as a result of RIF or declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area.

Additional information

This is a Bargaining Unit Position located in the National Treasury Employee Union (NTEU) Chapter 337. Relocation: Relocation expenses will not be paid. Probationary Period: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: Your performance and conduct; The needs and interests of the agency; Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary/trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. More than the number of positions listed may be filled through this vacancy announcement. The overall salary range is provided for informational purposes as it represents the full range that is applicable to current employees in this occupation/grade. A new hire's direct and overall experience are critical factors in determining a salary offer, therefore, it is important that your resume fully reflects all of your work experience. Note that the upper end of each range is typically applicable only to candidates with significant years of work experience and qualifications Please review the CFTC Compensation Program website for additional information. The law prohibits public officials from appointing, promoting, or recommending their relatives. The law prohibits requesting, making, transmitting, accepting, or considering political recommendations for employment or other personnel actions for non-political positions. This includes recommendations from Members of Congress, Congressional employees, elected state or local officials, and political party officials and any recommendation based on party affiliation.