Summary THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION. This National Guard position is for a IT SPECIALIST (NETWORK), Position Description Number PDD2181P01 and is part of the MA ANG 104th FW, National Guard. This is a Non-Bargaining Unit position. The unit point of contact and contact phone for this position is: SMS Kristin Martin at kristin.martin.1@us.af.mil. Responsibilities 1. Administers the base Local Area Network (LAN). Implements new network operating systems hardware and software and develops base wide network operating procedures. Analyzes LAN utilization statistics through data collection and performance measures to ensure the smooth, reliable, and robust operation of LANs to include classified and unclassified networks. Coordinates LAN installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and reviews, evaluates, and fine-tunes components such as virtual servers, hubs, switches, and routers to achieve peak efficiency within the overall network connectivity. Assists in the development, configuration, installation, and maintenance of network systems to include the LAN/WAN. Receives network, communications, and related operating systems from various sources such as design centers and commercial vendors. Maintains an inventory of all network hardware and software. Installs, configures, and troubleshoots network and application server hardware, network operating system software, and peripheral network equipment such as routers, bridges, cabling system, network interface cards, modems, multiplexers, and concentrators. Develops and maintains base wide procedures for networks, system operations, backups, and product assembly and installation. Implements network operating system and/or network application software, and maintain contact with software suppliers to ensure that current releases of software products are in use. Conducts testing of network systems to ensure current network software products are compatible with system configurations and to ensure operability, efficiency, and compliance with existing standards. Monitors operation of the LAN/WAN and ensures hardware and network operating software are functioning properly and that operation standards are met. Function tests systems components to identify and resolve technical problems, analyze system malfunctions, implement necessary corrective actions, and provide ongoing support for the resolution of complex problems and operating malfunctions. Performs system backups to ensure expedient restoration of the database for the respective network equipment. Assists customers on the use of office automation computers, local and wide area networks, and other automated tools. Ensures backups of network equipment configuration data are current. Resolves LAN related problems for the base. Recommends and prepares operating policies and procedures for networks, system operations, and product assembly and installation. Provides customer assistance and training for new network systems. 2. Conducts problem analysis to identify trends, ineffective practices or procedures, and equipment shortcomings. Identifies and documents network requirements for specific needs of customers. Determines if the facility environment can provide for network system requirements, and if infrastructure is in place to support the system. Conducts in-depth analyses of network usage, user complaints, traffic interruptions, hardware and software capabilities, and other relevant factors. Changes the components of existing equipment for efficient operation or recommends major modifications to existing systems. Recommends methods and procedures and coordinates corrective action to optimize utilization of present equipment. Uses benchmarks, performance measurement, and evaluation data, in conjunction with modeling and simulation techniques in planning for increased capacity and to support additional workloads. Identifies potential performance or capacity problems and plans for changes to avert problems. Works with technical support personnel in resolving problems. When required, participates with design team on new initiatives, contributing technical expertise on existing LANs. Ensures upgrades to the base infrastructure are identified and submits requests for equipment and funds. Cooperates and works with base communication agencies in planning and developing new or additional network infrastructure capabilities. Provides cost analyses for new and upgraded network infrastructure capabilities. 3. Plans for current and future technology integration and works issues for compatibility and standardization based on current and projected customer needs. Analyzes LAN utilization statistics, performance measures, and system profiles to ensure network robustness in serving the business needs of the installation. Forecasts future needs and prepares recommendations, justifications, and specifications for LAN equipment. Determines when improvements in networking capability are needed and makes detailed technical recommendations to the senior system specialist. 6. Performs other duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Nationwide - Open to all US Citizens GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Must have experience, education or training that has provided a basic knowledge of data processing functions and general management principles that enabled the applicant to understand the stages required to automate a work process. Experience may have been gained in work such as computer operator or assistant, computer sales representative, program analyst, or other positions that required the use or adaptation of computer programs and systems SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Must have at least 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. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of months/years. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education 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). To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine. Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 An employee of an agency may not request, in oral or written form, that an applicant for an appointment to a position in the civil service disclose criminal history record information regarding the applicant before the appointing authority extends a conditional offer to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint, or any other information, to an agency within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged non-compliance by an employee of an agency. To file a complaint please click this link and scroll to the bottom of the page for more information.