IT SPECIALIST (CLOUD ENGINEER)

Summary Join the team! This position is located in the Headquarters Office of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Network Engineering Branch (TSNE), Technical Services Division (ITTS), Office of Information and Technology (EXIT). As an Information Technology Specialist, the incumbent independently performs a variety of highly complex assignments, which are broad in scope and directly impact the mission of the CPSC.  Learn more about this agency Duties The IT Specialist (Cloud Engineer) is responsible for providing the full range support and security for cloud computing services and platforms, including Software as a Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS). Incumbent ensures that all infrastructure components adhere to agency standards for security, configuration, implementation, and documentation. Incumbent provides oral and written information and reports as needed and makes recommendations to accomplish Commission goals. Under the direction of the Chief of the Network Engineering Branch, the incumbent serves as an Information Technology (IT) Specialist in EXIT and is the technical lead for the Agency’s cloud computing efforts. The incumbent is responsible for the following duties: Serve as the operations and management principal for the Agency’s cloud services, maximizing services automation and control while optimizing the cloud spend. Lead cloud services requirements analysis, design, planning, implementation, administration, troubleshooting, monitoring, performance analysis, security, and cost management for the enterprise. Develop, maintain, and implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions (e.g., Azure Resource Manager/Bicep templates, Terraform) to automate provisioning, configuration, and governance of cloud resources in accordance with agency standards Develop systems security contingency plans and disaster recovery procedures for the Agency’s cloud services.  Analyze and implement Federal security guidelines, testing solutions, and documenting guidelines per the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) and the Agency’s security policies. Ensure rigorous application of information security (INFOSEC) / information assurance policies, principles, and practices in the delivery of all IT services. Provide consultation and leadership for the Agency’s cloud computing and services, including architecture, configuration, security best practices, and strategies to support the Agency’s mission and operational requirements. Assist in establishing and maintaining robust governance, compliance, and risk management programs for the Agency’s cloud services. Diagnosing and resolving problems in response to customer reported incidents; configuring, troubleshooting, and maintaining cloud services; and developing customer support policies, procedures, and standards. Integrate IT Service Management and monitoring tools with cloud services for IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS provisioning, monitoring, and maintenance. Maintain in-depth understanding of the business value of the cloud while collaborating and leveraging synergies across the various the Agency’s program areas. Performs other duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of employment U.S. Citizenship Required. A background investigation is required. Must be a U.S. Citizen. This is a Public Trust Position. Employment in this position requires a background investigation. If you are selected and cannot meet the criteria requirement for the pre-employment waiver and/or a favorable suitability determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed or undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Please see http://www.sss.gov for more information. Selectees will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment", (OF-306), prior to appointment and the appropriate background investigation forms to determine suitability for Federal employment.  False statements or responses on these forms can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service. The selectee will be required to complete a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the I-9 Form. We will compare information provided to confirm employee’s identity and eligibility to work. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. You are applying under Delegated Examining and if selected under this authority, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period, even if you are a transfer from another federal agency.  As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will 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 CPSC; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the CPSC or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications All applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:   GS-13: 1) experience performing cloud engineering and administration for an enterprise environment, including designing, implementing, and managing cloud services across SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS; 2) developing and applying Infrastructure as Code solutions to automate cloud provisioning and governance; 3) ensuring compliance with Federal security requirements by implementing security controls and supporting FISMA‑aligned policies and procedures; 4) integrating cloud platforms with IT service management and monitoring tools; and 5) providing technical guidance and recommendations on cloud architecture, security, and operational practices to support organizational mission needs. Evidence of the above specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held.  Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience or based on job titles alone.  If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). 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. Applicants must meet the qualifications for this position by the closing date of this announcement. In addition to the above specialized experience, applicants must also meet the IT-Related proficiency level for all four of the competencies listed below: Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. Evidence of the above specialized experience and IT-related proficiency must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held.  Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. Education This position does not have a mandatory education requirement. There is no substitution for specialized experience at this grade level.  Additional information CPSC provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed in this vacancy announcement. Payment of relocation expenses is NOT authorized. All the information you provide will be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application, by checking references and through other means, such as the interview process. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for not hiring you or for firing you after you begin work. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy announcement. A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay. As a condition of employment, the selectee must reside in the local commuting area of the duty station listed in this announcement. Proof of residence may be required.  Must meet the criteria requirement for the pre-employment waiver and/or a favorable suitability determination within a reasonable period of time, otherwise the employment offer may be withdrawn. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. 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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. CPSC offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes: paid vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays per year, life and health insurance, Long Term Care insurance, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending account program, and retirement savings and investment plan similar to 401(k) (Thrift Savings Plan).  CPSC also offers a broad array of work-life flexibilities and services to employees such as, flexible work schedules, transit subsidies, fitness center, and employee assistance and wellness programs. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.