Information Technology Specialist (Systems Analysis/Customer Support)

Find Your Future With Us at USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service Job Summary This position is in the Information Technology Division, Laboratory and Scientific IT, USDA's National Centers for Animal Health, based in Ames, Iowa. If selected you will provide daily, customer focused technical support for staff for successful resolution of common hardware and software problems encountered with Windows and Macintosh computers, as well as specialized scientific, proprietary, and organizational hardware and software in a large scale, high security laboratory environment. Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level) that demonstrates: -Providing technical support and maintenance of computer hardware and software in person or over the phone -Resolving routine computer issues adhering to written procedures -Supporting users, computers, and printers in a networked, Active Directory environment OR EDUCATION: Successfully completed one full year of graduate level education in a related field of study in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Science, Information Systems Management, Mathematics, Operations Research, Statistics or Technology Management OR degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks. OR a Master's degree in Information Technology. OR Superior Academic Achievement: To qualify based on superior academic achievement, you must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND must meet certain GPA requirements. For more details click: Superior Academic Achievement TRANSCRIPTS are required. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-7 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Major Duties The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.The duties may include, but are not limited to:Provides in-depth technical expertise to team members including support to design features, hardware, software, or operating systems capabilities, system integration and interoperability requirements.Troubleshoots, diagnoses, and resolves hardware, software, operating systems, mobile devices and data communications system failures to maximize user effectiveness and efficiency.Supports laboratory and scientific IT programs and projects as project team member and as Subject Matter Expert to identify customer needs, system requirements and to recommend potential solutions.Provides technical support for the conference room Audio/Visual systems. Provides general oversight and operational management for the printers and print servers. Assist end-users in supporting these systems.Assists with maintenance, installation, and replacement of physical networking components, including network equipment, closets, and cabling.Provides support for user-focused small database applications using Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, and FileMaker Pro solutions.Identifies and resolves a variety of large and small-scale problems with computer systems, equipment, and software.Tests and optimizes the functionality of IT systems, networks, and modern Windows and Mac client workstations in both physical and virtualized architectures.Manages network, software, and cloud service accounts, as well as network rights and permissions.Prepares and presents reports, presentations, displays, and other items necessary to effectively communicate with upper management, peers, internal and external customers, organization and contractors. Position Start Date: 11/10/2026 Position Close Date: 11/17/2026 Salary Offered: 57331 - 74532 USD Per Year You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response Please see the full announcement on USAJobs by clicking on the APPLY button!