IT Specialist (SysAdmin/Network) (IS-2210-11/12/13)

OPENING DATE: July 10, 2026
CLOSING DATE: August 7, 2026
SERIES/GRADE: IS-2210-11/12/13*
TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Indefinite (Non-Federal)
DIVISION: High Energy Astrophysics
LOCATION: Burlington, MA
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position requires access to export-controlled work. The candidate must be a U.S. person (citizen, permanent resident or be a national of a country eligible to be approved on an export license).

*This is a career ladder opportunity with promotion potential up to grade 13. Selection for this position to be made at the grade 11, 12 or 13 level. Candidates may be non-competitively promoted to the next grade level, up to grade 13, upon the recommendation of the supervisor based on classification requirements, satisfactory performance, and qualifications of the employee.

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Childcare), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

INTRODUCTION
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support. Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants.


The position serves as Information Technology (IT) Specialist (Systems Administration/Network Services) in the Chandra Operations Control Center (OCC) of the High Energy Astrophysics Division (HEAD) at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.

The employee will take a lead role in performing all aspects of computer network management on a network of Windows and Linux workstations and servers and serves as a resource of expertise for other staff. The employee is responsible for network maintenance and security, user accounts and services (such as on-line user documentation and user training), and utilities, scripts and system procedures.

1. Upgrade, maintain, monitor, and troubleshoot Linux servers running apache, tomcat, svn and related packages, as well as custom software applications.

2. Upgrade, maintain, and troubleshoot VMware / vSAN environment.

3. Monitor and troubleshoot network elements to ensure that problems are discovered and resolved in a timely manner.

4. Design, recommend, and implement system and network security improvements. Resolve security problems. Stay current with Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) advisories and vendor-supplied security alerts, and implement security modifications as needed.

5. Evaluate OCC computing needs and network performance. Plan new services and expanded roles for the network. Design and implement network improvements such as system backup and recovery strategies, network performance enhancement, and optimization of system resources (disk, CPU, memory).

6. Provide user support. Serve as point of contact for OCC computer users requiring assistance or instruction in the use of the OCC local area network. Write utilities and scripts to improve the user experience.

7. Maintain current knowledge of hardware and software products, including those from Cisco and other manufacturers, as well as Windows and Linux products and public domain utilities.

8. Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

In addition to the duties listed above, duties at the grade 12 may include but are not limited to:

1. Install, maintain and troubleshoot Cisco and other networking equipment.

In addition to the duties listed above, duties at the grade 13 may include but are not limited to:

1. Act as Lead Systems Administrator, possessing comprehensive, intensive, practical knowledge of advanced systems techniques and technologies and skill in applying this knowledge to the development of new methods and procedures.

2. Upgrade, configure, maintain, monitor, and troubleshoot Linux servers and workstations in a complex networking environment running a variety of standard and in house custom applications.

3. Interfaces with other Chandra group leaders, computer specialists, engineers, and scientists in evaluating needs for the network and system software, defining requirements, developing implementation plans, and supporting software design and development, Configuration Management, testing and integration, and other OCC and site needs.

4. Support Windows and Linux servers and workstations. Develop plans for implementing new services and expanding roles of servers.

5. Responsible for network security by staying abreast of Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) advisories and vendor-supplied security problems and fixes. Designs, recommends, and implements security improvements and security problem resolutions.

6. Conceive, implement, and make recommendations based on studies relating to OCC computing needs and performance including system backup and recovery strategy, network performance, optimization of systems resources (disk, CPU, memory), application evaluation, writing utilities such as shell scripts to provide network resource information to
users, and others as required by the supervisor.

7. Interface with manufacturers of hardware and software to provide up-to-date information on available products. This includes review of Windows/Linux products, those available from third parties, and public domain utilities.

8. Serve as point of contact for OCC computer users requiring assistance or instruction in the use of the OCC LAN.

9. Fulfills other systems related responsibilities as requested by supervisor.

Basic Requirements:
This standard allows eligibility through meeting either the requirements specified in the section titled Education or the requirements specified in the section titled Experience

For all positions individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below.

1. Attention to Detail-Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Problem Solving-Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

AND

Candidates for grade 11 must possess minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 9 in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position such as: configuring and running backup systems, creating users and groups, supporting Windows and Linux desktop applications and users,using ticket tracking system such as JIRA.

Candidates for grade 12 must possess minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 11 in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position such as configuring and managing authentication systems, configuring access control lists, configuring system monitoring and management, managing systems in a Vmware environment, managing ticket tracking systems such as JIRA.

Candidates for grade 13 must possess minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 12 in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position such as : researching, developing and implementing new technologies, discovering and adjusting security systems, managing centralized storage such as NetApp, and configuring virtualized systems with Vmware.

or

Education:

All academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.

Undergraduate or Graduate Education: Degree 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.

Grade 11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required

· Knowledge of common Linux server applications, and the ability to install, configure, manage, update and troubleshoot them.

· Knowledge in securing Linux servers and their applications.

· Knowledge of Linux systems management practices and procedures for networks requiring high availability.

· Knowledge of system and network security concepts and technologies.

· Knowledge of system backup and recovery technologies. Skill in assessing and responding to anomalous system behavior including network failure, and ability to devise and implement recovery plans for such events.

·Skill in evaluating system and network equipment, security and performance, and ability to design and implement improvements.

· Skill in interpersonal relations and in oral and written communications

· Experience with NetApp, JIRA, Windows AD, Exchange, Dell hardware is highly desirable

Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact hr@cfa.harvard.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures ( https://www.si.edu/OEO/IndividualswithDisabilities).

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer. Please visit the SAO website at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/