Information Technology Specialist (Network Engineer)

Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) is a hiring authority granted by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to address critical hiring needs or severe candidate shortages.

Duties

As an Information Technology Specialist (Network Engineer), GS-2210-13, you will serve as a senior Network Engineer responsible for designing, implementing, securing, maintaining, and modernizing the Civil Division's enterprise network infrastructure. You will provide technical expertise and develop secure, reliable, and resilient network solutions supporting mission-critical Department of Justice operations.

Specific duties include:

• Designing, implementing, integrating, and maintaining enterprise LAN, WAN, wireless, VPN, SD-WAN, cloud networking, and hybrid infrastructure solutions.
• Configuring and optimizing enterprise routing and switching technologies, network virtualization, Quality of Service, IPv4/IPv6, and high-availability solutions.
• Diagnosing and resolving complex network performance, availability, connectivity, and security issues using packet analysis, traffic analysis, configuration reviews, and performance-monitoring tools.
• Integrating cybersecurity requirements into network architecture and operations consistent with Zero Trust Architecture, Defense-in-Depth, the Risk Management Framework, and applicable NIST guidance.
• Engineering and maintaining network security solutions, including firewalls, intrusion-prevention systems, secure gateways, network-access controls, VPNs, encrypted communications, and network segmentation.
• Conducting cybersecurity engineering reviews and vulnerability assessments and recommending mitigation strategies for identified risks.
• Supporting cybersecurity incident response, continuous monitoring, containment, remediation, and recovery activities involving network infrastructure.
• Providing technical guidance for cloud migration, telecommunications modernization, technology refresh, and other enterprise infrastructure initiatives.
• Evaluating emerging networking and cybersecurity technologies and recommending solutions that improve security, reliability, scalability, performance, and operational efficiency.
• Coordinating with cybersecurity personnel, system administrators, application teams, cloud engineers, contractors, vendors, and other stakeholders to ensure secure integration and interoperability.
• Developing network architecture documentation, engineering standards, implementation guides, operating procedures, technical briefings, and recommendations.
• Advising Office of Information Technology leadership and providing technical guidance and mentoring to other IT personnel.

Salary

• $121,785 - $158,322/year

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• You must successfully pass a security/background investigation and a drug screening.
• Selective Service: If you were born male, on or 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.
• Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
• You may be required to complete a one-year probationary period. See “Additional Information” section for specific details.

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of Information Technology Specialist (Network Engineer), at GS-2210-13, you must meet the basic qualification requirements listed below.

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service that demonstrates experience in the following areas:

• Designing, engineering, implementing, maintaining, or troubleshooting enterprise network infrastructure and solutions;
• Applying network engineering principles to support LAN/WAN, wireless, VPN, cloud networking, and hybrid infrastructure environments;
• Integrating cybersecurity requirements into network architecture and operations, including Zero Trust Architecture, Risk Management Framework requirements, and vulnerability-mitigation practices;
• Supporting enterprise infrastructure modernization efforts, including cloud migration, technology refresh, or network transformation initiatives;
• Analyzing complex network performance, availability, or security issues and developing technical solutions; and
• Providing technical guidance and recommendations to leadership, stakeholders, and technical teams.

You MUST meet all qualification requirements by the 08/18/2026 of this announcement.Your resume must support your responses to the application questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.

Other Information Additional selections may be made from this announcement. This announcement is being advertised under an agency specific OR a government-wide Direct-Hire Authority approved by OPM for filling vacancies when a severe shortage or critical hiring need exists. Veterans Preference and other Category Rating procedures do not apply to this announcement. Applicants must meet all qualification requirements of the position. The hiring office may interview and select any qualified candidate of their choosing from the qualified pool. See OPM, Direct Hire Authority for more information. Career Transition Programs (CTAP or ICTAP): These programs apply to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: Be rated well-qualified for the position based on the competencies listed above; and submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-qualified is defined as having knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies clearly exceeding the minimum qualification requirements for the vacancy. 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: 1) your performance and conduct; 2) the needs and interests of the agency; 3) whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and 4) 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. EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: U.S. Department of Justice Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Issued December 31, 2025 DOJ Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. The DOJ Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/reasonable-accommodation#policy Required Documents

It is your responsibility to carefully review the list of required documents below and submit the necessary documentation based on your eligibility. Resume

Resume - All Applicants: You must submit a resume (a two page or less resume is required) containing the following pieces of information for each job entry listed in your employment history:

• Official position title,
• Employer name and contact information,
• Start and end dates (including month and year),
• Indicate full-time or number of hours worked per week if part-time,
• A list of duties performed and accomplishments.

CTAP/ICTAP eligibility documentation - If you are a displaced Federal employee claiming eligibility under CTAP or ICTAP, you must submit:

1. A copy of the agency notice (i.e., letter of intent to separate, separation notice, or agency RIF letter),
2. Your most recent performance appraisal, and
3. Most recent SF-50 showing current/former position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location.

Selective Service: If you were born male, on or 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. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov.

Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: The Fair Chance Act prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOJ employee or Federal contractor acting on its behalf has violated your rights under this Act, you may submit a written complaint within 30 days. Note: In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201(b) certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance Act.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application questionnaire and submit your supporting documentation. Your complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 08/18/2026 to receive consideration.

The application process is as follows:

• Click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
• Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
• After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
• You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.

Essay Questions: The following four narrative questions provide an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question (see the application questionnaire). You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot.

1. 1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
2. 1. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
3. 1. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
4. 1. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.

NEED HELP?
If you need help with USAJOBs or the application process, please see the USAJOBS Help or Application Manager Online Help websites which includes information on managing your account, creating an application, uploading documents, etc.

Reasonable Accommodation: Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Benefits https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pandemic-information/benefits/