Lead Enterprise IT Innovation as a Supervisory IT Specialist with the VA

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is looking for a strategic leader to join the Office of Information and Technology (OIT). As a Supervisory IT Specialist (Policy & Planning), you will play a pivotal role in maintaining the technological excellence that supports the VA's mission to serve our nation's Veterans. This position offers a unique opportunity to lead complex, enterprise-wide initiatives within a mission-driven environment.

Job Responsibilities

The successful candidate will oversee the Monitoring, Architecture, and Standards team. Key duties include:

Technical Infrastructure Oversight: Managing the lifecycle and operational health of enterprise monitoring and observability platforms.
Policy Development: Advising management on ITIL policies and developing frameworks to govern IT activities.
Strategic Leadership: Proposing long-term visions for IT infrastructure and mapping them to investment decisions.
Team Management: Supervising technical support staff and fostering a culture of excellence in customer support.

Comparison: Standard IT Roles vs. This Supervisory Position

Feature	Standard IT Specialist	Supervisory IT Specialist (Policy & Planning)
Focus	Tactical/Operational	Strategic/Enterprise-Wide
Scope	Individual/Small Team	Agency-wide/Cross-functional
Planning	Daily Tasks	Multi-year Initiatives
Decision Making	Technical Resolution	Financial & Strategic Policy

Requirements

Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the federal service, specifically in IT monitoring/observability.
Documentation: You must provide a resume (max 2 pages), SF-50 (if applicable), and other supporting documents.
Compliance: Willingness to undergo security and drug testing.

Salary Overview

This position is graded at the GS-14 level, with an annual salary range of $125,776 to $163,514. Compensation is subject to federal pay scales and geographic locality adjustments.

Benefits

Employees enjoy a robust benefits package, including:

Health, dental, and vision insurance options.
Competitive retirement plans including FERS and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
Generous paid vacation and sick leave.
Opportunities for professional growth and training.

Application Tips

Format Matters: Ensure your resume is exactly two pages or fewer to remain eligible.
Be Specific: Quantify your experience with observability platforms (e.g., 'Managed Splunk implementation for 5,000+ nodes').
Assessments: Take the USAHire assessment seriously—it is a critical gate in the hiring process.

Serving as a Supervisory IT Specialist at the VA is more than just a job; it is a commitment to the men and women who have protected our country. If you have the expertise to lead large-scale monitoring efforts and the vision to drive policy, apply today.

Why This Supervisory It Specialist (Policy & Planning) Job Matters

Shape the future of Veteran-focused technology by leading high-stakes IT monitoring and observability strategies at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Supervisory It Specialist (Policy & Planning) Job Overview

The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a highly skilled Supervisory IT Specialist to join the Office of Information & Technology. In this critical leadership role, you will oversee enterprise-level application performance monitoring and observability capabilities. You will manage complex initiatives, guide strategic tactical planning, and provide expert technical leadership to ensure the reliability and security of critical IT infrastructures that support those who have served our nation.

Requirements for Supervisory It Specialist (Policy & Planning)

Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
Must complete a 1-year probationary period.
Must undergo a background and suitability investigation.
Subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.
Completion of the USAHire Assessment is required.
Must meet specialized experience requirements for the GS-14 level.
Must have one year of experience leading enterprise observability platforms (e.g., Splunk, Datadog, Dynatrace).
Must adhere to the new two-page resume limit policy.

Preferred Qualifications for Supervisory It Specialist (Policy & Planning)

Advanced experience in ITIL policy development and strategic planning.
Demonstrated history of managing multi-million dollar, inter-agency IT contracts.
Proven leadership in incident response, emergency preparedness, and continuity of operations within a complex enterprise.
Technical expertise in Prometheus, Grafana, Open Telemetry, or similar monitoring frameworks.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Federal health insurance programs
✓Comprehensive life insurance coverage
✓Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
✓Thrift Savings Plan (401k-style investment)
✓Paid annual and sick leave
✓Flexible work schedules and telework opportunities
✓Professional development and training programs

💡 How to Apply Supervisory It Specialist (Policy & Planning) Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Supervisory It Specialist (Policy & Planning) Job

Create or log in to your USAJOBS account.
Prepare your resume (maximum two pages) in PDF format using a sans-serif font.
Submit your complete application package, including all required supporting documentation.
Complete the required online questionnaires and the USAHire assessment if prompted.
Track your application status via your USAJOBS profile.
Await notification of referral and potential interview invitations.

💡 General Tips

Ensure your resume explicitly maps your experience to the required technical competencies listed in the job description.
Use the USAJOBS resume builder to ensure your documents meet formatting and length constraints.
Set aside at least 3 hours to complete the USAHire assessments in a quiet environment.
Review your application thoroughly; once submitted, responses to assessments cannot be revised.
Upload all required supporting documents, such as SF-50s or veterans' documentation, before the closing date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a remote or virtual position?

No, this is not a virtual or remote position. While telework may be authorized on an ad-hoc basis at a manager's discretion, you must be prepared to report to a designated VA facility.

What is the resume length requirement?

Per current Merit Hiring Plan requirements, your resume must be no longer than two pages to be considered eligible for this role.

Are there specific observability tools I must have experience with?

Yes. Applicants should have documented experience leading platforms such as Dynatrace, Splunk Observability Cloud, Datadog, New Relic, Cisco AppDynamics, or Grafana/Open Telemetry-based stacks.

Job from Deputy Assistant Secretary For Information And Technology

The Office of Information and Technology (OIT) is at the forefront of digital transformation within the federal government. With a team of over 16,000, OIT provides the foundational technology needed to deliver compassionate health care and services. By joining this team, you become part of an organization committed to agility, Veteran-focused design, and world-class service.