About the opportunity
Join the NIH as an IT Specialist (Systems Administration) and help power the technology behind groundbreaking clinical care and research. You will manage and modernize mission-critical Windows, virtualization, storage, compute, and backup infrastructure; solve complex technical challenges; strengthen security, reliability, and recovery; use automation to improve operations; and collaborate across NIH to keep essential Clinical Center systems running securely and effectively 24/7. This position offers a competitive federal salary range under the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and supports critical healthcare and biomedical research initiatives.
Salary and benefits
- Competitive salary ranging from $85,447 to $158,322 per year (GS pay scale)
- Federal healthcare and insurance benefits
- Potential for recruitment or relocation incentives based on agency need and budget
- Credit toward annual leave accrual for prior work experience or active-duty uniformed service
- Opportunities for salary above the minimum based on superior qualifications or special needs
Who can apply?
- Must meet specialized experience requirements or relevant educational equivalents for the GS-11, GS-12, or GS-13 grade levels
- Demonstrated IT-related experience or graduate education in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, or related fields
- U.S. citizenship is required for federal employment
Required documents
- Resume (two pages or less, outlining skills, experiences, job titles, employer names, employment dates, and hours worked per week)
- Transcripts or list of courses if qualifying based on education
- Documentation supporting veterans' preference, CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, Schedule A disability documentation, or military spouse eligibility if applicable
When to apply
- Application opening date: October 26, 2026
- Application closing date: October 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM (ET)
- Online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of the announcement or receipt of the assessment link
How to apply
- Read the entire vacancy announcement and instructions on USAJOBS
- Click the Apply Online button and sign into your USAJOBS account
- Complete the online application questionnaire and select your desired grades and locations
- Upload your resume and any required supporting documentation
- Submit your complete application package by the closing date
- Check your email and Spam/Junk folder for instructions to complete the required USA Hire assessments within 48 hours
Additional information
- Position is designated as a Tier 2 non-emergency/teleworker position
- Selected candidate must be available to telework or request leave in the event of an office closure
- PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing these duties should apply online to this announcement
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Ideal for experienced systems administrators with a strong background in Windows Server, virtualization, and storage infrastructure management in enterprise environments.
- A great match for IT professionals looking to directly support medical research and clinical care within a major federal health agency.
- Well-suited for candidates comfortable with rigorous federal hiring evaluations, including structured competency assessments and strict resume page limits.
What should you think carefully about?
- Strict application deadline of October 30, 2026, with a very short window to complete mandatory online assessments after closing.
- Resume must strictly adhere to a two-page limit with specific formatting requirements to avoid disqualification.
- Requires physical location in Montgomery County, Maryland, with telework provisions governed by tier-2 non-emergency guidelines.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This federal IT position offers an opportunity to advance a career in public sector technology management while contributing directly to national health research and clinical systems. It provides stable employment, structured grade progression, and comprehensive federal benefits for mid- to senior-level systems administrators.
Our take
Experienced IT systems administrators with expertise in Windows Server and virtualization who meet the federal qualification standards should apply promptly before the October 30, 2026 deadline, ensuring all assessment and resume formatting instructions are meticulously followed.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
Official-source verifiedSource: USAJOBS
