IT Specialist SysAdmin Tier III

Introductory Statement

The incumbent serves as a senior IT Specialist (Applications Software) within the Digital Management Division (DMD), Technology Support Services Directorate. The position functions as a senior System Administrator responsible for the administration, integration, optimization, and sustainment of digital media broadcast systems supporting Voice of America (VOA) and USAGM operations.

The incumbent provides advanced technical support and systems administration for enterprise broadcast platforms, including systems supporting ingest, editing, playout, scheduling, and archive operations. The role requires strong knowledge of systems integration, application administration, infrastructure support, and operational troubleshooting across broadcast environments.

The position operates within a 24/7 broadcast ecosystem and is responsible for ensuring the reliability, security, performance, and ongoing improvement of IT-based broadcast technologies.

Duties for this Position

Broadcast Systems Administration and Integration:

• Administers, configures, and sustains computer hardware and software systems supporting digital broadcast operations.
• Maintains and supports broadcast platforms including Dalet Galaxy, ScheduAll, Dataminer, and other related systems.
• Leads testing, implementation, and operational validation of software releases, upgrades, patches, and system enhancements.
• Supports integration and interoperability between modern and legacy broadcast systems during migrations, upgrades, and modernization activities.
• Implements and maintains backup, recovery, high availability, and continuity measures for broadcast systems.
• Supports recovery planning and restoration activities aligned with broadcast continuity requirements.
• Assists in implementing hybrid or cloud-based capabilities supporting storage, compute, and media processing workflows.
• Supports governance and operational consistency for media assets, metadata, and content lifecycle processes across MAM/DAM systems.
• Applies advanced knowledge of database-supported broadcast platforms, including monitoring, performance support, backup coordination, and data integrity practices.
• Applies strong knowledge of networked broadcast environments to support performance, connectivity, storage access, and operational reliability.

System Administration and Infrastructure Management:

• Administers enterprise broadcast systems, servers, storage, and related infrastructure supporting production and distribution workflows.
• Maintains secure configurations, access controls, authentication mechanisms, and compliance with established IT security policies.
• Supports storage and networking architectures used in high-availability broadcast environments.
• Supports automated systems including ingest pipelines, editing environments, archive services, and backup systems.
• Develops and maintains technical documentation, configuration standards, and operational procedures.

Technical Leadership and Problem Resolution:

• Serves as a senior technician for diagnosing and resolving complex system, workflow, and integration issues across broadcast platforms.
• Conducts advanced troubleshooting and root cause analysis for failures impacting broadcast operations.
• Coordinates with engineering teams, vendors, and stakeholders to implement corrective actions and improve service reliability.
• Provides technical guidance to junior staff and assists in resolving escalated operational issues.
• Supports continuity of operations by participating in rapid response and service restoration for outages and degraded conditions.

Project Management and Operational Improvement:

• Leads or supports short- and mid-term technology initiatives, system upgrades, and operational improvement efforts across broadcast IT systems.
• Participates in evaluation of vendor products, software capabilities, and technical solutions.
• Assists with project planning, scheduling, implementation coordination, and system rollout activities.
• Prepares technical documentation, status updates, and briefings for management and operational stakeholders.

Training, Communication, and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Provides technical guidance and training to broadcast personnel and team members on supported systems and workflows.
• Communicates system status, maintenance activities, outages, and restoration updates to stakeholders.
• Maintains coordination across technical and operational teams to ensure visibility into issues and operational impacts.

Security and Technology Management:

• Ensures adherence to IT security policies related to secure system administration, access controls, and authentication requirements.
• Supports implementation and maintenance of secure configurations, VPN access, and authentication tools.
• Evaluates emerging technologies and recommends operational improvements to enhance reliability, efficiency, and supportability of broadcast systems.

Collateral Duties

Performs other duties as assigned, including participation in after-hours operational support, incident response, and continuity of broadcast operations.

Factor Statements

Factor 1 – Knowledge Required by the Position

• Advanced knowledge of digital media broadcast systems, including ingest, editing, scheduling, playout, and archival platforms.
• Knowledge of systems integration principles for broadcast IT environments involving multiple applications, infrastructure components, and legacy interfaces.
• Advanced knowledge of enterprise IT infrastructure including servers, storage, networking, authentication, and security controls.
• Knowledge of software lifecycle support, release management, and operational sustainment practices for broadcast systems.
• Knowledge of project coordination, technical evaluation, and system improvement practices.
• Ability to analyze complex technical issues, lead troubleshooting efforts, and implement effective operational solutions.

Factor 2 – Supervisory Controls

The incumbent works with substantial independence in planning and carrying out assignments and resolving technical problems within assigned areas of responsibility. The supervisor provides overall objectives, priorities, and policy direction. Completed work is reviewed for overall effectiveness, operational impact, and alignment with organizational goals.

Factor 3 – Guidelines

Guidelines include agency IT policies, broadcast system documentation, vendor specifications, technical procedures, and federal IT standards. The incumbent regularly interprets and applies these guidelines to varied system issues and adapts established approaches to address integration, operational, and support challenges.

Factor 4 – Complexity

The work involves complex and interrelated systems across broadcast applications, supporting infrastructure, and operational workflows. The incumbent resolves issues requiring analysis of multiple system dependencies, varying operational requirements, and coordination among technical teams, vendors, and users.

Factor 5 – Scope and Effect

The work directly affects the reliability, continuity, and supportability of mission-critical broadcast systems used in news production and distribution. Effective performance improves service stability, operational responsiveness, and system readiness. Errors or ineffective decisions may result in significant disruption to broadcast operations or delayed restoration of services.

Factor 6 – Personal Contacts

Contacts include agency personnel, broadcast users, IT engineers, contractors, vendors, and technical support teams.

Factor 7 – Purpose of Contacts

Contacts are made to coordinate system support, resolve complex technical issues, provide technical guidance, support implementation activities, and recommend improvements to broadcast IT services.

Factor 8 – Physical Demands

Work is primarily sedentary, with occasional requirements to interact with technical equipment or system environments.

Factor 9 – Work Environment

Work is performed in office, technical, and broadcast environments. The position supports a 24/7 mission and may require extended or irregular hours.