Technical Operations Specialist

Are you a tech-savvy, problem-solving guru that is ready for a job with purpose and meaning? If you're looking to make a difference and have a knack for juggling multiple tasks with a smile, then we've got the perfect gig for you!  

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) is recruiting motivated candidates to fill the role of Technical Operations Specialist. We seek an individual with strong problem solving, analytical and organizational skills, the ability to communicate complex topics in a clear and concise manner, knowledge of computer systems and IT Support, a service mindset, and experience working with individuals of varied backgrounds. She/he/they will join a team of effective and dynamic professionals in a challenging and rewarding environment.  

Salary, Benefits and Hiring level:  

The starting salary range for this position is $51,089 to $69,444 based on education and experience. The full promotion potential for this position is equivalent to the GS-9- step 10 of the Federal pay scale applied to Portland, OR (equivalent to $79,655 in the 2023 calendar year). In addition, the Pacific Council offers generously competitive insurance and retirement benefits, most Federal holidays off and comp time earned for overtime worked.  

Summary   

The Council’s Technical Operations Specialist will provide a key function for the Pacific Council. She/he/they will often work independently to support the day to day IT and logistical needs of the Council. This will mean working with Council staff, Advisory Bodies, staff with partner agencies, and Council members. The Technical Operations Specialist will be an integral part of the team, supporting needs in the office, and needs that arise during Council and Advisory Body meetings at various locations on the West Coast. This position will also support broader scale IT initiatives as the Council continues to streamline and improve workflow utilizing emerging technologies. 

The Technical Operations Specialist position will need to be able to take on a wide array of tasks throughout a typical day. Day to day activities will range from maintaining office infrastructure, general “help desk” tasks, updating the website, assisting in IT initiatives, drafting documentation, conducting basic research on operations and technology, moving and lifting Council equipment, managing inventory, and more. 

Duties:  

• Embrace your inner superhero and provide help desk level IT support for the Council office. 
• Work your magic by imaging computers, patching and maintaining travel equipment. 
• Be the tech wizard who deploys equipment to staff and assists in IT support for Council staff. 
• Unleash your creativity by updating and maintaining our website  

• Conjure up documentation for various applications, processes and training materials. 
• Take on the role of the office logistics point person, where you'll be setting up meeting rooms and managing the inventory of Council equipment. 
• Be the go-to contact for building maintenance, HVAC vendors, and other mystical creatures. 
• Coordinate equipment loading and unloading for transportation to and from meetings up and down the West Coast, ensuring we don’t leave anything behind like a true logistical sleuth. 

Important Candidate Attributes:  

• We are a uniquely structured organization, so there will be lots to learn and we are excited to help train you. An eagerness to learn new things is a must for success in this position. 
• Must radiate positivity, integrity, and have communication skills that can charm the socks off anyone. 
• Service mindset and critical thinking skills that would make Sherlock Holmes proud. 
• Ability to multi-task like a pro, a burning desire to learn new tricks, and self-starting power. 
• Team-oriented with a knack for thinking outside the box and a dependability factor that's rock solid. 

Desired Skillsets: 
Desired Minimums:  

• Ability to speak in tongues that non-technical folks can understand and create documentation that even muggles can follow. 
• Resourceful and self-directed with a strong sense of ownership for responsibilities and the initiative to make magic happen. 
• Ability to think outside the box, solve problems like a boss, and be willing to attempt a solution, even if it means failing, and learning from that failure. 

Familiarity with the following:  

• Operating systems, software, and settings, computer hardware etc.  
• Experience with M365 applications, hardware and software maintenance, installations, and repairs.  
• Understanding network connectivity, LAN/WAN, and peripheral devices  
• Experience with various virtual meeting platforms and remote desktop support.  

Preferred:  

• Experience with Wordpress  
• M365 Admin Console expertise and the ability to manage business-grade networking equipment without breaking a sweat. 

Professional qualifications  

Minimum 

• Associates degree or higher, and  
• Certificates related to IT such as 

• Microsoft Fundamentals, CompTIA A+/Network+/Security+, Azure Fundamentals, etc. 

• OR Demonstrated and applicable experience in a professional setting doing IT support, working with business grade technologies, project management work, for at least 2-3 years. 

If you're ready to embark on a magical journey in the world of technology and have the skills to pay the bills (or conjure up some tech solutions), then don't delay! Apply now and let's make some tech magic together! 

Work Environment  

The work is performed primarily in a typical office setting or professional/public meetings rooms in such places as hotels, schools, or auditoriums.  Work may also be required on airplanes, boats, and unusual environments.  Pacific Council staff are offered a flexible work environment but are expected to work from the office several days per week. Frequent travel to various locations within Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho is required, often for four to eight-day periods, ability to take commercial transportation by air, land, or sea is required, as well as overnight stays in hotels, motels, and inns. Extended periods of continuous work beyond eight hours per day is often required. Lifting of light to moderately heavy boxes and equipment and unloading and loading boxes and equipment into and from vehicles, may be required. International travel may be required.  

A primarily remote work arrangement is not being offered at this time.   

How to Apply  

Please include a Cover letter, resume, and a personal statement with your application. Also please indicate whether you desire your application to be treated confidentially by indicating in the title of your application materials. If so, efforts will be taken to maintain your application as confidential, but it cannot be guaranteed.    If your application is viewed favorably, you may be asked to participate in interviews with the Pacific Council’s Executive staff and the full Pacific Council staff.  Employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.  

Questions  

For questions regarding this position, please contact Mr. Merrick Burden, Executive Director, at Merrick.J.Burden@noaa.gov or Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt, IT and Logistics Manager, at Kris.Kleinschmidt@noaa.gov