Clarification from the agency

All US Citizens

As a IT Specialist (Digital Services Expert (APPSW/INFOSEC)), you will serve as an agency IT expert and authoritative consultant to design, document, develop, modify, test, install, implement, and support new or legacy applications and software security solutions for OIT or DERA. In this role you will be responsible for:

• Serving as a software engineer and applications developer and consultant, on a diverse range of highly technical and complex software engineering, development, security, and identity management issues.
• Designing, developing, and deploying secure cloud infrastructure, automated processes, and continuous integration using Amazon Web Services to enhance the operations, installation and maintenance of specialized software and hardware supporting business operations.
• Supporting the enterprise services including DevSecOps, data integration, middleware, security solutions, reporting and visualization, and other processes to provide an effective environment for development operations.
• Using Agile and DevSecOps methodologies to monitor and maintain the system development through production delivery.
• Applying artificial intelligence tools where appropriate, including code assistant tools such as GitHub Copilot and information processing tools such as Amazon Bedrock.
• Using machine learning, financial mathematics, data mining, and/or other quantitative modeling to solve customer problems.
• Providing insight and advice on digital customer experience planning and implementation, including designing surveys and conducting interviews and focus groups.
• Ensuring IT projects are delivered on budget and comply with the terms of agreements. Develops cooperative relationships working with customer teams and navigates and works through conflicting priorities from stakeholders.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: This appointment may require completion of a one-year probationary period.
• SECURITY CLEARANCE: Entrance on duty is contingent upon completion of a pre-employment security investigation. Favorable results on a Background Investigation may be a condition of employment or selection to another position.
• PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION (PCS): Moving/Relocation expenses are not authorized.
• DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/).
• The duties of this position may require the incumbent to carry a cell phone and be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week on a rotational basis, based on the needs of the organization.

Qualifications

Applicants are responsible for confirming all required materials are submitted by the closing date of the announcement. Please check the How You Will Be Evaluated and Required Documents sections carefully, as missing documents will render the application incomplete and ineligible for review.

Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sector. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: For all positions individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below:

1. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
2. Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
3. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
4. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

1. Applying programming languages such as Python and JavaScript (or comparable programming language) to design, build, and secure application components; AND
2. Using data technologies such as PostgreSQL (or comparable data technology) to design data models; AND
3. Configuring, administering, and securing enterprise operating systems such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux (or comparable operating system) to support modernization efforts; AND
4. Implementing and securing AWS cloud services to architect modernized solutions.

• Cyber Operational Planning: Conducts strategic and operational-level planning to support cyberspace operations and prevent unauthorized access to electronic assets such as databases, equipment, systems, networks, and information.
• Information Systems/Network Security: Implements and uses methods, tools, and procedures, including the development of information security plans and standards, to prevent information systems vulnerabilities and provide or restore privacy and security of applications, information systems, and/or network services.
• Technology Expertise: Knowledge of the principles and methods of specialized technologies, tools, and delivery systems, including security, risk management, governance, functionality, and user interface in area of expertise (e.g., programming languages, server, web, applications, network)
• Technical Communication: Translates technical information into non-technical terms and accurately convey technical information to end users (e.g., staff, management) and outside parties, including the technical documentation of applications, systems, Standard Operating Procedures, etc.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This position is being advertised through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Direct-Hire Authority (5 U.S.C. Section 3304 and 5 CFR Part 337, Subpart B) and is open to All U.S. Citizens. Under this authority, competitive rating, ranking and veterans' preference procedures do not apply.

Your qualifications will be assessed through a two-step screening process:

1. Minimum Qualifications Review
2. Accomplishment Record Review

If you are found minimally qualified through the minimum qualifications review, a rating panel will review your resume and Accomplishment Record narratives. Accomplishment Record narratives should clearly demonstrate your proficiency in the competencies listed in the Qualifications section. Submitting a Performance Appraisal does not fulfill the requirement for an Accomplishment Record.

Your resume must provide evidence that supports the claims made in your Accomplishment Record narratives; both documents must effectively showcase your qualifications. Each competency narrative should detail one specific, relevant example from your training or experience. Please limit each response to a maximum of 300 words, as any text beyond this limit will not be considered during the evaluation. You will upload one document with your narrative responses to each of the four competencies. Your responses must be in the below format:

Competency Title

• Position title and dates from your resume that this experience was obtained
• Describe the situation (i.e., the challenged faced, the problem solved)
• Describe the specific actions you took
• State the outcome, results, or long-term impact of your accomplishment
• Name and email address of someone who can verify this information

Basis for Rating: The rating panel will evaluate applicants' accomplishment records and resume, and then place them into one of the following categories: Pass or Fail

• Pass - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and has at least a moderate amount of skills and experience in most of the job related competencies above.
• Fail - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but has only limited experience in several of the job related competencies.

Passing applicants will be referred to the hiring office for further review and consideration. The hiring office may directly contact recommended candidates for interview(s). When the selection is made, applicants will be sent a referral status notification and a final disposition notification.

To preview the Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12917093

You must provide a complete Application Package, which includes:

• Required: Your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire.
• Required: Resume - Resumes should include relevant work experience, with specific employment dates, that demonstrates qualifications for the specialized experience and competencies as outlined above. If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. Resumes that exceed two pages will be deemed ineligible and receive no further consideration. For resume writing tips, visit USAJOBS and the SEC careers page.
• Required: Accomplishment Record -The Accomplishment Record is a set of narrative responses that demonstrate your proficiency in the competencies listed. These narratives support your resume by providing specific examples from your training or experience. For each competency, you must provide a 300 word or less written narrative (text only) describing one example of competency-related experience. Text beyond this limit will not be considered. This document must be uploaded to the application under Accomplishment Record. An accomplishment record submitted outside the USA Staffing system will not be accepted. Failure to provide the Accomplishment Record in the correct format will result in an ineligible rating.
• Required, if applicable: CTAP/ICTAP documentation (a copy of a separation notice or other proof of eligibility for priority selection; a copy of an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing current position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location; AND a copy of your most recent performance appraisal.)

Next steps

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