INFORMATION SEARCH & DISCOVERY STRATEGY ANALYST Job in Fort Belvoir, VA

Vacancy No. D-DTIC-12502222-24LP Department Defense Technical Information Center
Salary $117,962.00 to $153,354.00 Grade 14 to 14
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/20/2024 Close Date 9/30/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Fort Belvoir, VA


Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary

Join the Defense Technical Information Center as a thought-leader to advance our information search and discovery program. As a search domain expert, you will apply your knowledge of search applications and understanding of the user community to explore and recommend technologies that will enhance the discovery and analysis of Defense scientific and technical activity. As a business and technical advisor, you will monitor trends and competitive offerings to adapt to technology and policy shifts.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

All US Citizens.

Duties

  • Serves as an authority and point of contact for all search and discovery initiatives and program innovations at DTIC.
  • Develops written policies, goals, and objectives governing current and future DTIC search and discovery capabilities and applications.
  • Leads the Center search and discovery efforts, particularly those of DTIC’s information resources that disseminate research activity information.
  • Evaluates emerging information discovery capabilities to identify new technologies to bring into the environment to use as prototype for possible agency utilization.
  • Prepares and presents briefings on emerging technologies and makes recommendations on how to incorporate such advancements into DTIC’s search and discovery tools.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship or National
  • Suitable for Federal Employment
  • Registered for Selective Service (if applicable)
  • This national security position, which may require access to classified information, requires a favorable suitability review and security clearance as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination.

Qualifications

One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade GS-13 within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required.

Specialized experience is defined as: Experience supporting the management of a dedicated Search Program for an organization or large data application; Planning, developing, coordinating, and implementing search and discovery technologies (i.e., Elastic Search, Cognitive services, artificial intelligence, machine learning, etc.) focused on improving the user's search experience and the user's exposure to the most relevant information; Evaluating user search and discovery needs and understanding search engine implementation and application of user interfaces for search and discovery and providing recommendations on the technical direction of future search technologies.


Volunteer Experience: 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 to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

There is no substitution of education for the qualifying experienceat the GS-14 grade level

Additional information

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to qualify for this position.
  • Telework availability will be based upon the mission requirements and supervisory determination.
  • A one-year probationary period may be required.
  • Moving costs will not be paid.
  • Recruitment, relocation, or retention incentives may be authorized.
  • For more information on veterans' preference click here.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (to verify your registration status click here).
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85 or above on the rating criteria for this position.
  • The Department of Defense (DoD) policy on employment of annuitants issued March 18, 2004 will be used in determining eligibility of annuitants.
  • This position is subject to the limitations imposed by the DOD Priority Placement Program.
  • Priority Placement Program (PPP) Military Spouse Preference (MSP) eligible candidates will receive priority consideration at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level.
  • PPP Application Based Preference Eligibles (Military Reserve and National Guard technicians, Military Reserve and National Guard technicians receiving disability retirement, and Retained Grade employees) will receive priority consideration at the full performance level only.
  • For more information regarding qualifications requirements please click here.
  • You may submit a cover letter which will be forwarded to the selecting official with your resume. Your cover letter will not be used to verify your qualifications or eligibility
  • Background or Security Investigation: The individual selected will be subject to an investigation in conjunction with granting of a security clearance prior to appointment. Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements.
  • We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of the closing date.
  • All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact 317-212-0454 for assistance.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

IMPORTANT NOTE - YOU MUST FOLLOW ALL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. ERRORS OR OMISSIONS MAY AFFECT YOUR RATING.
Your application will be evaluated and rated under the Category Rating and Selection Procedures. We will review your resume and supporting documentation and compare this information to your responses on the occupational questionnaire to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for this job. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Eligible candidates will then be placed for selection consideration into 3 categories as described below:

  1. Best Qualified Category: Meets the minimum qualification requirements and demonstrates experience as an expert in the field or recognized as a senior specialist, team lead, etc.
  2. Highly Qualified Category: Meets the minimum qualification requirements and demonstrates full-performance level experience based on responses to occupational questionnaire.
  3. Qualified Category: Meets the minimum qualifications and demonstrates minimum experience and/or training only based on responses to occupational questionnaire.
The Assessment Questionnaire takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and collects information on your education, training and experience related to the following critical competencies:
  • Communication
  • Decision Support
  • Technical Competence


You can preview the Assessment Questionnaire here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12502222

Criminal History Inquiries - If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency @ dfas.indianapolis-in.zh.mbx.ssc-cc@mail.mil.

Required Documents

1. Resume: HR will review the resume that the system date stamps as the most recent. For assistance in preparing your resume, visit DFAS Resume Tools.
2. Complete Assessment Questionnaire: Your resume must describe the scope of work with regard to your responses to the occupational self-assessment questionnaire, as they generate your numerical rating.

The following supporting documents are ONLY required if applicable to your personal qualifications or status.

1. Transcripts/Certifications: All applicants to include current employees/contractors, must submit proof of education if the position requires education to meet the basic qualification requirements, or if substituting education to meet specialized experience requirements. For additional information on acceptable documents, visit Transcripts and Certifications. Applicants must also document education and/or certifications in their resume.
2. Cover Letter: You may submit a cover letter which will be forwarded to the selecting official if referred. Cover letters will not be used to verify qualifications or determine eligibility.
3. Veterans Preference: If you are claiming veteran's preference, you MUST submit the appropriate documentation. Failure to do so will result in the loss of veteran's preference, and may impact your eligibility for referral.. For more veterans' information please click here.

  • You must submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty", showing the dates of active duty service, type of discharge and the character of service. Alternatively, If you are a current military member in active duty service and do not have a copy of your DD-214, you must submit a written documentation (certification) from your branch of service certifying that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the date of application. The certification must include your rank, dates of active duty service and the expected condition of discharge.
  • If claiming 10-point preference and/or are a 30% or more Disabled Veteran, you must submit both a DD-214 or expected discharge documentation as described above AND a copy of a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or your branch of service certifying the presence of service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of disability
  • If you are claiming eligibility based on 10-point derived veterans' preference (i.e. a spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a veteran claiming veterans' preference when the veteran is unable to use it), you must also submit a Standard Form 15 (SF-15) "Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference" and any required documents indicated on the SF-15 to substantiate the claimed preference.

4. ICTAP Eligibles: You must submit a Separation-Reduction in Force (RIF) SF-50; a RIF Notice showing separation within the past year (or declining a management directed reassignment outside the commuting area, or a Termination of Disability Notice from OPM) and most recent performance appraisal.
5. Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: Military Spouse Preference applicants, must be placed at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level. You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
6. Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
7. Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians receiving disability retirement PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
8. Retained Grade PPP Eligible: Retained Grade PPP applicants, must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents below.
Click 'Apply Online' to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.

  1. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents.
  2. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application.
  3. Check application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, clicking Application Status, then More Information for this position. Return to an incomplete application by logging into your USAJOBS account and clicking Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
WARNING: Failure to submit a complete application package including any required documentation by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/30/2024, or at the time of application for announcements with an extended closing date, may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status and More Information. The Details page will display the status of your application. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, or faxed is received, legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers submitted by an applicant.

Agency contact information

HR Customer Care Center
Address
DEFENSE TECHNICAL INFORMATION CENTER
Apply Online
Indianapolis, IN 46249
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

The occupational questionnaire and the resume that you submit will be used to assess your qualifications for the job, and to identify the best qualified applicants to be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews. We will notify you of the outcome after each of these steps has been completed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

Application of Veterans Preference: The Category Rating Method does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three," but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligible's who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Qualified) provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied.

All information included in the resume and Occupational Questionnaire is subject to review and verification. HR will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Applicants meeting the minimum requirements will be further evaluated by information provided in the Occupational Questionnaire. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have misrepresented your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position and, if you're already an employee, you may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including removal from Federal service.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.