IT Specialist (Applications Software) Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. FEC-12798276-OPM Department Federal Election Commission
Salary $84,601.00 to $156,755.00 Grade 11 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/12/2025 Close Date 9/26/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

This position is located in the FEC, Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), Deputy CIO for Enterprise Architecture. The FEC OCIO provides cross-discipline technical guidance for technologies and infrastructure used, guiding development and administration processes, and helping stakeholders understand potential solutions, risks, and costs from the perspective of the ever-changing technology landscape.

This is a Bargaining Unit position.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to all US Citizens as well as current/former federal employees and individuals eligible under one or more of the following: veterans eligible for VEOA, disabled veterans receiving 30% or more disability compensation from the VA, military spouses under E.O. 13473, certain former overseas employees, present/former Peace Corps volunteers/employees or VISTA members; present and former Foreign Service officers and employees and Schedule A.

Duties

As the IT Specialist (Applications Software) in this position, you will:

  • Help develop web applications for various enterprise software projects.
  • Design, test, develop, and deploy production-ready applications.
  • Write reusable, testable, and efficient code.
  • Integrate user-facing elements developed by front-end developers with server-side logic.
  • Collaborate closely with developers and managers.
This is a developmental position leading to the full performance GS-2210-13 level.

GS-11 Salary Range: $84,601 - $109,975
GS-12 Salary Range: $101,401 - $131,826
GS-13 Salary Range: $120,579 - $156,755

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen or national.
  • You must be able to pass a background investigation.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Legal and regulatory guidance below).
  • You may be required to serve a 2 year probationary period.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
  • Status candidates must meet time-in-grade/band requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade).

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience and/or education requirements described below. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. If qualifying based on education, a copy of your unofficial or official transcripts must be provided with your application.

***You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. If you intend on submitting additional eligibility and/or qualification documentation within the 30-day window, you must provide documentation (brief note), with your initial application identifying which documents will follow. If you do not provide documentation that all eligibility and qualification requirements will be met within 30 days, the application will be reviewed based on the documents submitted by the closing date.

Requirements for the GS-11:

Specialized Experience: Have at least one full year of IT related specialized experience that is comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) that demonstrates each of the following competencies: attention to detail, customer service, oral communication, and problem solving. This must include activities such as: (1) documenting, developing, modifying, and/or testing new and existing systems applications; (2) ensuring software and systems quality and functionality through the integration of hardware and software components; (3) developing methods or approaches for sharing information through the use of existing IT systems; (4) utilizing technical or professional experience in writing, debugging or code maintenance of Python or other server-side application codes.

OR

Education: Have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management, or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks. Note: You must submit copies of your transcripts.

Requirements for GS-12:

Specialized Experience:Have at least one full year of IT related specialized experience that is comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) that demonstrates each of the following competencies: attention to detail, customer service, oral communication, and problem solving. This must include activities such as: (1) testing applications for software and systems quality and functionality and integrating hardware and software components; (2) applying information security/ information assurance policies, principles, and practices to the delivery of application software services; (3) analyzing, implementing, supporting, or translating system requirements into application prototypes; (4) providing maintenance and support for applications in programming language such as Python, Django, Flask, SQL, or PostgreSQL with technical and professional expertise.

Requirements for GS-13:

Specialized Experience: Have at least one full year of IT related specialized experience that is comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors) that demonstrates each of the following competencies: attention to detail, customer service, oral communication, and problem solving. This must include activities such as: (1) evaluating software and systems quality and functionality while integrating hardware and software components; (2) documenting or evaluating new applications software technologies; (3) recommending strategies that may improve IT policies and programs; (4) planning and designing systems architecture to include writing, debugging, or code maintenance of applications in programming language such as Python, Django, Flask, SQL, or PostgreSQL.

Status candidates must meet time-in-grade/band requirements: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. (Must submit your SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade. No award SF-50 will be accepted).
One year at the GS-09 is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 grade level.
One year at the GS-11 is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 grade level.
One year at the GS-12 is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 grade level.

In addition, you must provide a cover letter describing your experience with the competencies identified below:
  • Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
  • 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 & services; is committed to providing quality products & services.
  • Oral Communication - expresses information (e.g. ideas, facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (e.g. technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
  • Problem Solving - identifies problems, determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to general and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

Part-time or unpaid experience: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

Volunteer or unpaid experience: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

If you received a degree, the transcript must show the date the degree was awarded or conferred.

A self-created transcript, or a list of courses you have prepared, is not acceptable.

Foreign education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, click Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov). You must provide translated transcripts.

Additional information

Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit position (National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) Chapter 204).

FEC offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules, telework and transportation subsidies.

If you receive a tentative offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: The following links contain information on the eligibility requirements to be considered under a noncompetitive appointing authority:
Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans
Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses
Other Special Appointment Authorities

Additional selections may be made from this announcement.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

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.

Once the announcement closes, we will conduct a review of your application package to verify your eligibility and qualifications.
If you are found qualified, your application will move forward to additional phases of the review process which will determine the best qualified candidates.

Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You will be evaluated on the following competencies:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Oral Communication
  • Problem Solving
For those applying under "the public":

Category Rating: Your application will be evaluated and rated under Category Rating selection procedures. Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this position. If, after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your responses when compared to your background information, your category rating may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your skills and abilities, or you may be rated ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The quality categories are:

Best Qualified: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements for this position.

Highly Qualified: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements for this position.

Qualified: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements for this position.

The Category Rating Process does not add veteran's preference points, but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligible who meet the 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 for scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  1. Your Resume listing hours worked per week, dates of employment (month/year) and duties performed for each position held.
  2. Transcripts if qualifying based on education.
  3. Cover Letter which addresses the competencies identified in the Qualifications section above. Please limit your cover letter to 2 pages.
  4. Other supporting documents if applicable:
  • Veterans documents:
    • If you are a Discharged, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
    • If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
    • If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
  • Current Federal Employee (including FEC employees):
    • To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50), or equivalent personnel action, reflecting your permanent competitive or excepted service status with Block 24 as "Tenure 1 or 2" and in Block 34 as "Competitive Service" or "Excepted Service." No award SF-50s will be accepted as proof of eligibility.
    • In addition to submitting your most recent SF-50, if you have held a higher grade than the one you're applying for on a permanent basis, please submit an SF-50, or equivalent personnel action, which documents the highest grade you have held on a permanent basis.
  • Former Federal Employee (including FEC employees):
    • To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50), or equivalent personnel action, reflecting your permanent competitive or excepted service status reflecting one of the criteria listed below:
      • You are a former Federal employee who previously attained Career status identified on your last Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) in Block 24 as "Tenure 1" and in Block 34 as "Competitive Service" or "Excepted Service."
      • You are a former Federal employee without veterans' preference who separated within the past three years and previously attained Career-Conditional status as identified on your last SF-50 in Block 24 as "Tenure 2" and in Block 34 as "Competitive Service" or "Excepted Service."
      • You are a former Federal employee with veterans' preference who previously attained Career-Conditional status identified on your last SF-50 in Block 24 as "Tenure 2" and in Block 34 as "Competitive Service" or "Excepted Service."
      • Your last Federal performance appraisal plan must reflect a rating of Fully Successful or equivalent.
      • If you have held a higher grade than the one you're applying for on a permanent basis, please submit an SF-50, or equivalent personnel action, which documents the highest grade you have held on a permanent basis.
  • Certain Family Members of Overseas Employees Eligible under E.O. 12721: Your most recent non-award SF-50 and performance appraisal.
  • Certain Military Spouses Eligible under E.O. 13473: Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, issued within the last 2 years, that lists you as authorized to accompany the Military member to the new duty permanent station; OR verification of the member's 100% disability (VA Letter); and/or verification of the member's death while on active duty (DD-1300 and Death Certificate) AND verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage).
  • Peace Corps volunteers and VISTA members: submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility. If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, please also provide the necessary documentation to support your request.
  • Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities Appointment Eligibles: Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation or benefits office citing disability - eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u).

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

Please limit your resume to 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/26/2025 to receive consideration.

To begin, click Apply Online. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.

You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application. You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

Agency contact information

San Antonio Services Branch
Address
Federal Election Commission
1050 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20463
US

Next steps

Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Additional phases of the review process will determine the best qualified candidates, and whether or not your application is referred to the selecting official. You will be contacted directly if further evaluation or an interview is required. You will receive notifications by email about the status of your application throughout this process.


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


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