Clarification from the agency

- Current DHS employees eligible for consideration under Career Transition (CTAP) in the Washington DC commuting area.

• Leads the planning, coordination, and execution of major IT applications software projects, including software design, development, testing, and implementation.
• Leverages AI-assisted development tools and prompt-engineering techniques to streamline delivery processes, enhance code quality, and automate documentation and defect detection.
• Serves as a technical lead for large-scale or cross-product initiatives, independently resolving technical ambiguity and setting implementation direction.
• Coordinates with vendors to evaluate solutions, manage support agreements, and ensure timely delivery of services.
• Leads project teams composed of technical specialists, analysts, and support staff.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position
• You must successfully pass a background investigation
• You must be able to obtain Secret security clearance
• You must be able to meet job-related medical and/or fitness standards; All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment
• Selective Service registration required
• Completion of a two-year Trial Period may be required
• A Financial disclosure is required for GS-14, GS-15 and Acquisition positions
• Submission of Performance Appraisal is mandatory
• May require random drug testing during the period of employment.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must show that you have the required IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies and experience for the grade level to which you are applying:

GS-14

Required Competencies:

• 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 and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
• 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.
• Problem Solving: Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

AND

Specialized Experience: One cumulative year of experience related to each of the responsibilities below. This can include paid or unpaid internships, volunteer experiences, student organizations, and jobs. Demonstrated proficiency (e.g., skills) will be assessed through the structured evaluation process.

1. Coordinating software work, such as coordinating building applications (guiding tasks, reviewing code, or setting technical direction) using common languages and frameworks (for example, Python, Java, JavaScript/TypeScript, .NET, Spring, React, Node).
2. Running projects end to end, such as planning and delivering software projects, creating a timeline, tracking risks, coordinating with teammates, or keeping work moving.
3. Solving problems with secure, scalable solutions, such as diagnosing issues (e.g., bugs, performance, integration), improving reliability, or building with security in mind (e.g., authentication/authorization, data protection) so systems can handle growth.
4. Explaining technical ideas, such as sharing updates and tradeoffs with different audiences (e.g., engineers, product partners, and senior leaders) through briefings, reports, or documentation.

Specialized experience must be equivalent to the GS-13 grade level or higher in the Federal service, defined by the responsibilities listed above. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Such experience is typically gained in the IT field or through the performance of work where the primary concern is IT. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We may not make assumptions regarding your experience. If your resume does not support your application questionnaire responses, we will not allow credit for your responses(s). A full-time year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours per week spent in such employment.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, a subject matter expert review of your resume, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Data Structures
• Implementation
• Oral Communication
• Problem Solving

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Following the review of your resume by our panel of subject matter experts, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veteran must be 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement. (Note: Veteran's preference does not apply under Merit Promotion procedures.) View VEOA information on Feds Hire Vets.

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

• Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
• Your responses to the job questionnaire
• Are you a current or former federal employee? Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that demonstrates your eligibility for consideration, e.g., length of time you have been in your current grade; your highest grade held; your current promotion potential and proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases and accessions.
• Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)? Submit a copy of your:- Agency notice,- Most recent performance rating, and- Most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.
• If you are a current or former federal employee, you must submit your most recent FY2025 performance appraisal and or incentive awards.

If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here. (https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire)

Next steps