Requirements
Conditions of employment
- U.S. Citizenship required
- Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service - http://www.sss.gov
- Suitable for federal employment
- Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. All information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation.
- Documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System.
- All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.
- All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
- Financial disclosure statement may be required.
- Probationary (or trial) period may be required.
- Appointment to the position may be contingent upon a negative applicant drug test result and be subject to random, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident drug testing upon hiring.
Qualifications
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Minimum Qualifications:
GS-11
At least one (1) year of specialized IT experience at or equivalent to the GS-09 grade level that include experience assisting in analyzing user requirements and supporting development, testing, or maintenance of IT systems and applications; supporting implementation or testing of automation or AI/ML tools (e.g., scripting, basic models, or workflow automation) under supervision AND I have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies: 1. Attention to Detail - Review work for accuracy and completeness; follows established procedures and checklists; identifies obvious errors in data, code, or documentation; ensures compliance with defined standards. 2. Customer Service- Respond to user inquiries and provides basic technical assistance; follows established procedures to resolve routine issues; escalates complex problems appropriately. 3. Oral Communication-Communicates technical information clearly to team members and users; asks clarifying questions; listens actively and responds appropriately. 4. Problem Solving- Identify routine problems; gathers and analyzes information; applies standard solutions; seeks guidance for complex issues. Customer Service - Work 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 - Express 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; listen to others, attend to nonverbal cues, and respond appropriately. Problem Solving - Identify problems; determine accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
OR
A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related.
OR
A combination of specialized experience and graduate level education that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.
GS-12
At least 1 year of specialized IT experience at or equivalent to theGS-11 grade level performing ALL of the following: independently analyzing business requirements and designing, developing, or enhancing IT systems or applications; designing and managing data structures, pipelines, or analytics solutions to support program operations or decision-making; developing, implementing, or evaluating AI/ML models or automation tools (e.g., predictive analytics, NLP, classification models).ensuring compliance with federal IT policies and standards and supporting audits or ATO processes.
AND IT-related experience demonstrating EACH of the following four competencies; (1) Attention to Detail - Independently ensures accuracy and consistency across systems, datasets, and analyses; identifies discrepancies or gaps and takes corrective action; applies quality control processes to IT and AI outputs.; (2) Customer Service - Proactively engages stakeholders to assess needs; provides tailored IT and AI solutions; resolves moderately complex issues and ensures customer satisfaction; balances technical constraints with mission needs.; (3) Oral Communication - Effectively communicates complex IT and AI concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences; participates in briefings and discussions; adapts communication style based on audience.; (4) Problem Solving - Analyzes moderately complex problems; evaluates multiple solutions; exercises judgment in selecting and implementing solutions; resolves issues with minimal supervision
GS-13
At least 1year of specialized IT experience at or equivalent to theGS-12grade level performing ALL of the following: leading the design, architecture, or integration of complex IT systems or enterprise solutions supporting organizational missions; leading development of data architectures, governance frameworks, or advanced analytics initiatives across programs or organizations; designing, deploying, and overseeing AI/ML solutions, including establishing model governance, evaluating risks (bias, drift), and ensuring responsible AI use; interpreting and shaping IT and AI policy, and ensuring organizational compliance with federal laws, regulations, and standards.
AND the IT-related experience demonstrating EACH of the following four competencies; (1) Attention to Detail - Establish and enforce quality standards for systems, data, and AI models; identifies systemic issues and implements improvements; ensures accuracy across complex, integrated environments and enterprise solutions.; (2) Customer Service - Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership and stakeholders; anticipates customer needs and influences solutions; resolves complex or sensitive issues; ensures IT and AI services align with organizational mission and strategy's.; (3) Oral Communication - Deliver clear, persuasive presentations to senior leadership and stakeholders; explains complex or sensitive topics (e.g., AI risks, system impacts); facilitates discussions and drives consensus..; (4) Problem Solving - Lead resolution of complex, ambiguous problems; develops innovative solutions; evaluates risks and trade-offs (including AI-related risks); provides recommendations that influence programs or policy
Documenting experience: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume.
Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational application questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.
In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee's supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the "percentage of times" the other duties were performed. In order to receive credit for experience you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above.
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; student, etc). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If experience is on a part-time basis, you must provide the average number of hours worked per week start and ending dates of the experience.
OPM Qualification General Policies Website
Education
Copy of your transcripts or equivalent documentation is required for positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying based on education or a combination of education and experience. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.
College or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.
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, visit: http://www.ed.gov.
Additional information
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Incentives may be authorized; however, this is contingent upon multiple factors, including funds availability. If authorized, certain incentives may require you to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a period of up to 3 years. Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid. Incentives may include the following: moving expenses, recruitment or relocation incentive; student loan repayment, superior qualifications appointment, creditable service for annual leave for prior non-federal work experience or prior uniformed military service, etc.
Bargaining Unit Position: No
Research position: No
Drug Screening Required: Varies
Applicants selected for this position may be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring.
Pomotion potential: Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your meeting qualifications and time-in-grade requirements, demonstrated ability to perform the higher-level duties, the continuing need for the higher-level duties, and administrative approval. Promotion to the next grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.
Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP/ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an CTAP/ICTAP eligible see http://opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap. To be considered well-qualified under I/CTAP, you must be rated eligible based on minimum qualifications for this position and submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this job announcement.
Reemployment Priority List (RPL): To receive selection priority for this position, individuals on the RPL must meet the qualification requirements, complete all required assessments and be rated as qualified. RPL candidates are ranked using Category Rating procedures.
Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office.
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.
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.
Resumes must not exceed two (2) pages in length. Application requirements are clearly stated in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Failure to submit a resume and any other required documentation identified in this announcement will result in removal from further consideration.
This announcement will be used to fill multiple vacancies across HHS components within various locations.
Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.
Location Negotiable means the position may be filled in multiple agency- approved duty locations. It does not mean the position is remote or virtual unless explicitly stated in this announcement.
Selections can be made at any grade level.
In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 14, 1986, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is A Drug-Free Federal Workplace. The use of illegal drugs, on or off duty, by Federal employees is inconsistent not only with the law-abiding behavior expected of all citizens, but also with the special trust placed in such employees as servants of the public.
USA Hire Technical Assessment You are required to complete a USA Hire technical assessment to evaluate the job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this position.
HR Resume Review
Human Resource (HR) Specialists will review your resume to determine whether you meet the required Specialized Experience.
Applicants who successfully pass the assessment(s) may be referred to the Hiring Manager for consideration.
The USA Hire Assessments 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.
Note: This vacancy will be filled through OPM's Direct Hire Authority. Veterans' Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply to positions filled under this announcement. Please click here for more information on OPM's Authorization of Direct Hire authority".
Traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply to this vacancy. Applications will be evaluated against the basic qualifications. Qualified candidates will be referred for consideration in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management direct hire guidelines. Veteran's Preference does not apply to the direct hire recruitment procedures. Selections made under this announcement will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would, therefore, be given new appointments to the civil service.
To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12953912
Required Documents
Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. You must provide a complete online Application Package which includes:
- Your Resume. Resumes must not exceed two (2) pages in length. Application requirements are clearly stated in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Failure to submit a resume and any other required documentation identified in this announcement will result in removal from further consideration. You are encouraged to use the USAJobs online resume builder to ensure that all required information is in your resume. Your resume must clearly articulate how your skills and experiences align to the criteria defined in the qualifications section of this announcement and it must support your responses to the application questionnaire. For each position you must describe your duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities. Your resume must also include the day, month, and year that you began and ended for each position held. Full-time employment will be assumed unless otherwise stated on your resume. Part-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience. Not providing this information may result in the lowering of your assessment score or an ineligible rating. For resume writing guidance, please visit the USAJobs Resource Center or view their video tutorial. For Most Effective Resumes Tips visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Most_Effective_Resumes.
- A complete Application Questionnaire.
- Other Supporting Documents
Other Supporting Documents: (Only Submit if applicable to you.)
- College transcript required,if qualifying all or in part based on your education.
- RPL Documentation: Candidates must be registered and submit all documents required to demonstrate that they meet the qualifications of the position
- If separated due to Reduction in Force (RIF):
- Most recent SF-50, or equivalent, that shows position occupied; tenure; grade and step; salary; and full performance level
- SF-50 showing Separation - RIF. If not available, submit official documentation of Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a proposed removal/separation notice
- Latest performance rating showing rating score
- If separated due to Compensable Injury:
- Most recent SF-50, or equivalent, that shows position occupied; tenure; grade and step; salary; and full performance level
- SF-50, which shows separation, or SF-50 showing acceptance of position at a lower grade or pay level in lieu of separation
- Notification from the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Department of Labor, that injury compensation benefits have ceased or will cease
- Latest performance rating and rating of record (if separate documents) showing rating score
- CTAP/ICTAP Documentation
- A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
- A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action'', documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc.;
- A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
- Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
For Résumé Tips visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YX7o1PBoFk
For Application Tips visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqYkibnuiJU
For additional information about USAJOBS visit the Help Center:
https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/
You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.
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.