Supervisory IT Specialist Job in McLean, VA

Vacancy No. VA-24-0037-DE-AB Department Farm Credit Administration
Salary $133,977.00 to $221,060.00 Grade 40 to 40
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/6/2024 Close Date 9/27/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
McLean, VA


Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary

You will be a hands-on technologist responsible for leading a Data Engineering team that builds and maintains data collection applications, creates and optimizes data pipelines, and supports data users and analysts using Python, PowerBI, and other tools. You will continuously improve the tools, techniques, and platforms used by your team. A successful candidate will demonstrate humility, respect, and contribute positively to a supportive and inclusive work environment.

Duties

Specific duties as the Supervisory IT Specialist (DATAMGT) include the following:

  • Develop, support, and modernize systems which collect, transform, and utilize data from various data providers.
  • Work with all levels of technology, including the Azure data platform (ADLS, ADF, Azure SQL, Databricks, Spark);
  • Create and maintain optimal data pipeline architecture;
  • Support Data Analysts and other internal data consumers who use BI Tools and Python;
  • Create proof-of-concepts to demonstrate viability of solutions under consideration;
  • Evolve engineering practices within the team and across the Division;
  • Oversee software analysis, requirements analysis, peer review, identification of code metrics, and performance monitoring;
  • Proactively engage and collaborate with other offices to ensure that the data solutions are aligned with organizational goals
  • Empower staff to excel by ensuring proper training, removing barriers, and providing constructive feedback.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. citizen.
  • One year probationary period, unless previously served.
  • One year supervisory or managerial probationary period, unless previously served.
  • Suitability for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
  • Submission of a financial disclosure report may be required.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required

Qualifications

Desired Qualifications
Seeking an experienced Azure data engineer with the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
  • You should be a strong analytical thinker and love working with data with a strong background in data engineering or application development;
  • Must be a hands-on technologist passionate about learning new technologies and help improve the ways we can better support and leverage advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI.
  • Significant hands-on experience with Azure services such as Azure Data Factory, Azure Databricks, Azure Data Lake Storage (ADLS Gen2), Azure SQL, and other Azure data services.
  • A solid foundation in data technologies, including SQL, columnar, and NoSQL data stores;
  • Hands-on programming experience writing Python code and developing data pipelines;
  • Experience with modern software development tools and practices including unit testing, CI/CD, and API design.
  • Demonstrated excellent skills in the ability to innovate, think critically and disaggregate problems;
  • A passion for mentoring, coaching, and building collaborative teams.

You may qualify at the VH-40 (GS-14) band level if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the VH-39 (GS-13) band in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position includes experience with the Azure data platform, architecting data-centric solutions, and implementing systems or automations using Python or .NET.

AND

The basic requirement for this Information Technology position is Information Technology-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.

NOTE: This experience must be Information Technology-related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate.

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.

You must meet all qualification requirements and submit all required supporting documentation by the closing date of this announcement. If you are found to be among the most highly qualified candidates you will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.

Time-In-Grade Requirements: Current and former Federal employees (including VEOA eligibles) must have served one-year (52 weeks) at the next lower grade in the Federal service to meet time-in-grade restrictions per 5 CFR 300, Subpart F, by the closing date of the announcement.

Education

There is no substitution of education for the experience for this position.

Additional information

  • Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
  • All FCA employees are subject to the conflict of interest laws and Standards of Ethical Conduct imposed upon all employees of the Executive Branch of the Federal Government and may be required to file a Financial Disclosure Report.
  • FCA's supplemental ethics regulations restrict certain FCA employees concerning their direct or indirect interests in, or connections with, Farm Credit System institutions. These rules also require all employees to obtain approval for outside employment or business activities. Please contact the HR Division for additional information on these rules.
  • FCA uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.
  • This announcement may be used to fill similar vacancies.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019, with some exceptions, prohibits the Farm Credit Administration from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. 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, visit our website at (Careers at FCA | Farm Credit Administration) for information on filing a complaint.

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), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Oral Communication
  • Problem Solving

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.

Your application will be evaluated and rated under Category Rating and Selection procedures. Eligible candidates will be placed in one of three pre-defined quality categories, described below. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position.
  • Highly-Qualified Category: In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must fully demonstrate proficiency in all major aspects of the position.
  • Well-Qualified Category: In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in some but not all of the major aspects of the position.
  • Qualified Category: In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate a basic level of knowledge, skill and ability of the position.

Under category rating procedures, veterans' preference points and the "rule of three" are not applied. The rights of eligible veterans are protected by placement on the list ahead of non-preference eligibles within each pre-defined quality category. Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent (i.e., CPS and CP) are listed in the Highly-Qualified category except when the position is being filled is scientific or professional at the VH-35 (GS-09) grade level or higher.

Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp

Required Documents

  • Resume. Highlighting relevant work experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to this position. Your resume must include the following information (1) paid and non-paid work experience including your position title, start and end dates (month/year) of employment, average number of hours worked per week and salary (separated by position series and grade for each federal position, if applicable ; (2) indication of the knowledge, skills and education you have that are pertinent to this position; (3) specific duties you have performed as a regular part of your job with indications of the level of responsibility and complexity of work; (4) Names and contact information for your current and/or previous supervisor(s).
  • CTAP/ICTAP Documentation, if applicable (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal).
  • Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.)
  • Worker's Compensation Separation. Agency certification of inability to place employee AND Notification of Separation OR Separation SF-50.
  • Military Reserve or National Guard Technician Special Disability Retirement Annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456. Certification of special disability retirement annuity from a military department or National Guard Bureau AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held.

Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments, and required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:

  1. Click the Apply Online button.
  2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
  3. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
  4. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notices.
  5. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
  6. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
  7. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
  8. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
For more general information, system requirements, reasonable accommodation information, and to request assistance regarding the USA Hire Assessments, review the following resources: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=USA_Hire_Assessments.

To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

Agency contact information

FCA HR Division
Address
Office of Agency Services, Human Resources Division
1501 Farm Credit Drive
McLean, VA 22102
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated. You will receive another notification about the status of your application.

To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.


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