Supervisory IT Specialist (AI) Job

Vacancy No. DO-100-25-12669193-DH Department National Institute of Standards and Technology
Salary $120,579.00 to $195,200.00 Grade 4 to 5
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/16/2025 Close Date 1/22/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
San Francisco, CAWashington, DC


Summary

The Department of Commerce ranked top 5 in the 2023 Best Places to Work in the Federal Government amongst large agencies for the 12th year in a row! The ranking showcases the Department's continued commitment to increasing our employee engagement, employee satisfaction, and positive perceptions towards diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.

Duties

ZP-IV: You will manage activities focused on evaluating and improving AI systems to ensure their functionality, trustworthiness, and compliance with Executive Order 14110. This grade level involves designing robust evaluations, identifying vulnerabilities, and collaborating across teams to address AI safety challenges while contributing to technical guidelines and best practices. Key duties include:

  • Assess the effectiveness of AI model safeguards and recommend enhancements.
  • Conduct red-team operations to identify failures, vulnerabilities, and potential misuse in AI systems.
  • Develop and refine tools, workflows, and methodologies for red-teaming and safety/security evaluations.
  • Continuously improve evaluation techniques for greater efficiency and scalability.
  • Collaborate with team members and cross-functional teams to develop innovative solutions for AI safety challenges.
  • Clearly communicate complex AI concepts to diverse audiences, including technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Contribute to the development of technical guidelines and best practices for AI safety.
ZP-V: As a leader and technical expert in AI safety, you will lead and oversee the design and execution of evaluations to ensure the reliability and compliance of AI systems with Executive Order 14110. This grade level involves developing innovative solutions, leading cross-functional teams, refining best practices, and advising senior leadership on complex issues critical to the mission of the AI Safety Institute. Key duties include:
  • Formulate and manage the design and implementation of structured, scientifically sound evaluations of AI systems.
  • Lead the evaluation of existing AI model safeguards to determine their effectiveness and recommend improvements.
  • Plan and execute red-team operations using real-world adversarial tactics to identify failures, vulnerabilities, and potential misuse in AI systems.
  • Develop and refine software, workflows, and tools for red-teaming and safety/security evaluations.
  • Establish and improve coding standards, workflows, and product automation to enhance evaluation efficiency and scalability.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create innovative solutions to AI safety challenges.
  • Clearly communicate complex AI concepts to diverse audiences, including technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Contribute to the development of technical guidelines and best practices for AI safety.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. citizenship
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Suitable for Federal employment
  • Completion of Confidential Financial Disclosure, Form OGE-450
  • Designated and/or random drug testing required
  • Bargaining Unit Position: No

Qualifications

ZP-4: Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 (ZP-III at NIST) or equivalent grade level. Specialized experience is defined as experience with Artificial Intelligence (AI) generative models and/or Machine Learning (ML) algorithms; carrying out technical evaluations to identify safety issues or security vulnerabilities; and collaborating and coordinating on AI-related projects.

ZP-5: Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience at the GS-13 (ZP-IV at NIST) or equivalent grade level. Specialized experience is defined as experience with Artificial Intelligence (AI) generative models and/or Machine Learning (ML) algorithms; planning and designing technical evaluations to identify safety issues or security vulnerabilities; leading cross-functional AI-related teams and projects; and establishing best practices, including specific technical standards and workflows.

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.

The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.

Applicant Reconsideration

Education

Qualifications are based upon meeting specialized experience only. Education cannot be used to qualify for this position.

Additional information

This position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS), a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Learn more about the APMS here!

  • Your application package may be shared with other selecting officials at NIST for similar opportunities and additional selections may be made from this vacancy.
  • Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions.
  • All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible to make qualification or eligibility determinations.
  • A trial period may be required.
  • This appointment may be extended up to four years without further competition.
This position requires the passing of a drug test

This position requires filing an OGE-450 Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of onboarding and annually thereafter.

NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities such as:
  • Telework
  • Flexible work schedules
  • Paid parental leave
  • Paid vacation
  • Sick leave
  • Family-friendly leave
  • Childcare subsidy program for qualifying families
  • Back-up child care program
  • Child and elder-care resources
  • On-site childcare center
  • Lactation spaces
  • Wellness programs
  • Fitness center
  • Employee assistance programs

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.

How you will be evaluated: We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documents to assess your qualifications for this position. Please be sure that your resume and supporting documents include detailed information to support your qualifications for this position. Failure to provide sufficient and/or legible evidence in your resume or supporting documents may result in a "not qualified" determination. You MUST select at least ONE eligibility (i.e., how you wish to be considered) to receive consideration for this position.

Referral: All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. Under Direct Hire Authority, applicants are not rated and ranked, and veteran preference does not apply.

CTAP or ICTAP eligibility: If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must be determined eligible and rated as well-qualified to receive special selection priority. "Well Qualified" means that in addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective placement factor(s), if applicable, you must receive a score of 85 or higher. Please review the following site regarding required documents to support CTAP or ICTAP eligibility and additional information regarding this authority - CTAP/ICTAP Eligibility

Required Documents

The documents required vary based on how you're applying (i.e., as a veteran or disabled veteran, current or former Federal employee, etc.). Please review the Required Documents for this position to find out if there are any documents required with your application. Failure to submit required documents, based upon how you apply, may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.

A complete application includes: 1) A resume, 2) vacancy question responses, and 3) submission of any required documents. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, or if the documents submitted are illegible you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).

Resume: All applicants must submit a resume by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their choosing. Cover letters are optional. To receive any credit for relevant experience, please list the month/year and the number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. We suggest you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions. Please refer to the Resume Guidance on how to build an effective resume.

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

Click 'Apply' and we'll walk you through a four-step process to attach a resume and any required documents. While working an application, you may review, edit, delete and update information. You must complete the online application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, the closing date of the announcement.

Once your application has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The Human Resources Office will evaluate your application to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

Need help applying?

  • If you are experiencing any difficulties with the online application process (anything after you have clicked the 'Apply Online' button), please contact the Agency Contact listed on this announcement between regular business hours (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET). If you receive any kind of error message, please be ready to provide a screenshot or, at a minimum, the error message text and number. We will provide you with a technical support number for further assistance if necessary.
  • If you are having trouble with USAJOBS (searching for jobs, account password/profile issues, or Resume Builder), please visit the USAJOBS Resource Center. We regret that we are unable to support any issues with USAJOBS, as this service is not maintained by the NIST.
  • If you are experiencing a significant hardship that hinders your ability to apply online, please contact the Agency Contact listed on this announcement prior to the vacancy closing date and during regular business hours to discuss your situation.

Agency contact information

Tailor Thompson
Address
NIST Office of the Director
100 Bureau Drive
Building 101/Room A1137
Gaithersburg, MD 20899
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

We will update applicant statuses when:

  • A qualification determination is made. If found not qualified/eligible, no additional updates will be provided.
  • Applications are referred to the selecting official.
  • A selection decision has been made.
Please notify us if your contact information changes after announcement's closing date. Also, note that if you provide an inaccurate email address or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication, which could affect your consideration for this position.


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


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