IT Specialist

Summary See QUALIFICATIONS and EDUCATION for information about this position. This is an entry level/trainee PD leading to the GS-12 full performance level. Assignments are not as broad and/or inclusive as assignments at the next higher level. See DUTIES for responsibilities of this position at the full performance level. Responsibilities Performs the program level design, coding and software integration processes. Evaluates decisions regarding data specifications and data flow and modifies the logical design to facilitate and/or optimize the process. Serves as a system analyst in the front-end analysis of requirements for the development and modification of systems for OFLM; maintains overall control of assigned projects and develops the logical structure for automated problem solutions. Provides program design and coding specifications, including: descriptions of data and file organizations; file layouts and record narrative; program flow and subroutine composition. Examines compatibility with SSA-standard software. Maintains a continuous update of system specifications throughout the software life cycle. Develops clear and complete system documentation, including specifications correspondence, system/subsystem level documentation, program logic documentation, operations procedures, user manuals and program maintenance manuals. Provides technical assistance to users by identifying data processing technologies and applying them to user requirements. Provides assistance onsite. Assists users in determining the impact of procedural changes on application/database systems. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To qualify for this GS-07 IT Specialist position you must demonstrate: (1) IT-related education — OR — (2) IT-Related Experience (IT Competencies and Specialized Experience) (1) IT-RELATED EDUCATION: You must have one of the following: A. A graduate degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics or technology management — OR — B. A graduate degree that (1) required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks AND (2) provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in any of the following: computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics or technology management — OR — C. A bachelors degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics or technology management that demonstrates Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) — OR — D. A bachelors degree that (1) required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks, (2) provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in any of the following: computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics or technology management AND (3) demonstrates Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) — OR — E. A bachelors degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics or technology management followed by at least one year of graduate study — OR — F. A bachelors degree that (1) required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks, (2) provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in any of the following: computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics or technology management AND (3) was followed by at least 1 year of graduate study. SAA means your overall GPA was at least 3.0 out of 4.0 OR you graduated in the top one-third of your class OR you were elected to a National Honor Society. All academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions — OR — (2) IT-RELATED EXPERIENCE: May be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate. A. IT COMPETENCIES: Your resume must describe duties you perform that demonstrate each of the four IT-Competencies 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. AND B. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE must have been gained in a federal position at or above GS-05 OR (if your position and/or experience is in another federal pay scale OR outside of federal service) by performing duties at a level of responsibility and difficulty equivalent to GS-05 or above. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is work that primarily consists of applying basic IT principles and practices to assist in developing software or automated systems. (Such experience should include assisting senior developers with analysis, design, coding, testing and/or implementation of software or automated systems). If you have this experience, your resume must describe, in your own words, the duties you perform that demonstrate it. Reviewers cannot assume you perform duties you dont describe. An affirmative response to the online questionnaire is not sufficient to demonstrate experience. Since Specialized Experience also has a time component, it must be evident that the duties you describe are at the required level for at least 52 weeks. Specialized Experience must be met by the closing date of this announcement. See HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS for more information on submitting your application. Federal applicants for promotion must have at least 52 weeks at or above GS-05. Time-in-grade requirement must be met by the closing of this announcement. INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO THIS CAREER-LADDER POSITION: This is an entry level/trainee position leading to the GS-12 full performance level. Classroom and on-the-job training are designed to provide experience and technical competence in the methods, procedures, principles and techniques of the full performance level. Assignments are developmental in nature and employees work under the general direction of the designated supervisor, who sets the overall objectives and deadlines. Assignments at this level are not as broad and/or inclusive as assignments at the next higher level. Assignments are selected to enhance the development of skills and abilities required to perform the work at the next higher grade. You will consult with higher graded analysts to identify and resolve problems that occur. During this period of development, the supervisor or higher-level employee provide instructions in terms of expected results and work is reviewed in terms of achieved results. Additional, specific instructions for new, difficult or special assignments, including suggested procedures, sources of information or reporting formats and techniques are provided. Consideration for promotion is at the discretion of management and is based on the existence of higher-level work, your ability to perform that work, administrative requirements and current agency and/or organizational restrictions. Information on this job series can be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/2200/information-technology-it-management-series-2210-alternative-a/ Position is assigned to: SSA-HQ / Woodlawn, Maryland Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Budget, Finance and Management (DCBFM) Office of Facilities and Logistics Management (OFLM) Office of Information Systems Management (OISM) Education This position has an educational alternative; i.e., specific IT-related education can be used in lieu of IT-Related Experience, as described under QUALIFICATIONS above. Transcripts are required to support all educational claims. DIPLOMAS will not be accepted in lieu of full transcripts. TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE LEGIBLE or you will not receive credit for completed courses. Submit a copy of your full transcript showing your name, the name of the school, the program in which you were enrolled, your degree and, when applicable, completion of creditable courses. Transcripts that do not show a degree was conferred cannot be considered to have resulted in a degree. Since course titles do not always indicate that a course pertains to a creditable curriculum, applicants who are demonstrating 24 qualifying credits must highlight the qualifying courses to ensure they are given consideration. Unofficial transcripts or copies of electronic/web transcripts with the required information will be accepted at the time of application. CHECK YOUR UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT TO CONFIRM IT SHOWS THE REQUIRED INFORMATION. If you completed your qualifying education in more than one school, submit full transcripts for all schools you attended. If you claim a qualifying bachelors degree with Superior Academic Achievement you must submit (1) a full transcript showing the final GPA OR (2) a full transcript and official documentation showing your class-ranking OR (3) a full transcript and official documentation showing your National Honor Society Membership. If you claim at least 1 academic year of graduate-level education (generally at least 18 graduate-level credits), you must submit a full transcript for your qualifying bachelors degree in addition to a transcript for your graduate education. Foreign Education: If your transcripts show education completed in foreign colleges or universities, you must also provide, as part of your application, documentation 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 a conventional/accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. If selected, you will be required to provide your official college transcripts prior to the effective date of your appointment. Additional Information WHO MAY APPLY: (1) ICTAP/CTAP (see Career Transition Guide) (2) Current Competitive Service / permanent OR conditional tenure (3) Former Competitive Service — resigned or retired with (a) permanent tenure (separation at any time) (b) conditional tenure (separation within previous 3 years) OR (c) conditional tenure AND vet preference (separation at any time) (4) Current Excepted Service: (a) agency with competitive service compatibility (Foreign Service, US Postal Service, etc) (b) agency with Interchange Agreement (c) Schedule A — block 5 of APPOINTMENT action shows Reg 213.3102(u) (d) VRA — block 5 of your APPOINTMENT action shows Pub. L. 107-288 (e) time-limited vet appointment — block 5 of APPOINTMENT action shows Reg. 316.402(b)(4) (f) not described above but can demonstrate prior Competitive Service OR vet status (5) Former Excepted Service – must have prior Competitive Service (permanent or conditional tenure) OR vet status (6) Military Spouses — see USAJOBS Help Center | Military Spouses (7) VEOA — see USAJOBS Help Center | Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998 (VEOA) — if you have non-qualifying Excepted Service and are an eligible veteran, you may use VEOA as your eligibility, but still must provide documents demonstrating your Excepted Service status (e.g., current SF-50 / performance appraisal or separation SF-50). VEOA cannot be used to circumvent merit promotion requirements. VEOA applicants with federal status will be considered on federal status first and VEOA only if federal status cannot be used. Eligibilities must be fully documented to receive consideration. If you are a federal contractor, do not identify yourself as a federal employee. OTHER NOTES: See QUALIFICATIONS and EDUCATION for information on qualifying for this position. See HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS for information on applying for this position. This is a career-ladder position leading to the GS-12 Full Performance Level (FPL). This is a bargaining unit position represented by AFGE. This position is on a full-time, flex-time schedule and may be eligible for an Alternate Work Schedule (AWS); telework may be approved after all conditions for telework have been met. This position is not authorized to be filled virtually or through outstationing. The Official Duty Station (ODS) for this position is Woodlawn, Maryland. To participate in telework you must reside within a 2-hour commute to this ODS by the time of your appointment. Relocation expenses will not be paid; salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions. Successful performance of work in this position and adherence to conditions of this position will be assessed during the 1-year probationary period served that may be served by new appointees (e.g., new to SSA and/or new to this series). Lifting and moving of computer equipment is required. This is a moderate-risk public trust position. You may be required to complete SF-85 (Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions) to have the appropriate investigation conducted.