IT Specialist (Application Software)
What you'd do
These positions administer, develop, deliver, and support information technology (IT) systems and services. The paramount requirement is knowledge of IT principles, concepts, and methods; e.g., data storage, software applications, and networking. Information technology refers to systems and services used in the automated acquisition, storage, manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching, interchange, transmission, assurance, or reception of information.
Major duties
Work in the Technical Category at this pay band is characterized by such assignments as: Collects, records and analyzes data/information; identifies problems; and performs analysis. Plans and carries out projects for collecting detailed data or information from primary sources. Such projects are typically a part of a large and continuing program. Plans and analyzes data. May suggest data sources and prepare interpretive reports of limited scope. Characteristic information technology assignments in the Application Software specialization at this pay band include: Provides technical guidance in designing, coding, testing, debugging, and maintaining standard programs. Translates and interprets easily defined functional requirements. Applies computer assisted software engineering (CASE) tools to the design and development process. Tests, installs, implements, documents, and maintains standard software. Maintains source code and modifies and upgrades code as necessary. Participates in efforts to enhance software reliability through discussions of enhanced application design methodologies. Updates standards used to develop object-oriented graphical user interfaces. Applies standards to the design, development, and integration of new and reusable system components. Performs a mixture of routine and multiple and varying assignments under the limited direction of a manager, project/program manager, team leader, or more experienced technical specialist. Acts as an individual contributor and/or member of a team. May perform some leadership functions for small projects/programs/teams. Applies experience and detailed technical knowledge applicable to his/her discipline to plan and accomplish assignments. Typical assignments may include: limited system development; collecting, recording and analyzing data/information; identifying problems; performing investigation and inspection activities; and initiating compliance and enforcement actions. Demonstrates some independence in planning time and using assigned resources to accomplish assignments and small projects. Contacts are primarily internal to the organizational unit, major subdivision, and LOB/SO, with some contact with customers and external organizations. Contacts are typically intended to share information, provide data and/or written analyses, and discuss the statuses of assignments. In some technical areas, may have regular contact with customers and/or external organizations. Established policies/procedures provide guidance for most assignments, but allow some discretion to select the most appropriate approach. Typically receives guidance on selecting approach from a manager, project/program manager, team leader, or more experienced technical specialist. May provide recommendations to improve work processes. Frequently refers difficult problems and work issues to a manager, program/project manager, team leader, or more experienced technical specialist when guidelines are not available or applicable. Work is reviewed periodically during assignments and at completion to ensure timeliness and technical compliance with the requirements of the project or other work activity. Work activities typically support the activities of the organizational unit and may affect project/program objectives for the major subdivision and the LOB/SO. In some areas, the work may affect the safety and security of customers.
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this position at the FV-H (FG/GS-10-12) level, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-G (FG/GS 5-9) level. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized Experience includes: system development; collecting, recording and analyzing data/information; identifying problems; and the integration of information systems components. Applicants should include examples of Specialized Experience in their work history. AND Individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below. The experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate. 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. OR Education substitution: Successful completion of 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. Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks. OR Combination Education and Experience: May be qualifying for this position. Refer to OPM's Operating Manual Qualification Standards at, https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-ADMIN for more information. If qualifying based on education, applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcript(s). All academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions. Foreign education must be evaluated by a private professional organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials or an accredited U.S. educational institution in terms of equivalency to a degree acquired at an American college or university. A copy of the evaluation results must be included, otherwise your foreign education will not be considered. AND In addition to the minimum requirements, the following has been determined to be a selective factor for this position. This means possession of this criterion is part of the minimum qualifications and is essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of this position. Applicants who do not possess this criterion are ineligible for further consideration. Selective Placement Factor (SPF): Applicants must have documented experience in PL/SQL programming; including the ability to design, develop, and optimize complex database queries and procedures to enhance system functionality and performance. ALSO The following has been determined to be a Quality Ranking Factor (QRF): Well qualified applicants will have experience with Oracle Federal Financials and will be proficient in two or more of the following operating systems, software tools, languages, and architectures: Linux, PL/SQL, Oracle JDeveloper, Oracle Forms Builder, Oracle Analytics Publisher, Oracle Web Applications Desktop Integrator (Web ADI), Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), and SplashBI. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
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