Homeoffice IT Specialist (APPSW), GS-2210-15 "Senior Engineer", FPL GS-15 (Direct Hire), Full-time chez Department of Education

Other

Duties

APPLICATION LIMIT: This vacancy announcement is limited to the first 200 applications received and will close at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the day that we receive the 200th application, or at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the listed closing date, whichever occurs first. Note: there is a term permanent NTE 13 mos competitive position being announced at the same time for another position under FSA-2025-0026, if you would like to be considered for both. Applicants must apply for both announcements as they are two different appointment lengths in two different offices. We encourage you to read this entire vacancy announcement prior to submitting your application. This position is in the Department of Education (ED) Federal Student Aid (FSA), As an Information Technology Specialist "Senior Engineer", GS-2210-15, you will be responsible for • The person in this role will work with cross-functional agile development teams and directly with users to transform the way FSA uses technology to improve service delivery, including Artificial Intelligent (AI) and AI-enabling technologies. • Contributes to project scope and approach, appropriate financial resources, personnel resources, and monitoring overall development and performance of IT projects. Develops new insights into situations and applies innovative IT solutions to implement new or cutting-edge programs and processes such as the use of generative AI and large language models. • Applies technical expert IT and software knowledge to support, consult with, or advise agencies in modern software development methodologies, tools, techniques, and ways of thinking to create enduring change and to spread the adoption and application of innovative tools and techniques throughout government. • Translating technical specifications into programming specifications; developing, architecting, customizing, and/or acquiring applications software programs; and testing, debugging, operating, and maintaining software programs or cloud infrastructure. • Provides expert technical advice, leadership, and direction on all software delivery and data infrastructure related issues for the improvement of FSA products, platforms, and services. • Reviews projects for technical feasibility and adherence with the project objectives. Examines technical policy issues and strategic planning with a long-term perspective for agencies. • Focuses team efforts on current goals and priorities. Provides leadership in the design, development and deployment of IT solutions leveraging current and emergent technologies and best practices, including AI and machine learning.

Requirements

This position is eligible for Remote/Virtual work. However, this position may fall under the Presidential Memorandum titled "Return to In-Person Work" which will require you to go into the office if you are located within 50 miles of a Department of Education facility in these locations: Washington, DC, Dallas, TX, San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA, Kansas City, MO, Chicago, Il, Atlanta, GA, Philadelphia, PA, New York City, NY, and location is negotiable. Salary range listed is for Rest of US locality. Actual salary will be based on location of selectee. Locality pay tables available at www.opm.gov . You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. 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. We will consider all qualifying experience, including any volunteer experience.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification Requirements You may meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-15, if you possess the specialize experience. Specialized Experience for the Information Technology Specialist "Senior Engineer", GS-2210-15 One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-14 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments: 1. Experience as leading or serving in a senior role on a multi-disciplinary projects efforts to engineer a new IT system or major enhancement to an existing IT system. 2. Experience overseeing internal and external software development across the DevOps lifecycle, while advising agencies or businesses on modern development methodologies and emerging technologies. 3. Experience communicating technical concepts to non-technical audiences and translating business requirements into technical solutions. Basic Experience Requirements You must possess IT related experience (paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (e.g., IT certification), as appropriate) 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 (i.e., 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 (e.g., ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (e.g., 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. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement). 1. Skill in applying: applications software design principles and methods; and interrelationships between IT disciplines; and new software design technologies. 2. Skill in applying, systems engineering concepts and factors to ensure that applications are optimized for state-of-the-art technology and functionality. 3. Knowledge of state-of-the-art tools, methods, and methodologies for developing, testing, and deploying IT services. 4. Knowledge of software engineering theories, concepts, and practices. 5. Knowledge of software engineering theories, concepts, and practices.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience for this position and grade level. Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must submit a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, please click Foreign Education.

Other Information

Veterans’ Career Counseling: If you are a veteran interested in receiving tips on preparing a Federal resume and/or how to prepare for an interview, you may email [email protected] to schedule a session with a career counselor (“Veterans Counseling Session” should be placed in the subject line of the email). Student Loan Default: If selected for this position, we will verify that you have not defaulted on any loan funded or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are found to be in default, we will contact you to make arrangements for repayment prior to making an official offer of employment. Suitability and Investigation: If selected for this position, you will be required to complete the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for federal employment and successfully complete a pre-appointment investigation/background check. Essential/Non-Essential: This position is considered non-essential for purposes of reporting to work during federal government closures. Financial Disclosure: This position does not require financial disclosure. Bargaining Unit: This position is not included in the bargaining unit. Selections: Agencies have broad authority under law to hire from any appropriate source of eligibles and may fill a vacancy in the competitive service by any method authorized. We may make additional selections from this vacancy announcement within 90 days from the date the selection certificates are issued, should vacancies occur. We may also share selection certificates amongst program offices across the agency. Preferred qualifications: Basic understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI), including key concepts and applications.