IT Specialist (APPSW)

Summary

• Who may apply: All US Citizens
• Applicants applying for Cleveland may be placed at Bratenahl.
• We may use this announcement to fill other positions in the Information & Technology Directorate.

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Duties

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• Senior technical member of an application system development team responsible for design, development, maintenance, and overall system architecture implementation for assigned projects.
• Conducts expert analysis of functional requirements, change proposals, and current software, system, database, local area network solutions and determines feasibility of new applications or modification of existing applications.
• Applies current and emerging software development technologies to perform system level development and modification tasks. Develops detailed logic, application software, job control specifications for new or existing systems.
• Trouble-shoots system design and software problems. Responds to system level problem reports and gain approval of proposed modifications, to develop schedules, and to monitor schedule accomplishment.
• Reviews technical literature and executive software guidance to maintain knowledge of new and evolving modifications, enhancements, and extensions to operating system and development environment.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship
• Suitable for Federal Employment
• Registered for Selective Service (if applicable)
• This national security position, which may require access to classified information, requires a favorable suitability review and security clearance as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination.
• In accordance with the DoD 8140 policy series, the position may be subject to completing Foundational Qualifications in 9 months and completing Residential Qualification requirements in 12 months.
• New employees to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov.

Qualifications

Resumes for federal government positions need more detailed work descriptions and accomplishments than a typical private sector resume. Please be sure to clearly describe the full scope of your work experiences in your resume.

Basic Requirement: Applicants must have IT-related experience demonstrating the following competencies appropriate to, or above, the level of this position. Your resume and work experience should clearly support your ability to meet these competencies and will be evaluated as part of the entire application process.

• Attention to Detail - experience reviewing my own information technology-related work or data and have been asked by others to review their work or data to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency with standards.
• Customer Service - experience maintaining relationships with customers, assessing current information technology needs of customers, and developing or identifying information technology products and services that are tailored to meet customer needs.
• Oral Communication - briefing mid-level management and IT staff on the status of information technology systems, projects, or daily operations, including the communication of technical information to a non-technical audience.
• Problem Solving - identifying alternatives to address complex information technology-related issues by gathering and applying information from a variety of sources that provide a number of potential solutions.

In addition to the Basic Competency Requirements listed above: One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade GS-12 in the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required.

Specialized experience is defined as: Evaluating, customizing, software and systems across the full software development life cycle (SDLC), including analysis, design, development, programming, testing, deployment, monitoring, and maintenance; establishing, configuring, and securing Application Programming Interface (API) connections, integrations, and web services such as REST, SOAP, GraphQL; conducting systems requirement reviews and implementing modifications.

Volunteer Experience: 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 to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You may qualify for consideration if meeting time-in grade, specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement.

Education

Education is not substitutable for specialized experience at this grade level.

Additional information

• Moving expenses will be paid.
• Telework availability is limited and will only be provided on a rare case-by-case basis during situations where Agency Leadership has determined that telework serves a compelling DoD need.
• Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment.
• Employment with DFAS means access to generous benefits such as: health, vision, and dental insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off, and educational benefits.
• As a condition of employment, you may be required to serve a 1 year probation during which we'll evaluate if continued employment advances public interest. The evaluation considers: performance & conduct; needs & interests of the agency; if continued employment advances agency goals; if continued employment advances the efficiency of the Federal service. At the end of the probationary period, employment will be terminated unless you receive certification that continued employment advances public interest.
• We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of the closing date.
• This position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Travel requirement is occasional.
• This position is not covered by a bargaining unit.
• This position is being filled under the Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense via delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Veteran's Preference: Veteran's preference does not apply under this Direct Hire Authority (DHA).
• DFAS recognizes the value of competencies gained through formal education and professional certifications. To ensure that consistent credit is given for these credentials in the selection process DFAS has developed standard selection criteria to be used when filling positions in professional and administrative series. Selections for professional and administrative positions will be based on four categories of selection criteria: Experience, Other, Education, and Certifications.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or be exempt from Selective Service (see
• Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, here).
• Security Designation varies dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher. Employment requires a background investigation which may delay starting date. If selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position may result in termination. For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements.
• Criminal History Inquiries- For some positions, criminal history inquiries may not take place before you receive a conditional job offer. Please see Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 (dfas.mil) for more information on The Fair Chance to Compete Act, exceptions, and DFAS contact information.
• All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact View phone number on click.appcast.io for assistance.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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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.

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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.