Information Technology Specialist (INET/APPSW)

Applications under this job opportunity announcement will be considered under merit promotion (internal competitive) procedures and consideration is limited to those specified in the “Hiring Path”. If you are not eligible under this announcement, see 25-ITSB-12649408-DE-JD which can be accessed at

Overview

• Open & closing dates

  12/26/2024 to 01/07/2025

• Salary

  $66,732 – $86,750 per year

  
  
• Pay scale & grade
  

  GS 9

• Location

  1 vacancy in the following location:

  
  
• Remote job
  

  No

• Telework eligible

  Yes-as determined by the agency policy.

  
  
• Travel Required
  

  Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed
  

  No

• Appointment type

  Temporary Promotion – 13 Months

• Work schedule
  

  Full-time

• Service
  

  Competitive

• Promotion potential
  

  11

• Job family (Series)
• Supervisory status
  

  No

• Security clearance
• Drug test
  

  No

• Position sensitivity and risk
• Trust determination process
• Financial disclosure
• Bargaining unit status
• Announcement number

  25-ITSB-12649407-ST-JD

• Control number
  

  825295300

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Current competitive service National Processing Center (NPC) employees on a permanent appointment; current permanent competitive service Department of Commerce employees; Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) eligible employees.

Duties

This position is located in the Administrative and Data Capture Programming Unit, Programming Section, Information Technology Support Branch (ITSB) of the U.S. Census Bureau’s National Processing Center (NPC) in Jeffersonville, Indiana. This developmental position to the advanced full performance grade 11 is to perform a wide-range of intermediate developmental client/server and web-based programming, analysis, testing, documentation, network and/or equipment assignments. This position is included in the bargaining unit.

The individual selected for this position will:

• Develop logical scheme and code.
• Complete client/server applications as well as web-based applications with intermediate complexity.
• Complete the aspects of organization, data storage, database design, application design, development, testing and documentation of new projects and/or upgrades of existing projects to assure adherence to specifications or conventions with moderate aid from other computer specialists.
• Develop moderate routines and detailed sequences of internal program logic by coding, testing, and debugging where specifications set forth feature items such as interface requirements, the inputs, outputs, sequences, and the edit criteria.
• Provide user support and/or training for applications that are designed by the incumbent.
• Work with a senior IT Specialist to research out new technologies by a varying number of means to advise management of new technologies relating to the required specialty.

Tour of Duty: Hours will be 7:00am – 3:30pm Monday through Friday. Alternate Work Schedule is available. Alternate Work Schedule is an 80-hour biweekly basic work requirement that is scheduled in less than 10 days; i.e., eight 9-hour days/nights, one 8-hour day/night, and one day off.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

If the position is later determined to be permanent, it will be made permanent without further competition.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Candidates may be required to clear the fingerprint process and initiate the required background investigation prior to final selection.

A one-year probationary period may be required.

Qualifications

Time in Grade: In addition to specialized experience, you must meet the time in grade requirement. Current and former Federal civilian employees must have held a position at the grade 07 for at least 52 weeks in the Federal Service for promotion to the grade 09. Time-in-grade/band requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement unless eligible for special hiring authority, reinstatement eligible, non-current Federal employee applying as VEOA eligible which do not require time-in-grade/band.

You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Applicants must demonstrate in their resumes paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training such as IT certification, as appropriate. Their IT-related experience should demonstrate 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 (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.

Specialized Experience: You qualify at the 09 level if you possess one year of specialized experience that equips you with the skills needed to perform the job duties. This specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the grade 07 level to meet the qualification requirements in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is defined as experience developing intermediate level logical programs, analysis and testing of programs as well as communicating with customers and other IT Specialists to understand functional aspects of projects.

Education Substitution: Master’s degree or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Master’s degree or equivalent graduate degree in a computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or a 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.

Employees on a permanent appointment who were hired through a Recruiting Bulletin, who have not served in their current appointment for at least 90 days, are not eligible to apply. However, if this vacancy is in the same line of work as your current position (same qualification requirements), and selection for this position would not result in a promotion action the 90 day waiting period does not apply.

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.

Additional information

The following links provide information on various hiring authorities that may enable you to apply through merit assignment procedures, or be eligible for a non-competitive appointment.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining a rating of at least 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management’s Career Transition Resources website at:

CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:

1. A copy of your Reduction In Force (RIF) separation notice; notice of proposed removal for declining a directed geographic relocation outside of the local commuting area; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice of eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice).
2. A copy of your latest SF-50 “Notification of Personnel Action”, – noting current position, grade/band level, and duty location;
3. A copy of your last performance appraisal including rating; and
4. Any documentation from your bureau/operating unit that shows your current promotion potential.

The Department of Commerce provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, notify the Human Resources Branch. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. TTY users can contact the Human Resources Branch via the Federal Relay Service, 1-812-218-3610.

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or any other non-merit factor.

Employees who receive a buyout and subsequently return to positions in a Federal agency within 5 years after the date of separation, on which the payment is based, whether by reemployment or contracts for personal service, are generally obligated to repay the full amount of the buyout to the agency that paid it before the individual’s first day of reemployment.

• 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. .

  
  
  

  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.

We will review your resume, optional cover letter, supporting documentation, and dates of employment (mm/dd/yyyy) on the resume to determine if you meet the qualifications for the position. If you meet the qualifications stated in the job opportunity announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions) that you completed as part of the application. Your resume and/or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire or your score will be lowered. The best-qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview. If referred, all relevant documents, including performance appraisals and incentive awards submitted with your application package. will be forwarded to the selecting official for review and consideration.

Due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3), during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager.

The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate the applicant on the following competencies; do not provide a separate written response:

• Information Technology Performance Assessment
• Research
• Customer Service
• Software Development

• 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. .

  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.

  
  
  
• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have – whether you’re a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you’re eligible under their policies.

  A complete application consists of the following:

  
  

  Resume showing relevant experience, optional cover letter, and the online questionnaire.Your resume must indicate country of citizenship and if you are registered for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/59. Your resume should also list your educational and work experience including the dates (mm/dd/yy) of each employment along with the number of hours worked per week, annual salary, and specify the job duties related to the advertised position. For work in the Federal service, include the grade level of the position(s). Your resume will be used to validate your responses to the occupational questionnaire.

  Performance Appraisals and Incentive Awards – Submit your most recent performance appraisal with supervisor’s signature showing the official final rating of record and copy/listing of incentive awards received. In cases where the performance appraisal is incomplete or unavailable, applicants may provide explanation of the reason.

  
  
  

  SF-50, “Notification of Personnel Action,” if applicable, supporting current or former federal employee’s eligibility. This is not required for current NPC employees.

  
  

  Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) documentation, if applicable (DD-214, stating disposition of discharge or character of service to validate claim of veterans’ preference and, if applicable, VA letter).Special Hiring Authorities: For further information about special hiring authorities, refer to www.USAJOBS.gov Click on the links at the bottom of the page to obtain detailed information on these special hiring authorities: 1) Individuals with Disabilities 2) Veterans 3) Students and Recent Graduates.

  
  
  

  Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation, if applicable. See the “Additional Information” section.

  
  

  Documentation supporting eligibility for non-competitive appointment. (Schedule A disability, 30 percent disabled veteran, certain military spouses, etc.)

  
  
  

  Education: If using education substitution, a combination of experience and education, or the position requires higher education, you must submit a transcript (official or unofficial) or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. Refer to for more information.

  You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.

  
  
  

  Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education’s website – . You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation will result in lost consideration.

  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 .

  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.

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