IT Specialist (APPSW)

The position is in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Information and Technology (OIT), Product Delivery Service (PDS) Health Services Portfolio. OIT is responsible for the implementation of information technologies that are aligned with the business strategies of the Department of Veterans Administration (VA), from Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), National Cemetery Administration (NCA) and Corporate offices. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/24/2026. You must meet the Basic Requirements Experience, Specialized Experience and Selective Placement Factors to qualify for this series as described below: Basic Requirements Experience: Experience must be IT related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate. For all positions individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the five competencies listed below. The employing agency is responsible for identifying the specific level of proficiency required for each competency at each grade level based on the requirements of the position being filled. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. 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. 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. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. AND Selective Placement Factor: In addition to the minimum qualifications described above, you must meet the following requirement(s) to be considered qualified for the position: Experience with developing software using Massachusetts General Hospital Utility Multi-Programming System (MUMPS) programming language and Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA). AND Specialized Experience: You must possess a minimum of one (1) year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: experience developing software, including designing, modifying, integrating, and testing IT systems, and experience working with stakeholders to provide technical information supporting test strategies and plans. 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. OIT Mission: The mission of the Office of Information and Technology (OIT) is to collaborate with our business partners to create the best experience for all Veterans. OIT Vision: To become a world-class organization that provides a seamless, unified Veteran experience through the delivery of state-of-the-art technology. OIT is seeking Information Technology Specialist - VistA Software Engineers/Developers who work independently within a team responsible for engineering, implementing, and sustaining the Department of Veterans Affairs VistA software applications. VistA (Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture) is the electronic health record system used by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to manage clinical, administrative, and financial operations for veterans and built on Massachusetts General Hospital Utility Multi-Programming System (MUMPS) programming language. The primary functions of this position consist of analysis, design, coding, and unit testing of internally developed MUMPS and/or Delphi-based VISTA software applications as well as technical support to projects and programs unrelated to assigned efforts, reviewing design artifacts and code. Major Duties: Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan the development of a new application or modification of an existing application. Performs unit testing of developed software testing to include adherence to standards, debugging and validation of features developed and defect remediation applied. Optimizes and integrates legacy system components using current and emerging software principles, methods and approaches to meet technical and functional requirements. Expert in the engineering and developing new software applications, new features for deployed applications, enhancing existing functions and coding defect repairs to deployed applications using various technologies as assigned. Ensures that organization programming standards, quality standards, tools, techniques and processes are defined and implemented across the system with the goal of ensuring uniformity and consistency of work products. Actively participate and/or lead design reviews of applications including those not necessarily produced within their production units, participate and contribute to national standards activities, present and promote VA software development activities at national conferences, communicate with and influence vendors and play an active role in VA IT continuous quality improvement activities. Leads the development of test scenarios and test cases, support of customer acceptance testing, monitoring of test sites. provision of warranty support following product release. Testing ensures that relevant standards, conventions, methods and techniques are appropriately applied as part of the development unit testing of the software solutions. Responsible in conducting consultations, installations and evaluation of software modules. Compile and write documentation of program development and subsequent revisions, inserting comments in the coded instructions so others can understand the program. Demonstrate leadership, initiative, self-motivation and strong communication skills. This position is primarily aligned to the following NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework work roles: Cybersecurity Code: 621- Software Developer: Develops, creates, maintains, and writes/codes new (or modifies existing) computer applications, software, or specialized utility programs. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: As determined by the Agency Policy Telework: Adhoc telework may be authorized at management discretion. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: IT Specialist (APPSW)/PD18287A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical Demands: The work is essentially sedentary but involves occasional moving and lifting. Travel to facilities and national, VISN and local meetings is required. Working Conditions: Most work is performed in an office setting. Travel is required for meetings, consultations, installations, and evaluations of software modules. Designated Drug Testing Position: Not applicable This is a bargaining unit eligible position. Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level.