IT Specialist (APPSW) - COBOL Developer

Summary

The position description number for this position is PD06F0150. A summary of the major duties are listed below. You may also view the full position description on the Agency intranet at the following link: PD Search Serves as an IT Specialist for the Chief Information Officer, providing technical advice, guidance, and support relating to software development and engineering.

Duties

• Provides technical direction in the planning, design, development, testing, and support of business applications and technology solutions aligned with agency goals.
• Supports the integration of technology solutions in alignment with Agency objectives and needs. Participates in the design, execution, and maintenance of adaptable applications and platforms utilizing modern tools and approaches.
• Participates in the implementation of new technologies, including cloud computing and artificial intelligence, to help improve automation and efficiency.
• Participates in implementation and coordination activities for data systems and architectures to support organizational needs.
• Utilizes automated tools to test and monitor applications and implements best practices for testing and quality assurance. Integrates testing into the development process to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of systems development activities.
• Partners with developers, business analysts, and multidisciplinary teams to implement new functionalities and creative solutions, and to convert business needs into technical frameworks.

Qualifications

Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered. Visit the 'Required Documents' section below for more information. YOUR RESUME OR SSA-45 MUST INCLUDE YOUR OFFICIAL DUTY STATION AND YOUR ORGANIZATION (I.E., SECURITY AND RESILIENCY) OR YOU MAY BE FOUND INELIGIBLE. To qualify for the 2210 IT Specialist series, the applicant must demonstrate the following competencies: Attention to Detail (Level 4, Advanced) - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. Customer Service (Level 4, Advanced) - 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. Decision Making (Level 3, Intermediate) - Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change. Information Management (Level 4, Advanced) - Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems. Interpersonal Skills (Level 4, Advanced) - Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations. Oral Communication (Level 3, Intermediate) - 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 (Level 4, Advanced) - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. Teamwork (Level 4, Advanced) - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals. Technical Competence (Level 4, Advanced) - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues. Specialized Experience: Applicants must have specialized experience that is directly related to the work of the position and have equipped them with the competencies required to successfully perform the duties of the role. These knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies are normally attained through the equivalent of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of the position being filled. To qualify at the GS-13 level, you must have specialized experience at the GS-12 level, or equivalent. This experience must demonstrate proficiency in two of the following: COBOL Application Development and Modernization: Developing and maintaining mainframe COBOL applications in batch and/or CICS environments, including analyzing and modifying complex legacy COBOL code, designing reliable software solutions for new business functions, and implementing enhancements in accordance with the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Data Access and Mainframe File Management: Accessing and manipulating data stored in flat files, VSAM datasets, and relational databases such as DB2; writing efficient SQL in COBOL programs; and performing ad hoc queries using SPUFI or QMF. JCL, Mainframe Utilities, and Production Support: Developing, executing, and troubleshooting JCL scripts, using IBM utilities (e.g., IEBGENER, IDCAMS), file comparison tools such as COMPAREX, and sort utilities such as Syncsort. Experience providing post-implementation on-call support, resolving abends quickly and accurately, and ensuring successful completion of nightly batch processes. Mainframe Tools, Debugging, and Testing: Using industry tools such as TSO/ISPF, ENDEVOR, File-Aid, Expediter, InterTest, and Control-M to develop, debug, test, and manage COBOL programs; preparing and sanitizing test data; and identifying discrepancies between requirements and code through structured analysis and testing. Technical Communication and Cross-Team Collaboration: Communicating technical concepts clearly and effectively in both written and verbal formats; preparing documentation that explains system changes, impacts, and requirements; collaborating with analysts, testers, and other developers; and mentoring lower-level developers to support team and project goals. The specialized experience is REQUIRED and must be explicitly documented/described in your resume, or you will be disqualified from further consideration. Qualification standards and additional information for this position can be found here: Competency-Based Qualification Standard for the Information Technology Management Series, 2210 NOTE: You cannot be credited for experience unless you clearly show your grade level at the time the experience was gained, as well as the dates you were at that grade level. If you combine career-ladder experience into a single description of duties, you may be eliminated from consideration based on failure to clearly document the required experience at the required grade level for the required period of time. Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Applicants for promotion to the GS-13 must have 52 weeks at GS-12. Time in grade requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Applicants will be rated based on the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: Ability to analyze, modernize, and evaluate COBOL legacy systems, including requirements definition, multi-team coordination, modernization alternatives, and risk identification. Skill in diagnosing, troubleshooting, and maintaining mainframe COBOL systems, including CICS applications, JCL, abend analysis, performance evaluation, and stakeholder impact assessment. Knowledge of performance measurement, system evaluation, documentation, and security alignment for COBOL batch/online systems across all lifecycle stages. Applicants will be assessed using the rating criteria listed in the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13058633 Other Information

NONCOMPETITIVE CONSIDERATION DUE TO SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITY Applications for noncompetitive consideration will be accepted from SSA employees in the area of consideration who are currently serving under the following types of appointments: Schedule A, Reg. 213.3102 (U) appointments for individuals with disabilities and time limited appointments for veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Applicants serving under these provisions do not need to submit copies of your disability or Veteran's documentation. However, you must submit a current SF-50 that provides information on the appointment authority under which you were hired. Otherwise, you will not receive non-competitive consideration. NOTE: Excepted service employees serving under Schedule A appointments for Attorney positions or Pathways Programs appointments (Presidential Management Fellows, Recent Graduates, and Interns) are not eligible for consideration. This is a non-bargaining unit position to be filled under the provisions of the Management Officials Promotion Plan. The best-qualified list for this vacancy may be used to fill the same or similar positions in a component(s) under the same Deputy Commissioner. Additional selections may be made within 6 months of the date the best qualified list is issued. LOCALITY PAY: Salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions. Candidates currently receiving a higher locality pay than the office applied for are advised that should they be selected, they will lose entitlement to the higher locality pay. OTHER NOTES: The selectee will be required to file an OGE form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, in accordance with 5 CFR section 2634, subpart i. This position is not eligible for telework. Relocation expenses will not be paid. This is a high-risk public trust position. The selected employee will be required to complete a Standard Form 85P, Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions, in order to have the appropriate investigation conducted, unless the employee has been previously certified eligible to occupy a position at this level.