Senior Information Technology Specialist

Summary Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual CSALA and Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program are available. The position is in the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Center (AIIC). The AIIC provides policy and guidance on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its subsets to ensure the organization uses AI safely, securely, and responsibly, in line with federal policy. Responsibilities Guide work from idea initiation through deployment as the senior technical expert across the AI development lifecycle; align data assets and machine-learning technologies to advance AI modernization. Direct the planning, execution, and full lifecycle delivery of AI products; establish product roadmaps, data-governance guidelines, federal security frameworks, and statutory/regulatory compliance requirements. Oversee solution delivery and enforce standardized methods, frameworks, tools, and platforms to ensure consistency and reliability. Coordinate with enterprise, technology, and data architects to ensure code reusability, cross-system integration, operational performance, and the manageability of deployed AI solutions. Present, justify, and defend complex architectural recommendations to OCIO executives, program areas, and external stakeholders. Direct initiatives and cross-functional working groups to design, implement, and deploy machine-learning, deep-learning, and advanced analytics solutions. Define standards for data preprocessing, model training/fine-tuning, production deployment, monitoring, and integration into operational workflows. Synthesize data, analytics, organizational knowledge, and AI systems; authorize codification of FSIS policies into rules/logic; ensure ethical safeguards, risk boundaries, and auditable compliance in decision flows. Oversee ontologies, knowledge graphs, and symbolic models to capture complex domain expertise and support integrated AI/ML architectures. Direct independent evaluations of foundational models/LLMs; identify limitations (e.g., hallucinations), assess compensating controls, conduct risk/outcome analyses, and monitor enterprise performance metrics. Collaborate with OCIO centers to develop/document/analyze proposals for feasibility, compatibility, and compliance; interpret recommendations to leadership and stakeholders to support business decisions. Maintain working relationships with technical staff and internal/external stakeholders; participate in special projects and stay current with industry best practices to inform continual modernization. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience as defined below. GS 14: Specialized Experience: In order to meet the specialized experience requirement, you must have completed 52 weeks of progressively responsible, specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS 13 grade level in the federal government. The specialized experience for this position includes all of the following: Leading a multidisciplinary team-such as database administrators, testers, and developers-to design, develop, and deliver AI/ML enabled enterprise solutions, ensuring alignment with architectural standards, mission needs, and federal requirements. Designing and enhancing enterprise architecture systems capable of performing AI/ML functions, including integration with cloud platforms, data pipelines, automated workflows, and decision support logic. Advising on, developing, and implementing enterprise AI/ML policies, processes, and technical standards to ensure safe, secure, and responsible deployment of AI capabilities across the organization. Identifying, analyzing, and resolving complex AI system challenges-including interoperability, data structure compatibility, workflow automation, and model lifecycle management-to advance rapid solution development. Conducting research and impact analyses on emerging AI technologies, tools, risks, and regulatory changes, and communicating actionable recommendations to agency leadership to guide modernization and innovation strategies. In addition to the above specialized experience requirements, applicants will undergo a structure resume review to determine whether they meet the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) of the 2210 series. Successfully completing the 2210 series USAHire assessment with a passing score will be used as proof of possessing the necessary proficiency in the following competencies: Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Interpersonal Skills Teamwork A panel of subject matter experts will review your resume to determine if you meet the minimum proficiency level (as defined by the 2210 series IOR) for the following competencies: Information Management Oral Communication Problem Solving Technical Competence 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education This job series does not have an education qualification requirement Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Selectees may be eligible for Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual (CSALA). Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information please visit: PSLF Program. If selected, you will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter. Selectee is subject to financial Disclosure Requirements in accordance with 5 CFR, Part 2635, Sub part E regarding business or personal transactions with applicants, borrowers, or business contacts who have or who are seeking business with this Agency. Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you will be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.