COMPUTER SCIENTIST

Summary

Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS) mission is to lead the Department of Defense (DoD) in finance and accounting by ensuring the delivery of efficient, exceptional quality pay and financial information.

Duties

• Apply knowledge and skill of relevant mathematical and statistical sciences, computer theory, algorithms, data structures, programming concepts, and computer architecture, with a working knowledge of computer hardware.
• Develop and applies principles, theories, and techniques of computer science, software engineering, hardware design, enterprise computing, commercial cloud adoption and information engineering.
• Directs the research of complex automated processes in the development of information systems in support of AI’s goal of accelerating the delivery of AI automation and AI enabled capabilities, services, and systems for the agency.
• Researches the applicability of new technological developments in the field to solve continuing problems or meet current/future needs of the agency’s AI information systems infrastructure.
• Defines and designs mappings and models of technical computing architectures, high-speed systems architectures, interconnection structures, centralized and distributed control, data-driven architectures, and parallel programming languages.
• Develops performance measures and performance models for automated information systems components and networks in order to define configuration design tools and to establish evaluation criteria for the acquisition of products.

Qualifications

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. We reserve the right to close this announcement early or to extend, as appropriate, based upon the needs of the Agency. Qualified application packages may be referred to management at various points in the selection process depending on the number and timing of applications received. Selections may be made at any point during the announcement open period.. Human Resources will determine your qualifications for each entry grade level based on your interest and the additional following criteria. Resumes for federal government positions need more detailed work descriptions and accomplishments than a typical private sector resume. Please be sure to clearly describe this in your resume. Combinations of education and experience may also be sufficient. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Bachelor's degree in computer science "OR" bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions. Make sure the response you select is supported by your resume and transcripts. NOTE: You must submit copies of your transcripts, failure to provide transcripts may render you ineligible for the position. FOR ENTRY AT THE GS-11: In addition to the Basic Requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade GS-09 in the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required. Specialized experience is defined as: Developing software systems; integrating information structures, new computing systems, or computer software and/or hardware solutions. FOR ENTRY AT THE GS-12: In addition to the Basic Requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade GS-11 in the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required. Specialized experience is defined as: Developing software systems; transforming and integrating information structures, new computing systems, or computer software and/or hardware solutions; solving a variety of technical challenges/problems throughout the automated information systems life cycle in support of AI product development. FOR ENTRY AT THE GS-13: In addition to the Basic Requirement: 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: Advising on the development of software systems; development of software and systems; solving technical challenges and problems throughout the automated information systems life cycle; providing technical advisement on data and AI-related technical feasibility. This position is developmental and selections may be made at the GS-11, GS-12 or GS-13 entry grade levels. Once eligibility and qualification requirements are met, selectees will be eligible for promotion at management discretion to the GS-12 and GS-13 grade levels without further competition. 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. The Security Designation will vary and dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher. Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed/undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals selected are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position within the agency 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.

Education

FOR ENTRY AT THE GS-11: Substitution of education for experience: A qualifying Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed higher-level graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. If you are using education to substitute for the specialized experience, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply. To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html). FOR ENTRY AT GS-12 AND GS-13: Education is not substitutable for specialized experience at these grade levels. How You Will Be Evaluated

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. You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork The USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. You can preview the Assessment Questionnaire here:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13080197 Criminal History Inquiries - If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency @ [email protected] (this call center group box will be the intake for complaints and will forward to appropriate POCs). Other Information

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. Moving expenses may be paid. Telework availability will be based upon the mission requirements and supervisory determination. **This Job Opportunity Announcement is using an additional online assessment tool to evaluate applicants. Please review the HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED, HOW TO APPLY and WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT sections below for instructions. 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. Positions may be filled as permanent or term with a full-time or part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location. We reserve the right to close this announcement early or to extend, as appropriate, based upon the needs of the Agency. Qualified application packages may be referred to management at various points in the selection process depending on the number and timing of applications received. Selections may be made at any point during the announcement open period. Employment with DFAS means access to generous benefits such as: health, vision, and dental insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off, and educational benefits. This announcement will be used to fill positions with an entry grade of GS-11 or GS-12 with target grade of GS-13. Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment. A one year probationary period may be required. We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of the closing date. Travel requirement is Seldom. This position is not covered by a bargaining unit. Veteran's Preference: Veteran's preference does not apply under this Direct Hire Authority (DHA). This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act. Priority Placement Program (PPP) Military Spouse Preference (MSP) eligible candidates will receive priority consideration at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level. PPP Application Based Preference Eligibles (Military Reserve and National Guard technicians, Military Reserve and National Guard technicians receiving disability retirement, and Retained Grade employees) will receive priority consideration at the full performance level only. 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 http://www.sss.gov). 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).