Information Technology Specialist

Summary This position is located in the Chief Information Office. The Chief Information Office (CIO) manages the Information Resources environment for the Forest Service. This staff is responsible for facilitating the coordination with field and Forest Service leadership to all information technology infrastructure, business applications, and information management services. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Jennifer Wolfe at [email protected]. Responsibilities Performs a variety of functions in a staff management environment involving the operations of IT systems with complex designs. Incumbent leads by example in defining a customer service culture to ensure that all customers are treated with respect and civility. Plans and carries out difficult and complex assignments and develops new methods, approaches, and procedures, and provides advice and guidance on a wide range and variety of IT issues. Analyzes alternatives and recommends solutions relating to the complete life cycle for information systems and information systems components. Reviews general business and functional requirements that support the need for systems and recommends solutions or alternatives. Requirements Conditions of Employment Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify. 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. Qualifications In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-13 level: Applicants must have one-year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12. Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following: Conducting analyses and making recommendations for resolving complex challenges involving information technology (IT), including the complete life cycle for software applications; and/or Providing technical advice to internal customers and/or contractors for software application development decisions and integrated processes; and/or Participating in the development of plans that ensure the integrity, availability, and efficiency of software applications. AND Information Technology (IT) related experience must also demonstrate each of the nine competencies listed below: 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. Decision Making- 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- Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems. Interpersonal Skills- 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 - 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. Teamwork- Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals. Technical Competence- 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. To receive consideration for this position, you must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. 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. Education There is no substitution of education for specialized experience. Additional Information The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered. This position is not eligible for telework. The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional Information is available on the OPM Website. This is a bargaining unit position and is represented by either NFFE, AFGE, or NAGE. Forest Service daycare facilities may be available. Government Housing may be available. Salary wage as shown is for Rest of the U.S. Final salary will be determined at the time of selection dependent on the duty location for more information, refer to the Office of Personnel Management, Salary and Wages web page. We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. The positions will be located at a Forest Service office, except Atlanta, Georgia; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Washington, DC; and Portland, Oregon. Final determination of the duty station will be made by the selecting official at the time of the job offer.