IT Specialist (Policy and Planning)

Summary

Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual and Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program are available. The position is in the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), Portfolio Governance Center (PGC), Capital Planning, Execution, and Workforce Management Branch (CPEWMB). The PGC/CPEWMB team works collaboratively with USDA Capital Planning and IT Governance Division (CPITGD) and the other FSIS OCIO Divisions to provide oversight and performance reporting for FSIS IT investments.

Duties

• Integrate business operations across capital planning, governance, financial management, and acquisitions to address changing client requirements and resolve operational issues.
• Develop recommendations with the branch chief and prepare written reports that diagnose problems and document solutions and procedural modifications for OCIO business operations.
• Advise enterprise IT architects and contract vendors by interpreting policies, regulations, and system provisions and facilitate resolution of problem areas.
• Interpret higher-authority regulations and guidance (e.g., OMB/USDA/FSIS) for IT activities/services and coordinate with USDA entities to resolve escalated issues.
• Develop and revise guidance for IT projects in response to changing requirements, legislative/business drivers, and emerging technologies, using experienced judgment and discretion.
• Recommend plans to OCIO management to shape/adjust/modify capital planning business cases, governance structures, financial management approaches, acquisitions, and operating policies/procedures.
• Research capital planning, financial management, and IT contract-administration problems; develop solutions; and make immediate decisions on priority investments/contracts to ensure timely delivery of services.
• Review new or improved processes/techniques in capital planning, financial management, and contract administration and recommend enhancements that increase innovation and efficiency.
• Coordinate special projects across the Division and other OCIO units, ensuring cross-functional alignment and delivery against scope, deadlines, and objectives.
• Develop and maintain business-operations artifacts, including capital-planning business cases, IT governance documentation, budget formulation/execution plans, acquisition packages, and contract-administration files.
• Lead meetings and working conferences with management/program officials; provide capital-planning/governance/financial/contract information to influence program changes; and analyze program requirements and management needs.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience as defined below. FOR GS-13 CONSIDERATION: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service that demonstrates experience in capital planning, IT governance, financial management, acquisition support, and business operations in an enterprise information technology environment. Qualifying experience includes performing at least five of the following: Integrating business operations activities across IT programs or portfolios, including analyzing operational issues, identifying performance gaps, and recommending improvements to governance processes or business operations procedures. Applying federal capital planning and investment control (CPIC) principles to assist in preparing, updating, or reviewing IT investment artifacts such as business cases, governance documentation, execution plans, and project justifications. Supporting IT governance processes, including preparing materials for governance boards, coordinating with enterprise architects, program officials, or contract vendors, or reviewing documentation for compliance with established policies, regulations, and guidance. Conducting analyses of IT financial data, including researching cost drivers, monitoring investment performance, reviewing budget execution materials, tracking obligations/expenditures, or identifying discrepancies requiring corrective action to maintain fiscal integrity. Assisting with IT acquisition or contract administration activities, such as compiling requirements, preparing or maintaining acquisition packages, supporting evaluations, or monitoring contractor performance to ensure timely and compliant delivery. Developing or maintaining business operations artifacts, including IT governance templates, standard operating procedures, business processes, analytical reports, or documentation used to support portfolio oversight and mission delivery. Researching and resolving issues related to IT capital planning, financial management, governance, or acquisition, including formulating recommendations and presenting findings to management. Coordinating with higher-level stakeholders-such as USDA oversight offices, enterprise architects, program managers, contractors, or financial personnel-to interpret policy, address operational challenges, or align IT activities with evolving requirements, legislative drivers, or emerging technologies. Supporting portfolio oversight activities aimed at maintaining internal controls, investment transparency, and balanced portfolio performance, including preparing summary reports, dashboards, or compliance assessments. Providing advisory services to managers or IT professionals on business operations, policy interpretation, investment processes, or governance requirements, including participating in meetings, briefings, or working groups. In addition to the above specialized experience requirements, applicants will undergo a structured 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, and 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

N/A How You Will Be Evaluated

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent to which they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies: Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Information Management Interpersonal Skills Oral Communication Problem Solving Teamwork Technical Competence 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. Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) your resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. NOTE: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to and including removal from the Federal service. Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13098541 Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status. You must choose to turn on email notifications in your USAJOBS profile if you want to receive important email notifications that may impact your applicant experience (e.g. If you start an application and do not submit it prior to the closing date, USAJOBS will send an email reminder that the closing date is approaching and your application is in an incomplete status). Other 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 80 out of a possible 100. 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. Selectees may be eligible for Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual (CSALA). Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information please visit: PSLF Program.