Summary As a senior IT Specialist, you will work collaboratively with program offices and perform complex technical assignments to design, develop, test and implement system enhancements and new systems to meet emerging business requirements. Duties include analyzing and integrating business and IT requirements; researching technologies and technology trends; conducting studies; performing alternatives analyses; and managing software development projects. Responsibilities The Information Technology Specialist (SYSANAL/APPSW) will: Collaboratively work with customer organizations to define business requirements, translate business requirements into system requirements and to perform requirements analyses to identify technology solutions. Develop project plans and recommendations in concert with program offices and management, providing technical advice for accomplishment of the mission through the delivery of technology solutions. Apply technology management principles to adapt IT methods to a variety of situations to support subject matter experts. Perform highly technical and analytical work to plan and deliver new systems/applications, which may include market research for software solutions, conducting product demonstrations and/or proofs of concept. Develop and maintain synergistic working relationships with stakeholder organizations, serving as liaison to one or more FHWA program offices. Actively engage with customers to facilitate enhancements/upgrades to existing systems/applications, adoption of new technologies to address evolving needs, and better support the FHWA mission. Foster and maintain open communications with customers to effectively deliver IT solutions and services and to provide advice and recommendations to senior management on emerging technologies and technology challenges, issues, and courses of action. The ideal candidate for this position is a highly motivated, technically skilled IT Specialist with experience in project management of software development activities in a large enterprise environment, software development methodologies, and requirements development and analysis. He/she is analytical, committed to providing high quality products and services, possesses strong interpersonal skills and has a proven track record of working collaboratively with program offices and stakeholders to assess business requirements and deliver quality projects that may range from custom developed software applications to commercial cloud solutions. He/she also keeps abreast of technology trends, project management best practices, software development techniques, and government sector technology innovations. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. citizen & meet specialized experience to qualify Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date Required documents must be submitted by the closing date. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. PCS/RELOCATION/RECRUITMENT: Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Relocation, and Recruitment Incentive authorization varies by position/selection and a service agreement may be required. TELEWORK ELIGIBILITY: This position may be eligible for occasional and/or regularly scheduled telework. The number of telework days approved will be determined by your immediate supervisor or manager following the agency’s telework policy and guidance. If participating in the telework program, you will be required to sign a telework agreement detailing agency telework policy requirements, working conditions, and expectations for the position. TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). Qualifications To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience requirements for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. To qualify for the Grade 13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include: Experience planning and managing of IT projects (e.g. developing plans and schedules, estimating resource requirements, defining milestones and deliverables, identifying and managing risks, instituting performance metrics, and/or evaluating and reporting project status) for software applications. To qualify for the Grade 14, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include: Experience planning, managing, and/or leading IT projects (e.g. developing plans and schedules, estimating resource requirements, defining milestones and deliverables, identifying and managing risks, instituting performance metrics, and/or evaluating and reporting project status) for software applications. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Technical Competence - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive 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 Information Technology Program Management - Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools for the coordinated management of an IT program to include providing oversight of multiple IT projects, integrating dependent schedules and deliverables, and related activities (for example, benefits management, life cycle management, program governance). 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 presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. 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. 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. For all types of consideration, 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. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Education Additional Information The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. Qualified CTAP/ICTAP candidates receive priority and will be referred to the hiring manager.