COMPUTER SCIENTIST/COMPUTER ENGINEER (INTERDISCIPLINARY)

Duties

Computer Engineer, GS-0854-12

Computer Scientist, GS-1550-12

THIS IS AN INTERDISCIPLINARY POSITION CLASSIFIED IN EITHER OF THE ABOVE SERIES.

The primary purpose is to serve as senior computer scientist/computer engineer to perform research and other professional work in the computer sciences/engineering and related scientific disciplines. Works independently or as part of a team in the development of software systems using a knowledge of techniques, procedures, and processes such as operating system theory, data structures, computer system architecture, software engineering, and computer communications.

 

Major Duties 

·         Serves as a senior level professional responsible for guiding the development of new software applications/systems, and modifications to existing software applications/systems to meet customer requirements.

·         Serves as a computer scientist/computer engineer specialist on software-related issues associated with data reduction and processing.

·         Prepares technical reports, memoranda, and other documentation in clear, concise, and logical form suitable to management and the scientific community.

·         Serves as senior level expert within the organization on the application of scientific principles, practices, and techniques.

Qualifications

Qualifications

Basic Qualification Requirement:  You must meet one of the following qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement and provide documentation to support your qualifications (If you are using education to qualify, failure to submit the required documentation will result in you being rated ineligible. See sections on "College Transcripts" and "Foreign Education" below for required documentation.):

http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/alph-ndx.asp

To view qualifying educational requirements and/or combination of education and specialized experience click on the following link:

http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/IORs/gs0800/0800.htm

Click on the following link to view occupational requirements for this position:

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/computer-science-series-1550/

Basic Qualification Requirement for Computer Engineer, GS-854-12:

A. Degree:   Have a Bachelor's Degree in professional engineering from a curriculum (1) in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineer curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (beyond first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics; (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.

OR

B. Education/Experience:   Have a combination of education and experience--college level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences, and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

Professional Registration.  Have current registration as a professional engineer.

Written Test.  Have evidence of successfully passing the written test required for professional registration or have successfully passed the Engineer-in-Training (EIT) examination and have completed all the requirements for either (a) a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Technology (BET) from an accredited college or university that included 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences, or (b) a BET from a program accredited by ABET.

Specified Academic Courses.  Have successfully completed at least 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of courses in the Physical, Mathematical, and Engineering sciences and in Engineering that included the courses specified in "A" above.

Related Curriculum.  Have successfully completed a curriculum leading to a Bachelor's Degree in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field (e.g., physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology) and have 1 year of professional engineering experience under the guidance and supervision of a professional engineer. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering type experience. If you are using a related curriculum to qualify, failure to submit the following documentation will result in you being rated ineligible. You must submit a legible copy of your training plan, performance appraisal and/or a letter from your Professional Engineer Supervisor.  The letter must reflect the individuals Professional Engineer License Number.  [Note: Your education/experience will be thoroughly evaluated under this provision. To ensure you receive maximum consideration, you should provide detailed descriptions of professional engineering duties performed under the guidance and supervision of a professional engineer; continuing education/training received; evidence of acceptance in the professional engineering field (i.e., patents, associations, published articles, etc.), and any other relevant factors.]

 

Basic Qualification Requirement for Computer Scientist, GS-1550-12:  You must meet one of the following qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement and provide documentation to support your qualifications*(If you are using education to qualify, failure to submit the required documentation will result in you being rated ineligible. See sections on "College Transcripts" and "Foreign Education" below for required documentation.):*

A 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.

AND

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT (SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE):

Subsequent to meeting the basic qualifications above, you must have at least 1 year of specialized experience at the next lower grade (GS-11) or equivalent. Examples of specialized experience include: Ability to design and use complex, sophisticated computer software models to simulate real-world environments of many variables.  Ability to apply new technologies and to use advanced techniques and the modification and extension of theories, precepts, and practices of computer science, mathematics, engineering, and related sciences and disciplines to solve problems not solvable through conventional methods.  This experience must have been at a level of difficulty and complexity sufficient to demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of this position.  It may have been gained in the private sector, volunteer service, military service, and/or government service, etc.

Education

Basic Qualification Supporting Documentation.  This position has a specific education requirement. You must submit the appropriate documentation in accordance with the response selected in the assessments:xml:namespace prefix = "o" ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /

copy of college transcripts

·    if you are a current or previous federal employee in the GS-800 series as an engineer, you may submit your most recent SF-50 in lieu of college transcripts

·    complete college course list*

·    professional engineer license

·    training plan, performance appraisal and/or letter from Professional Engineer Supervisor - Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering type experience. If you are using a related curriculum to qualify, failure to submit the following documentation will result in you being rated ineligible. You must submit a legible copy of your training plan, performance appraisal and/or a letter from your Professional Engineer Supervisor.  The letter must reflect the individuals Professional Engineer License Number.  [Note: Your education/experience will be thoroughly evaluated under this provision. To ensure you receive maximum consideration, you should provide detailed descriptions of professional engineering duties performed under the guidance and supervision of a professional engineer; continuing education/training received; evidence of acceptance in the professional engineering field (i.e., patents, associations, published articles, etc.), and any other relevant factors.]

Failure to provide the appropriate documentation will result in an ineligible rating.

If selected, you will be required to provide an original/official copy of your documentation before entering on duty.

*Complete list of all college courses must identify:  college or university attended, course title/number taken, semester or quarter hours earned, grade and grade-point received. Transcripts must reflect receipt of degree and date degree was awarded, if applicable. To receive credit for foreign education, you must provide proof that the education has been evaluated by an organization specializing in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs.

Federal Time-In-Grade (TIG) Requirement for General Schedule (GS) Positions:  Applicants must have served at least 52 weeks at the GS-11 or higher grade (or equivalent in an alternate pay system) within the Federal Civil Service to be considered for referral.  TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE**:** Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work.  You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE**:**  Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social).  Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.  You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims.  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional xml:namespace prefix = "st1" ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /U.S. education program.  It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.