IT Specialist (Applications Software)

Duties

As an IT Specialist (Applications Software), you will perform the following duties:

• Provide applications development software support to fisheries management applications in the NMFS Alaska Region.
• Utilize programming code to modify internal software for the accommodation of fishery management program needs to monitor fishery statistics and set limits on catch, bycatch, harvest take allowances and provide accounting information to recover program costs for economically important seafood programs in the nation.
• Develop reports, refine user interface, and prepare programming code all while upholding applicable security controls and policy.
• Utilize written and verbal communication to understand customer needs as well as communicates with the supervisor and team.
• Lead a team of internal and contracted developers to deploy a new component of software on budget and on time within constraints set by the customer.

These duties are described at the FPL ZP-3, the ZP-2 is developmental leading to such performance.

Qualifications

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website.

For all positions individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below. The employing agency is responsible for identifying the specific level of proficiency required for each competency at each grade level based on the requirements of the position being filled.

• 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.

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.

To qualify at the ZP-2 (GS-09) level:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the IT Competencies above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-2 (GS-07) in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

• Assisting in the design, development, and deployment of information technology systems; and
• Administering established IT methods, tests, procedures and techniques to record actions and results.

OR

EDUCATION: Master’s or equivalent graduate degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, if related.

OR

COMBINATION: A combination of education and experience.

Note: Only graduate education in excess of one year is qualifying for combination.

To qualify at the ZP-3 (GS-11) level:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-2 (GS-09) in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

• Leading applications development projects to design, develop and deploy information systems to meet a scientific research program’s objectives and deadlines; and
• Performing research and non-research projects such as engineering, economic, statistical and computer services as a full member of a research team and as an independent technical specialist and analyst.

OR

EDUCATION: Ph.D. in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, if related.

OR

COMBINATION: A combination of education and experience.

Note: Only graduate education in excess of two years is qualifying for combination.