IT Specialist (Data Management), AD-2210-00 FPL AD-00, Excepted Service

Overview

This position is in the U.S. Department of Education (ED), Federal Student Aid (FSA), Technology Directorate (TD). The Technology Directorate provides information technology services for all FSA systems, promoting the effective and secure use of technology to achieve FSA's strategic objectives through sound planning, investments, integrated technology architectures and standards, effective systems development, production support, and cybersecurity services.

Major Duties

APPLICATION LIMIT: This vacancy announcement is limited to the first 200 applications received and will close at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the day that we receive the 200th application, or at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the listed closing date, whichever occurs first. We encourage you to read this entire vacancy announcement prior to submitting your application. As an IT Specialist (Data Management), AD-2210-00, you will be responsible for: Providing technical expertise about the data architecture vision and the roadmap to achieve that vision and communicating that information to wide variety of technical and non technical stakeholders. Providing data and enterprise architecture subject matter expertise to ensure compliance with government and FSA standards and industry best practices. Researching and evaluating Enterprise Architecture impacts resulting from any technology solution system upgrades and enhancements and providing technical recommendations. Developing new theories, concepts, principles, standards, and methods related to data, data management, or enterprise architecture, in support of ongoing and changing business requirements for enterprise data and administering such principles, standards, and methods through development of appropriate policies and methods/procedures. Conducting continuing evaluations of agency business needs to ensure data architecture plans are aligned with those needs, and working to ensure changes to FSA data architecture are properly documented and communicated within EA.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification Requirements You may meet the minimum qualifications for the AD-00, if you possess the specialize experience, education, or a combination of the two. Specialized Experience for the AD-00 One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-14 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments: 1. Experience in large-scale financial services organizations, national finance, loan programs, State or Federal Government Agencies, as a leader and as a hands-on technical expert for large-scale efforts to modernize enterprise systems and data, including improving data architecture, unifying data environments, and streamlining technology operations. 2. Experience independently researching and analyzing complex technical data, IT operations, and software development lifecycle work, independently developing data-driven recommendations and preparing written and oral briefings based on those analyses, and successfully defending recommendations to both technical and senior leadership audiences. 3. Experience in a hands-on, heavy technical capacity leading cross-functional teams that analyze business requirements, existing operations, emerging technologies/methods, and as-is/target-state architectures to design and implement Enterprise data governance frameworks and ensure effective data management practices that adhere to authoritative, modern Data Management and EA standards/frameworks (e.g. DAMA, TOGAF-9, DoDAF, FEAC), to achieve Enterprise-level objectives and metrics. Basic Experience Requirements: Applicants may qualify by meeting or exceeding the minimum proficiency level established for each of the required competencies, in addition to meeting the specialized experience requirement as demonstrated through the assessment of skills. You must possess IT-related experience (paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (e.g., IT certification), as appropriate) demonstrating 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 (i.e., 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. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement). 1. Ability to analyze complex data architecture and stakeholder needs in large, nationally scoped organizations, and to synthesize relevant information into strategic plans and operational roadmaps and communicate those to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including senior leadership. 2. Knowledge of modern enterprise architecture frameworks and the legal, regulatory, and policy compliance requirement related to the management and oversight of financial data. Examples of such frameworks and requirements include those maintained by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Data Administration Management Association (DAMA), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF), the Department of Defense Architecture Framework (DoDAF), the Federal Architecture Framework (FEA). 3. Skill in leading efforts/initiatives that proactively and continuously monitor Enterprise Architecture and Data/System architecture and operations, make authoritative recommendations for reducing identified risks, and conduct efforts to mitigate or manage those risks. 4. Ability to serve in a hands-on, heavy-technical role on initiatives using Lean Management and Agile methods and DEVSECOPS principles to manage Enterprise-level requirements, implement target-state architecture, and improve delivery of large-scale cloud data and analytics platforms. 5. Ability to apply best-practice requirements management, technical documentation, and governance concepts to lead initiatives that improve processes and procedures, or implement and manage Enterprise Architecture and Data Management programs within large organizations.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience for this position and grade level.

Benefits

As an ED employee, you will also benefit from our family-friendly work environment. As part of our commitment to maintain a work life balance, we offer excused leave for Parent/Teacher Conferences (3 hours); excused leave for annual health screenings (4 hours); and matching leave for community volunteer service. Other flexibilities that may be available to you include alternative work schedules. You may be eligible to receive a recruitment incentive for this position. To receive this incentive payment, you will be required to sign a service agreement obligating you to remain with the U.S. Department of Education for a specified period as agreed upon. You may be eligible to receive a relocation incentive for this position. To receive this incentive payment, you will be required to sign a service agreement obligating you to remain with the U.S. Department of Education for a specified period as agreed upon. You may be eligible to participate in the Student Loan Repayment Program as a recruitment incentive for this position. To receive student loan repayments, you will be required to sign a service agreement obligating you to remain with the U.S. Department of Education for a specified period as agreed upon.

Condition of Employment: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a probationary period or trial 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 OR trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Key Requirements: Must be a US Citizen. Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service. Must complete a Background Investigation and Fingerprint check. May be required to successfully complete a two-year trial period. Must be determined suitable for federal employment. Relocation expenses will not be paid. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy 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. We will consider all qualifying experience, including any volunteer experience.