Job: Information Technology Specialist(Applications Software)

Jobing Description

* Home

* Search Jobs
* Search Jobs - Main Page
* Advanced Search

* My Account
* My Account - Main Page
* Profile
* Resumes
* Saved Searches
* Saved Jobs
* Saved Documents
* Application Status

* Resource Center
* Resource Center - Main Page
* Supplemental Forms
* Individuals with Disabilities
* Veterans
* Students and Recent Graduates
* Senior Executives
* Spotlights
* FAQs

Sign In or Create an Account

USAJOBS

Nested Search
Search Jobs Keyword Tips Icon
Advanced Search >

Where:
Search

< Back to Results
1. Overview
2. Duties
3. Qualifications & Evaluations
4. Benefits & Other Info
5. How to Apply

Job Title:Information Technology Specialist (Applications Software)

Department:Department Of Agriculture

Agency:Agricultural Research Service

Job Announcement Number:ARS-X12E-0002

SALARY RANGE:
$89,033.00 to $115,742.00 / Per Year

OPEN PERIOD:
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 to Wednesday, November 02, 2011

SERIES & GRADE:
GS-2210-13

POSITION INFORMATION:
Full Time - Permanent

DUTY LOCATIONS:
1 vacancy(s) - Beltsville, MD United StatesView Map

WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:
US Citizens and Status Candidates

JOB SUMMARY:

Find Solutions to Agricultural Problems that Affect Americans Every Day, From Field to Table

The incumbent in this position leads the design, documentation, development, modification, testing, installation, implementation, and support of new and existing Java applications software for the National Agricultural Library (NAL) Applications Branch. The Applications Branch is responsible for the design and operation of information systems within NAL; the development of long range plans between agencies and libraries for the management and dissemination of agricultural data; and co-ordination and planning activities involving library automation, Web presence and services, and access and dissemination of electronic information.

As a member of the Library's Information Systems Division, you will play a vital role in advancing access to global information for agriculture by providing expertise related to the planning, development, and enhancement of the National Agricultural Library's web presence and services, and access and dissemination of electronic resources. The incumbent serves as a Java Applications Programmer to lead NAL's new initiatives to improve and enhance enterprise digital information services.

This position is within the National Agricultural Library (NAL), http://www.nal.usda.gov, the largest and most accessible research library focused on agriculture. NAL was created with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in (USDA) in 1862 and named a national library in 1990 by Congress as ?the primary agricultural information resource of the United States.? The Library is located at the Abraham Lincoln Building in Beltsville, Maryland, near the intersection of U.S. Route 1 and Interstate Route 95/495 (Beltway Exit 25-North), Beltsville, Maryland, USA, 15 miles northeast of Washington, DC. For additional information about the National Agricultural Library, you can access the NAL homepage at www.nal.usda.gov.

This position requires the selectee to undergo a pre-employment check and a full background investigation. Any offer made is considered a tentative job offer pending the outcome of the pre-employment check. Retention in the position is based upon a favorable adjudication of the background investigation. The incumbent will be subject to periodic reinvestigations.

RELOCATION: Relocation Expenses will not be covered with this position.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

* You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position

------------

DUTIES:
Back to top

Major Duties:

The major duties of this position include the following:

? Leading the design, documentation, development, modification, testing, installation, implementation, and support of new and existing Java applications software.
? Gathering and analyzing applications requirements for enterprise-level web-based database, repository, and indexing systems.
? Evaluating and providing recommendations on new web application frameworks and software development technologies.
? Ensuring the rigorous application of information security and assurance policies, principles and practices in the delivery of information services.
? Determining and designing applications architecture.
? Designing user interfaces, working with customers to test applications, assuring software and systems qualify and functionality.
? Writing and maintaining program documentation.

Working Conditions and Other Considerations:

Travel: Some travel may be associated with this position.

Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be covered with this position.

------------

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Back to top

Your education and experience will be evaluated against all qualification requirements (basic and any additional requirements) listed below.

Basic Requirements:

If qualifying all or in part based on your education, you must submit a copy of your academic transcripts OR a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grade point average or class ranking to verify education when applying for this position. If this information is not provided, your education may not be appropriately evaluated and you may lose consideration for this position. If you are selected for this position, you will have to provide an official copy of your transcripts prior to entering on duty.

To qualify for the GS-13 level: You must demonstrate one year of directly related experience equivalent to the GS-12 level as defined below in the Specialized Experience.

Additional Requirements:

Applicants must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below:

* 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 make recommendations.

Specialized Experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for this position are:

1. Ability to create and deliver secure production web applications using Java enterprise frameworks and architectures, web application servers, relational databases, and system and unit testing tools.

2. Skill in data management concepts and techniques for indexing, search and discovery of information resources such as XML-based text, multi-media, structured data, and metadata.

3. Skill in application of project management concepts, software development processes and tools, and Agile development methodologies.

4. Ability to communicate at all levels of an organization in order to provide program planning, proposal development, and report preparation.

Applicants must address the specialized experience requirements in their resume (or application documents). Applications that do not reflect the specialized experience requirements will not be deemed qualified.

Graduate education must be directly related to the work of the position and must have equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website for additional information on this topic.

Time-in-grade restrictions apply for all candidates considered under Alternative Merit Promotion.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

Applicants must be available to report for duty at the time a selection is made. Selections are typically made within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the basic and any additional requirements. The Agricultural Research Service uses a category rating process. Based on evaluation of all written materials submitted in your application for the position, you will be determined to be Ineligible if you do not meet eligibility and/or minimum qualifications criteria; Eligible if you meet all eligibility and minimum qualifications criteria; OR Quality if you meet quality criteria in addition to eligibility and minimum qualifications criteria.

------------

BENEFITS:
Back to top

The Federal government offers a number of exceptional benefits to its employees. The following link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees: http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter/Index/Interactive/Benefits#icc.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Applications for this vacancy will be accepted from U.S. Citizens, current and former competitive service Federal employees, and candidates eligible under special hiring authorities. On the assessment questionnaire, you will be required to indicate how you are applying for this position and will only be considered under the options you select. You must meet certain requirements in order to apply under alternative merit promotion and non-competitive procedures. For details, click here.

Displaced/Surplus Employees: Individuals eligible under the USDA Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. CTAP and ICTAP eligibles within the local commuting area will be considered well qualified if they meet the qualification standard and eligibility requirements for the position, meet minimum education and experience requirements, meet all selective factors where applicable and are able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry. Employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent performance rating and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location. Please indicate annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible. Click here for additional information on CTAP and ICTAP.

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit member 4 copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must submit an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference plus the proof required by that form.

If you are a male applicant born after 12/31/59 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions.

Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be covered with this position.

Financial Disclosure Requirement: Federal employees are subject to prohibitions against officially dealing with outside organizations in which they have a financial interest. If hired for this position, you may/will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of the effective date of your appointment and annually thereafter.

ARS Reasonable Accommodation Contact Information: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, or have questions regarding reasonable accommodation and/or accessibility for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Disability Program Manager on 202-720-6161 or through the DC Relay Service on 202-855-1234 (TDD).

False Statements: If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; may be fired after beginning work; or may be fined or jailed.

------------

HOW TO APPLY:
Back to top

Your application package must be complete by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on Wednesday, November 02, 2011. You must apply online or by fax (see below for details). Applications sent by mail (including e-mail) or hand-delivered will not be accepted.

Choose either Option A or Option B to apply for this position:

Option A: Online Application

Click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. From USAJOBS, you will be routed to Application Manager. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire and upload (or reuse) supporting documents. You must click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.

If you need technical assistance with the online application process, please send an e-mail to ApplicationManagerHelpDesk@opm.gov.

Note: To return to a previously saved or incomplete application, use the following link: https://applicationmanager.gov/. Track your progress to a Complete Application Package using the My Application Packages checklist and status displays in Application Manager.

To fax supporting documents that you are unable to upload:
1. Click here to print a fax cover page.
2. Complete all blocks on the cover page using Vacancy ID 546526. Documents will not be processed if information is missing.
3. Fax the completed cover page and your documents to 1-478-757-3144.

Option B: Fax

If you cannot apply online, follow these steps to fax your complete application package.

1. Click the following link to print the occupational questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire;
2. Print the 1203FX form, which you will use to provide your responses to the occupational questionnaire; and
3. Fax the completed 1203FX (all 6 pages), your resume, and supporting documents (including those specified in the Required Documents section below) to 1-478-757-3144. The 1203FX will serve as the cover page for your fax transmission and must be placed on top of all other documents.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

The following documents are required:

* Assessment questionnaire (completed online or submitted by fax using the 1203FX)
* Resume
* Supporting Documents (if applicable)
? Transcripts or list of college courses with credit hours, major(s), and grade point average or class ranking (if qualifying based on education, or if the position has a positive education requirement)
? SF-50 that includes title, series, grade and tenure (if you are a current or former Federal employee)
? Most recent performance appraisal (if you are a current Federal employee)
? Veterans? documentation (DD-214, SF-15, etc.)
? Documentation providing proof of non-competitive eligibility (see the Other Information section of this announcement for details)
? CTAP/ICTAP documentation

If your application package does not contain all required documents, you may lose consideration for the position.

Please do not include your Social Security Number (SSN) on any of these documents.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Diane Wolf
Phone: (301)504-1366
TDD: (202)855-1234
Email: DIANE.WOLF@ARS.USDA.GOV

Agency Information:
Agricultural Research Service
5601 Sunnyside Avenue
Beltsville, MD
20705

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email. After a review of your complete application is made you will be notified of your rating and or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.

< Back to ResultsBack to top

EEO Policy Statement | Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement | Veterans Information | Legal and Regulatory Guidance

Dock
Go to section of this Job: Overview Duties Qualifications and Evaluations Benefits and Other Info How to ApplyApply Online Print Preview Save JobShare Job

Agency Information:

Agricultural Research Service
5601 Sunnyside Avenue
Beltsville, MD
20705

Questions about this job:

Diane Wolf
Phone: (301)504-1366
TDD: (202)855-1234
Email: DIANE.WOLF@ARS.USDA.GOV

Job Announcement Number:

ARS-X12E-0002

Control Number:

300120700

Please wait while map is being generated.
Please wait

Site Map Contact Us Help/FAQs Privacy Act and Public Burden Information FOIA About Us USA.gov

This is a United States Office of Personnel Management website.
USAJOBS is the Federal Government s official one-stop source for Federal jobs and employment information.