IT Specialist (APPSW)

This position is located in the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), Business Solutions Center (BSC). OCIO provides information technology (IT) planning, design, application development, systems administration, telecommunications, information assurance/security, information management, and IT customer support services for FSIS. The role serves as an IT Specialist (Developer) and is responsible for developing applications in support of FSIS mission requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop applications in support of an organization's mission requirements.
• Develop, configure, deploy, and debug application code and software for on-premises, cloud, and mobile devices using programming languages such as .NET, C#, Python (Django), JavaScript, TypeScript, ReactJS, .NET MAUI, or Structured Query Language (SQL) to ensure compliance with industry best practices.
• Conduct unit testing, create test plans on various platforms, utilize leading industry testing tools, conduct performance tuning, and monitor applications to ensure high-quality product delivery, compliance with specified requirements, and lower maintenance costs.
• Design scalable and secure applications using modern development frameworks or platforms such as .NET / .NET Core, Django, React, and related tools.
• Work with relational databases such as Postgres, MySQL, or SQL Server, including designing queries, optimizing data access, and supporting application data requirements.
• Utilize cloud-native architectures (e.g., Azure App Service, Functions, Kubernetes, Docker, OpenShift).
• Meet with customers to discuss requirements collection, perform analysis and refinement with user communities, and translate functional requirements into system-development plans and architectures following policies and best practices.

Requirements

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, and competency proficiency.

GS-11 Consideration

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service, including:
  • Developing applications in support of an organization's mission requirements.
  • Developing, configuring, deploying, and debugging application code and software for on-premises, cloud, and mobile devices using programming languages such as .NET, C#, Python (Django), JavaScript, or SQL.
• OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management. The degree must include a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of these fields and require the development or adaptation of applications, systems, or networks.
• OR a combination of education and specialized experience, where only graduate education in excess of the first 36 semester hours directly related to the work of the position is creditable toward meeting the requirements.

GS-12 Consideration

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, including:
  • Developing applications in support of an organization's mission requirements.
  • Developing, configuring, deploying, and debugging application code and software for on-premises, cloud, and mobile devices using programming languages such as .NET, C#, Python (Django), JavaScript, TypeScript, ReactJS, .NET MAUI, or SQL.
  • Conducting unit testing, creating test plans, utilizing leading industry testing tools, conducting performance tuning, and monitoring applications.

GS-13 Consideration

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, including:
  • Developing applications in support of an organization's mission requirements.
  • Designing, developing, configuring, deploying, and debugging application code for on-premises, cloud, and mobile platforms using programming languages such as C#, Python (Django), JavaScript, TypeScript, React, .NET MAUI, SQL, and other contemporary languages.
  • Experience with modern development frameworks or platforms such as .NET / .NET Core, Django, React, and related tools.
  • Experience with relational databases such as Postgres, MySQL, or SQL Server, including designing queries, optimizing data access, and supporting application data requirements.
  • Experience with cloud-native architectures (e.g., Azure App Service, Functions, Kubernetes, Docker, OpenShift).
  • Conducting unit testing, creating test plans, utilizing leading industry testing tools, conducting performance tuning, and monitoring applications.
  • Meeting with customers to discuss requirements collection, performing analysis and refinement with user communities, and translating functional requirements into system-development plans and architectures.

Qualifications

Applicants will undergo a structured resume review to determine whether they meet the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) of the 2210 series. Successfully completing the 2210 series USAHire assessment with a passing score will demonstrate proficiency in the following competencies:

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Interpersonal Skills
• Teamwork

A panel of subject matter experts will review resumes to determine if applicants meet the minimum proficiency level for the following competencies:

• Information Management
• Oral Communication
• Problem Solving
• Technical Competence

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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

About the Organization

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the public health regulatory agency responsible for ensuring the safety of meat, poultry, and processed eggs.