Summary The Chief Technology Office (CTO) provides expertise around new and emerging technologies to enhance VA's digital transformation through the effective use of technology and human-centered design. We test, validate, and introduce innovative technologies and processes to VA in an effort to improve the Veteran experience. As a member of the CTO team, you will have the opportunity to provide technical leadership in our efforts to deliver quality services to Veterans and their families. Responsibilities Major Duties: Manage a variety of high-level IT projects with management, lead the coordination and execution of critical development activities. The incumbent assists senior management with efforts to ensure adherence to required and appropriate development processes, change and configuration management processes, development of resource allocation and schedule commitments. Tracks, analyzes and coordinates multiple, complex applications development projects using principles and guidelines of the Project Management Institute (PMI) and Capability Maturity Model® Integration (CMMI) methodologies. Facilitates cross-functional and cross-team planning sessions to ensure integration of critical path development activities. Develop and communicate project plans and schedule system scope based on cost estimates for new or modified application systems on a clear understanding of customer requirements and information on project costs, schedule, quality, and performance. Provide expert oversight of cost resource estimates. Participate in future strategic planning budget developing projects. Provide feedback to leadership and other project stakeholders through appropriate reports, meetings, briefings and information papers, both formally and informally. Regularly brief senior leadership and management staff on project status and significant developments. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday (Tour of duty determined on organizational needs) Position Description Title/PD#: IT Specialist (APPSW)/PD18421A Physical Requirements: Not applicable. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Travel Required: Occasional travel may be required as needed for this position. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; Tour of duty will be determined based on organizational needs. Compressed/Flexible: As determined by the Agency Policy Virtual: This is not a Virtual Position. Physical Demands: N/A Working Conditions: N/A This is not a Bargaining Unit Position. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Applicants must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below at a proficiency level equivalent to the next lower grade level in federal service. 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. AND In addition to the basic requirement, a qualified candidate's online application and resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Specialized Experience Requirements: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-13 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: GS-14: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-13). Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Such experience is typically gained in the IT field or through the performance of work where the primary concern is IT. Must have knowledge of and be able to apply the principles of project management and budget analysis with the ability to perform project planning, cost analysis, acquisition, configuration management, and data management. Required to have an in depth understanding of information systems, network security, and IT architecture. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable\_Accommodations\_for\_USA\_Hire Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.