Summary This position is located in the Office of Strategic Sourcing (OSS) with Acquisition Services Director Office (ASDO), Office of Information and Technology (OIT)This office provides centrally coordinated contract management and implementation management services for IT projects. Note: Closing date of this announcement extended to 09/19/2024. Responsibilities This office provides centrally coordinated contract management and implementation management services for IT projects and aggregates and reports metrics in coordination with performance management teams. The incumbent serves as an information technology (IT) specialist within Acquisition Services Director Office (ASDO), planning, performing and communicating information related to high value, complex information technology contracts in support of the Department of Veterans Affairs' Information Technology (IT) activities. Assigned Major Duties but not limited to : Serve as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) monitoring multiple contracts; assures contractor adherence to critical program milestones and requirements. Ensures that contract resources are optimally managed to produce the best product on time and within budget. Provide expert technical IT systems administration stewardship OI&T agency wide, deployment of recurring and ad hoc projects and allocated resources such as equipment, supplies, etc. Participates in conferences, meetings, and presentations involving the contract management program. Plans, organizes and/or coordinates briefings and information exchange opportunities with leadership. Employ IT techniques to address the needs of the VA. Planning, design, and implementation of new and improved information systems and related business processes to meet VA programmatic business requirements. Maintains program and administrative references, files and project documents. Prepares reports, maintains records, and provides information to the supervisor on contract activity. Relays requests for resources and supplies. Prepares reports, maintains records, and provides information to the supervisor on contract activity. Apply new theories, concepts, and developments for related IT technologies. Use judgement and ingenuity and exercise broad latitude to formulate interpretations of the possible impact of new and emerging technologies on existing agency systems and architecture. Utilize experience, discretion, judgment and knowledge to develop and revise guidance for services impacted by changing requirements, legislative and business drivers, and emerging technologies. Provide consultation and analysis for selection of acquisition method, which is largely driven by the level of complexity of agency requirements. Coordinates and oversees the preparation of documentation necessary for the procurement of goods and services. Communicates complex procurement requirements to senior personnel and prepares and presents briefings to senior management officials on complex/controversial issues. Work Schedule: Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm; Tour of duty will be determined based on organizational needs. Position Description Title/PD#: IT Specialist (System Analysis)19105A/18072A Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required. more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. 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. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date September 19, 2024 of this announcement. Basic Requirements: Degree in computer science , engineering , information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications , systems or networks. GS-12 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: Apply IT systems analysis principles, concepts, and practices, in conjunction with skill in the application of performance management and measurement methods. Provide management and oversight of contractor performance in assuring deliverables meet agency requirements. Apply IT management methods and practices, apply customer support methods and technologies sufficient to plan, implement, and effectively resolve problem. Demonstrate skills to establish effective metrics and criteria for acceptance of deliverables, and to confer with program managers and other technical specialists to evaluate the effectiveness of installed systems and services and to make recommendations concerning the acceptance or rejection of services rendered by contractors. GS 13 grade level One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: Mastery of and skill in applying advanced IT systems analysis principles, concepts, and practices, in conjunction with skill in the application of performance management and measurement methods, to provide management and oversight of contractor performance in assuring deliverables meet agency requirements. Communicate, orally and in writing, detailed technical information in a clear, logical, and concise manner. Communicates complex technical requirements to non-technical personnel and prepares and presents briefings to senior management officials on complex/controversial issues. Mastery skill establishing effective metrics and criteria for acceptance of deliverables, and to coordinate with program managers and other technical specialists to evaluate the effectiveness of installed systems and services and to determine acceptance or rejection of services rendered by contractors. Skill in applying IT problem management methods and practices, and new and innovative customer support methods and technologies sufficient to plan, implement, and manage problem management systems designed to effectively resolve problems and evaluate the feasibility of adapting new methods to enhance customer satisfaction. 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; religions; 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. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.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. 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. VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. The 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/. 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.