DIGITAL SERVICES EXPERT (APPSW/INFOSEC)
About This Position
The Securities and Exchange Commission is seeking Digital Service Experts to join the Office of Information Technology (OIT) or Division of Economic and Risk Analysis (DERA). Ideal candidates should possess deep expertise in modern Agile software development, securing systems, customer experience, DevSecOps, user research, cloud architecture, and other related disciplines. Strong people skills in dealing with a variety of different customers will also be essential.
Qualifications
Applicants are responsible for confirming all required materials are submitted by the closing date of the announcement. Please check the How You Will Be Evaluated and Required Documents sections carefully, as missing documents will render the application incomplete and ineligible for review. Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sector.
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.
You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. BASIC REQUIREMENT: For all positions individuals 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 to make recommendations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT:
In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must also meet the minimum qualification requirement below. SK-14: Applicant must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/SK-13 level: Applying programming languages such as Python and JavaScript (or comparable programming language) to design, build, and secure application components; AND Using data technologies such as PostgreSQL (or comparable data technology) to design data models; AND Configuring, administering, and securing enterprise operating systems such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux (or comparable operating system) to support modernization efforts; AND Implementing and securing AWS cloud services to architect modernized solutions. ACCOMPLISHMENT RECORD COMPETENCIES: Your Accomplishment Record narratives should address the following competencies.
See the How You Will Be Evaluated section below for more information: Cyber Operational Planning: Conducts strategic and operational-level planning to support cyberspace operations and prevent unauthorized access to electronic assets such as databases, equipment, systems, networks, and information. Information Systems/Network Security: Implements and uses methods, tools, and procedures, including the development of information security plans and standards, to prevent information systems vulnerabilities and provide or restore privacy and security of applications, information systems, and/or network services. Technology Expertise: Knowledge of the principles and methods of specialized technologies, tools, and delivery systems, including security, risk management, governance, functionality, and user interface in area of expertise (e.g., programming languages, server, web, applications, network) Technical Communication: Translates technical information into non-technical terms and accurately convey technical information to end users (e.g., staff, management) and outside parties, including the technical documentation of applications, systems, Standard Operating Procedures, etc.
Major Duties
As a IT Specialist (Digital Services Expert (APPSW/INFOSEC)), you will serve as an agency IT expert and authoritative consultant to design, document, develop, modify, test, install, implement, and support new or legacy applications and software security solutions for OIT or DERA. In this role you will be responsible for: Serving as a software engineer and applications developer and consultant, on a diverse range of highly technical and complex software engineering, development, security, and identity management issues. Designing, developing, and deploying secure cloud infrastructure, automated processes, and continuous integration using Amazon Web Services to enhance the operations, installation and maintenance of specialized software and hardware supporting business operations.
Supporting the enterprise services including DevSecOps, data integration, middleware, security solutions, reporting and visualization, and other processes to provide an effective environment for development operations. Using Agile and DevSecOps methodologies to monitor and maintain the system development through production delivery. Applying artificial intelligence tools where appropriate, including code assistant tools such as GitHub Copilot and information processing tools such as Amazon Bedrock.
Using machine learning, financial mathematics, data mining, and/or other quantitative modeling to solve customer problems. Providing insight and advice on digital customer experience planning and implementation, including designing surveys and conducting interviews and focus groups. Ensuring IT projects are delivered on budget and comply with the terms of agreements.
Develops cooperative relationships working with customer teams and navigates and works through conflicting priorities from stakeholders.
How You Will Be Evaluated
This position is being advertised through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Direct-Hire Authority (5 U.S.C. Section 3304 and 5 CFR Part 337, Subpart B) and is open to All U.S. Citizens. Under this authority, competitive rating, ranking and veterans' preference procedures do not apply.
Your qualifications will be assessed through a two-step screening process: Minimum Qualifications Review Accomplishment Record Review If you are found minimally qualified through the minimum qualifications review, a rating panel will review your resume and Accomplishment Record narratives. Accomplishment Record narratives should clearly demonstrate your proficiency in the competencies listed in the Qualifications section. Submitting a Performance Appraisal does not fulfill the requirement for an Accomplishment Record.
Your resume must provide evidence that supports the claims made in your Accomplishment Record narratives; both documents must effectively showcase your qualifications. Each competency narrative should detail one specific, relevant example from your training or experience. Please limit each response to a maximum of 300 words, as any text beyond this limit will not be considered during the evaluation.
You will upload one document with your narrative responses to each of the four competencies.
Your responses must be in the below format: Competency Title Position title and dates from your resume that this experience was obtained Describe the situation (i.e., the challenged faced, the problem solved) Describe the specific actions you took State the outcome, results, or long-term impact of your accomplishment Name and email address of someone who can verify this information Basis for Rating: The rating panel will evaluate applicants' accomplishment records and resume, and then place them into one of the following categories: Pass or Fail Pass - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and has at least a moderate amount of skills and experience in most of the job related competencies above. Fail - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but has only limited experience in several of the job related competencies. Passing applicants will be referred to the hiring office for further review and consideration.
The hiring office may directly contact recommended candidates for interview(s). When the selection is made, applicants will be sent a referral status notification and a final disposition notification. To preview the Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12917093
Additional Information
Supplementary vacancies may be filled
in addition to the number stated in this announcement and may be filled from any division or office within the agency. Salary Ranges: Boston: $150,058 - $254,225 Chicago: $148,111 - $250,927 Denver: $147,726 - $250,275 Fort Worth: $144,037 - $244,024 Los Angeles: $154,461 - $261,684 Miami: $141,105 - $239,057 New York: $156,136 - $264,522 Philadelphia: $145,995 - $247,341 San Francisco: $165,632 - $280,610 Washington DC: $151,597 - $256,833 SEC COMPENSATION PROGRAM: Total salary (base pay + locality) is dependent upon duty location. The overall salary range listed above is provided for informational purposes; a selectee's initial pay will be established below the maximum rate of the range.
The pay for current SEC employees will be determined according to the procedures specified in the agency's policy. Please click here for a compensation overview. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SURPLUS OR DISPLACED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not I/CTAP eligible.
To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; the questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility (2) be rated well-qualified; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. View information about I/CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. Reasonable Accommodation: If you are an applicant who needs a reasonable accommodation to participate in the SEC application process due to a medical disability, please contact [email protected].
For religious-based accommodations, please contact [email protected] . Please be sure to submit your request at least 5 business days in advance of the date you need the requested accommodation. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Information for SEC Job Applicants: Federal EEO laws protect all applicants from discrimination on the following bases: race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.
Applicants who believe they have been discriminated against on any EEO basis can seek recourse through the SEC's administrative complaints process. To be timely, an individual must enter the EEO process within 45 days from when they know (or should have known) of the alleged discrimination.
Click here for additional information. The Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint, or any other information, to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged non-compliance by contacting the Legal and Policy Office in the Office of Human Resources at [email protected].
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application.
You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package.
You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted.
Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position.
Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Required Documents
You must provide a complete Application Package, which includes: Required: Your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire. Required: Resume - Resumes should include relevant work experience, with specific employment dates, that demonstrates qualifications for the specialized experience and competencies as outlined above. If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.
Resumes that exceed two pages will be deemed ineligible and receive no further consideration. For resume writing tips, visit USAJOBS and the SEC careers page. Required: Accomplishment Record -The Accomplishment Record is a set of narrative responses that demonstrate your proficiency in the competencies listed.
These narratives support your resume by providing specific examples from your training or experience. For each competency, you must provide a 300 word or less written narrative (text only) describing one example of competency-related experience. Text beyond this limit will not be considered.
This document must be uploaded to the application under Accomplishment Record. An accomplishment record submitted outside the USA Staffing system will not be accepted. Failure to provide the Accomplishment Record in the correct format will result in an ineligible rating.
Required, if applicable: CTAP/ICTAP documentation (a copy of a separation notice or other proof of eligibility for priority selection; a copy of an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing current position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location; AND a copy of your most recent performance appraisal.) SEC EMPLOYEES: OHR will verify your eligibility via the SEC's personnel database.