Information Technology Specialist
About This Position
The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is a major bureau of the Smithsonian Institution that is responsible for the acquisition, curation, and preservation of collections of objects and specimens of natural history, which tells the history of the planet and a record of human interaction with the environment and one another.
Qualifications
Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as experience performing database administration and development duties that include supporting the management and optimization of relational and NoSQL databases such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB; assisting in the design, integration, and testing of data driven systems; applying established data governance practices and security controls; analyzing and resolving routine to moderately complex technical issues across database platforms; and communicating technical information and requirements to team members and stakeholders under established processes. 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. Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.
In addition to meeting the Specialized Experience for all positions, individuals must have 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: Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external business partners and customers (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). Provides information or assistance.
Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement. Effectively manages customer relationships. Oral Communication: Makes clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals and groups.
Listens effectively; clarifies information, as needed. Speaks and writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner that is appropriate to the audience. Facilitates an open exchange of ideas to ensure all group input is considered.
Handles technical, sensitive, or controversial topics with agility involving executives/managers as appropriate. Problem Solving: Identifies and analyzes problems, weighs relevance and accuracy of information, generates and evaluates alternative solutions, and makes sound recommendations.
Major Duties
The Information Technology Specialist (Database Administrator) is located in the Informatics and Data Science Center (IDSC), National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), and reports to the IDSC Digital Stewardship Lead and is responsible for the design, development and administration of databases related to the Research and Collections Information System (RCIS) and other research and collections-based database projects requested by other NMNH departments. As such, the database administrator is a technical resource to database development project teams. In this position, you will: Independently support the administration of the Research and Collections Information System (RCIS) databases by monitoring system performance, performing routine maintenance, and ensuring reliable day-to-day operations across database environments.
Assist in the design, development, and implementation of database applications by gathering user requirements, contributing to functional specifications, and supporting testing and validation throughout the system development lifecycle. Apply established data standards, governance practices, and security controls to maintain data integrity, consistency, and compliance with Smithsonian and NMNH policies. Analyze and resolve routine to moderately complex system and data issues, evaluate system performance, and provide recommendations to improve functionality, reliability, and integration.
Communicate with users, project teams, and stakeholders to provide technical support, coordinate system updates and changes, and assist in promoting consistent database practices across collaborating organizations.
Conditions of Employment
Conditions of Employment Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions on OPM website.
Education
Education cannot be substituted in lieu of Specialized Experience for this grade level.
How You Will Be Evaluated
Applicants for this position may be evaluated in multiple stages. The first stage is an evaluation of your responses to the online multiple-choice questions that assess your experience, education, and/or training for the job related competencies below: Knowledge of relational database systems, systems analysis, applications programming, systems testing, and systems development life cycle management. Knowledge of database structures, performance tuning, and system integration to maintain system functionality, optimize performance, and support interoperability across platforms.
Knowledge of data management practices, including the application of data standards, metadata frameworks, and governance principles to ensure data quality, consistency, and compliance. Ability to analyze system requirements, evaluate alternative technical solutions, and recommend improvements that enhance system performance and user need. Skill in applying a wide range of methods and techniques to support database operations and enhancements exercising sound technical judgment.
Applicants who meet or exceed minimum qualifications will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria: Best Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and excels in most of the job related competencies above. Better Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and satisfies most of the job related competencies above. Good Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but does not satisfy most of the job related competencies above to a substantive degree.
This category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three", but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied. Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.
Applicants who have not submitted a resume in the USAjobs system and/or have not answered all of the vacancy questions will not be considered for this position.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Additional Information
This position is included in the bargaining unit. Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position. However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period.
Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid. Selections may be made for vacancies across the Smithsonian Institution (SI). By applying to this position, you agree to allow your application and other personal information to be shared with one or more SI hiring officials for employment consideration for same/similar positions within the location(s) identified in this announcement.
How to Apply
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please
Note: You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages.
You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process.
The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below. Additional Information: Tips on applying for Smithsonian jobs are available at www.sihr.si.edu/jobs.cfm.
The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses but recruitment incentives may be authorized. The Smithsonian Institution is an equal opportunity employer. Additional information can be found on our website at (www.si.edu/oeesd).
Required Documents
Your application package should include the following documents: Resume - Your resume can be uploaded and attached to your application or created using the USA Jobs on-line resume builder. Ensure your resume contains the job title (including the occupational series and grade if it is Federal), job-related qualifications, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and salary for each employment period. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is submitted.
Failure to include this information may result in disqualification for the position. For assistance with creating a resume, please click here. Proof of Veteran's Preference - DD214 (Member 4 Copy), if you are a veteran.
Additionally, applicants claiming 10-point preference must complete Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, as well as additional documentation required by the SF-15, such as a VA letter. Unofficial school transcripts, if the position has an education requirement or if you are using education to qualify. If selected for the position, you must provide an official transcript before appointment.
Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable. Important
Note: Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience.
Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.