About This Position
This position located in the Office of the Administrator (OA), 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.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, as defined below: For the GS-14 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that demonstrates: Experience with the design, development, and integration of Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) data engineering pipelines, requiring development of advanced workflows that solve data problems such as cleaning, blending, and joining datasets in a cloud native environment (such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud). Developing web applications, mobile applications, machine learning, AI and other programming or coding that demonstrates expertise in software development. Performing application development using programming languages such as C#, Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Angular, React, Go and SQL. Experience working with various frameworks or platforms such as .NET/.NET Core/.NET Maui and Django and/or others. Designing, developing, testing, and/or implementing software solutions. Utilizing Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) processes, industry best practices, and tools. Experience working with continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) systems such as Azure DevOps Pipelines, GitHub and/ or Gitlab Working with databases such as Postgres and/or SQL Server. All applicants qualifying based on experience must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below. Please refer to the competency definition shown below, when addressing those competencies. 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. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: Information Technology (IT) Management Series, 2210 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.
Major Duties
Leads and advises team members on projects, architecture solutions, and technical matters
Coordinates software configuration management in different application lifecycle management systems such as Azure DevOps, GitHub, and other open source products.
Works with scheduling tools to create, update, review, and maintain SDLC documentation.
Provides technical support, guidance, and document review as the subject matter expert at various phases of the Software Development Life Cycle
Manages the coordinating and conducting of application performance tuning and monitoring efforts of applications.
Acts as a technical advisor for application development within FSIS
Leads requirements analysis and refinement efforts to convert business requirements to system requirements, designs, and architectures.
Develops and presents technical solutions to customers at various levels within FSIS.
Provides support and maintenance of applications and reports.
Provides oversight and technical leadership for external contract development efforts and ensures compatibility with FSIS standards, policies, and infrastructure architecture.
Supports application production activities including application troubleshooting, analyzing, and diagnosing problems via continuous integration and deployment pipelines, troubleshooting, and diagnosing problems
Provide oversight or assist in the development of end user training material, including user manual, installation instructions, help manuals, operation manuals, and computer-based training modules
Informs, develops, and recommends technical solutions and alternatives for senior management consideration.
Keeps up to date with industry best practices, concepts, and designs.
Anticipates potential issues and develops strategies to address said issues.
Coordinates software configuration management in different application lifecycle management systems such as Azure DevOps, GitHub, and other open source products.
Works with scheduling tools to create, update, review, and maintain SDLC documentation.
Provides technical support, guidance, and document review as the subject matter expert at various phases of the Software Development Life Cycle
Manages the coordinating and conducting of application performance tuning and monitoring efforts of applications.
Acts as a technical advisor for application development within FSIS
Leads requirements analysis and refinement efforts to convert business requirements to system requirements, designs, and architectures.
Develops and presents technical solutions to customers at various levels within FSIS.
Provides support and maintenance of applications and reports.
Provides oversight and technical leadership for external contract development efforts and ensures compatibility with FSIS standards, policies, and infrastructure architecture.
Supports application production activities including application troubleshooting, analyzing, and diagnosing problems via continuous integration and deployment pipelines, troubleshooting, and diagnosing problems
Provide oversight or assist in the development of end user training material, including user manual, installation instructions, help manuals, operation manuals, and computer-based training modules
Informs, develops, and recommends technical solutions and alternatives for senior management consideration.
Keeps up to date with industry best practices, concepts, and designs.
Anticipates potential issues and develops strategies to address said issues.
Education
Education may not be used to substitute for specialized experience or to qualify for this position.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Oral Communication Problem Solving Occupational Reading Occupational Judgment Occupational Interaction Occupational Reasoning The USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on meeting the minimum level of required proficiency of the USAHire assessment. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) your resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. NOTE: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to and including removal from the Federal service. Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12881166
Additional Information
If selected, you will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter. Selectee is subject to financial Disclosure Requirements in accordance with 5 CFR, Part 2635, Sub part E regarding business or personal transactions with applicants, borrowers, or business contacts who have or who are seeking business with this Agency. Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you will be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report. 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.
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments, and required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. Resumes must not exceed two pages. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 5MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, TXT or Word (DOC or DOCX). Do not upload Adobe Portfolio documents because they are not viewable. Please ensure your resume does not exceed two pages. Applicants who submit a resume that exceeds two pages will be removed from consideration. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.
Required Documents
The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration. Resume that includes: Personal Information: name, address, contact information; Education; Work Experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); other qualifications. Resume cannot exceed 2 pages. Your application may be disqualified if you include any of the information listed here: What should I leave out of my resume? If claiming Veterans' Preference, you must submit a DD-214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty, you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veterans' Preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive Veterans' Preference, and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted. If claiming 10-point Veterans' Preference, you must provide the DD-214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference visit FedsHireVets. Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), current performance appraisal with rating of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for the IT Specialist (APPSW) position at Food Safety and Inspection Service?
The salary range for this position is $125,776 - $163,514/yr. This is a GS-14 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the IT Specialist (APPSW) job located?
This position is located in Fort Collins, Colorado. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, as defined below: For the GS-14 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that demonstrates: Experience with the design, development, and integration of Extract, Transform, and Load (E...
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Feb 20, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
No security clearance is required for this position.
What does GS-14 mean?
GS-14 refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.