IT SPECIALIST (APPSW)
About This Position
IT Specialist position(s) are being filled through the Office of Personnel Management's delegated Direct Hire Authority, open to all U.S. citizens. Selections made under this bulletin will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would, therefore, be given new appointments to the civil service. Under the provisions of the Direct Hire Authority, Veterans Preference and the "Rule of Many" do not apply.
Qualifications
READ ALL SECTIONS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY. THIS INFORMATION IS CRUCIAL TO SUBMITTING A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION. Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered, please visit the new resume guidance for more information. If you are qualifying based on education please make sure you follow the instructions in the Education Section of this announcement including uploading a transcript with an award/confer date failure to due so can disqualify you for further consideration.
Applicants must qualify for the series and grade of the posted position. Experience must be IT related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate.
Your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, abilities, and proficiency of any required competencies to perform the specific position for which you are applying. As an IT Specialist (APPSW), You will play a pivotal role in Providing technical support in the preparation, creation, testing, implementation, evaluation, and ongoing support of business applications and technology solutions that meet agency objectives. To qualify for the 2210 IT Specialist series, the applicant must demonstrate the following competencies: Attention to Detail (Level 4, Advanced) - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail Customer Service (Level 4, Advanced) - 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.
Decision Making (Level 3, Intermediate) - Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change. Information Management (Level 4, Advanced) - Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems. Interpersonal Skills (Level 4, Advanced) - Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations Oral Communication (Level 3, Intermediate) - 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 (Level 4, Advanced) - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. Teamwork (Level 4, Advanced) - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals. Technical Competence (Level 4, Advanced) - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
Specialized Experience Applicants must have specialized experience that is directly related to the work of the position and have equipped them with the competencies required to successfully perform the duties of the role. These knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies are normally attained through the equivalent of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of the position being filled. To qualify at the GS-07 level, you must have specialized experience at the GS-06 level, or equivalent.
This IT-related experience must demonstrate proficiency in the following: Experience working with SQL or NoSQL databases to help support business applications. Experience assisting with web applications, such as using React.js or Node.js RESTful APis. Experience helping to troubleshoot and debug web applications in a team setting.
Experience preparing or updating basic technical documents, such as user guides or process notes, and communicating information clearly to others. To qualify at the GS-09 level, you must have specialized experience at the GS-07 level, or equivalent. This IT-related experience must demonstrate proficiency in the following: Experience supporting business applications by working with SQL or NoSQL databases, including assisting with data management tasks.
Experience helping to develop or maintain web applications using technologies such as React.js or Node.js RESTful APis. Experience troubleshooting and resolving issues in web applications, including identifying problems and working with others to find solutions. Experience preparing and updating technical documentation, such as user guides or process instructions, and communicating technical information to team members.
To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must have specialized experience at the GS-09 level, or equivalent. This IT-related experience must demonstrate proficiency in the following: Experience modernizing IT infrastructure and supporting IT systems by implementing, maintaining, or troubleshooting enterprise-level data platforms and business applications, ensuring reliable and scalable operations. Experience designing, developing, and maintaining web applications using modem frameworks such as React.js or Node.js RESTful APis, including writing and maintaining unit and integration tests to ensure software quality.
Experience applying software development lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies and utilizing both modem and legacy programming languages to deliver technical solutions that meet organizational objectives. Experience preparing and maintaining technical documentation, such as system diagrams, user guides, and deployment guides, and effectively communicating technical information both orally and in writing to multidisciplinary teams. To qualify at the GS-12 level, you must have specialized experience at the GS-11 level, or equivalent.
This IT-related experience must demonstrate proficiency in the following: Experience modernizing IT infrastructure and supporting IT systems by implementing, maintaining, or troubleshooting enterprise-level data platforms and business applications, ensuring reliable and scalable operations. Experience designing, developing, and maintaining web applications using modem frameworks such as React.js or Node.js RESTful APis, including writing and maintaining unit and integration tests to ensure software quality. Experience applying software development lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies and utilizing both modem and legacy programming languages to deliver technical solutions that meet organizational objectives.
Experience preparing and maintaining technical documentation, such as system diagrams, user guides, and deployment guides, and effectively communicating technical information both orally and in writing to multidisciplinary teams. Qualification standards and additional information for this position can be found here: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/2200/information-technology-it-management-series-2210-alternative-a/
Major Duties
This announcement serves as public notice. Applications submitted be placed into a pool and will remain on file for selection as positions become available.
Vacancies may be filled for up to 6 months after the closing date of this announcement. Applicants may not receive notifications of referral status until the full 6-month eligibility period has elapsed.
Applications may be gathered from additional recruitment sources. These will be added to the pool created by this announcement.
Positions filled with applications from this pool will be placed into positions where cybersecurity duties occupy the majority of the work performed.
Education
Providing Proof of Education for Substituting Education In order to substitute education for experience at the GS-9 and GS-11 levels ONLY: Your educational degree must be in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management; or a 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. If you are qualifying on the basis of education or satisfying an educational requirement, submit a copy of your transcripts that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion. Unofficial transcripts or screenshots of electronic/web transcripts with the required information will be accepted at the time of application.
You must submit your transcripts according to the application submission details of this announcement. Documents will not be accepted via email or regular mail. If selected, you may be required to provide your official college transcripts prior to the effective date of the personnel action placing you into the new position.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S.
Department of Education. Foreign Education: If your transcripts show education completed in foreign colleges or universities, you must also provide documentation that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in a conventional/accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
How You Will Be Evaluated
The evaluation you receive is based on your responses to the online assessment questions completed during the application process. Please make sure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation. Information not specifically stated in your resume cannot be assumed. Information that is copied or restated language from the vacancy announcement or rating criteria will not be considered. If this occurs, you may be found ineligible.
Additional Information
See announcement cutoff dates below under How to Apply. Additional selections may be made for this vacancy six months from the closing date of this announcement. This Direct Hire announcement may be used to fill the same or similar position in another office.
Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: - your performance and conduct; - the needs and interests of the agency; - whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and - whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Salary Range Information: Locality or special salary pay will be adjusted according to selectees duty location.
The salary ranges for each individual grade level and location can be found below. Locality Pay: GS-7 Woodlawn, MD: $58,193 - $75,653 based on OPM's 999C Special Rate Table GS-9 Woodlawn, MD: $70,623 - $91,815 GS-11 Woodlawn, MD: $85,447 - $111,087 GS-12 Woodlawn, MD: $102,415 - $133,142
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: To begin the application process, 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 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. Announcement cutoff dates: 08/27/2026 09/03/2026 09/10/2026 09/17/2026 09/24/2026 10/01/2026 10/08/2026 10/15/2026 10/22/2026 10/29/2026 11/05/2026 11/12/2026 11/19/2026 11/27/2026 12/03/2026 12/10/2026 12/17/2026 12/24/2026 12/31/2026 01/07/2027 01/14/2027 01/21/2027 01/28/2027 02/04/2027 02/11/2027 02/18/2027 02/24/2027 You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account. There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application.
This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page.
The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. 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/.
If you use assistive software or an adaptive device, or you are experiencing some other type of technical difficulty and/or otherwise require assistance with the application process, please contact Careers at SSA at [email protected]. Individuals with disabilities may also call us via Federal Relay using the (voice) contact telephone provided. Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any applications submitted via email or standard mail.
The email address is listed only for inquiries about the position or the How to Apply process.
Required Documents
You must also submit ALL supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to claim certain types of preference. Resumes exceeding two pages will not be considered. To be considered, your resume must: Clearly demonstrate your qualifications for the position Include your contact information We recommend using a clear, easy-to-read format and focusing on information most relevant to the job announcement You must also submit ALL supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to claim certain types of preference.
INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP): ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority for competitive service vacancies. To receive selection priority, candidates must meet the requirements for the Well Qualified. Well-qualified is defined as having knowledge, skills, and abilities that clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position.
Candidates must also provide: proof of eligibility with your application. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation Notice of Personnel Action, (SF-50); and proof of your most recent performance rating of at least "fully successful" (Level III) or equivalent. For more information visit http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.
Veteran's preference does not apply under this Direct Hire Authority for these positions. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.