About This Position
We are committed to: Teamwork: Partnering at all levels and across organizational boundaries for mission accomplishment. Integrity: Adherence to the highest legal and ethical principles in our responsibilities. Excellence: Unrivaled defense intelligence expertise. Service: Putting the welfare of the Nation and commitment to our mission before oneself.
Qualifications
ASSESSMENT FACTORS 1. Leads and/or coordinates special projects, teams, tasks, and initiatives that involve overseeing multiple ongoing highly complex IT-related matters in parallel. Closely collaborates across different work units/offices, directorates, Commands, and/or other agencies. 2. Analyzes key information and evaluates the effectiveness of alternative solutions, courses of action, and strategies needed to address complex, controversial, and multi-faceted issues. 3. Serves as subject matter expert and advises IT experts across DIA, the Commands, and/or other agencies on a variety of IT initiatives, programs, and/or projects. 4. Demonstrates polished oral and written communication skills to compose, tailor, and deliver original presentations and papers on abstract and exceptionally complex questions or issues in a way that allows a varied audience to understand the intended message and objectives. 5. Independently anticipates needs and identifies problems and the short-and long-term consequences for the client, component, directorate, Agency or Intelligence Community. HIGHLY DESIRED SKILLS 1. Technical Expertise in IT Systems: A strong proficiency in troubleshooting, maintaining, and upgrading enterprise desktop services and user devices is essential. a. This includes expertise in hardware installations, software applications, and knowledge of various IT peripherals to ensure efficient performance and quick resolution of technical issues. 2. Leadership and Team Management: Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a team of IT specialists effectively, including mentoring, training, and coordinating their efforts to meet customer needs. a. Strong leadership skills help promote collaboration, enhance team performance, and ensure that service delivery aligns with the organization's objectives. Individual Occupation Requirements ALTERNATIVE A All Applicants must meet the following minimum qualification requirements in order to be considered for this position: Requirements may be met either through Education and/or Experience and/or a combination of both. Education: All academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions. The coursework must be either undergraduate or graduate and must include a minimum of 24 semester hours in one, or a combination of the following: computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management. Level/Education: GG-07 : One (1) full year of graduate level education; or Bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement GG-09: Master’s degree or equivalent graduate degree; OR two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master’s degree or equivalent graduate degree GG-11 and above: Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree; OR three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree Experience • Must be IT-related (paid or unpaid); • May have involved the completion of specific and intensive training (for example, IT certification); • Should have equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and should have been gained in the same or related field as the work of the position being filled; • Should have been gained in the IT field or through the performance of work where the primary concern was IT; • Should consist of at least one year at a level equivalent to the next lower GG level; And • Must have demonstrated each of the following four competencies: 1. Attention to detail: thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail; 2. Customer Service: works with clients and customers to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations, knows about available products and services and is committed to providing quality products and services; 3. Oral Communication: effectively expresses information, takes into account the audience and nature of the information, makes clear and convincing oral presentations, listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues and responds appropriately; 4. Problem Solving: identifies problems, determines accuracy and relevance of information, uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and makes appropriate recommendations. and Specialized Experience 1. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. ALTERNATIVE B GS-5 and GS-7 (or equivalent): Education: All academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions. Level/Education: GG-05 (or equivalent): Bachelor's degree in any field GG-07 (or equivalent): One (1) full year of graduate level education; OR supervisor academic achievement. Education must demonstrate the competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. OR Experience Experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, certification), as appropriate. For all positions, individuals must demonstrate they have experience in each of the four competencies listed below; the experience does not have to be IT-related. The employing agency is responsible for identifying the specific level of proficiency required for each competency at each grade level based on the requirements of the position being filled. 1. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. AND Specialized Experience for GS-7 (or equivalent): Positions at GS-7 (or equivalent) require one year of specialized experience at the next lower GS-grade (or equivalent). Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. The employing agency is responsible for defining the specialized experience based on the requirements of the position being filled.
Major Duties
DIA employs a variety of professionals who serve throughout the workforce to ensure successful operations. To view this position’s duties, click Vacancies to be directed to DIA’s online application system. Please make note of the position title and 6-digit Job Opening ID number to which you are interested. You can scroll to the bottom of the page to locate the announcement or click on the “Advanced Search” link and enter in the 6-digit Job Opening ID number in the “Job Opening ID” field.
Conditions of Employment
All applicants must be U.S. citizens and are subject to a thorough background inquiry.
How You Will Be Evaluated
In order to qualify for this position, your application must include sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the specific position to which you are applying. To view this position’s requirements, click Vacancies to be directed to DIA’s online application system. Please make note of the position title and 6-digit Job Opening ID number to which you are interested. You can scroll to the bottom of the page to locate the announcement or click on the “Advanced Search” link and enter in the 6-digit Job Opening ID number in the “Job Opening ID” field.
Additional Information
DIA positions are Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) positions in the Excepted Service under 10 U.S.C. 1601. All applicants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application. Applicants must meet the agency’s conditions of employment, to include, but not limited to, satisfactory completion of an initial special background investigation and periodic reinvestigation, completion of any required medical examination and physical requirements, completion of any required personal interviews, favorable completion of any required initial or aperiodic polygraph examinations, completion of any required drug test, satisfactory completion of a two-year Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System trial period, and completion of a civilian mobility agreement. All employees are required to sign an agreement not to disclose, in any fashion, classified information to unauthorized persons. All civilian employees are required to participate in the DoD Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer of Pay (DD/EFT) Program. DIA employees and applicants for employment are protected by federal laws, from discrimination. Employees and applicants are also protected against retaliation. Consistent with federal laws, acts of retaliation against an employee who engages in a protected activity, whistle blowing, or the exercise of any appeal or grievance right provided by law, will not be tolerated. Veterans who are preference-eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
HOW DO I APPLY? Unless specified within the vacancy announcement, you must complete and submit your job application electronically, using DIA's online job tool. Go to: http://www.dia.mil. Click the link to "Search and Apply for Jobs" or click the link to "Careers" > "Vacancies." Your first visit? Click "New User" to setup your account. Click "Search" to view Vacancy Announcements for opportunities that interest you. Save as a Favorite or select the Job Opening to Apply. At the top of the "Job Search" page, click "My Favorite Jobs" to view each announcement. Start the application process by clicking the "Apply" at the bottom of the announcement. While working on the application, "Save" frequently. When you save the document, prior to final submission, you can exit the application and return later to continue by logging-in and going to Job Search > My Activities > Applications with a status of Not Submitted. Finished? Click "Submit." You must complete and submit the application prior to the closing date listed on the Vacancy Announcement. Final applications are not available for revision. If you need to revise your application, complete and submit another application. All positions in the Defense Intelligence Agency are in the excepted service under 10 USC 1601 appointment authority and covered by the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS), a General Grade (GG) pay system divided into grades and steps similar to OPM’s General Schedule (GS) compensation system. All candidates must be U.S. citizens and are subject to a thorough background inquiry and any required medical examinations.
Required Documents
Please see instructions within the on-line application for this vacancy announcement on the DIA web-site, www.dia.mil.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for the IT SPECIALIST (APPSW) (STEM) position at Defense Intelligence Agency?
The salary range for this position is $148,275 - $192,764/yr. This is a GG-14 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the IT SPECIALIST (APPSW) (STEM) job located?
This position is located in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
ASSESSMENT FACTORS 1. Leads and/or coordinates special projects, teams, tasks, and initiatives that involve overseeing multiple ongoing highly complex IT-related matters in parallel. Closely collaborates across different work units/offices, directorates, Commands, and/or other agencies. 2. Analyzes key information and evaluates the effectiveness...
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?
Yes, a Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance is required.
What does GG-14 mean?
GG-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.