Supervisory Information Technology Specialist - Direct Hire Authority

Summary

This serves as public notice for the use of OPM's Direct Hire Authority. Applicants who meet the qualification requirements will be forwarded to the selecting official for consideration. We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.

The position is located in the Office of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs (R), Office of Policy, Planning, and Resources, Technology Unit (R/PPR).

Duties

• Carries out various duties and responsibilities of first level supervisor.
• Oversees the development and execution of plans for integrating AI solutions to perform human like intelligence functions (e.g., neural networks, deep learning, natural language processing, robotics, image recognition, etc.) within IT platforms.
• Routinely engages with and briefs senior level staff in response to their inquiries and is responsible for conveying complex information of the most sensitive and high-profile issues of the Department.
• Identifies and sets budget requirements for the unit, administers fiscal resources, oversees contracts and procurement.
• Oversees the development of cloud-based information technology (IT) platforms, developing data structures and systems that support the practice of public diplomacy, leveraging the responsible use of artificial intelligence to automate processes.
• Initiates requests for additional resources including personnel, overtime, technical equipment and software, and space as needed to ensure success in meeting team goals and objectives.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement.

Applicants applying for the GS-14 grade level must meet the following requirements: Have IT-related experience demonstrating EACH of the four competencies AND specialized experience listed below:

1. Attention to Detail - Ability to establish metrics and analyze systems to ensure actions are timely and reviewed at critical points.
2. Customer Service - Ability to develop short- and longer-term projects to enhance network operations, upgrade equipment, applications, and/or database tools, or improve information security, user services, and customers' IT operations.
3. Oral Communication - Ability to represent R/PPR and/or client organizations in conferences and negotiations with Bureau or Department officials, representatives of other USG agencies, intergovernmental groups, or professional organizations on a wide variety of IT issues.
4. Problem Solving - Ability to resolve controversial, costly, and/or precedent setting technical and/or resource issues/problems and present recommendations for approval by senior management.

AND Have at least 1 full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service which provided you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

• Experience providing policy guidance and direction on setting performance standards and evaluating employees.
• Experience collaborating closely with AI experts across an organization and at other agencies to ensure that AI is implemented responsibly and securely.
• Experience designing software to support the work of marketing and communications professionals, preferably solutions that support strategic planning, monitoring, evaluation, and execution of public outreach programs.

NOTE: In order to qualify for this position, your 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. There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-14 position.

In addition, applicant's experience must also demonstrate that the candidate possesses the following qualities:

• Ability to assign, review, and supervise the work of others;
• Objectivity and fairness in judging people on their ability, and situations on the facts and circumstances;
• Ability to adjust to change, work pressures, or difficult situations without undue stress;
• Willingness to consider new ideas or divergent points of view; and
• Capacity to "see the job through."

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

· For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at (202) 663-3474 or [email protected].

· If eligible, telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.

· Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to similar positions in any Bureau/Office listed on this announcement for approximately 240 days. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.

• Benefits
  
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How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Under the provisions of the Direct-Hire Authority, veterans' preference and traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply. For this announcement, all applicants will be assessed to determine if they meet the qualifications for this position, specifically the education, specialized experience, and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) necessary to perform the work of the position. All applications that meet the required qualifications will be referred to the selecting official in the order in which the applications were received.

Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following KSAs and other characteristics that are relevant to the duties of this position and must be fully supported by information in your resume:

• Ability to develop briefings for senior management.
• Ability to manage projects / programs.
• Ability to establish and maintain liaison with interagency officials.
• Ability to work effectively with staff, senior officials, foreign and domestic.
• Ability to provide advice, guidance, and consultation based on results of analyses.

Agency and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP and ICTAP) candidates must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for selection priority. Candidates are considered well qualified if their knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) exceed the minimum qualifications described in the announcement.

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