COMPUTER SCIENTIST- DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY

Summary Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is to perform professional work involving the application of, or research into, computer science methods and techniques to store, manipulate, secure, transform, or present information by means of computer systems. Learn more about this agency Duties DR-1550-02: Develops, modifies, secures, and automates software, systems, components, applications, and architectures; and advances computing technologies using state-of-the-art industry best practices. Analyzes and resolves complex problems within assigned area, developing new or modifying existing methods, techniques, security, automation, architecture, administration, troubleshooting, system recovery, planning, theories, and creative IT solutions. Assesses and renders advice and assistance; provides formal and informal training to project managers, peers, and end users in specialty area technologies, concepts, interfaces, and issues. Serves as lead or key member in ongoing technical teams involved with the architecture, implementation, and testing of systems, applications, security, and technologies. Reviews requirements, reconciles security vulnerabilities, prevents duplication of effort, determines second and third-order effects, and assesses the impacts that new system or software will have on current or future systems. Provides information within assigned area to support the budget, acquisition, deployment, and retirement of software and equipment. Drafts or prepares a variety of documents to include responses to routine inquiries, reports, briefs, SOPs, architectures, and/or other related documents in a well-organized and timely manner. Provides information and effectively partners within and beyond own organizational unit to influence decisions or recommend solutions. Leads development and execution of projects to execute or advance work unit mission. Generates key ideas and contributes technically to advance the modeling capability of command. Leads, mentors, and performs complex assignments within a team environment to improve capability of a technology area or address command initiatives. Requirements Conditions of employment U.S. Citizenship Required Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov A security clearance may be required If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/ Recruitment incentives may/may not be authorized This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program This position may require drug testing and the candidate may be subject to passing a drug test upon selection. Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays Shift work and emergency overtime may be required Employee must maintain current certifications Disclosure of Political Appointments Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period. Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Position may be subject to polygraph testing. This position may require travel. Selectee is expected to be granted with and/or maintain the appropriate security clearance required for the position. Qualifications Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions. Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement. BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor's degree in computer science or bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Specialized experience includes experience: designing, developing, securing, and/or maintaining complex software systems and/or IT architectures using modern best practices; designing and developing solutions to resolve technical problems with systems administration, software applications, components and/or architecture; participating in technical teams to test systems, applications, security, and/or technologies. NOTE: Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement. Click on the following link to view qualification requirements for this position: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-PROF Click on the following link to view occupational requirements for this position: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/computer-science-series-1550/ COMPETENCIES: Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Problem Solving, Communication, Technology Management, and Teamwork and Leadership. IDEAL CANDIDATE: In addition to the specialized experience statements listed above, the ideal candidate would have the following skills and experience: Hands on experience in the Secure Software Development Lifecycle, managing DEVSECOPS pipelines and establishing security approval thresholds for in house code. Strong understanding of common software weaknesses (e.g., OWASP Top 10, CWE/SANS Top 25) and the ability to evaluate application architectures for exploitable patterns, misconfigurations, and insecure design elements. Experience implementing continuous monitoring, vulnerability remediation, and functional improvements for mission critical applications deployed as desktop, web-based, containerized, or cloud-based applications. Experience integrating threat intelligence and adversary behaviors into software and system assessments, using frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK to contextualize findings and prioritize mitigations. Ability to serve as a trusted advisor to ISSO/ISSM/CISO, translating technical findings into actionable policy recommendations. Excellent written and oral communication skills; capable of producing clear technical documentation. Proven teamwork across multidisciplinary groups; willingness to mentor junior staff and provide technical oversight. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Additional information Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location. Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. 120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur. This job announcement will be used to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.