Solutions Architect

Summary This position is located in the Development Operations Section, Software Engineering Division, IT Design and Development Directorate, Office of the Chief Information Officer. The position description number for this position is 467416 This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement Learn more about this agency Duties "This salary is based on Washington, DC duty location. However, your salary will be reflective of the duty station for which you reside." Recommends, designs, and develops applications and supporting hardware and software.  Responsible for the design and implementation of complex technical solutions across the application stack. Builds individual system solutions and solutions that apply across multiple systems and projects. Plans system interfaces and integration solution architecture based on established enterprise application strategy. Analyzes solution options, trade-offs, designs and integration methods. Presents technical solutions to management for concurrence and/or guidance. Communicates issues, plans and implications of architectural decisions to business and IT Leadership. Provides technical and architectural leadership for systems and projects. Serves as technical leader on projects and leads and participates in technical design sessions. Leads the design of new applications/solutions from conception to completion. Ensures a maximally robust design is developed. Works closely with fellow team members to rapidly build and deploy technical solutions. Participates in the technical oversight of sub-systems design and development and integration into the overall enterprise solution. Verifies stability, interoperability, portability, security, and scalability of application architectures. Provides knowledge of solution/application architecture to business and technology teams. Keeps current on emerging application design, database architectures, technologies, and methodologies. Serves as an expert in multiple technical subject areas and works to deliver technical guidance where needed. Reviews proposed application designs, system architectures, and technology solutions. Discusses alternative solutions with users, developers, and engineers throughout OCIO.  Provides support and guidance to development teams during the analysis, development, testing and deployment processes. Provides or review detailed design and specification documentation for applications and databases.  Creates project and application architecture deliverables consistent with architecture principles, standards, methodologies, and best practices. Provides input to the development of project initiation documents when needed. Contributes to improving best practices for code architecture, unit testing, database, and technical designs. Provides training and mentoring on design and architecture best practices. Ensures solutions are consistent with agency technical standards, strategic direction, and enterprise architecture principles. Uses judgment to research, interpret, modify, and develop technical solutions meeting business requirements. Possesses knowledge of many technologies and accurately judges their applicability to specific situations. Evaluates applications' development needs and applies technical principles and concepts to develop business solutions. Applies proven communication, analytical and problem-solving skills to help identify, communicate and resolve systems issues to maximize the benefit of IT investments. Performs troubleshooting and solves problems. Analyzes problems and issues and determines the most efficient way to solve them. Coordinates with applications developers to isolate and help solve problems encountered during testing and implementation. Analyzes procedures and data to develop logical solutions to complex application programming problems. Identifies problem areas and opportunities and makes recommendations. Participates in the development of technology strategy, technology standards, roadmaps, and practices. Advises and consults OCIO management on technology costs, benefits, and implementation requirements. Independently reviews and analyzes existing software solutions for continued effectiveness in meeting business and technology needs. Identifies deficiencies in existing system designs and recommends solutions for improvement. Performs reviews of technical architectures and components. Analyzes system performance and efficiency. Reviews existing systems for stability, interoperability, portability, security, and scalability, and makes recommendations for improvements. Uses routine techniques and strategies to optimize technologies.  Reviews proposed designs and architectures. Provides quality reviews of technical selections, design documents, and implementation plans, ensuring appropriateness. Reviews proposed COTS selections, development platform choices, and design approaches. Monitors implementations to ensure correct implementation of proposed solutions. Designs, develops and administers information technology systems and tools, ensuring architectures and plans are aligned with technology strategy. Serves as an expert and consultant to management on design, development, and integration tools. Implements and maintains complex systems. Requirements Conditions of employment Conditions of Employment Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment. Qualifications Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision. Ability to design, maintain, and integrate a technical architecture program based on business requirements.** Knowledge of infrastructure technologies and practices.** Ability to evaluate and select technology products, services and standards. Ability to conduct systems analysis and design. Ability to facilitate, negotiate, and obtain consensus. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. Additional information Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid at step one of the grade. The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer.  Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement. Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see:Vetting Process This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email [email protected]. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis.Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant’s college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application.  Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at 202-707-6024 or email [email protected]. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.  The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement. Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement. The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit.A “Not to Exceed" (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date. However, the Library has the right to separate a NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints.Are you a veteran?  Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim.  Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214.  Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form.  If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.  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.