IT Specialist - Presidential Innovation Fellow (2210)

In order to properly be able to evaluate your previous experience, we recommend being as detailed as possible in your resume and following our general guidance on creating federal style resume. Qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, so failure to provide this information may result in disqualification.

For each job on your resume, provide:

• the exact dates you held each job (from month/year to month/year)
• number of hours per week you worked (if part time).    

If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.

For a brief video on creating a Federal resume, click here. 

QUALIFICATIONS: Information Technology Specialist - Presidential Innovation Fellow (PIF)

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:  Have IT-related experience demonstrating EACH of the four competencies listed below:

Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.

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.

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.

Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

GS-15 LEVEL SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:  In addition to the basic requirements listed above, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 in the Federal Service.

Specialized experience for this role is defined as experience:

1. Leading or advising executive leadership on the launch of new technology initiatives, providing recommendations that influence policies, projects, or programs, and/or securing leadership buy-in or stakeholder consensus;  AND
2. Deploying user-centered and iterative development methodologies;  AND
3. Applying advanced technical knowledge to products or service delivery in one or more of the following: artificial intelligence, machine learning, data strategy, design (service, human-centered, user experience), product, software engineering, cloud infrastructure, digital transformation or digital strategy;  AND
4. Experience in at least one of the following areas:
   
   • Leading data science, engineering, product, or design initiatives focused on technical products, platforms, or solutions; OR
   • Leading cross functional teams, which may include designers, product managers, data scientists, or software engineers, to meet program or project goals, objectives, and priorities OR
   • Leading the development or implementation of digital strategy and policy.

In addition to the criteria indicated in the Qualifications section, you will be scored using a multiple hurdles approach as part of the application process which will measure your possession of the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Mastery of, and expert skill in applying, advanced IT principles, concepts, methods, standards, and practices sufficient to accomplish assignments such as: developing and interpreting policies, procedures, and strategies governing the planning and delivery of IT services throughout customer agencies; providing expert technical advice, guidance, and recommendations to management and other technical specialists on critical IT issues; applying new developments to previously unsolvable problems; and making decisions or recommendations that significantly influence important IT policies or programs at partnering agencies.

• Knowledge of and expertise in driving and implementing technology solutions that overcome significant challenges resulting from complex organizational environments and/or technically difficult problems.

• Expert knowledge of and ability to employ state-of-the-art tools, methods, and methodologies for developing, testing, and deploying IT services in order to evaluate technical advancements and advise customer agencies on emerging IT tools, methods, and techniques.

• Mastery of, and expert skill in applying, user-centered design and business process engineering concepts and methods sufficient to provide leadership and direction to highly complex IT initiatives and projects designed to identify potential improvements in the way information technology is applied to highly complex customer requirements.

• Knowledge of and expertise in driving and implementing technology solutions that overcome significant challenges resulting from complex organizational environments and/or technically difficult problems.

• Expert skill in persuading others to take a specific action or make a decision. Expert skill in building consensus through give and take, gaining cooperation from others, and facilitating “win-win” situations.

• In-depth knowledge of and expertise in frameworks for evaluating a range of qualitative and quantitative metrics around user needs, resource prioritization, and program management and related analytical skills to apply a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods for assessing and improving program effectiveness.

• Expert skill at effectively communicating with people of varying levels of technical knowledge; convey and explain highly complex IT information to facilitate understanding through dialogue, one-on-one conversations, presentations, and other mediums.

• Expert skill in building and maintaining positive business relationships with customer agencies, stakeholders and other parties at various levels throughout the product life cycle. 

• Expert skill in collaborating across roles and organizations to build strategic relationships, achieve common goals, and to resolve sensitive issues.

Characteristics that we look for in Fellows include:

Entrepreneurship and Technology

• Mid-senior/executive career professional experience in a subject matter expertise 
• Ability to break down business problems, understand and design effective solutions and strategies that draw on current and emergent tools, technologies, initiatives and other resources

Approach and Methodology

• Expertise determining user needs and designing and deploying solutions with a focus on customer experience
• Ability to describe esoteric and highly technical solutions to non-technical stakeholders

Empathy and Emotional Intelligence

• High degree of emotional intelligence. A quick study, who intuitively knows what needs to get done to deliver with integrity
• Comfort in ambiguity. Able to build relationships, continually define and scope opportunities independently, and maintain focus and momentum as priorities shift.
• Ability to work with humility and empathy; bring together diverse co-creators; address power dynamics; and co-define challenges and ideate with stakeholders, community members, and the public

Leadership

• Demonstrated experience leading stakeholders through change where you may lack explicit authority
• Interest in building a culture within the Fellowship and taking a genuine interest in other Fellows’ work, including providing feedback and collaborating when appropriate
• Dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in working cross-government and providing vital services to the public