Duties

Summary

Information Technology positions are located in the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Office of Technology and Survey Processing (OTSP). BLS' mission is to collect, analyze, and disseminate essential economic information to support public and private decision making. OTSP provides IT support to all aspects of BLS data development initiatives.

- These positions are inside the bargaining unit.
- This announcement may be used to fill additional like vacancies.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

These positions serve as Applications Software Developers using SAS and Structured Query Language (SQL). Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

1. Serves as senior information technology specialist or team leader for developing one or more applications through all phases of the DOL System Development Life Cycle, including the Inception, Elaboration, Development and Transition to production. Serves as Team Leader over ad-hoc teams formed to completed specific projects and, as needed manages the Operations and Maintenance, and Disposition Phase of existing systems. Develop software solutions to identify and correct weakness in critical system performance parameters.

2. Develops applications using SAS and Structured Query Language (SQL).

3. Creates project plan and accompanying schedules that include tasks, duration, dependencies, constraints, milestones, signoffs, go/no go decision points, and contingency strategies. Monitors and reports progress for initiative as well as consults with appropriate staff to facilitate project planning.

4. Using a standard system development methodology such as Agile or Rational Unified Process (RUP), develops artifacts including, but not limited to: Business Cases, Vision documents, Use Cases, Requirements, Software Development Plans, Iteration Plans, Software Architecture documents, Risk Lists, Testing documents, Deployment Plans, and/or Configuration Management Plans.

5. Serves as technical expert for IT software development related to survey processing which includes providing expert technical advice, guidance , and recommendations to management and other technical specialists on critical IT issues. Applies new technological developments to problems and makes recommendations. Provide advices on and devises solutions to a wide range of IT issues.

6. Represents OTSP and BLS teams, committees, and study groups. In addition, represents BLS with contractors, DOL, and External customers.

7. Makes contribution to BLS, OTSP, Programs or Project Office-Wide initiatives and/or policy decisions to improve IT methodology, system operations and/or organizational effectiveness.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Some work may require walking and standing in conjunction with travel and to attendance at meetings and conferences away from the work site.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13 - This position is at the Full Promotion Potential.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. citizen and at least 16 years of age.
• Requires a probationary period if requirement has not been met.
• Appointment to these positions may require a background investigation.

Applicants must meet time-in-grade, time-after-competitive-appointment and qualifications requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the vacancy to be eligible for consideration for selection.

Federal Employees Please Note: Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met and reflects your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. competitive/excepted). In some cases you may need to submit more than one SF-50.

Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.

Qualifications

Candidates must demonstrate proof of meeting the Minimum Qualifications, that is, BOTH the Basic Requirements and the Specialized Experience listed below.

Minimum Qualifications

Basic Requirements

Experience - IT-related experience; experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate. Experience must have demonstrated each of the four competencies listed below.

Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. An experience indicator at this level includes planning, prioritizing, and organizing project/program requirements.

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. An experience indicator at this level includes in-depth analysis and resolution of complex problems such as assessing customers' needs and tailoring information about products and/or 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. An experience indicator at this level includes orally justifying decisions, conclusions, findings, and/or recommendations in a professional setting such as orally presenting project/program-related information to engage in open and constructive discussions and sharing of information.

Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. An experience indicator at this level includes gathering and analyzing facts, drawing conclusions, and developing recommendations/identifying alternatives to solve complex problems such as utilizing various sources to conduct research to determine proper alternatives and providing recommendations to resolve project/program-level issues that impact the work and outcomes of an organization.

AND

Specialized Experience

Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent in scope and responsibility to at least the next lower grade level (GS-12) in the Federal Service. This experience may have been obtained in the public or private sector. Specialized experience is defined as ALL of the following:

1. Extensive experience developing complex applications using SAS, SPSS, and/or R. An experience indicator at this level includes analyzing, designing, developing, testing, and implementing software applications in an enterprise/business environment.

2. Demonstrated experience writing complex SQL with relational databases, preferably Oracle databases. Experience indicators at this level include the following: developing stored procedures; developing optimized queries for quick data retrieval for large datasets; OR, combining and updating data across multiple tables while still maintaining quick application responsiveness.

3. Demonstrated experience with software development projects utilizing project management methods and concepts to provide a unique service or product. Experience indicators at this level include creating ANY of the following software development artifacts: Business Cases, Vision documents, Use Cases, User Stories, Software Development Plans, Iteration Plans, Software Architecture documents, Risk Lists, Test documents, Project Plans, Deployment Plans, and/or Configuration Management Plans.

NOTE: Additional experience with Agile software development, project management, continuous integration and automated build software as well as test automation frameworks is preferred, but not required.

Education

Education may not be substituted for experience at this level.

Additional information

DOL seeks to attract and retain a high performing and diverse workforce in which employees' differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the diverse customers we serve. DOL fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration, flexibility and fairness so that all individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential.

Federal Employees Please Note: Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met and reflects your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. competitive/excepted). In some cases you may need to submit more than one SF-50.

Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION , ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION , FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Click here for Evaluation details. For Displaced Employees ONLY: if you meet the eligibility requirements for special priority selection under ICTAP / CTAP , you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. ICTAP/CTAP eligibles will be considered "well-qualified" if they attain at least a rating score of 85 in a numerical rating scheme. Be sure to review DOL Account Eligibility Questions #24 and 27 to reflect that you are applying as an ICTAP/CTAP eligible and submit supporting documentation.

Evaluation Factors (Competencies) - All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies:

- Policy and Planning
- Systems Analysis
- Applications Software
- Data Management

The information you provide may be verified by a review of your work experience and/or education, by checking references and through other means (ex. interview). Your evaluation may also include a review by an HR Specialist or panel and may include other assessment tools (ex. interview, structured interview, written test, work sample, etc). The examining Human Resources Office (HRO) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings. Your resume MUST provide sufficient information to substantiate your vacancy question responses. If not, the HRO may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency indicated by the content of your resume.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

The following documents must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the vacancy closing date. Warning: If you submit a document using the same document title, the 2nd submission will OVERWRITE the 1st submission. Also, do not upload password protected documents.

The following documents are required from ALL applicants:

- Proof of Minimum Qualifications : For Experience and Specialized Experience, your resume MUST contain detailed descriptions demonstrating that you meet the requirements listed in this announcement. If your resume does not demonstrate proof of the minimum qualifications, you will be deemed not qualified. See the Requirements section, i.e. under Qualifications, for more details.

- Most Recent SF-50 that indicates current grade, step, and competitive status - All status candidates or reinstatement eligibles MUST submit.
WARNING: An award SF-50 (ex. cash or time off award) may not indicate grade, step and competitive status. For current DOL employees, an award SF-50 DOES NOT indicate grade and step. Ensure you submit your most recent SF-50 indicating grade, step and competitive status to establish your eligibility for this position.

- Land Management Eligibles : A copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent) proving your eligibility for appointment under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act. This service must have been performed in the competitive service, under a time limited appointment in a Land Management Agency, as defined by P.L. 114-328. For more information, click here .

- Most Recent Performance Appraisal/Evaluation signed and dated within 18 months is requested by the agency, but will not disqualify candidates if not submitted. If not submitted during the application process, one may/will be requested at the time of the interview if the opportunity is extended. Applies to current and former Federal employees.

The following documents are required if applicable:

- Displaced Employee Placement Documents - Only required if requesting priority consideration under ICTAP / CTAP Eligibility.

- DD-214 - verifying military service, eligibility for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) and showing character of discharge (ex. Member Copy 4 vs. Copy 1)

- Special/Non-Competitive Appointing Authority Documents - Applicants who are eligible for consideration, and wish to be considered, under the following non-competitive hiring authority must submit appropriate documentation (click on the following link to see the documentation requirements): Military Spouses (MISP)

- Cover Letters are not mandatory and will not be used to verify experience, but may be submitted

Applicants selected for employment who are not current DOL employees will be required to provide proof of citizenship , and the E-Verify system will be used to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.