IT Specialist - Presidential Innovation Fellow (PIF) (2210)
Job description
Duties
IT Specialist - Presidential Innovation Fellow, GS-2210-15
Presidential Innovation Fellows (PIF) is a renowned fellowship program that pairs mid-to-senior-level entrepreneurs, executives, and technologists of all kinds with top civil servants and change-makers working within the federal government to tackle some of our nation’s biggest challenges. Fellows are embedded within agencies as senior advisors for 12-24 month engagements working on mission-critical problems, shaping smarter policy and/or advancing equitable technology for public good.
The PIF program brings the principles, values, and practices of the innovation economy into government through the most effective agents of change we know: our people. PIF pairs talented, diverse technologists and strategists with forward-thinking civil servants to tackle our nation’s biggest challenges, and to achieve profound and lasting social impact that serves the public. Serving as trusted advisors and experts alongside government leaders, these Fellows leverage technology, design and strategy expertise to improve experiences for the American people now and into the future.
The position requires that Fellows perform work of an exceptional degree of difficulty across a wide range of topics at the convergence of technology, policy, and delivery. The Fellow will leverage their experience deploying high-quality, human-centered platforms and services to lead major initiatives, consult on systems and policy proposals, and provide technical, policy, and programmatic guidance to government agencies. The individual will be expected to deliver innovative solutions that draw upon best practices. These solutions should have the potential to dramatically improve the delivery of government services, and provide value to the public at whom those services are directed.
The incumbent will use their demonstrated experience building and scaling initiatives to grow the effectiveness of the program.
DUTIES:
Typical duties include, but are not limited to:
Acting as a strategic advisor, collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve organizational or project objectives, and leading stakeholders through organizational change in one or more of the five following areas/tracks:
Cloud Infrastructure - Expertise in DevOps, cloud computing, cloud infrastructure, front-end engineering, back-end engineering, and/or enterprise-level technology leadership.
Product Management - Expertise in product development, product management, and/or agile software methodologies.
Design & Experience - Expertise in user experience (UX), human-centered design, service design, implementation design and/or customer experience (CX).
Data Strategy & AI - Expertise in the areas of data strategy & artificial intelligence. This includes data management, machine learning, data science, and/or modern statistical & computational methods.
Digital Transformation & Strategy - Expertise in the areas of strategy & digital transformation. This includes digital marketing or advertising, healthcare innovation, change management, community outreach & engagement, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA), venture capital, accelerators, or incubators; and/or corporate innovation.
KEY OBJECTIVES:
Obj. #1 You will act as a strategic advisor to design and deliver a digital government with and for the American public.
- You will analyze and scope the technical and policy requirements needed to implement complex digital solutions
- You will leverage your experience deploying high-quality, user centric platforms and services to lead major initiatives
- You will apply forward thinking design and development principles to product development and project management such as lean start-up, user centered design and agile
Obj. #2 You will conceive/recommend projects/strategies to advance the state of the art in the specialty area.
- You will consult on systems and policy proposals, and provide technical policy and programmatic guidance to the government
- You will demonstrate thought leadership, contributing best practices in a variety of technologies and principles
- You will translate business problems into technology strategies and solutions that draw on current and emergent tools and technologies
Obj. #3 You will utilize an entrepreneurial mindset, technology acumen, and strong communication skills in order to drive projects from ideation to completion.
- You have the ability to present sensitive recommendations to higher authorities and to articulate positions/policy of vast technical complexity
- You possess knowledge of and expertise in driving and implementing technology solutions from concept to market that overcome significant challenges resulting from complex bureaucratic environments or technically difficult problems
- You have a high degree of emotional intelligence, are a quick study, and intuitively know what needs to get done to deliver with integrity, ensuring compliance at all levels
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- US Citizens and National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
- Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
- Register with Selective Service, if you are a male born after 12/31/1959
- Direct Deposit of salary check to financial organization required.
If selected, you must meet the following conditions:
- Receive authorization from OPM on any job offer you receive, if you are or were (within the last 5 years) a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch.
- Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
- Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level). Please note that the agency you get assigned to work with may have a higher background investigation requirement.
- Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee. We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.
- If required, complete a financial disclosure report to verify that no conflict, or an appearance of conflict, exists between your financial interest and this position.
- This position has job functions that must be executed within specific geographic locations. The official duty station is a federal facility, leased space, or an alternative worksite (typically the employee’s home) within the specified geographic area. If you are selected for this position you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement (Washington, DC Metropolitan Area). At that time, you may be eligible to request to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency’s telework policy.
Qualifications
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 - This skill is generally demonstrated by assignments where the applicant keeps abreast of latest technology, information, research, etc., to maintain knowledge in field of expertise (for example, reads trade journals, participates in professional/technical associations, maintains credentials).
Customer Service - This skill is generally demonstrated by assignments where the applicant promotes or develops and maintains good working relationships with key individuals or groups.
Oral Communication - This skill is generally demonstrated by assignments where the applicant serves on panels, committees, or task forces as a representative for the organization on technical or professional issues.
Problem Solving - This skill is generally demonstrated by assignments where the applicant monitors current trends or events (for example, technological, economic, political, social, educational, or employment trends or events) and applies the information as appropriate; AND
GS-15 LEVEL SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: In addition to the basic requirements listed above, you must have one year of specialized experience. Specialized experience for these roles is defined as:
- Experience leading vision, direction, roadmap or leading the identification of user needs for a project, product, platform, or service;
- Experience providing project or product leadership;
- Experience utilizing a data-driven approach;
- Experience advising senior leaders or executive stakeholders to achieve organizational or project objectives;
- Experience leading stakeholders through organizational change.
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
- Experience delivering products or services from concept to market
Approach and Methodology
- Expertise applying frameworks that emphasize delivery, iteration, quantitative/qualitative learnings and responsiveness
- Expertise determining user needs and designing and deploying solutions with a focus on customer experience
- Ability to apply forward thinking design and development principles to product development and project management such as lean start-up, agile and user centered design
- 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.
- Coalition builder with the ability to persuade and convince others to think about solutions in new and creative ways
- 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
- Experience collaborating with and leading cross-functional teams to achieve organizational or project objectives
- Tenacity to push forward over difficult obstacles without clear guidance
- 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
Education
None.
Additional information
Key facts about this DHA Public Notice:
- The Technology Transformation Services (TTS) is seeking to fill multiple PIF TERM appointments at the GS-15 level.
- All Presidential Innovation Fellows (PIF) will be selected at the step 1 of the GS-15 pay scale, $155,700 per year (Washington DC locality).
- Current civil service employees will receive new appointments if selected under this Direct Hire Authority.
- Bargaining Unit status: This position is ineligible for the bargaining unit
- Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility.
- Travel expenses associated with interviews may be approved. Determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis.
- Additional vacancies may be filled through this Public Notice in this or other GSA Organizations within the same commuting area.
- Veterans' Preference does not apply to the direct hire recruitment procedures.
- Certain selections made under this notice will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees might be given new appointments to the civil service.
- NOTE: Your application status will not change from "application received/in review" even after the public notice has closed. If selected, you will be contacted by the Human Resources Office. No additional status notifications will be sent.
Diversity:
GSA is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility that goes beyond our compliance with EEO regulations including:
- Valuing and embracing diversity, promoting equity, inclusion and accessibility, and expecting cultural competence; and
- Fostering a work environment where all employees, customers and stakeholders feel respected and valued.
Our commitment is:
- Reflected in our policies, procedures and work environment;
- Recognized by our employees, customers and stakeholders; and
- Drives our efforts to recruit, attract, retain and engage the diverse workforce needed to achieve our mission.
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.
GSA has been repeatedly named as one of the ‘Best Places to Work’ in the federal government. You will have access to many benefits including:
- Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans)
- Life insurance coverage with several options
- Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year
- Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan)
- Transit and child care subsidies
- Training and development
- Flexible spending accounts
- Long-term care insurance
- Training and development
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Submitted materials will be evaluated against the basic qualifications. qualified candidates will be considered in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management Direct Hire Guidelines.
You may not be considered for the position, if any part of the application is incomplete or missing the required supporting documentation. Falsifying your background, education and/or experience is cause for not hiring you or dismissing you if hired.
If you are an Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan eligible or a GSA Career Transition Assistance eligible, you must be considered well qualified to receive priority. ICTAP/CTAP. Well qualified is defined as possession of the majority of competencies required for the position and will be determined, based upon a review of your resume against the competencies required for the position being filled.
Evaluation
The information in this section outlines the criteria that your application will be evaluated against to determine if you meet the Qualifications for the position. There are two very important things to note about this step in the process:
- Only applications found “minimally qualified” can be considered for interviews.
- The Minimum Qualification determination can only be made using the information that’s directly within your resume and directly associated your listed work experience. Examples of stuff that can’t be used for minimum qualification:
- Links to portfolios or other external materials (Yes, the links themselves may be “directly” on the resume but the information is not).
- Information you include in cover letters, responses to questions, etc. as these are not directly associated with your work experience
- Lists of tools, technologies, programming languages, etc. that are listed separately from your work experience
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
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.
GSA has been repeatedly named as one of the ‘Best Places to Work’ in the federal government. You will have access to many benefits including:
- Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans)
- Life insurance coverage with several options
- Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year
- Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan)
- Transit and child care subsidies
- Training and development
- Flexible spending accounts
- Long-term care insurance
- Training and development
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.
Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.
- Resume - must include applicant's name, email address, work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
- If you are ICTAP/CTAP eligible - submit a, b, and c: (a) proof of eligibility including agency notice; (b) SF-50, and (c) most recent performance appraisal.
- Current or Former Political Appointees: Submit an SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action) or an equivalent agency Notice of Personnel Action form is acceptable.
How to Apply
Submit a complete online application including any required documents prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. You can modify or complete your application any time before the deadline. Simply return to USAJOBS, select the vacancy, and update your application. For more detailed instructions on how to apply, click here: Apply for a GSA Job.
To begin, click the Apply Online button on the vacancy announcement.
- Sign in or register on USAJobs and select a resume and documents to include in your application.
- Once you have clicked Apply for this position now, you will be taken to the GSA site to complete the application process.
- Click the Apply To This Vacancy and complete all steps in the application process until the Confirmation indicates your application is complete. If you click Return to USAJobs or get timed out prior to receiving confirmation, your application will not be submitted and cannot be considered for this job.
- Note: Review the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement to determine which apply to you and must be submitted online. You may choose one or more of the following options to submit your document(s): Upload (from your computer) or USAJOBS (click the "USAJOBS" link to complete the transfer process).
Need Assistance in Applying?Contact the HR representative listed on the announcement prior to the application deadline. We are available to assist you Monday-Friday during normal business hours. You must receive HR approval before deviating from these instructions.
Be sure to APPLY EARLY as most assessments must be completed fully and submitted before the Public Notice closing.
Agency contact information
Sylvia Velez-Zuniga
Phone
202-258-7825
Fax
202-219-0982
Email
sylvia.velez-zuniga@gsa.gov
Address
GSA, Technology Transformation Service
General Services Administration
Human Resources Division (CPS)
1800 F Street NW Room 1100
Washington, District of Columbia 20405
United StatesNext steps
After the closing date/deadline:
- ELIGIBILITY/QUALIFICATIONS: Your application will be reviewed for all requirements.
- REFERRAL TO MANAGEMENT: If you meet all the requirements, you may be referred to management for review and a possible interview.
- SELECTION/TENTATIVE JOB OFFER: If you are selected, you will receive a tentative offer from the Human Resources Office and start the suitability and/or security background investigation process.
- FINAL JOB OFFER: Once our security office determines you can come on board, you will be given a final offer and your start date will be established.
Thank you for your interest in working for U.S. General Services Administration!
Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request
Required Documents
ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.
- Resume - must include applicant's name, email address, work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
- If you are ICTAP/CTAP eligible - submit a, b, and c: (a) proof of eligibility including agency notice; (b) SF-50, and (c) most recent performance appraisal.
- Current or Former Political Appointees: Submit an SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action) or an equivalent agency Notice of Personnel Action form is acceptable.
This job is open to
-
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
All United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) are eligible to apply.
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