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USAID Computer Engineer


Job Title:Computer Engineer
Agency:U.S. Agency for International Development
Job Announcement Number:AID-13-0140-LW (2)

SALARY RANGE:

$123,758.00 to $155,500.00 / Per Year

OPEN PERIOD:

Wednesday, April 24, 2013 to Friday, May 10, 2013

SERIES & GRADE:

GS-0854-15

POSITION INFORMATION:

Full-time appointment in the Competitive Service. This position IS NOT in the bargaining unit. - Permanent

PROMOTION POTENTIAL:

15

DUTY LOCATIONS:

1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington DC Metro Area, DC, US

WHO MAY APPLY:

All US Citizens that meet qualifications for this position-no federal experience required.

 

JOB SUMMARY:


USAIDs headquarters is centrally located in downtown Washington, DC, at the prestigious Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. We are located right on the Federal Triangle Metro (Blue and Orange Lines). The office is within walking distance of restaurants, shops, Smithsonian Institution museums and Washington Monument.


USAID is an independent Federal Government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State.  With headquarters in Washington, D.C., USAID fosters transformational development around the world.  Our work supports economic growth and trade; agriculture and the environment; education and training; democracy and governance; global health; global partnerships and humanitarian assistance.  We operate in four regions of the world:  Sub-Saharan Africa; Asia and the Near East; Latin America and the Caribbean; and Europe and Eurasia.  USAID employees in the Civil Service and Foreign Service, as well as individuals employed through Personal Service Contracts, must adhere to our Counter Trafficking in Persons Code of Conduct.  For information on the effort to counter all forms of human trafficking, including the procurement of commercial sex acts and the use of forced labor, visit http://www.state.gov/g/tip.  For more information about USAID, visit http://www.usaid.gov.

SUMMARY:

As a Computer Engineer, you will be responsible for providing technical advice and other assistance to the Chief Information Officer.  This position is located in the Bureau for Management the immediate Office of the CIO, M/CIO/ICIO which provides oversight of the performance of all work efforts managed through the M/CIO organization. The Office of the Chief Information Officer is responsible for overseeing planning, prioritizing, developing, contracting, operating, and maintaining the Agency’s information and communications technology resources.

KEY REQUIREMENTS


  • U.S. Citizen or national
  • Relevant experience (see Qualifications below)
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance
  • Males born after 12/31/1959, must be registered with the Selective Service
  • Direct Deposit/Electric Funds Transfer is required

DUTIES:



As a Computer Engineer, you will: Serve as a recognized authority in the field, and advise and consult on a national level. Direct, manage, and conduct special studies and analyses of marked importance that significantly impact the computer engineering field and lead to major modifications or important extensions of current practices, and resolve key problems facing the organization or agency.

Initiates system study efforts, defines areas of study, monitors study and review approaches, and evaluates study results for conclusions affecting overall systems.
Develops and provides technical engineering, managerial, procedural, and policy guidance.  Consults and maintains close working relationships with communications and information systems personnel. Presents technical position on communications and information systems at meetings and conferences. Provides briefings at the Chief Information Officer level as required. Provides training to communications and information systems personnel in areas of subject matter expertise.

Directs a program or major program segments with significant resources (e.g., one at a multimillion dollar level of annual resources). Serves as expert consultant in the planning, monitoring, and administration of projects of national or international significance, characterized by constantly, and sometimes greatly changing physical environment, critical problems, or other similar variables and unknowns.

As an engineering expert, authors technical documents that guide personnel on the capability planning, acquisition, operation, and life cycle support of communications and integrated information systems or processes.

Analyzes and considers subordinate or peer technical review of professional studies, research, and analysis.

Provides expert analysis and advice on agency-wide programs or issues of national impact. Applies advanced techniques to interpret and evaluate findings resulting from analysis.

Develops and writes comprehensive resolution recommendations. Formally presents findings before large and diverse audiences, such as Federal, state, and local government representatives, special interest groups, the community, the media, etc.


QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:



In order for your application to be considered, you must meet the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAOC’s) by the closing date of this announcement.  Please be advised that a narrative is not required, but the KSAOC’s must be displayed in your resume at the next lower grade level.
You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal service. This experience could have been gained in the military, public or private sector. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis.  Examples of qualifying specialized experience at the next lower level for this position include:

Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of the range of administrative laws, policies, regulations and precedents applicable to the administration of one or more public programs.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates may apply if well qualified.  Well-qualified means an eligible employee who possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities which clearly exceed the minimum requirements of the position. A well-qualified employee must meet the qualification and eligibility requirements of the position, including any medical qualifications, suitability, and minimum education and experience requirements, meet all selective factors (where applicable); meet quality ranking factors above the minimum level, which equates to a score of 88 or higher in the online assessment; be physically qualified with reasonable accommodation to perform the essential duties of the position; meet any special qualifying U.S. OPM-approved conditions; AND be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry without additional training.

A well-qualified candidate will not necessarily meet the definition of highly or best qualified when evaluated against other candidates who apply for a particular position. In the absence of selective and quality ranking factors, selecting officials will document the job-related reason(s) for qualification determinations. 



All academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions
Undergraduate or Graduate Education: Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks.
GS-11 (or equivalent); Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.


In order for your application to be considered, you must meet all education (if applicable), basic qualifications, and knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics (KSAOC’s) by the closing date of this announcement.  
Please be advised that a narrative is not required, but the KSAOC’s must be displayed within your resume. 
  •  Ability to provide expert technical advice, guidance, and recommendations to management on organizational programs
  • Skilll in applying Computer Engineering principles, methods, standards, and practices sufficient to accomplish assignments such as develop and interpret policies and strategies governing the delivery of services throughout an organization
  • Knowledge of Computer Engineering concepts, standards, and methods
Qualified applicants will be evaluated in the following areas:

  • Laws. Policies and Regulations
  • Problem Solving
  • Customer Service
  • Project Management
  • Written Communication

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:


We use a multi-step process to evaluate and refer applicants: Qualified applicants receive a score of 70 to 100 before veteran’s preference points are applied (if applicable).  You will be rated on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the education, experience, and training you report on relative to this positions that show the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities or competencies listed on this vacancy announcement.  USAID must be able to conduct reference checks as part of its assessment process.  Applicants who do not permit reference checks from previous employers may be disqualified.

Category Rating will be used to rank and select eligible candidates. If qualified, you will be assigned to one of three categories (Gold, Silver, Bronze) depending on your experience and education related to this position. Veterans’ preference is applied after applicants are assessed. Preference-eligibles will be listed at the top of their assigned category and considered before non-preference-eligibles in that category. Qualified preference-eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest category.  
Your application must show that you meet all requirements, including the education and/or experience required for this position. You may be found “not qualified” if you do not possess the minimum competencies required for the position. If your application is incomplete, we may rate you as ineligible.


To preview questions please click here.


BENEFITS:



Working for USAID offers comprehensive benefits including paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life and health insurance, and the Federal Employees Retirement System.  You can explore the benefits offered to most Federal employees at http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/.   USAID’s headquarters is in downtown Washington, D.C., at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., on the Federal Triangle Metro Blue and Orange Lines.  The office is within walking distance of restaurants, shops, museums, and Washington Monument.  A physical fitness facility and food court are on site.  You will be eligible for telework in accordance with Agency policy.

OTHER INFORMATION:


This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies within 5 months of the closing date.

These are Testing Designated Positions (TDP’s) under the Agency’s approved Drug Free Work Place Program.  All applicants selected for this position will be subject to random drug testing once they begin working for the Agency.

Moving and relocation expenses are not authorized

Reasonable Accommodation Policy:  http://www.usajobs.gov/raps
Veterans’ Information:   http://www.usajobs.gov/vi
Telework:  www.telework.gov
Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/.


HOW TO APPLY:



The following instructions outline our application process.  You must complete this on-line application process and submit any applicable required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. If applying on-line poses an extreme hardship, you must contact the human resources office no later than two business days prior to the closing date of this vacancy announcement.  An alternative application method will provided upon approval of the hardship notification. After this time, requests to apply via alternative methods will not be granted. 

Please note that all required documents must be received by the closing date, via online or alternative methods, and that we will determine your eligibility and qualifications based solely on the material received by the closing date.

Step 1 - Review the Job Announcement
Before you apply, we suggest you review the entire job announcement.  Pay close attention to the Major Duties section and the How You Will Be Evaluated section where you will see the areas upon which your application will be evaluated and a link for previewing online questions.

Step 2 - Create or Upload a resume with USAJOBS (www.usajobs.gov)
-Create or upload a resume in USAJOBS. You may wish to customize your resume to ensure it supports your responses to the online questions and addresses the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of the job announcement.  For resume tips, click here.
-Although you must enter your Social Security Number (SSN) for USAJOBS, we will only see the last four digits for identification purposes.

Step 3 - Apply Online
Click the “Apply Online” button on this announcement and then select the resume you wish to submit with your application. You will be redirected to the Department of the Treasury’s CareerConnector website to complete the application process.

Step 4 - Answer the Online Questions and Submit Your Online Application
If this is your first time on Treasury’s CareerConnector website, you will be prompted to register by answering questions related to your eligibility for Federal employment. The system will save these responses and take you back to the main screen so that you can answer the job-specific questions. Select “Take me to the assessment” and click on the “Next” button to answer the job-specific questions. You must answer all the questions and click the “Finish” button.

Step 5 - Review and Confirm Your Submission
You will now have the option to upload a document or print fax cover-sheets for documents (see Step 6 for details). Once you click “Done,” you will see a summary of your application for your review. You may also print a copy for your records. When you click “Finish” at the bottom of the page, you will then be directed back to USAJOBS where you can confirm that your application has been submitted and track your application status.

Step 6 - Submit Documents
You can submit any applicable required or optional documents (see below) by document upload, fax, or e-mail. Whichever method you choose, please include the job announcement number with your documents. To protect your privacy, we encourage you to remove your SSN from any documents that you submit.

Document Upload: You may upload documents in one of two ways:
1.    Once you finish answering the questions in the job announcement, you will be prompted to upload your document(s) to your application.  You will be given the choice to either upload the document as part of the application process or you can select a document that you’ve already loaded on USAJOBS.  Or

2.    You can upload a document to an existing application by logging into your USAJOBS account profile.  Click on “My Applications” and search for the vacancy.  Once you’ve located the vacancy, click on the vacancy and select “Apply Online.”  Move through your existing application to the Documents page and select Upload in order to add a document to your application.  Be certain to review your complete application for confirmation that the document uploaded.
In the Application Review section, you may verify acceptance of your documents in Career Connector if you see them listed on the “Vacancy Documents” screen. Then, click on “Finished” to be returned to USAJOBS.

Fax: Print a fax cover-sheet in Career Connector by following the “Faxing Supporting Documentation” instructions.  The fax number will be provided on the cover-sheet.

If you are having difficulty within the Career Connector system and need technical assistance please email the help desk at careerconnectorhelp@treasury.gov. The help desk is available to assist you during the hours of 8:00 am- 4:30 pm EST. 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:


  • Resume showing relevant experience.
  • Most recent copy of your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action); your document must reflect grade, step, tenure code “1” (Career) or “2” (Career-Conditional Appointment ONLY), and type of position occupied.  If applying as a reinstatement eligible, please submit your Resignation SF-50.
  • Most recent performance appraisal
  • Veterans’ documentation, if applying under a veterans’ hiring authority such as VEOA (e,g, DD214, SF-15, and Veteran’s Administration Letter) For a detailed list of documents, click here
  • Supporting documentation if seeking eligibility based any other special hiring authority (e.g., disabled veteran, Schedule A) For a detailed list of documents, click here.
  • Peace Corp Letter granting eligibility to apply for federal competitive status positions

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Linda Wilson
Phone: 202-712-0460
Fax: 202-630-0460
Email: csprecruitment@usaid.gov
Agency Information:
United States Agency for International Development
1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC
20523-0016
US
Fax: 202-630-0460
 

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:


Applicants are evaluated using an automated applicant assessment system.  After determining basic eligibility and qualifications, the supplemental questionnaire will be used to identify the best qualified applicants to be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and possible interviews.  After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.  A final job offer is contingent upon a favorable suitability determination and a favorable SECRET level security clearance investigation and determination.

You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging onto the USAJOBS “My Account” tab and clicking on “Application Status.”  You will receive final notification via email when this vacancy has been filled. Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement. Also, note that if you provide an email address that is inaccurate or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.