Job Listing: IT Specialist

Duty Locations

 1 vacancy - New Orleans, LA

The mission of the National Finance Center:  To design, develop, implement and operate, cost-effective, financial, administrative, and management information systems and services supporting the missions of the USDA and its customers.

Full Performance Level: 11

This is an entry-level position that enables the incumbent to perform productive developmental work assignments to increase knowledge, skill, and abilities pertinent to an Information Technology Specialist.

Major Duties

The incumbent writes programs for large scale computer applications by using Common Business-Oriented Language (COBOL), Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) tools, or relational data base syntax (DB2, Oracle); receives training as required to learn the capabilities of the types of equipment for which programs are written and receives, as appropriate, training in new and advanced programming methods, correction procedures, utility program, rapid programming approaches, use of decision logic tables and established structured programming techniques in order to carry out application programming assignments; participates in the development and maintenance of Job Control Language (JCL) required to execute subsystems.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes both of the following parts:

1.      Your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire, and

2.      Your résumé and any other documents specified in the Required Documents section of this job announcement.

 

We highly recommend you apply using Application Manager for convenience and quickest processing. Track your progress to a Complete Application Package using the My Application Packages checklist and status displays in Application Manager. Your Application Package status must be Complete by Wednesday, April 09, 2008 

Option A:  Application Manager

To begin, choose one of these options:

·         If your résumé is going to come from the USAJOBS Resume Builder, you begin the process by clicking the Apply Online button near the bottom of this page. Your résumé will be attached only to the Application Package you complete and Submit immediately after you click the Apply Online button for this job announcement, not to any Application Packages you may already have created.

·         If your résumé is going to be one you prepared outside of USAJOBS Résumé Builder, click this link to begin the process: Online Questionnaire 

 

To return to Application Manager at any time, use whichever one of the links  you used to begin as described above, or simply go to https://ApplicationManager.org. 

 

Help is also available online at the following link  applicationmanagerhelpdesk@opm.gov.   

 

Option B:  Paper Qualifications Questionnaire

If it is not possible for you to use Application Manager, you can write your answers on paper.  Follow these steps:

1.      You can print a copy of this job announcement so that you can read the questions offline.

2.      Obtain and print a copy of the OPM Form 1203-FX, which you will use to provide your answers. You can obtain the form at this URL http://www.opm.gov/Forms/pdf_fill/OPM1203fx.pdf or by calling USAJOBS by Phone at (703) 724-1850; after the introduction, press 1, and listen for instructions.

3.      You may submit the Form 1203-FX, resume, and any supporting documents either by fax or email.

·         By Fax: If you are faxing a Form 1203-FX, do not use a separate cover sheet. Simply make sure the Form 1203-FX is on top of any other documents you are faxing. If you are faxing any documents without the Form 1203-FX on top, always use the official cover sheet which is here -- http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf -- and be sure to fill it out completely and clearly.  The fax number is 1-478-757-3144.  Feed all documents into your fax machine top first so that we receive them right-side up.

·         By Email:  You may also submit your application and forms directly to: bridgett.mccarthy@opm.gov

-   In the Subject line of your email include the Vacancy Identification Number DS173783.  Be sure you provide all of the information requested below:

-   Full name, mailing address (with zip code) and day/evening telephone numbers (with area code).

-   ONLY the last four digits of your Social Security Number (for security and privacy purposes).

 

All documents and applications must received by midnight Eastern Time on Wednesday, April 09, 2008.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS IN THE OCCUPATIONAL QUESTIONNAIRE:

Please use the following step-by-step instructions as a guide to filling out the occupational questionnaire.  If you are applying via Fax or Paper you will need to print out the vacancy announcement and refer to it as you answer the questions.  You may omit any optional information; however, you must provide responses to all required questions.  Be sure to double check your application before submission. You must submit your on-line questionnaire by midnight, Eastern Time on Wednesday, April 09, 2008.

 Social Security Number

Enter your Social Security Number in the space indicated. Providing your Social Security Number is voluntary, however we can not process your application without it.

Vacancy Identification Number

The Vacancy Identification Number is: DS173783

1. Title of Job

IT Specialist

2. Biographic Data

All biographic information is required, except for your telephone number and the contact time.

3. E-Mail Address

4. Work Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

5. Employment Availability

Indicate your availability for employment.

6. Citizenship

Are you a citizen of the United States?
7. Background Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

8. Other Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

9. Languages

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

10. Lowest Grade

Enter the lowest grade level (07-07) you will accept.

07
11. Miscellaneous Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

12. Special Knowledge

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

13. Test Location

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

14. Veteran Preference Claim

Select your claim for Veterans' Preference.

15. Dates of Active Duty - Military Service

These dates are required if you have claimed Veterans' Preference unless you have claimed derived Preference (i.e., widows, spouse, etc.)
Please use this format: (mm/dd/yyyy)

16. Availability Date

You may omit the availability date if you can begin work immediately. Otherwise you must provide the date you will be available for employment. Please use this format: (mm/dd/yyyy)

17. Service Computation Date

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

18. Other Date Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

19. Job Preference

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

20. Occupational Specialties

Select/enter at least one occupational specialty. The specialty code for this position is:

001 Information Technology Specialist
21. Geographic Availability

Select/enter at least one geographic location in which you are interested and will accept employment. The location code for this position is:

0036 New Orleans, LA
22. Transition Assistance Plan

In this section indicate if you are a surplus or displaced Federal employee requesting special priority consideration under the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP).

Note: To receive consideration for CTAP or ICTAP, you must submit the necessary supporting documentation. Refer to the vacancy announcement for additional information and instructions.

23. Job Related Experience

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

24. Personal Background Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

25. Occupational/Assessment Questions:

OCCUPATIONAL QUESTIONS - Mark only 1 response for each question.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND WORK EXPERIENCE
This section asks you to describe your educational background, your work, and other experiences in specific factors which relate to job performance. ALL QUESTIONS MUST BE ANSWERED. Record your answers in Section 25.

1. Please fill in "A" for this question.

A. A

2.

From the descriptions below, select the letter that describes the education or experience you have that demonstrates your ability to perform GS-7, Information Technology Specialist work. If your highest level of education is not described below, choose the letter that describes experience or lower level education that you do have.  If more than 10 percent of your total undergraduate credit hours are non-graded, i.e. pass/fail, credit, etc you cannot qualify based on GPA if you are attempting to qualify based on education.  You can qualify only if you rank in the top 1/3 of your graduating class or major subdivision (e.g. College of Liberal Arts or School of Business).  Submit a copy of your transcript, degree audits will not be accepted.  Mark only 1 response.

A. I have or will complete a bachelor’s degree, and have or will graduate in the upper third of my class based on completed courses in the college, university, or major subdivision.
B. I have been elected to membership in a national scholastic honor society (note: freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this position).
C. My grade point average is 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on my official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education.
D. My grade point average is 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0 or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of my curriculum.
E. My grade point average is 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in my major field or the required course in my major field completed during the final 2 years of my curriculum.
F. I have one full year (18 semester hours or the equivalent) of graduate level study, or possess a master's or higher degree, e.g., LL.B., J.D., LL.M., Ph.D., from an accredited college that demonstrates ability to learn commonly used software development tools such as query language, Common Business-Oriented Language (COBOL), Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) tools, or relational database syntax.

G. I have at least one year (12 months) of specialized experience that demonstrates knowledge of IT principles, techniques and requirements. Such experience demonstrates ability to learn commonly used software development tools such as query language, Common Business-Oriented Language (COBOL), Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) tools, or relational database syntax (DB2 Oracle); skill in implementing and supporting IT security applications; ability to learn methods of applying applications software development principles and methods sufficient participate in the design, development, testing and implementation of new or modified applications software; ability to gather and analyze basic facts and draw conclusions. This experience must be equivalent to the GS-5 level in the Federal service, which could have been obtained in the private or public sectors.

H. I have a combination of graduate education as described above and the type of specialized experience as described above, which when combined would equate to 100%. (To compute, first determine your total qualifying graduate level education as a percentage of the graduate education required; then determine your total qualifying experience as a percentage of experience described above; add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal 100%.)
I. My education and/or experience is not reflected in any of the above statements.

3. Please respond "A" for this question.

A. This is the correct response.

4. Please respond "A" for this question.

A. This is the correct response.

5. Please respond "A" for this question.

A. This is the correct response.

The following questions ask you to describe your educational background, your work, and other experiences in specific areas which relate to successful job performance.

You are to choose one answer to each question from among the alternatives presented. Then, record your answers in Section 25 on OPM Form 1203-FX beginning at Item 6. Do not mark more than one answer for each question. Multiple answers will not be counted. Do not omit answers unless instructed to do so. Other omissions may decrease your score.

6. During high school (grades 9 - 12), I made the semester honor roll:

A. never
B. once or twice
C. three or four times
D. five or six times
E. seven or eight times

7. The high school grade I most often received was:

A. A
B. B
C. C
D. D or lower
E. I do not remember

IF YOU DID NOT ATTEND COLLEGE, PLEASE SKIP TO ITEM 9.

8. The college grade I most often received was:

A. A
B. B
C. C
D. D or lower

E. I do not remember

9. In the past three years the number of different paying jobs I have held for more than two weeks is:

A. 7 or more

B. 5 - 6
C. 3 - 4

D. 1 - 2

E. none

10. I have been employed in work similar to that of the job covered by this examination:

A. never employed in a similar job
B. less than 1 year
C. 1 - 2 years
D. 3 - 4 years
E. over 5 years

11. In the past three years, my primary work experience has been in:

A. professional or administrative occupations

B. clerical or sales occupations

C. service occupations

D. trades or labor occupations

E. not employed in the past three years

12. On my present or most recent job, my supervisor rated me as:

A. outstanding
B. above average

C. average
D. below average

E. not employed or received no rating

13. In the past three years the number of jobs I have been fired from is:

A. 5 or more

B. 3 to 4

C. 2
D. 1
E. none

14. The number of civic or social organizations (which have regular meetings and a defined membership) that I belong to is:

A. none

B. 1
C. 2 or 3
D. 4 to 6
E. 7 or more

15. In organizations to which I belong, my participation is best described as:

A. do not belong to any organizations
B. not very active
C. a regular member but not an office holder

D. have held at least one important office

E. have held several important offices

16. My previous supervisors (or teachers if not previously employed) would most likely describe my basic math skills as:

A. superior

B. above average

C. average

D. below average

E. do not know

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The questions in this part relate to fundamental competencies, such as problem solving, that are required for the job for which you are applying.

Please answer each question "A" for YES or "B" for NO.

Keep in mind the following:

1)      Some questions refer to “work” experience.  Unless otherwise stated, this includes experience you have gained through:

 

·      School,

·      Volunteer work,

·      Military service,

·      Paid employment,

·      Hobbies, or

·      Professional, charitable, religious, community, social, or other organizations.

2) Some questions include examples to help show the broad range of accomplishments and experience applicants might have. Read the entire question using the examples as a guide, but do not base your answers solely on the examples.

3) Some questions ask you if you received a grade of B or above in your schoolwork. On an A, B, C, D, F scale, a grade of B or above is considered an above average grade. If you were graded on a different scale, use the equivalent of a B or above on the type of scale on which you were graded.

Answer all questions to the best of your ability. Your responses are subject to verification through background checks, job interviews, and any other information obtained during the application process. Untruthful responses or any attempt to conceal information can result in your removal from a Federal job and in you being barred from seeking Federal employment in the future.

A- Yes
B- No

17. Have you participated in training classes, workshops, or seminars outside of school that helped you improve your computer skills?

18. Have you successfully done work that regularly involved answering questions, demonstrating a product or service, or providing assistance to customers, clients, or the public?

19. Have you successfully done work that regularly required you to lead or facilitate briefings, meetings, or conferences, or formally present technical or other complex information to others?

20. Have you successfully done work, not including computer programming classes, that regularly involved writing or debugging computer programs?

21. Have you designed an innovative system or procedure that was implemented by your organization and adopted as a model by other organizations?

22. Have you successfully developed an automated system that improved accuracy, efficiency, or productivity?

23. Have you often been asked to proofread or edit the writing of others for content, punctuation, spelling, and grammar?

24. Have you successfully done work that regularly involved manipulating data in a computer database (for example, importing, exporting, merging, updating, sorting data, etc.)?

25. Have you suggested or developed an innovative strategy that increased participation in a group or program?

26. Have you received favorable feedback for oral presentations you have given to management or other officials, or to the public (for example, for speaking at religious services, performing in theatrical productions, etc.)?

27. Have you successfully done work, not including computer applications classes, that regularly involved using word processing software to create, edit, and format documents or correspondence?

28. Have you taught yourself skills that improved your performance in school or at work (for example, taught yourself typing, computer skills, a foreign language, etc.)?

29. Have you successfully planned or monitored a large-scale project or program that involved several steps that were carried out over an extended period of time?

30. Have you successfully done work that required extensive on-the-job training?

31. Have you worked on several major assignments or projects at the same time with minimal supervision and completed the work on time or ahead of schedule?

32. Have you successfully done work that required you to keep enough cash on hand or maintain an adequate stock of supplies, equipment, or merchandise?

33. Have you successfully learned a hobby or leisure activity requiring extensive study or use of complex directions (for example, constructing stereo or computer systems, making stained glass objects, etc.)?

34. In high school, did you have an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, belong to an honor society, or graduate with honors?

35. Have you willingly changed routine tasks to accommodate new systems, policies, or procedures (for example, changed to a new filing system, computer system, financial record-keeping system, etc.)?

36. Have you suggested or designed a program that improved the quality of a product or service (for example, an employee suggestion program, customer satisfaction tracking program, etc.)?

37. Have you successfully done work that regularly involved conducting quality checks or following up with customers or clients to ensure satisfaction with a product or service?

38. Have you willingly rearranged many of your priorities and much of your schedule to accommodate a major, planned change that had a long-term impact on you (for example, worked overtime for several months to implement a new system on schedule, had extensive renovations done on your house that required you to live elsewhere, etc.)?

39. Have you readily rearranged many of your priorities and much of your schedule to accommodate an unplanned change that had a short-term impact on you (for example, took on additional work for a co-worker who was absent due to a minor illness, rescheduled all final examinations due to a death in the family, etc.)?

40. Have you participated in training classes, workshops, or seminars outside of school that helped you improve your customer service skills?

41. Have you successfully done work that regularly required you to modify plans to accommodate unexpected assignments or to respond to changing workloads, priorities, or deadlines?

42. Have you devised a strategy to overcome a major setback that successfully enabled you to complete a project on time or within budget?

43. Have you successfully done work that regularly involved relaying messages to co-workers, or providing information or giving simple instructions to customers or the public, either in person or by telephone (for example, worked as a receptionist, dispatcher, etc.)?

44. Have you successfully done work that regularly required you to determine resource requirements or monitor the use of resources (for example, staff, space, equipment, supplies, materials, etc.)?

45. Have you done work that involved writing brochures, press releases, or speeches?

46. Have you successfully done work that regularly involved informally providing oral explanations of technical information or other complex information, such as regulations, policies, or procedures?

47. Have you learned a hobby or leisure activity well enough that you have been asked to do it for others on a voluntary basis?

48. Have you successfully coordinated work, school, and/or family responsibilities under especially difficult circumstances (for example, you and your spouse worked full time while raising young children, you went to school full time and worked more than 20 hours per week, you worked full time while caring for an elderly parent, etc.)?

49. Have you successfully completed a highly structured, formal training program, not including an apprenticeship for a trade or craft, that required you to learn a complex body of information (for example, training for jobs in insurance, law enforcement, real estate, etc.)?

50. Have you written procedures or instructions that others have followed successfully (for example, instruction manuals, survey instructions, training materials, etc.)?

51. Have you successfully completed a long-term project outside of work where you were solely responsible for doing the work (for example, completed a thesis, wrote a book that was published, prepared a horse for competition that won a ribbon, restored an antique car, etc.)?

52. Have you successfully worked in a newly created organization that was still in the process of establishing its policies and procedures?

53. Have you successfully planned an event such as a conference, fund-raiser, etc.?

54. Have you successfully done work that often required you to accommodate last minute requests from customers or clients or to provide quality service in situations where timeliness is critical (for example, worked as a courier or travel agent, worked in newspaper publishing, etc.)?

55. Have you successfully done work, not including computer applications classes, that regularly involved using graphics software to create and edit charts, tables, or graphs?

56. Have you successfully created computerized databases to organize information?

57. Have you proposed a creative idea, system, or procedure that benefited a group or organization?

58. Have you participated in training classes, workshops, or seminars outside of school that helped you improve your self-management skills (for example, time management, goal setting, career development, etc.)?

59. Have you successfully completed a large-scale project (lasting several months or longer) on or ahead of schedule with minimal supervision?

60. Have you participated in training classes, workshops, or seminars outside of school that improved your performance at work?

61. Have you been requested to take on additional responsibilities because of your ability to manage your own work effectively?

62. Have you identified and solved a problem with a procedure, product, or service that benefited the organization (for example, saved the organization time or money, increased sales, reduced errors, etc.)?

63. Have you designed a tool or device that helped you perform your work more effectively?

64. Have you successfully dealt with a disruption to regular operations in a way that allowed for completion of the work or continuation of a noncritical service?

65. Have you readily rearranged virtually all of your priorities and much of your schedule to accommodate a sudden major change, problem, or setback that had a relatively long-term impact on you (for example, assumed the duties of another staff member who quit unexpectedly, took in an elderly parent who suddenly became ill, etc.)?

66. Have you developed a formal mechanism to learn more about a problem (for example, developed a survey, conducted interviews or focus groups, etc.)?

67. Have you successfully done work that regularly required you to respond or react quickly in emergency situations (for example, combat duty, firefighting, rescue work, police work, natural disaster relief, etc.)?

68. Have you successfully done work that involved writing technical or legal reports, or translating technical or other complex material into language that was more easily understood?

69. Have you suggested or designed an innovative procedure for tracking information or expenses that improved the accuracy, efficiency, or accessibility of the information?

70. Have you successfully done work that only occasionally required you to present information at briefings, meetings, conferences, or hearings?

71. Have you successfully written reports that presented facts, findings, logical conclusions, and persuasive arguments (for example, wrote a thesis, briefing papers, policy papers, complex research papers, etc.)?

72. Have you received formal recognition for providing good service to customers or clients (for example, received an award, a letter of commendation, an excellent performance appraisal rating, etc.)?

73. Have you successfully planned activities for nonwork groups (for example, athletic teams, professional associations, religious groups, etc.)?

74. Have you received favorable feedback about your ability to provide oral instructions or on-the-job training to others, or about your ability to instruct or coach others in athletic, leisure, or community activities?

75. Have you successfully done work where one of your primary responsibilities was to solve customer problems (for example, provided support services for customers with software problems)?

76. Have you successfully worked closely with a client over an extended period of time to complete a project or resolve a problem?

77. Have you learned a hobby or leisure activity well enough that others have paid you to do it?

78. Have you successfully done paid work that regularly involved troubleshooting and resolving problems with equipment or systems (for example, appliances, vehicles, machinery, computer or electrical systems, etc.)?

79. Have you received formal recognition based on your creativity (for example, received an award, a letter of recognition, etc.)?

80. Have you successfully designed or developed innovative ways of gathering information that had not been used before in your organization (for example, developed a new form for recording patient history, used focus groups to get customer feedback, etc.)?

81. Have you designed or developed something, on your own initiative, to help you or other employees better complete assignments (for example, designed a training manual)?

82. Have you received formal recognition for your written work (for example, received an award, letter of commendation, excellent performance appraisal rating, etc.)?

83. Have you successfully done work that regularly involved verifying the accuracy of information or the relevance of information to a problem or a situation (for example, investigative work)?

84. Have you successfully done work that frequently required you to present nontechnical information at briefings, meetings, conferences, or hearings?

85. Have you done work where regularly you were responsible for dealing with disruptions that impacted a group of people (for example, rowdy behavior at a public pool, weather changes at a camp, altercations in a prison, etc.)?

86. Have you suggested or made changes to products or procedures that resulted in better meeting customer needs?

87. Have you successfully done work that regularly involved composing letters or writing reports containing several short paragraphs, such as investigation reports, accident reports, performance evaluations, etc.?

 

Required Documents:

The Assessment Questionnaire
A resume, or application of your choice
Veterans documentation (if applying for veterans preference), and
College transcripts (if applicable) are required. 

Refer to Step Two under "How to Apply" for instructions on how to submit these forms.  

Note: Please ensure that your resume contains the basic information outlined under the Applying for a Federal Job link:   http://www.gpo.gov/careers/pdfs/of0510.pdf

Your resume, curriculum vitae, or any other written format you choose to describe your job-related qualifications can be submitted electronically through the Application Manager.  Please ensure that all submitted document contain your full name, address, phone and at least your last four digits of your social security number.

 

Contact Information:
BRIDGETT McCarthy

Phone: (210)805-2415

Fax: (478)757-3144

Email: bridgett.mccarthy@opm.gov


Or write:
San Antonio Services Section
8610 BROADWAY
SUITE 305
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78217

USA

Fax: (478)757-3144


What To Expect Next:

Applicants that are found among the most highly qualified may be referred to the hiring official for consideration.  If your name is referred to the hiring agency, you will be contacted directly by that office for a possible interview.  You will receive notice via email or by mail if no email address was provided by you during your application process.