Summary
This vacancy is for a Computer Scientist in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration within the Department of Commerce.
Duties
As a Computer Scientist, you will perform the following duties: Uses a variety of software languages to independently design and develop software solutions to solve complex telecommunication research problems that implement mathematical models, statistical methods, numerical analysis, and technical algorithms. Verifies, validates, debugs, troubleshoots, and tests software implementations. Creates test plans, test scripts, requirements specifications, status updates, system architecture diagrams, and design documents. Analyzes project results and effectively participates in internal and external meetings with leadership, colleagues, and sponsors. Reports project results to both technical and non-technical audiences using tact and persuasion, responding appropriately to questions. Authors or co-authors sponsor reports, conference papers, technical reports, user guides, test analysis reports, software design/architecture documents, public code release documentation, and systems analysis reports. This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Computer Scientist ZP-1550-3, FPL 4 positions within the Department of Commerce in the same geographical location or local commuting area with the same qualifications and specialized experience. This position is also advertised under NTIA-ITS-ST-26-13077102, which is open to Merit Promotion eligible applicants. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both.
Requirements
You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position. You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. A probationary period may be required. Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/). If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing. Bargaining Unit Position: NO Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450): NO Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense: WILL NOT be paid Recruitment Incentive may be offered (New Federal employees only) up to $10,000 Relocation Incentive may be offered (Current Federal employees only) up to $10,000
Education
There is a positive education requirement for this position. This position requires proof of higher education. See Qualifications Above. Additionally, if you are substituting education for experience, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. Please refer to http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp for more information. NOTE: Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You MUST provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., two-page resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, the result of the USA Hire assessment and Structured Resume Review required for this position. Structured Resume Review: Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. SMEs will review ONLY two (2) pages of your resume. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume). Applicants passing the structured resume review will move on to the next phase of the assessment process. If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, you will be placed in one of the three pre-defined categories. The categories are "gold", "silver" and "bronze". Candidates placed in the "gold" category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager. How you will be evaluated for preference eligibility: Within each category, those entitled to veterans' preference will be listed at the top of the pre-defined category for which they are placed. Preference eligible with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category (gold) depending on the position and grade level of the job. For more information on Category Rating, please go to Category Rating. For Certain Military Spouses: All applicants who meet the qualification requirements and military spouse noncompetitive eligibility requirements (see "Additional Information" section above") will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration on a separate referral list. While veterans' preference is not a consideration when filling positions under the military spouse non-competitive hiring authority, preference eligibles are encouraged to submit their supporting documentation (DD-214, stating disposition of discharge or character of service, VA letter, SF-15, etc.). All: Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. The assessments will evaluate you on the following general/technical competencies required to perform the job; please do not provide a separate written response: Computer Science, Technical Problem Solving, Oral Communication, Writing, Reasoning, Attention to Detail, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Self- Management, Stress Tolerance, Teamwork. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. Do NOT include the following types of information in your resume/application. If any are included, you will be deemed INELIGIBLE for consideration. Classified or government sensitive information Social Security Number (SSN) Photos of yourself Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc. We recommend that you preview the online questions for this announcement before you start the application process. To preview the questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13077101