Summary
The position is in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Information and Technology (OIT), Product Delivery Service (PDS) Health Services Portfolio. OIT is responsible for the implementation of information technologies that are aligned with the business strategies of the Department of Veterans Administration (VA), from Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), National Cemetery Administration (NCA) and Corporate offices.
Duties
OIT Mission: The mission of the Office of Information and Technology (OIT) is to collaborate with our business partners to create the best experience for all Veterans. OIT Vision: To become a world-class organization that provides a seamless, unified Veteran experience through the delivery of state-of-the-art technology. OIT is seeking Information Technology Specialist - VistA Software Engineers/Developers who work independently within a team responsible for engineering, implementing, and sustaining the Department of Veterans Affairs VistA software applications. VistA (Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture) is the electronic health record system used by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to manage clinical, administrative, and financial operations for veterans and built on Massachusetts General Hospital Utility Multi-Programming System (MUMPS) programming language. The primary functions of this position consist of analysis, design, coding, and unit testing of internally developed MUMPS and/or Delphi-based VISTA software applications as well as technical support to projects and programs unrelated to assigned efforts, reviewing design artifacts and code. Major Duties: Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan the development of a new application or modification of an existing application. Performs unit testing of developed software testing to include adherence to standards, debugging and validation of features developed and defect remediation applied. Optimizes and integrates legacy system components using current and emerging software principles, methods and approaches to meet technical and functional requirements. Expert in the engineering and developing new software applications, new features for deployed applications, enhancing existing functions and coding defect repairs to deployed applications using various technologies as assigned. Ensures that organization programming standards, quality standards, tools, techniques and processes are defined and implemented across the system with the goal of ensuring uniformity and consistency of work products. Actively participate and/or lead design reviews of applications including those not necessarily produced within their production units, participate and contribute to national standards activities, present and promote VA software development activities at national conferences, communicate with and influence vendors and play an active role in VA IT continuous quality improvement activities. Leads the development of test scenarios and test cases, support of customer acceptance testing, monitoring of test sites. provision of warranty support following product release. Testing ensures that relevant standards, conventions, methods and techniques are appropriately applied as part of the development unit testing of the software solutions. Responsible in conducting consultations, installations and evaluation of software modules. Compile and write documentation of program development and subsequent revisions, inserting comments in the coded instructions so others can understand the program. Demonstrate leadership, initiative, self-motivation and strong communication skills. This position is primarily aligned to the following NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework work roles: Cybersecurity Code: 621- Software Developer: Develops, creates, maintains, and writes/codes new (or modifies existing) computer applications, software, or specialized utility programs. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: As determined by the Agency Policy Telework: Adhoc telework may be authorized at management discretion. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: IT Specialist (APPSW)/PD18287A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical Demands: The work is essentially sedentary but involves occasional moving and lifting. Travel to facilities and national, VISN and local meetings is required. Working Conditions: Most work is performed in an office setting. Travel is required for meetings, consultations, installations, and evaluations of software modules. Designated Drug Testing Position: Not applicable This is a bargaining unit eligible position.
Requirements
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Education
There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
How you will be evaluated
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. USA Hire Assessments include a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.