Summary

As a IT Spec (DATAMGT) at the GS-2210-12/13, you will be part of Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of Personnel Management. If selected, you will be responsible for you will serve as a Database Administrator (DBA) responsible for the design, implementation, security, and optimization of enterprise database systems supporting OPM's mission-critical programs, including data-platform services supporting AI and machine-learning systems.

Duties

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• Ensure database performance, integrity, and security through regular monitoring, optimization, and adherence to best practices across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments.
• Diagnose and resolve complex, high-impact database and software issues, including analysis, testing, and evaluation of system security.
• Implement and manage robust backup and recovery procedures to safeguard data and ensure business continuity.
• Manage user access and permissions to ensure data security, and integrate third-party tools using secure protocols while identifying automation opportunities.
• Optimize enterprise database and data-platform services supporting AI and machine-learning systems, and develop solutions for ingesting, transforming, storing, and retrieving structured and unstructured data.
• Continuously monitor and tune database performance, forecast long-term database administration and design needs, and automate routine tasks.
• Support security reviews and audits by maintaining detailed records of database configurations and changes to ensure regulatory compliance.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin
• Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required
• You will be required to report to an OPM assigned office.
• This position is not eligible for inclusion in a bargaining unit

Qualifications

For the GS-12: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, or equivalent, performing information technology database administration work that includes:

• Administering enterprise databases, including monitoring, performance tuning, optimization, and managing user access and permissions;
• Diagnosing and resolving moderately complex database and software issues, including analysis, testing, and evaluation of system security; and
• Implementing and managing database backup and recovery procedures to safeguard data and ensure business continuity; and
• Supporting cloud, CI/CD pipeline, or automation solutions for database environments and integrating third-party tools using secure protocols; and
• Documenting database configurations, changes, or proposed solutions and communicating technical concepts to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.

For the GS-13: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, or equivalent, performing senior-level information technology database administration work that includes:

• Serving as a technical authority administering enterprise databases across on-premises, cloud, or hybrid environments, including monitoring, performance tuning, optimization, and access management;
• Diagnosing and resolving complex, high-impact database and software issues, including root-cause analysis, testing, and evaluation of system security; and
• Implementing and managing robust backup, recovery, and continuity strategies for mission-critical database systems; and
• Optimizing database or data-platform services supporting artificial intelligence and machine-learning systems, including data ingestion, transformation, storage, quality, lineage, or access controls; and
• Advising leadership, presenting recommendations in governance forums (such as change control or engineering review boards), and mentoring or training junior staff on database technologies and best practices.

AND

Competency Requirement: In addition to the Specialized Experience above, you must meet the competency requirements for the Information Technology (IT) Management Series 2210, for the grade level(s) to which you apply, as described below.

A. You must have Information Technology related experience demonstrating each of the following required competencies for the grade level to which you apply, and must meet or exceed the *minimum proficiency level for each (Please see the Education section below for the Minimum Proficiency Level scale):

For the GS-12: Attention to Detail (Level 4, Advanced), Customer Service (Level 4, Advanced), Decision Making (Level 3, Intermediate), Information Management (Level 4, Advanced), Interpersonal Skills (Level 4, Advanced), Oral Communication (Level 3, Intermediate), Problem Solving (Level 3, Intermediate), Teamwork (Level 4, Advanced), Technical Competence (Level 3, Intermediate).

For the GS-13: Attention to Detail (Level 4, Advanced), Customer Service (Level 4, Advanced), Decision Making (Level 3, Intermediate), Information Management (Level 4, Advanced), Interpersonal Skills (Level 4, Advanced), Oral Communication (Level 3, Intermediate), Problem Solving (Level 4, Advanced), Teamwork (Level 4, Advanced), Technical Competence (Level 4, Advanced).

Competency definitions:

• Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
• Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
• Decision Making - Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
• Information Management - Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems.
• Interpersonal Skills - Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations.
• Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
• Teamwork - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
• Technical Competence - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.

or

B. You do not fully meet the competency requirements outlined above, but you are nonetheless demonstrably well qualified to perform the work of the position. You possess appropriate licensure, registration, or certification (Examples include: Oracle Certified Professional (OCP), Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate, AWS Certified Database - Specialty, PostgreSQL or MySQL certifications, MongoDB Certified DBA, CompTIA DataSys+, CompTIA Security+, ITIL, or other database, data platform, cloud, cybersecurity, or enterprise IT certification). You must provide copies of licensure, registration, or certification.

or

C. You do not fully meet the competency requirements outlined above, but you are nonetheless demonstrably well qualified to perform the work of the position. You have a substantial record of experience, achievement, and publications that demonstrates eminence in the appropriate profession/technical field. You must provide examples such as published works, industry keynotes, peer research, awards, board memberships, etc.

OPM Qualification Standards and additional information for this position can be found here: Competency-Based Qualification Standard for the Information Technology Management Series, 2210.

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

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; religious; 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.

Education

There is no education requirement for this position. Under the Competency-Based Qualification Standard for the Information Technology Management Series, 2210, education may not be required, used in lieu of, or substituted as an alternative for demonstrating the required competencies or specialized experience. Transcripts are not required.

Minimum Proficiency Level: *Applicants may qualify by meeting or exceeding the minimum proficiency level established for each of the required competencies. Below is a detailed explanation of the Proficiency Level Scale used to evaluate General Competencies for this position:

• Level 1 - Awareness: - Applies competency in the simplest or most structured situations. - Requires close and extensive guidance. - Demonstrates awareness but limited practical application. - Learning the foundational elements.
• Level 2 - Basic: - Applies the competency in somewhat routine or structured situations. - Requires frequent guidance. - Demonstrates familiarity with key concepts and practices. - Beginning to build confidence and independence.
• Level 3 - Intermediate: - Applies the competency in moderately difficult situations. - Requires occasional guidance. - Demonstrates solid understanding and consistent application. - Able to adapt to new or unfamiliar contexts.
• Level 4 - Advanced: - Applies the competency in considerably difficult or varied situations. - Requires little or no guidance. - Demonstrates broad and in-depth understanding. - May coach or guide others.
• Level 5 - Expert: - Applies the competency in exceptionally difficult or novel situations. - Serves as a key resource and trusted advisor to others. - Demonstrates mastery and deep insight into the competency area. - Often leads or mentors others in this area.

Additional information

This announcement will be used to fill vacancies through OPM-authorized Direct Hire Authority due to Critical Hiring Need/Severe Shortage of Candidates. Veteran preference and traditional rating/raking of applicants do not apply. For more information on OPM's authorization of Direct Hire Authority, please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/direct-hire-authority/

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across OPM.

If you are unable to apply online and would like to request information about the Alternate Application process, please use the contact information at the bottom of this announcement.

Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may 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 you