IT SPECIALIST (POLICY PLANNING)

United States Department of Agriculture

$80K — $95K *
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of IT-related experience, with proficiency in project management.
  • Demonstrated experience in analyzing enterprise-level investment data.
  • Proven ability to prepare policy documents and evaluation tools for IT investments.
  • Experience drafting policy changes aligned with statutory requirements.
  • Strong background in reviewing investment performance and making recommendations.

Responsibilities

  • Participate in project management tasks, defining and tracking milestones.
  • Analyze enterprise investment data, reporting trends and risks to leadership.
  • Prepare guidance and templates for IT investment planning.
  • Update existing directives to ensure compliance with regulations.
  • Conduct comprehensive research on IT systems and investments.
  • Review performance data, identifying trends and proposing solutions.
  • Develop and refine IT capital planning and investment control policies.

Benefits

  • Access to a comprehensive federal benefits package for you and your family.
  • Eligibility for various benefits depends on your position type.
  • Opportunities for career development and promotions within the agency.
Full Job Description
Summary

This position is located in Office of Chief Information Officer (OCIO), Information Resource Management Center (IRMC). The incumbent reports to Director for Capital Planning and Information Technology Governance Division (CPITGD), carrying out the IT management policy and planning functions and activities needed to support the Department's overall IT management and administration with aligning to regulatory requirements such as the Federal Information Technology Acquisitions Reform Act (FITARA).

Duties

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  • Participates in project management activities including defining tasks, developing plans, tracking milestones, assessing and reporting performance and advising appropriate levels of agency personnel.
  • Analyzes enterprise-level investment data to identify and report trends, patterns, or risks requiring further action by Departmental leadership.
  • Prepares guidance and policy documents, evaluation tools, and templates used by agencies in planning and managing investments.
  • Analyzes existing directives to identify required updates and drafts policy changes that reflect current statutory and regulatory requirements.
  • Performs complex research and analysis on IT systems, investments, and enterprise portfolio issues.
  • Reviews investment performance data, identifies trends or outliers, and prepares recommendations for addressing identified issues.
  • Develops and updates sections of IT capital planning and investment control policy framework.
  • Reviews agency submissions, ensure alignment with federal mandates, and provide authoritative technical guidance.


Requirements

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Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

Experience must be IT related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate.

GS-5 through GS-15 (or equivalent): For all positions individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the competencies listed below. The employing agency is responsible for identifying the specific level of proficiency required for each competency at each grade level based on the requirements of the position being filled.

IT Competencies: Individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the competencies listed below.

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.

Reasoning - Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.

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.

In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience and/or education for the respective grade level(s) in which you are applying:

AND

Specialized
Experience: Qualifying experience for GS-12 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-11 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience must demonstrated in each of the following areas: 1) Reviewing, assessing, and reporting enterprise IT Portfolio in alignment with architectural standards and compliance with applicable federal mandates such as Clinger Cohen Act, FITARA, FISMA, FAR; 2) Developing, planning, updating and implementing sections of IT capital planning and investment control policy framework; 3) Monitoring, tracking, and reporting contractor performance, identifies deficiencies, and recommends corrective actions.

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 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 are no educational requirements for this position.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.

Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA).

Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period.

For more information on applying under special hiring authorities such as the Veteran's Recruitment Act (VRA), 30 percent disabled veterans, certain military spouses, Schedule A Disabled, etc., explore the different Hiring Paths on the USAJOBS website.

Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Refer to PUBLIC LAW 114-47-AUG. 7, 2015 for more information.

If selected, you will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter. Selectee is subject to financial Disclosure Requirements in accordance with 5 CFR, Part 2635, Sub part E regarding business or personal transactions with applicants, borrowers, or business contacts who have or who are seeking business with this Agency. Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you will be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report.

If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed

The salary ranges vary according to the geographic area locality adjustments; therefore, rates advertised represent base pay only as pay will depend upon the selectee's duty location. Please see the 2026 General Schedule (GS) Pay Tables for more information.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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