Summary Who may apply: US Citizens Position location: Info & Tech Dir, Corporate Systems, Warehouse Reporting Systems, ZTEAA This announcement may be used to fill other positions within the I&T Directorate. Pay for first time hires to the Federal Government will be set at step 1 salary range for their respective grade level. Responsibilities Duties will be developmental in nature when the position is filled below the full performance level. Prepares Quality Assurance (QA) documentation such as test analysis, test plans, risk identification and mitigation. Participates in systems integration and systems acceptability testing. Creates detailed test scripts to test new, enhanced and/or existing functionality (regression testing). Evaluates test results, limitations, and recommends corrective actions to ensure/maintain system operations. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Human Resources will determine your qualifications for each entry grade level based on your interest and the additional following criteria. Resumes for federal government positions need more detailed work descriptions and accomplishments than a typical private sector resume. Please be sure to clearly describe the full scope of your work experiences in your resume. Combinations of education and experience may also be sufficient. Basic Requirement: Applicants must have IT-related experience demonstrating the following competencies appropriate to, or above, the level of this position. Your resume and work experience should clearly support your ability to meet these competencies and will be evaluated as part of the entire application process. Attention to Detail- experience reviewing my own information technology-related work or data to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency with standards. My work or the data that I produce is typically reviewed by my supervisor or another colleague Customer Service- experience having brief contact with customers to provide information about available information technology products and services and providing customers with standard products or routine services to address information technology needs Oral Communication- experience informing my supervisor and other IT staff of the status of information technology systems, projects, or daily operations, including the status of information technology systems, projects, or daily operations, including the communication of basic technical information to a non-technical audience Problem Solving- identifying or selecting from a number of alternatives to address routine information technology-related issues by gathering and applying information from standard sources that provide a limited number of solutions To be hired at the GS-07 entry grade level, applicants must minimally have: One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of a GS-05 within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required. Specialized experience is defined as: Assisting senior testers in providing analysis, design, testing and implementing test plans; applying basic IT principles and practices to assist in providing quality assurance testing input for evaluation plans of systems and subsystems; and participating in creating test plans and test scripts. To be hired at the GS-09 entry grade level, applicants must minimally have: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the federal service performing financial systems analysis in support of finance mission and applying knowledge of financial management principles as they relate to automated financial systems processing and operations. Specialized experience is defined as: Providing input to design specifications, coding, test plans, and evaluating test results; analyzing and refining software and systems testing criteria; applying IT principles and practices in providing quality assurance testing input and assisting senior testers with creating test plans and executing test scripts. To be hired at the GS-11 entry grade level, applicants must minimally have: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the federal service performing complex data analysis and evaluation of financial systems, policies, procedures, and regulations to ensure the continuity of a financial system's operations. Specialized experience is defined as: Designing, developing, implementing, testing, operating, and modifying quality assurance test plans using Agile Methodology; creating test scripts and executing test plans using testing software; and enhancing system functionality with test data, analysis, and regression testing. This position is developmental, and selections may be made at the GS-7/9/11, GS-9/11 or at the GS-11. Once eligibility and qualification requirements are met, selectees will be eligible for promotion at management discretion. Volunteer Experience: 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 to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. You may qualify for consideration if meeting time-in grade, specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement. Education For Entry at the GS-07: One year of graduate education in computer science, engineering, info science, info systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or tech management; or a bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement (S.A.A.) that provided a minimum 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks, may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. For Entry at the GS-09: Qualifying Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of graduate education leading to a Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in computer science, engineering, info science, info systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or tech management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above & required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks. For Entry at the GS-11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in computer science, engineering, info science, info systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or tech management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above & required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks. Additional Information This Announcement uses an additional online assessment tool to evaluate applicants. Review the HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED, REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, HOW TO APPLY and NEXT STEPS sections below. Moving expenses will NOT be paid. Telework availability will be based upon the mission requirements and supervisory determination. Employment with DFAS means access to generous benefits such as: health, vision, and dental insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off, and educational benefits. This announcement will be used to fill positions with an entry grade of GS-07, GS-09, or GS-11 with a target grade of GS-11. Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment. A one year probationary period may be required. We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of the closing date. Travel requirement is Seldom (1-24%) This position IS covered by a bargaining unit. Veteran's Preference: Veteran's preference does not apply under this Direct Hire Authority (DHA). For grades below the full performance level, only MSP/PPP eligible candidates who currently occupy a formal training program position will be entitled to exercise their priority preference. This position is Non-Exempt at the GS-07 level and Exempt at the GS-09 and GS-11 levels from the Fair Labor Standards Act. This position will be covered by a formal training under the DFAS Career Acclimation Program (DCAP). The purpose of this program is to develop well-qualified, well-trained, high potential employees for future positions within DFAS. Promotion is conditional based on performance, successful completion of training, and availability of higher graded work. Participants who do not successfully complete the program may be separated. DFAS recognizes the value of competencies gained through formal education and professional certifications. To ensure that consistent credit is given for these credentials in the selection process DFAS has developed standard selection criteria to be used when filling positions in professional and administrative series. Selections for professional and administrative positions will be based on four categories of selection criteria: Experience, Other, Education, and Certifications. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or be exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov). Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, here). The Security Designation will vary and dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher. Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed/undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals selected are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position may result in termination. For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements.