Computer Scientist

Summary

This position is located in the Air Traffic Organization (ATO), Program Management Organization (PMO). The PMO provides program and acquisition management for the systems and capabilities that modernize and sustain the National Airspace System (NAS) to advance NAS programs from concept to operation while providing technical support for air traffic control automation and decision support systems.

This job is open to

• The public
  
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• Individuals with disabilities
• Military spouses
• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
• Veterans
• Special authorities
  
  Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.

Clarification from the agency

Open to all US Citizens.

Duties

This position serves as a computer scientist supporting the National Airspace System (NAS) automation systems performing a mixture of routine and multiple varying assignments under limited direction of the manager or more experienced staff. He/she applies experience and detailed technical knowledge of computer science methods and techniques to store, manipulate, transform, or present information by means of computer systems, necessary to plan and accomplish assignments. Provides support to the design, development, test, deployment, operational implementation and maintenance support of tools, systems and capabilities for use in the NAS that include responsibility for a variety of projects involving the modification and modernization to national systems baseline configurations.

He/she collects, records and analyzes user requirements data and identifies problems or systems malfunctions involving aviation related automation systems; and support the development and implementation of solutions for optimal performance. As a contributing member of the team, analyzes and monitors performance and reliability of systems and/or diagnosing system problems and/or failures etc. and recommends improvements to processes relating to system adjustments or enhancements.

Applies knowledge of current and legacy software and system programming languages such as C or C++. Analyzes software requirements and provides status on software assignments along with supporting data and recommendations concerning improvements to processes to senior staff or manager. Provides support in the development of overall software plans, criteria, and software system specifications. Assists more experienced computer scientists in the authoring and review of engineering and technical documents.

Assists in the development of project plans, budgets, and schedules, including development of program and project documentation in accordance with FAA's Acquisition Management System, such as requirements documents and cost benefit analyses, and may serve as a Contract Officers Representative. Demonstrates some independence in planning time and using assigned resources to accomplish assignments and small projects. When leading small projects or activities, he/she identifies resource requirements, defines milestones and deliverables, monitors activities, and provides progress reports to the team or sub-team manager.

Contacts are primarily internal to the PMO to share information, provide data and/or written analyses, and discuss the statuses of assignments. He/she may have regular contact with customers and/or external organizations. He/she provides customer support for critical operational NAS systems and actively collaborates with team members and stakeholders.

Although the employee uses some discretion when selecting approaches, established policies and procedures provides guidance for most assignments. He/she receives guidance on selecting approach from a manager, project/program manager, team leader, or more experienced technical specialist.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• US Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• This position has a positive education requirement. Transcript(s) required.

Qualifications

To view the complete OPM qualification standard for the Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Computer Science Series 1550, please refer to:

Computer Science Series 1550 (opm.gov)

Basic Requirements: Bachelor's degree in computer science or bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.

To qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-G, FG/GS-5-9. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.

Specialized Experience is: Experience collecting, recording, and analyzing data pertaining to aviation software development, utilizing system program languages, such as C or C++.

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

The selecting official may decide to interview all, some or none of the candidates referred for consideration.

This time limited appointment is in accordance with HRPM EMP 1.11 External Temporary and Time-Limited Appointment and EMP 1.26a STEM/Cybersecurity. This time limited appointment may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the agency. Under EMP 1.11 External Temporary and Time-Limited Appointment this hiring authority does not afford you eligibility for non-competitive conversion to a permanent excepted service appointment. Additionally, this appointment does not provide you eligibility to apply for and compete for permanent internal assignments in accordance with EMP-1.14, Permanent Internal Assignments.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcripts(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcement to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. You may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS or fax it to fax number provided in the announcement (please include announcement number on each page).

Failure to do so will result in loss of consideration.

Schools must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation may be verified at the following website: www.ed.gov/accreditation.

Foreign education must be evaluated by a private professional organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials or an accredited U.S. educational institution in terms of equivalence to a degree acquired at an American college or university. A copy of the evaluation results must be included, otherwise your foreign education will not be considered.

Preview Job Questionnaire

Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.

Additional information

We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.
Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.

The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements

The U.S. Department of Transportation strives to ensure that equity, transparency, accountability, collaboration, and communication permeate all that we do for the betterment of the Department, the traveling public, and our nation. As such, DOT values a highly diverse workforce of persons who promote a culture of belonging by respecting the personal dignity and worth of each individual and fostering a positive environment where all feel safe and welcome. If these commitments coincide with your personal ideals and professional aspirations, please consider joining the DOT family.

Leave Enhancement: FAA organizations may offer enhanced annual leave accrual to newly appointed or reappointed employees. In order to receive consideration for such a benefit, applicants' prior non-Federal service or active duty uniformed service must directly relate to the duties of the position to which appointed. Granting enhanced annual leave is at the sole discretion of the hiring organization, and granting such benefit is not an entitlement nor guaranteed to any newly hired employee.

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. On-the-Spot will be used to fill this position. The 'Rule of Three', Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA.

In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a Human Resource Specialist as appropriate.

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or priority grouping and referred to the selecting official for consideration.

This is a bargaining unit position. This position is represented by NFFE 1340: Tech Center Terminal Pros.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay , COLA

• Benefits
  
  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.
  
  Review our 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.

• Benefits
  
  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.
  
  Review our 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.
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  To qualify based on education, you must upload or fax a copy of your high school or college transcripts or certificates at time of application. If selected, official transcripts will be required prior to employment.
  
  Only supplemental documentation, e.g. transcripts or veteran's documentation will be accepted in combination with your on-line application. These documents must be uploaded or faxed to courtney.a.rowan@faa.gov on or before the closing date of this announcement. All submitted documents should reference the announcement number.
  
  This position has a positive education requirement; college transcripts are required for ALL candidates newly appointed to the FAA in the 1550 series.
  
  College transcripts must be submitted from current FAA employees applying for internal vacancies if they have never held a position in the 1550 series with the FAA.
  
  College transcripts are not required from current FAA employees who are currently occupying a 1550 series.
  
  If selected, official transcripts are required prior to employment.
  
  
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
  
  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
  schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  
  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
• How to Apply
  
  You must apply online to receive consideration. Your application must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the Close Date for it to be accepted. If you are applying for positions associated with FAA registers, your application must be submitted at the time a referral list is created in order to receive consideration for positions associated with a register.
  
  IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE OR EDUCATION.
  
  We strongly encourage applicants to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder in the creation of resumes.
  
  Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:
  
  • Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)
  • Duties (be specific in describing your duties)
  • Employer's name and address
  • Supervisor name and phone number
  • Start and end dates including month and year (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
  • Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
  • Salary
  
  Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible.
  
  You may upload completed documents to your USAJOBS Account. This will provide you the opportunity to utilize the uploaded information again when applying for future vacancies. Please see this guide, Document Upload Guide, for more information on uploading and re-using the documents in your applications.
  
  Agency contact information
  
  Jennifer Lowery
  
  Phone
  
  1 (609) 485-5748
  
  Fax
  1 (609) 485-8995
  Email
  
  jennifer.a.lowery@faa.gov
  
  Address
  
  Federal Aviation Administration
  
  ACT Regional HR Services Branch
  
  Atlantic City International Airport, Bldg. 300
  
  AHF-N710
  
  Atlantic City, NJ 08405
  
  US
  
  Next steps
  
  Once we receive your complete application, the Human Resources Office will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Eligible and qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. You will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.
  
  For instructions on how to check the status of your application, please go to: USAJOBS Help Guide.
  
  Important - If you make any changes to your application, you must resubmit it. If you make changes to your application and do not resubmit it, your changes will not be considered part of your application package, and only your previously submitted application will be evaluated.
  
  All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. DOT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact listed in the Agency Contact Information section of this announcement or the hiring manager. An employee with a disability must notify the decision-maker of the accommodation request. Job applicants and employees are required to follow up oral requests in writing. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Additional information on reasonable accommodations procedures or on EEO Programs is available on Office of Civil Rights (ACR) or by contacting the local FAA Civil Rights Office.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

To qualify based on education, you must upload or fax a copy of your high school or college transcripts or certificates at time of application. If selected, official transcripts will be required prior to employment.

Only supplemental documentation, e.g. transcripts or veteran's documentation will be accepted in combination with your on-line application. These documents must be uploaded or faxed to courtney.a.rowan@faa.gov on or before the closing date of this announcement. All submitted documents should reference the announcement number.

This position has a positive education requirement; college transcripts are required for ALL candidates newly appointed to the FAA in the 1550 series.

College transcripts must be submitted from current FAA employees applying for internal vacancies if they have never held a position in the 1550 series with the FAA.

College transcripts are not required from current FAA employees who are currently occupying a 1550 series.

If selected, official transcripts are required prior to employment.


If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

You must apply online to receive consideration. Your application must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the Close Date for it to be accepted. If you are applying for positions associated with FAA registers, your application must be submitted at the time a referral list is created in order to receive consideration for positions associated with a register.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE OR EDUCATION.

We strongly encourage applicants to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder in the creation of resumes.

Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:

• Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)
• Duties (be specific in describing your duties)
• Employer's name and address
• Supervisor name and phone number
• Start and end dates including month and year (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
• Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
• Salary

Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible.

You may upload completed documents to your USAJOBS Account. This will provide you the opportunity to utilize the uploaded information again when applying for future vacancies. Please see this guide, Document Upload Guide, for more information on uploading and re-using the documents in your applications.

Agency contact information

Jennifer Lowery

Phone

1 (609) 485-5748

Fax
1 (609) 485-8995
Email

jennifer.a.lowery@faa.gov

Address

Federal Aviation Administration

ACT Regional HR Services Branch

Atlantic City International Airport, Bldg. 300

AHF-N710

Atlantic City, NJ 08405

US

Next steps

Once we receive your complete application, the Human Resources Office will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Eligible and qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. You will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.

For instructions on how to check the status of your application, please go to: USAJOBS Help Guide.

Important - If you make any changes to your application, you must resubmit it. If you make changes to your application and do not resubmit it, your changes will not be considered part of your application package, and only your previously submitted application will be evaluated.

All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. DOT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact listed in the Agency Contact Information section of this announcement or the hiring manager. An employee with a disability must notify the decision-maker of the accommodation request. Job applicants and employees are required to follow up oral requests in writing. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Additional information on reasonable accommodations procedures or on EEO Programs is available on Office of Civil Rights (ACR) or by contacting the local FAA Civil Rights Office.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request