IT Specialist (APPSW)

This IT Specialist (APPSW) position is with Deputy Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology (Department of Veterans Affairs) in Phoenix, AZ. This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Information and Technology (OIT) within this services: Software Product Management, Product Engineering Service, Chief Technology Office, Compliance, Risk and Remediation. The incumbent will serve as Senior Information Technology (IT) Specialist. The purpose of the position is to develop, coordinate, and monitor, assess and elevate development schedules for applications assigned to OIT. Key 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. Major Duties: Manage program/project management and systems lifecycles to include: Acquisition, development, modification, enhancement, deployment or decommissioning of a product, service or system which may be COTS or internally developed. Define the nature and scope of problems, identifies alternatives to overcome problems and directs their implementation. Participate in the acquisition process as necessary. Lead and oversee budget, staffing, and contracting. Provide expert oversight of cost resource estimates. Establish and manage customer expectations through routine communications and the delivery of valued, professional and timely services. Provide feedback to leadership and other project stakeholders through appropriate reports, meetings, briefings and information papers, both formally and informally. Regularly brief senior leadership and management staff on project status and significant developments. This position is non-bargaining unit eligible. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm; Tour of duty will be determined based on organizational needs. Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: This position is authorized for Adhoc telework. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: IT Specialist (APPSW)/PD18421A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary but involves use of a personal computer so a degree of dexterity and visual acuity sufficient to utilize these tools is required. Some physical effort is required to lift and carry reference books, working papers and similar items to and from meetings. A moderate amount of standing and walking is required in getting to and from meeting places away from the work site. The work does not require any special physical effort. This position is primarily aligned to the following NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework work roles: Cybersecurity Code 802 (IT Project Manager) NICE Framework Tasks - T0277: Ensure that all acquisitions, procurements, and outsourcing efforts address information security requirements consistent with organization goals. T0407: Participate in the acquisition process as necessary. T0493: Lead and oversee budget, staffing, and contracting. T0072: Develop methods to monitor and measure risk, compliance, and assurance efforts. T0174: Perform needs analysis to determine opportunities for new and improved business process solutions. T0207: Provide ongoing optimization and problem-solving support. T0208: Provide recommendations for possible improvements and upgrades. Qualifications: To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/29/2026. You must meet the Basic Requirements Experience, Selective Placement Factor(s) and the Specialized Experience to qualify for this series as described below: BASIC REQUIREMENTS: 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. For all positions individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the five 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. 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. 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. AND SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: In addition to the minimum qualifications described above, you must meet the following requirement(s) to be considered qualified for the position: Experience managing one or more large-scale IT services or software development contracts as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or Task Order Project Manager, including monitoring contractor performance, deliverables, and compliance with acquisition and information security requirements. AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade, GS-13, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as: Applying project management principles and methods in order to lead multi-functional projects, acquisition, budget, review and critique detailed project schedules, identify, plan for and track resource requirements, and to identify and correct weaknesses in critical performance parameters and performance goals. Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level that demonstrates: mastery of project management principles and methods sufficient to lead multi-functional, enterprise-wide application development and IT services projects; skill in reviewing and critiquing detailed project schedules, resource allocations, and cost baselines, and identifying and correcting weaknesses in performance parameters and cost/schedule variances. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. View the full announcement and apply on USAJOBS.gov.