Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

IT Specialist (Pathways Recent Graduate)

Department of Transportation
Office of Inspector General
This job announcement has closed

Summary

NATURE OF APPOINTMENT: This is a Recent Graduate opportunity under the DOT Pathways Program.  Appointment is in the Excepted service not-to-exceed one (1) year.  Upon successful completion of the one year developmental program, the position may be converted into the Competitive service as a term or permanent (career/career conditional) employee.  Conversion is not guaranteed and is based on the needs of the agency.  If converted, the full performance level of the position will be GS-13.

Overview

Help
Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
11/30/2021 to 12/14/2021
This job will close when we have received 250 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$60,129 to - $78,167 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 09
Location
MANY vacancies in the following location:
Washington, DC
MANY vacancies
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Less than 25%.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Recent graduates - This is a one year appointment in the excepted service
Work schedule
Full-time - This is a full-time position
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
JA-1-2022-0005
Control number
624298300

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

Recent graduates who have completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying Associate's, Bachelor's, Master’s, Professional, Doctorate, Vocational or Technical degree or certificate from an accredited educational institution. (Veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree due to military service obligation, have as much as six years after degree completion to apply). Must have at least a cumulative (overall) 2.7 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale

Duties

Help

The work of this position primarily involves program audits. The incumbent, an information technology specialist trainee, works with a team leader in a developmental capacity, to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of organizations, programs, and activities applicable to financial and information technology systems programs. The audits may cover the relevance or appropriateness of program objectives; the extent to which a program achieves a desired level of results; factors inhibiting satisfactory performance; alternatives for carrying out the program; the adequacy of management controls; and the validity and reliability of reported program effectiveness.

The incumbent of this position applies professional IT and auditing knowledge, standards, and principles in performing an objective and systematic examination of pertinent information and documentation such as records, management reports, management controls, and policies and practices affecting the outcomes and results of financial and information technology systems programs. The incumbent researches pertinent laws, legislative history, regulations, contracts, and management controls to ascertain the purpose, scope, and objectives of the assigned program or function; the manner in which the program or function is conducted; and the nature and extent of management authority and responsibility for the program or function. As a member of an audit team, he/she assists in all phases of audit work - planning the audit, conducting the audit, and preparing the final product.

The incumbent assists higher level auditors and/or analysts with examining and testing (using statistical and/or judgmental sampling) records and management controls to determine the degree of efficiency, economy, and effectiveness of assigned programs. He/she conducts all assigned phases of the audit in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS). The standards require the incumbent to study and evaluate the existing system of internal control to determine the level of system reliability; determine those audit procedures required to answer audit objectives in view of the system reliability; and obtain sufficient reliable evidence through inspection, observation, inquiries, and confirmation to provide a reasonable basis for an opinion regarding the program under examination. These tasks are performed under the direction of a higher-level auditor/analyst.

The incumbent assists higher-level auditors/analysts in conducting interviews with employees of the program or activity under review. He/she also prepares working papers using TeamMate, interview summaries, and briefing materials covering findings for use by team members. This position may also be required to research and assemble supporting documentation.

Long distance travel for moderate periods of time is required for this position.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizen.
  • Submit application and resume online by 11:59 P.M. EST on the closing date.
  • This position is subject to a background investigation.
  • Must sign a Pathways Recent Graduate Agreement.
  • Must have completed an educational program within the last 2 years.
  • Mandatory Education Requirement - Submit Transcripts.
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher.

COVID VACCINATION: As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee’s duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021 or before appointment or onboarding with our agency, if after November 22. Our agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of the agency a legally required exception from this requirement.

Due to COVID-19, our agency is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Your employment with DOT OIG will begin remotely at your current residence. Once our normal business operations process begins you will receive further instructions on when to report to the office. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency’s telework policy.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

To be eligible, applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements below.

Education

GS-09: A master's or equivalent graduate degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management; OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree; OR degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks.

OR

Specialized Experience

GS-09: To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the federal service including the following: basic knowledge of a wide range of IT concepts, theory, computer techniques, practices, methods and procedures; basic knowledge applying cyber-security and information security principles and concepts sufficient to plan, coordinate, and assess IT security operations and initiatives to ensure protection of data, networks, systems and applications; providing assistance regarding basic IT security issues; assisting in conducting audits and/or assessments of IT programs; providing assistance in conducting interviews and briefings with supervisors/managers; assists in audit analysis and studies; and assists in the preparing and/or reviewing written products.

NOTE: ALL APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETE COPY OF THEIR TRANSCRIPTS. DEGREE AUDITS ARE NOT AN ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTE FOR OFFICIAL/UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS.  IF SELECTED, AN OFFICIAL/SEALED TRANSCRIPT WILL BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO AN APPOINTMENT DATE BEING ESTABLISHED. 

IF YOU HAVE EARNED A DEGREE FROM A FOREIGN INSTITUTION YOU MUST SUBMIT WITH YOUR APPLICATION EVIDENCE THAT ANY EDUCATION COMPLETED IN A FOREIGN INSTITUTION WAS APPROPRIATELY ACCREDITED BY AN ACCREDITING BODY RECOGNIZED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AS EQUIVALENT TO U.S. STANDARDS. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, REFER TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WEB SITE AT http://www.ed.gov.

Education

Undergraduate or Graduate Education: Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks.

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 four competencies listed below. 

  1. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

Additional information

APPLICANTS MUST MEET QUALIFICATIONS BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL LIKE VACANCIES IN THE ANNOUNCED DUTY LOCATION.

Any male applicant who was born after December 31, 1959, and who is subsequently selected for this position must certify that he is registered for the military selective service by the date he is to enter on duty. False certification may result in termination after appointment.

If you served on active duty in the U.S. Military and were separated under honorable conditions, you may be eligible for veteran's preference. More information on veterans' is available in the VetGuide that may be found on the United States Office of Personnel Management website at www.opm.gov. If you are entitled to veteran preference, you should indicate the type of veteran preference you are claiming on your resume/application. In order to verify your veteran preference entitlement, please submit a copy of the Member 4 copy of your DD-214 (certificate of release or discharge from active duty); official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g. documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions. In addition, if you are a disabled veteran, a purple heart recipient, or widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the natural mother of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a standard Form (SF) 15, “Application for 10 point veteran preference” and the other required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your claim.

Veteran preference eligibles will be listed ahead of non-veterans. 

THIS AGENCY 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.  THE DECISION ON GRANTING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS WILL BE  ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS. ALL APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE CONSIDERATION REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, POLITICAL AFFILIATION, UNION AFFILIATION OR NON-AFFILIATION, MARITAL STATUS, NON-DISQUALIFYING PHYSICAL HANDICAP, OR ANY OTHER NON-MERIT REASON.  THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL (OIG), U. S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

Relocation expenses will not be paid.


This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service.

It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or to find an individual unqualified, unsuitable, or unfit for employment based upon financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. Information about an individual's employment experience should be used only to determine the person's qualifications and to assess his or her relative level of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Although an individual's personal conduct may be relevant in any employment decision, including conduct during periods of unemployment or evidence of dishonesty in handling financial matters, financial difficulty that has arisen through no fault of the individual will generally not itself be the basis of unfavorable suitability or fitness determination.

How you will be evaluated

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

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

Candidates will be assessed based on their eligibility requirements listed under qualifications. Candidates who do not meet the minimum qualification requirements will not be further evaluated.

Applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position. Applicants who meet the qualification requirements will be further evaluated on their responses to the on-line announcement questions.  

All applicants must meet all qualifications for the position and the Pathways eligibility requirements to be considered.

Primarily applicants will be considered in Unranked Order [5 CFR 302.304(b)(5)]. Preference eligibles who have a compensable service connected disability of 10 percent or more are considered first, followed, second, by other 10-point preference eligibles, third by 5-point preference eligibles, and last, by nonpreference eligible.


To preview questions please click here.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.