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Computer Engineer

Department of the Air Force
Air Force Elements, U.S. Strategic Command
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as senior enterprise level technical systems engineer responsible for conducting overarching end-to-end systems engineering and integration for the comprehensive Nuclear Command, Control and Communications (NC3) system-of-systems.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
12/02/2021 to 12/22/2021
Salary
$122,530 to - $159,286 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Fort Meade, MD
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
8Q-AFPC-11310083-450505-IM
Control number
624607800

Duties

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  • Applies advanced engineering expertise and theories to the development and delivery of novel system concepts and designs, enterprise architectures, acquisition strategies, processes, (cont below)
  • (cont from above) and tools to develop, refine, and document emerging operationally effective and cohesive communications and cybersecurity capabilities.
  • As a recognized SE and NC3 expert, provides technical guidance, advisory support, lead, and assistance on projects and/or major phases for broad and varied operations.
  • As a recognized expert, develops, negotiates, assesses, and maintains DoD NC3 SE standards, architectures, and interfaces, as well as the methods used to define and validate rapid acquisitions parameters.
  • Utilizes scientific inquiry in the independent development of policy, guidance, and integration initiatives to support assigned projects, studies, or problems.
  • Participates or leads discussions, meetings, committees, or special projects, prepares technical recommendations, and reports, and presents briefings.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • TRAVEL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID
  • This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • The employee may be required to accomplish work outside of normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, or holidays, on an infrequence basis
  • Shift work and emergency overtime may be required
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for this position
  • Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft
  • The employee must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret SCI clearance as a condition of employment
  • This position is designated by the Air Force as a testing designated position under the civilian drug testing program. (cont below)
  • (cont from above) It is mandatory for the incumbent to refrain from the use of illegal drugs and misuse of prescription medication. If requested, the incumbent must submit to urinalysis testing

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions and the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for Professional Engineering Positions Series 0854/0855, or the IOR for Computer Science Series, 1550

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: GS-0854/0855: A Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts with your application.

OR
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: College-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional registration or licensure, Written Test, Specified Academic Courses, or Related Curriculum. Click here to view occupational requirements for this position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts with your application.

GS-1550: 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. Click here to view occupational requirements for this position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts with your application.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-13 or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes Knowledge and mastery of one or more specialized areas of engineering, mathematics, statistical analysis, modeling/simulation, and/or other scientific concepts sufficient to apply new analytical developments, methodologies, and research findings to broad studies of an unprecedented nature. Extensive professional engineering and/or scientific knowledge to solve novel or obscure problems to develop and maintain complex systems; and to develop new approaches in solving a wide variety of issues. Extensive knowledge and mastery of research techniques and concurrent ability to obtain information concerning subject studies to perform sound analyses. Knowledge of advanced, engineering, analytical, mathematical, or statistical theories, principles, concepts, methods, and techniques to provide expert judgments concerning the validity of assumptions made and the criteria to evaluate alternatives

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-­grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-13 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-14 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
1. Knowledge of the theories, concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, techniques, and materials of professional systems engineering, and knowledge of other engineering disciplines to effectively apply advanced engineering principles and concepts to new applications, experimental theories, and other areas of responsibility.
2. Knowledge of the principles of project planning, program management, software and systems development life cycles, and standard acquisition regulations, practices, and procedures.
3. Knowledge of a wide range of analytical techniques such as mathematical modeling, systems analysis, statistical analysis econometrics, etc.
4. Knowledge of systems documentation, configuration management, technical standards, system integration, security architecture, cost analysis, systems integration, and systems testing.
5. Ability to devise and evaluate criteria, parameters, characteristics, and interrelationships for design approaches, and to assess the impact of new technology on current systems and processes.
6. Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, both orally and in writing, as well as work in a professional manner with peers, management, contractors, academia, and other agencies.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected at the full performance level and placed at the full performance level. You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

If you are unable to apply online, view the following link for information regarding Alternate Application. The Vacancy ID is 11310083.

Department of the Air Force has implemented COVID-19 vaccination requirements set forth in 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. Upon selection, you will be required to provide documentation proof as "fully vaccinated" prior to issuance of a firm job offer. Air Force will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required exemption from this requirement. More information on COVID requirements may be found here.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

BASIS OF RATING:
Your application will be rated under the Cut Point procedures based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience and education relate to the qualification requirements. Additional points are not added for Veteran's Preference; however, Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable.

Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements
Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements.
Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements.

The resume/documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

For additional information on what to include in your resume, click here.

Applicants who meet the requirements for and apply as a non-competitive eligible that meet minimal qualifications and other requirements of this position, will be given consideration as a non-competitive candidate and will be referred unless blocked by an individual with priority/preference.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

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