Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

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In this role you'll help bring end users to the forefront when designing and building government services, while working to enhance government technology from within, create solutions at scale with modern best practices in mind, and improve the way government serves millions of people from every corner of the United States and beyond.

The primary purpose of the position is to serve as Information Technology Specialist (System Analysis) also known as a (Senior) Product Manager, typical work assignments include:

• Build products delivering value to stakeholders and customers and those who care for them by leveraging emerging technology, methodologies, and trends found in the private sector.
• Lead, co-lead, or be part of a cross functional team for one or more existing or potential products varying in size and technical complexity.
• Execute the full product lifecycle using modern solutions for product and services delivery in an iterative manner that meets the mission and user needs including problem definition, hypothesis generation and validation, user research and discovery, prototyping, and production ready software.
• Perform needs analyses to define opportunities for new or improved products, services, or strategies which may include but not limited to research, customer listening, usability testing, advising, developing, and implementing solutions tailored to the unique project needs.
• Use analytical skills to apply a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods for assessing and improving outcomes. Effectively leverage data to inform product direction.
• Foster regular engagement with stakeholders, build trust and rapport, effectively balance stakeholders' needs with product priorities.
• Foster an environment of respect, diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, mutual support, flexibility, collaboration, continuous learning, and commitment to user needs.

Conditions of employment

The requirements listed below pertain to employment with DHS. Requirements such as telework and relocation expenses by other agencies may vary. During your application process you will have an opportunity to opt-in to having your resume shared with other government-wide federal agencies hiring for similar roles.

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position. Other agencies may hire U.S. Nationals.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
• Selective Service - males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service see http://www.sss.gov/
• Depending on position, you may be required to obtain and maintain Public Trust, Secret, Top Secret, or Top Secret/SCI security clearance.
• One-year probationary period may be required.
• For roles with DHS, you must submit to a drug test and receive a negative test result prior to appointment to this position. If selected by other agencies, drug testing requirements may vary.
• If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application. DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. Verification of employment eligibility in the United States is required.
• If you accept a DHS position Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) expenses will not be paid. Other incentives may be authorized.
• This position has been designated excluded from bargaining unit representation under the national security provision of 5 USC Section 7112(B)(6).
• All DHS employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments.
• This position may be designated as essential personnel. Essential personnel must be able to serve during continuity of operation events without regard to declarations of liberal leave or government closures due to weather, protests, and acts of terrorism or lack of funding. Failure to report for or remain in this position may result in disciplinary or adverse action in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations (5 U.S.C. § 7501-7533 and 5 CFR Part 752, as applicable).

Qualifications

You qualify at the GS-14 grade level if you possess information technology related experience demonstrating each of the four required basic competencies:

1. Attention to Detail - Understands using data to measure success and impact of work. Uses effective measurement to evaluate the outcome of digital services (software or government processes) in production. Writes clearly and cleanly, with organization.
2. Customer Service - Can synthesize (e.g. Affinity mapping, Personas) information about users/customers then incorporate learnings into the strategic direction of the product.
3. Oral Communication - Communicates and collaborates within and across teams to release products that achieve goals. Builds consensus across various stakeholder groups.
4. Problem Solving - Has led a cross-functional product team that works through problems to deliver value iteratively to users.

In addition to the above basic requirements you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-13 level in the federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector) performing the following duties:

Leading a medium or co-leading a large product team, including managing relationships with senior leadership, balancing business and user needs with strategic goals, and assessing product work (product leadership). Serving as a user advocate, including participating in user interviews/testing and communicating user research results (user advocacy). Defining effective objectives and product goals and formulating/tracking measures of success. (outcome driven). Owning product vision, communicating complex technical concepts and collaborating across cross-functional teams (communication and collaboration).

1. Attention to Detail - Understands using advanced measurement techniques to measure success and impact across multiple digital services (software or government processes). Writes clearly and cleanly, with organization.
2. Customer Service - Can synthesize (e.g. Affinity mapping, Personas) information about users/customers then incorporate learnings into the strategic direction of the product and teach others these skills.
3. Oral Communication - Communicates and collaborates to build a cohesive vision for a broader product portfolio in the context of a parent organization. Builds consensus across various stakeholder groups.
4. Problem Solving - Has led a cross-functional product team that works through problems to deliver value iteratively to users, independently finding novel/creative solutions or guiding other product managers.

In addition to the above basic requirements you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-14 level in the federal service (obtained in either the public or private sector) performing the following duties:

Working with senior leadership and other stakeholders to develop product strategy and vision. Making decisions or recommendations that significantly influence important customer IT policies or programs. Presenting user research results to executives. Teach best practices to product managers.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements before you are placed in a quality category.

The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:

• Communication/Collaboration
• Outcome Driven
• Product Leadership
• User-Centric Mindset
• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Oral Communication
• Problem Solving

National Service Experience (i.e., 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 directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (I/CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not I/CTAP eligible. View information about I/CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under I/CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

Qualifications Must Be Met

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications above. You must complete all required steps in the process. Apply only if you meet the qualifications.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

This job will close on 11:59 PM EST of the day when we have received 500 applications which may be sooner than the closing date.

How you will be evaluated

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

Preview the online assessment questions here:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11557170. The evaluation process includes the below three assessments by subject matter experts:

• Resume review: Human Resources Specialists and Subject Matter Experts will review the first three (3) pages of your resume (starting with your work experience) to determine your technical qualifications for the position based on the required competencies. If more than 3 pages are submitted, only the first 3 pages starting with your work experience will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. In describing your experience, be clear and specific and include start and end dates for each position. We may not make assumptions regarding your experience.
• Written Assessment: If you pass the resume review, you will be given a written assessment. Your response to the written assessment will be used to measure your depth of knowledge in relation to the required competencies for the position. All passing candidates will move to the next phase.
• Qualifying phone interviews: At this phase, qualified candidates will have at least one phone interview to further assess whether their experience meets the required competencies. Qualified candidates may meet with more than one Subject Matter Expert for that determination to be made. Applicants who are extended a qualifying phone interview receive instructions via e-mail on registering for available interview time slots. Please pay close attention to your e-mail, including junk/spam folders, for e-mail notifications.

After a final qualifications check for candidates who may qualify at the GS-15 level, you will be evaluated based on Category Rating and Selection procedures for placement in one of the following categories:

1. Best-Qualified: Applicants who excel in the evaluation criteria as determined by the job analysis.
2. Well-Qualified: Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements as determined by the job analysis.

Ranking and preference:
Veteran's preference applies to all selections made under competitive examining in accordance with Part 337 of 5 CFR. Veteran's Preference will be applied to applicants who move forward after the qualifying phone interviews.

The "Best Qualified" applicants will be issued to the Selecting Official by the Human Resources Office. Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. This position is not considered scientific/professional. Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. Based upon your category and score, you may be referred for interviews with CISA or other federal agencies. View information on https://www.fedshirevets.gov.