This position is located in the DHS AI Corps, Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO).
You will serve as an AI Technology Expert in the DHS AI Corps, focused on creating and enhancing AI/ML-enabled applications, solutions, and related oversight. In this role you, will help DHS with leveraging recent technological advancements to harness the benefits of AI and expand its responsible use.
Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.
Summary
This position is located in the DHS AI Corps, Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO).
You will serve as an AI Technology Expert in the DHS AI Corps, focused on creating and enhancing AI/ML-enabled applications, solutions, and related oversight. In this role you, will help DHS with leveraging recent technological advancements to harness the benefits of AI and expand its responsible use.
As an AI Technology Expert, GS-2210-15, your typical work assignments may include:
Collaborating closely with data scientists, software engineering teams, cybersecurity teams, policy, privacy, and civil rights and civil liberties stakeholders to formulate and test hypotheses for how AI/ML can help advance the Department's missions while ensuring the responsible, safe, and secure use of this technology.
Engaging with customers and components to analyze opportunities for new or improved processes, solutions, practices, products, services, or strategies leveraging AI/ML technologies and capabilities.
Leading and supporting major policy or project initiatives for AI/ML, providing both consultation and substantive input on systems or policy proposals, and/or providing technical policy and programmatic guidance to government leaders at the most senior levels.
The DHS AI Corps is further divided into roles as follows:
Staff AI and Machine Learning Engineer
Staff AI/ML Engineers design, implement, train and deploy AI/ML models and systems. They also provide key recommendations and insights to senior departmental leadership on the future, uses, and risks of key AI technologies.
Staff AI Security Engineer
Staff AI Security Engineers ensure the security and integrity of AI systems, address potential vulnerabilities, and implement and provide recommendations to senior leaders on cybersecurity measures.
Staff Software Engineer
Staff Software Engineers develop and integrate AI applications that leverage AI technologies, ensuring they are scale-able and optimized for performance, reliability, and security. Staff Software Engineers write at any level of the stack, including frontend, backend, infrastructure, or data engineering.
Senior Data Scientist
Senior Data Scientists lead data-driven projects to build AI models, as well as find key insights and develop recommendations and products that the Department can leverage to make stronger decisions or more efficient processes.
Senior Human-Centered Designer
Senior HCDs apply HCD principles and research techniques to AI projects and create products, services, and processes that are insightful, accessible, and meet users' needs.
Senior Policy Advisor
Senior Policy Advisors develop and implement AI-related policies that align with the Department's goals and federal laws and regulations. They are the advocates for policy initiatives that promote the safe, secure, and trustworthy use of AI technologies, while enhancing key areas such as procurement, privacy, civil right, and civil liberties
Senior Product Manager
Senior Product Managers manage AI solutions from concept to deployment and continuous improvement. They function at the center of program goals and user needs, while engaging with stakeholders and ensuring successful product rollouts.
Senior Technologist
Senior Technologists leverage cross-functional skills that can include multiple domains including engineering, data science, design, cybersecurity, policy, and strategy. They apply their skills and knowledge of bureaucracy hacking to navigate complex organizations and deliver products and outcomes.
As part of this application, you will express interest in one or more of these roles given your background, interest, and experience.
This announcement is open continuous and will run for 60 days. We will be reviewing qualified applicants every 7 days. We are filling approximately 20 positions. The vacancy will remain open until all positions have been filled or until the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.
You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
You must successfully pass a background investigation.
You must submit to a pre-employment drug test.
You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
While unusual, you may be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, overtime, and/or on call and standby duty status.
You may occasionally be required to travel away from the normal duty station on commercial or even military flights.
You must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
Qualifications
INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT
This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement that must be met prior to meeting the specialized experience. Applicant must possess IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four (4) competencies listed below:
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.
NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE
To qualify for the GS-15 grade level you must possess and have documented in your resume, one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in Federal service or equivalent public or private sector experience performing the following tasks:
1. Applying advanced technical skills in one or more of the following technical areas to successfully complete major projects that use Artificial Intelligence to achieve important mission goals:
Human-Centered Design: Using human-centered research and interaction design practices to build systems that are intuitive for users to interact with and rely on underlying AI models and/or systems.
Software Engineering: Developing and integrating applications at enterprise scale that leverage AI, machine learning, or algorithmic techniques as a key component of the overall system.
AI Security: Addressing vulnerabilities and implementing strategies to mitigate security risks in systems incorporating AI and related technologies.
AI/ML Engineering: Designing, implementing, training, and deploying models that utilize AI or machine learning, ensuring they are performant and meet responsible and ethical standards.
Data Science: Developing, optimizing, and evaluating models including integrating them into systems to achieve key mission objectives.
Product Management: Managing product life cycles that include AI technologies, while developing strategies and metrics to ensure successful delivery and adoption.
Technologist: Applying cross-functional skills to advance projects that include AI components, resolving interdisciplinary challenges.
Policy Development: Developing and implementing policies related to AI, ensuring compliance with ethical standards, policies, and responsible use guidelines.
2. Executing modern technology practices, such as lean, agile, and human-centered methodologies to rapidly build technology systems at significant scale.
3. Strategically navigating or demonstrating senior roles in projects of cross-functional or diverse teams that foster collaboration or achieve strategic goals.
NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible.
All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
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.
Shared Certificates: The Department of Homeland Security-HQ shares lists of applicants among DHS-components, and other government agencies hiring for similar roles. You may be referred for consideration to other agencies Hiring Managers throughout the Department for more than one position based on this application. By applying to this announcement, you understand your application materials may be shared with multiple Hiring Mangers throughout DHS-HQ, other DHS components, and other government agencies hiring for similar roles. If additional positions are filled from this announcement conditions of employment may differ. You will be notified if you are referred for additional positions.
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.
Education
There is no education requirement or education substitution for this position.
Additional information
The salary ranges vary according to the geographic area locality adjustments; therefore rates advertised represent base pay only as pay will depend upon the duty location of the selectee. Please see the 2024 General Schedule (opm.gov) locality pay tables for more information.
The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.
You will be required to complete an OGE 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Form.
You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation as a condition of placement in this non-sensitive position. This review may include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
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.
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.
We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements.
Applicants will be evaluated on their total background including experience (paid and unpaid), education, awards, and training and self-development as it relates to the position based upon the information provided in the resume/application and any other supporting documents. All work experience should specify the length of time spent in the position. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that indicates hours per week "varies." List exact hours per week on each job experience.
This notice is issued under the direct-hire authority. Using Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved government-wide direct hire authorities, agencies may appoint candidates directly to jobs, without regard to the provisions of Title 5 U.S.C. 3309 through 3318, for which OPM determines that there is a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need.
Veterans Preference: Veterans preference does not apply under this Direct-Hire Authority (DHA).
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the Federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. Information about ICTAP eligibility can be found by clicking here to access OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under ICTAP, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement and your resume must demonstrate possession of the following KSA/competency: Information Technology (AI), Product Management and Delivery, IT (AI) Technical Expertise, and Oral Communication.
Interviews are required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.
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.
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.
Your resume (click the link for information on what to include). If you are a current or former Federal employee, your resume must indicate the GS or pay band level for each position held. Please limit your resume to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? Submit the following:
A copy of your agency notice,
A copy of your most recent performance rating, and
A copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.
Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee?
Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
Position title,
Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee),
To begin your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account and follow the prompts or log in to your existing account. Your application packet must include a completed assessment questionnaire, a resume, and any applicable and or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English.
Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used. You must submit your resume, your online questionnaire, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM eastern standard time on the day the announcement closes.
It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, you will not be able to view it in your application.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Applicants must submit all required documentation to properly qualify for this position.
Department of Homeland Security Headquarters
OCHCO/HRMS/MS #0170
6595 Springfield Center Drive
Springfield, VA 20598-0170
US
Next steps
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer with 60 after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.
Note: If you receive a final job offer to onboard, please complete the onboarding forms and submit them electronically in an expeditious manner. Your start date may be delayed if the action above is not completed.
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.
Any Offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Personnel Management guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.
Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Your resume (click the link for information on what to include). If you are a current or former Federal employee, your resume must indicate the GS or pay band level for each position held. Please limit your resume to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? Submit the following:
A copy of your agency notice,
A copy of your most recent performance rating, and
A copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.
Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee?
Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
Position title,
Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee),
To begin your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account and follow the prompts or log in to your existing account. Your application packet must include a completed assessment questionnaire, a resume, and any applicable and or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English.
Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used. You must submit your resume, your online questionnaire, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM eastern standard time on the day the announcement closes.
It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, you will not be able to view it in your application.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Applicants must submit all required documentation to properly qualify for this position.
Department of Homeland Security Headquarters
OCHCO/HRMS/MS #0170
6595 Springfield Center Drive
Springfield, VA 20598-0170
US
Next steps
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer with 60 after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.
Note: If you receive a final job offer to onboard, please complete the onboarding forms and submit them electronically in an expeditious manner. Your start date may be delayed if the action above is not completed.
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.
Any Offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Personnel Management guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.
Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
