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This job is open to

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The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

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This job is also open in another announcement to:

Federal employees - Competitive service

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Veterans

Military spouses

Individuals with disabilities

Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista

Duties

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As a Cloud Architect Specialist, you will:

Architect, secure, implement, test, maintain, update, document, and troubleshoot cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure infrastructure and cloud platform services including those pertaining to AI.
Develop architectural design patterns and set best-practices for building out enterprise-level cloud infrastructure and platform services for FCA that conform to federal and industry best practices (e.g., Microsoft landing zone architectures) for security, reliability, scalability, and performance. Includes hybrid architectures and cloud workload migration.
Be responsible for developing and executing cloud financial operations (FinOps).
Develop automation standards and implement infrastructure and workload automation in FCA's cloud environment.
Perform operational tasks for FCA's cloud platforms including day-to-day activities associated with operations and maintenance of FCA's cloud and hybrid environments.
Review and apply government-wide FISMA requirements and NIST standards as they pertain to cloud and AI services and systems, and in accordance with FCA's security policies.
Recommend cloud architecture implementation strategies to the CIO, the CPD associate director and other OIT staff.
Develop and maintain documentation including design, configuration, and operating procedures for all assigned systems.

The duties are written at the VH-40 band level. A key distinction in the duties for the VH-39 and VH-40 band levels are the authority to act, level of supervision, and knowledge required. The VH-39 will be known as a Cloud Architect. and the VH-40 as a Senior Cloud Architect.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Must be a U.S. citizen.
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
Resume and supporting documents (See How to Apply)
Suitability for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
May be required to successfully complete a probationary or trial period.
Submission of a financial disclosure report may be required.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the VH-39 (GS-13) band level if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the VH-38 (GS-12) band in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience serving as a specialist in the areas related to the architecture, design, implementation, security, and maintenance of both cloud and on-premise computing platforms (e.g., Azure IaaS and PaaS services, infrastructure and application automation, Microsoft server endpoints) while implementing and providing technical support in the area of Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 (M365).

You may qualify at the VH-40 (GS-14) band level if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the VH-39 (GS-13) band in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience serving as a technical expert in the areas related to the architecture, design, implementation, security, and maintenance of both cloud and on-premise computing platforms (e.g., Azure IaaS and PaaS services, infrastructure and application automation, Microsoft server endpoints) while designing, implementing, and providing technical support and recommendations in the area of Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 (M365).

In addition to the specialized experience requirements listed above for each grade level, individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four 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.

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.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience at the VH-39 and VH-40 band levels.

Additional information

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. For more information visit: https://www.sss.gov/verify/.
To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.
Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
All FCA employees are subject to the conflict of interest laws and Standards of Ethical Conduct imposed upon all employees of the Executive Branch of the Federal Government and may be required to file a Financial Disclosure Report.
FCA's supplemental ethics regulations restrict certain FCA employees concerning their direct or indirect interests in, or connections with, Farm Credit System institutions. These rules also require all employees to obtain approval for outside employment or business activities. Please contact the HR Division for additional information on these rules.
FCA uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.
This announcement may be used to fill similar vacancies.
Applicants are encouraged to apply to all band/grade levels for which believe they are qualified for and wish to receive consideration.
Salary Information:
Base Salary Rate for the VH-39: $89,815 to $148,195
Base Salary Rate for the VH-40: $102,757 to $169,548
A locality rate of 33.74% percent for McLean, Virginia is added to the base salary rate.
The announcement will close at 11:59pm ET on the day the application limit is reached or on the scheduled closing date, whichever occurs first.

Shared Certificate Notice:
When the Farm Credit Administration completes its hiring, the resumes of the remaining qualified candidates may be shared with additional federal agencies. During the application process, you will have an opportunity to opt-in if you would like your name, application materials, and assessment results shared for consideration for employment with additional agencies. There is no guarantee of further consideration, and you can continue to explore other job opportunity announcements.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019, with some exceptions, prohibits the Farm Credit Administration from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, visit our website at (Careers at FCA | Farm Credit Administration) for information on filing a complaint.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your résumé and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your résumé and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your résumé and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

Compliance, Information Technology Architecture, Project Management, Skill in oral communication., Skill in written communication., Technical Competence, and Technical Competence

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the VH-35 (GS-09 equivalent level) or higher.

Highly-Qualified Category: In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must fully demonstrate proficiency in all major aspects of the position.
Well-Qualified Category: In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in some but not all of the major aspects of the position.
Qualified Category: In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate a basic level of knowledge, skill and ability of the position.

Help

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/), all your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status

If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Division. Please contact FCA HR Division at Employment_Opportunities@fca.gov or 703-883-4135 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET, at least two business days prior to the closing date of this announcement to obtain an alternative application.

Agency contact information

FCA HR Division

Email: Employment_Opportunities@fca.gov

Address: Office of Agency Services, Human Resources Division
1501 Farm Credit Drive
McLean, VA 22102
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Division to determine your eligibility for the position. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your ratings. Your resume may be evaluated by a subject matter expert or may be asked to complete a structured interview, written demonstration, and/or fit interview as part of the assessment process. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application

Required Documents

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To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

Your resume showing (1) paid and non-paid work experience including your position title, start and end dates (month/year) of employment, hours worked per week, and duties performed (separated by position series and grade for each federal position, if applicable).
Other supporting documents:

Cover letter, optional
Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.)
Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)

How to Apply

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To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/), all your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status

If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Division. Please contact FCA HR Division at Employment_Opportunities@fca.gov or 703-883-4135 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET, at least two business days prior to the closing date of this announcement to obtain an alternative application.

Agency contact information

FCA HR Division

Email: Employment_Opportunities@fca.gov

Address: Office of Agency Services, Human Resources Division
1501 Farm Credit Drive
McLean, VA 22102
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Division to determine your eligibility for the position. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your ratings. Your resume may be evaluated by a subject matter expert or may be asked to complete a structured interview, written demonstration, and/or fit interview as part of the assessment process. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application