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IT SPECIALIST (APPSW)

Department of Defense
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
Information & Technology Dir, Payroll Services, ZTBDC

Summary

  • Who may apply: All US Citizens
  • Applicants on the Cleveland list may be placed at Bratenahl.
  • We may use this announcement to fill other positions in the I&T Dir.
  • This job announcement uses the USA Hire Assessment to evaluate applicants. For more information, visit USA Hire Assessment.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/11/2026 to 02/25/2026
Salary
$57,331 to - $101,375 per year

View Salaries: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2026/general-schedule/

Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 11
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Indianapolis, IN
Cleveland, OH
Whitehall, OH
Remote job
No
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
11
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
DFAS-DHA-ML-12882624-26
Control number
857019800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All US citizens.

Duties

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  • Provides for effective Information Technology development, implementation, operation, maintenance, and modification of finance and/or accounting automation information systems.
  • Reviews proposals for systems changes, which consist of objectives, scope, and user expectations.
  • Performs analysis of automated and manual systems to accomplish design assignments and prepares programming specifications.
  • Uses advanced programming techniques, interprets designs and writes programs, designs modifications to structures and determines detailed sequence of steps in program logic.
  • Develops test plans, participates in systems integration and systems acceptability testing, and evaluates test results and takes appropriate corrective actions.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship or National
  • Background Investigation
  • Suitable for Federal Employment
  • Registered for Selective Service (if applicable)
  • In accordance with the DoD 8140 policy series, the position may be subject to completing Foundational Qualifications in 9 months and completing Residential Qualification requirements in 12 months.
  • This national security position, which may require access to classified information, requires a favorable suitability review and security clearance as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination.

Qualifications

This Job Opportunity Announcement is using an additional online assessment tool to evaluate applicants. Please review the HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED, REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, HOW TO APPLY and NEXT STEPS sections below for instructions.

Human Resources will determine your qualifications for each entry grade level based on your interest and the additional following criteria. Resumes for federal government positions need more detailed work descriptions and accomplishments than a typical private sector resume. Please be sure to clearly describe the full scope of your work experiences in your resume. Combinations of education and experience may also be sufficient.

Basic Requirement: Applicants must have IT-related experience demonstrating the following competencies appropriate to, or above, the level of this position. For vacancies below the full-performance level of the position, the basic requirement will be evaluated on a developmental basis. Your resume and work experience should clearly support your ability to meet these competencies and will be evaluated as part of the entire application process.

  • Attention to Detail- experience reviewing my own information technology-related work or data to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency with standards. My work or the data that I produce is typically reviewed by my supervisor or another colleague.
  • Customer Service- experience having brief contact with customers to provide information about available information technology products and services and providing customers with standard products or routine services to address information technology needs.
  • Oral Communication- experience informing my supervisor and other IT staff of the status of information technology systems, projects, or daily operations, including the status of information technology systems, projects, or daily operations, including the communication of basic technical information to a non-technical audience.
  • Problem Solving- identifying or selecting from a number of alternatives to address routine information technology-related issues by gathering and applying information from standard sources that provide a limited number of solutions.
IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENT, QUALIFIED APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS:

FOR ENTRY AT THE GS-07: One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade GS-05 within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required.
Specialized Experience is described as: Assisting senior developers intesting and implementation of software and automated systems; applying basic IT principles and practices to assist in providing software and systems development and support.

FOR ENTRY AT THE GS-09: One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade GS-07 within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required.
Specialized Experience is described as: Providing input to design specifications, coding, test plans, and issue resolution of software and automated systems;participating in the testing and implementation of test plans; experience using programming languages such as Java with Web Technology.

FOR ENTRY AT THE GS-11: One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade GS-09 within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required.?
Specialized Experience is described as: Experience developing, implementing, coding, testing, and modifying software and automated systems; conducting systems requirement reviews and take necessary corrective action; using Java with Web Technology programming language to code and maintain software engineering solutions.

This position is developmental and selections may be made at the GS-07, GS-09, GS-11 entry grade levels. Once eligibility and qualification requirements are met, selectees will be eligible for promotion at management discretion to the GS-09, GS-11 grade levels without further competition.

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 to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You may qualify for consideration if meeting time-in grade, specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement.

Education

Substitution of Education for Experience:
**Combination of education and experience is not applicable for this Job Series.**
You Must submit Transcripts in order to substitute education for experience.

FOR ENTRY AT THE GS-7
One full year of graduate level education in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management; or superior academic achievement (SAA) with a 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, may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. Additional information on S.A.A. and/or which Honor Societies are recognized click on the link to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Classification & Qualifications Standards: Superior Academic Achievement.

FOR ENTRY AT THE GS-9
Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Master's degree or equivalent graduate 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.

FOR ENTRY AT THE GS-11
A qualifying Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral 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.

This Job Opportunity Announcement is using an additional online assessment tool to evaluate applicants. Please review the HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED, REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, HOW TO APPLY and NEXT STEPS sections below for instruction

Additional information

  • This job announcement uses the USA Hire Assessment to evaluate applicants. For more information, visit USA Hire Assessment.
  • For Reasonable Accommodation Requests, see the How You Will Be Evaluated section.
  • **This Job Announcement is using an additional online assessment to evaluate applicants. Please review the HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED, HOW TO APPLY and WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT sections for instructions.
  • Telework availability will be based upon the mission requirements and supervisory determination.
  • Position is being filled under the Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense. Veteran's preference does not apply under this Direct Hire Authority (DHA).
  • Subject to restrictions resulting from DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment.
  • A condition of employment: you may be required to serve a 1 Year Probation during which we evaluate if continued employment advances public interest. Evaluation considers: performance & conduct; needs & interests of agency; if continued employment advances agency goals; if continued employment advances efficiency of Federal service. At the end of the probationary period, employment will be terminated unless you receive certification that continued employment advances public interest.
  • We may use this announcement to fill vacancies within 90 days of the closing date.
  • Position is Non-Exempt at the GS-07, GS-09 and Exempt at the GS-11 levels from the Fair Labor Standards Act.
  • Position is covered by a formal training, DFAS Career Acclimation Program (DCAP). The purpose is to develop well-qualified, well-trained, employees for future positions. Promotion is conditional based on performance, successful completion of training, and availability of higher graded work. Participants who do not successfully complete the program may be separated.
  • For grades below the full performance level, only MSP/PPP eligible candidates who currently occupy a formal training program position will be entitled to exercise their priority preference.
  • DFAS recognizes the value of competencies gained through formal education and professional certifications. To ensure that credit is given for these credentials in the selection process DFAS has developed standard selection criteria used when filling positions in professional and administrative series. Selections for professional and administrative positions will be based on four categories of selection criteria: Experience, Other, Education, and Certifications.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov).
  • Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, here).
  • The Security Designation varies dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher. Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date. If selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position may result in termination. For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements.

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.

IMPORTANT NOTE - YOU MUST FOLLOW ALL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. ERRORS OR OMISSIONS MAY AFFECT YOUR RATING.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

The USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
You can preview the Assessment Questionnaire here:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12882624

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

Criminal History Inquiries - 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, contact the agency @ dfas.indianapolis-in.zh.mbx.ssc-cc@mail.mil (this call center group box will be the intake for complaints and will forward to appropriate POCs).

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