Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results
 

IT Project Manager

Department of Agriculture
Food Safety and Inspection Service
PROGRAM AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Summary

OCIO supports thousands of field and headquarters employees and customers around the clock, 7-days/week.

Employees may participate in an on-call rotation.

Major aspects of the position include, but are not limited to, developing and maintaining project plans and schedules in accordance with established Agile Development Life Cycle guidelines, conducting risk analyses, and developing mitigation strategies and plans.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/26/2026 to 04/01/2026
Salary
$125,776 to - $163,514 per year

Salary determined by location upon selection. Pay shown is based on Rest of U.S. Locality Pay.

Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Locations
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Fort Collins, CO
Urbandale, IA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—As determined by the agency policy. FSIS does not currently have a telework 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
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
FSIS-26-DHA-12889410-DW
Control number
862291400

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. Veterans' Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

Duties

Help
  • Oversees software and hardware activities of contractor personnel ensuring the USDA FSIS Enterprise Project Life Cycle (EPLC) and the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) policies, procedures and templates are adhered to.
  • Manages administrative, procedural, physical, and technical controls necessary to protect FSIS information assets, hardware and software applications.
  • Identifies sensitive systems and conducts risk analysis.
  • Develops mitigation strategies and plans to overcome obstacle(s) to project completion.
  • Defines project scope, requirements, and deliverables and consults with project customers, both internal and external.
  • Develops, modifies, or provides input to charters, project plans, implements project plans to meet objectives, coordinates and integrate project activities and administers project resources.
  • Monitors project activities and resources to proactively mitigate risk, implement or maintain quality assurance processes, and make improvements to eliminate problems.
  • Prepares analysis and recommends program modifications.
  • Perform Earned Value Management and Capital Planning and Investment Control activities for all assigned projects or as needed to include supporting Business Case development.
  • Ensures Project Management constraints of scope, budget, and time are met.
  • Serves as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) to manage and oversee performance of outside contractor performance on individual projects.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
  • Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
  • False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
  • If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.
  • If selected, you will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education,

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 grade level) that demonstrates:

  • Managing execution of multiple projects of varying sized, including major and large-scale enterprise IT projects, through application of professional project management concepts.
  • Using the Microsoft (MS) Office Suite (to include MS Project) for project management, contract cost analysis, schedule status, and weekly status reporting.
  • Following established system and agile development life cycles (ADLC) as well as preparing associated documents and artifacts for major and large-scale enterprise projects. This includes experience using the ADLC processes to ensure that high quality systems are delivered, the ability to provide strong management controls over the projects, and the ability to maximize the productivity of technical and programmatic support staff.
  • Conducting risks analyses, developing mitigating strategies and plans while implementing a systematic approach to developing and implementing plans to release products, systems or required acquisition/ADLC phase gate documentation.
  • Using Earned Value Management (EVM) to relate time phased budgets to specific contract tasks, baselining investments, and providing valid, timely, and auditable data/information for cost and schedule variance as it relates to overall project management analysis.
  • Solving problems without having all of the required information, understanding the context of a problem, diagnosing a problem, exploring alternatives and identifying gaps in the information to solve the problem and carve out next steps.
This position has an individual occupational requirement that must be met in order to qualify for the position:

Experience: Experience must be IT related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate.

Individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below. The employing agency is responsible for identifying the specific level of proficiency required for each competency at each grade level based on the requirements of the position being filled.
  1. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
AND

Specialized Experience: Position requires one year of specialized experience at the next lower GS-grade (or equivalent). Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Such experience is typically gained in the IT field or through the performance of work where the primary concern is IT. Specialized experience requirements are defined above.

For more information on the qualifications for this position, click Information Technology (IT) Management Series, 2210

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 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

Education may not be used to substitute for specialized experience or to qualify for this position at this grade level.

Additional information

If selected, you will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter. Selectee is subject to financial Disclosure Requirements in accordance with 5 CFR, Part 2635, Sub part E regarding business or personal transactions with applicants, borrowers, or business contacts who have or who are seeking business with this Agency. Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you will be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report.

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.

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.

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 questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Oral Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Leadership
  • Project Management
  • Reasoning
  • Writing
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.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on meeting the minimum level of required proficiency of the USAHire assessment.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right.

To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12889410

Food Safety and Inspection Service

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the public health regulatory agency responsible for ensuring the safety of meat, poultry and processed eggs.

USDA is a great place to start or continue your career. For more information on USDA and the Food Safety and Inspection Service, visit FSIS.

Agency contact information

Doug Welder
Phone
612-852-7713
Email
douglas.welder@usda.gov
Address
Food Safety and Inspection Service
1400 Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20250
US

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.