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IT Specialist (Application Software)

Department of Agriculture
Food Safety and Inspection Service

Summary

This position is located in the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), Business Solutions Center (BSC). OCIO provides information technology (IT) planning, design, application development, systems administration, telecommunications, information assurance/security, information management, and IT customer support services for FSIS.

Serves as an Information Technology Specialist (Test Team Member) and is responsible for developing, coordinating and conducting software testing.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/17/2026 to 04/23/2026
Salary
$74,678 - $138,370 per year

Salary based on location selected for. Range shown represents Rest of the United States locality pay table.

Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 13
Locations
3 vacancies in the following locations:
Fort Collins, CO
Urbandale, IA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—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
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
FSIS-26-MDH-12925455-DW
Control number
865556300

This job is open to

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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

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  • Conducts test activities with other testers and end-users.
  • Performs workload tasks assigned by team lead and supervisor.
  • Develops and designs comprehensive and detailed test plans and test reports.
  • Develops and reviews test documentation and defect tracking using automated tools.
  • Creates, updates, reviews and maintains Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) testing documentation.
  • Provides testing support, guidance and documentation reviews at various phases of the Software Development Life Cycle.
  • Provides oversight and testing leadership for external contract development efforts and ensures adherence to testing procedures and SDLC.
  • Manges performance testing efforts.
  • Analyzes business requirements for testability.
  • Conducts project planning using a project management server solution to ensure project plans include adequate test activities.
  • Delivers testing status, testing results and communicates risks.
  • Creates and maintains standard test plan templates.
  • Establishes processes and procedures for testing protocols.
  • Develops Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for appropriate methods of testing required to support requirements.
  • Develops and manages regression testing using test automation software, tools, and utilities.
  • Develops and recommends quality control criteria for testing processes and procedures.
  • Evaluates new test software technologies and makes recommendations to streamline testing processes and procedures.
  • Advises other IT experts throughout FSIS or in other agencies on a variety of situations and issues involving applying or adapting new testing theories, concepts, principles, and standards and methods.
  • Serves as a senior IT expert or consultant for FSIS management on IT testing processes, procedures and policies.

Requirements

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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.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including one year of specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

GS-11:
Specialized Experience:
At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service that includes hands on testing experience developing, coordinating, and conducting software testing cycles and activities in support of testing programs using Agile methodologies and experience with at least one of the below types of testing using the listed tools:

  • Automation Testing: Able to code, test and maintain testing automation framework that provides coverage of business 4/14/2026 14:50 EDT Page 3 of 7 functionality for the team and must have experience with at least one programming language such as Java, Python, Ruby, TypeScript/JavaScript.
  • Performance Testing: Able to independently develop test scripts, create test scenarios, and execute various types of performance tests (load test, stress test, endurance test) using Load Runner or Jmeter. Ability to monitor and collect result data and provide results to the team.
  • 508 Compliance Testing: Knowledge and experience with Section 508 Laws and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and ADA standards. Create and execute 508 test scenarios and test procedures of new and existing applications using tools such as JAWS, aXe Dev tools, NVDA, CCA, ANDI, Lighthouse.

OR

Education: 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. Degree must be in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, or technology management, or be 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. OR A combination of education and specialized experience. In this instance, only graduate education in excess of the first 36 semester hours directly related to the work of the position is creditable towards meeting the requirements, along with specialized work experience. The combination must equal 100% of the requirement. For example, if you have 33% of the education requirement, then you will need 67% of the specialized experience requirement.

GS-12:
Specialized Experience:
At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service that includes: Hands on testing experience developing, coordinating, and conducting software testing cycles and activities in support of testing programs using Agile methodologies and experience with at least one of the below types of testing using the listed tools:
  • Automation Testing: Able to design, code, test and maintain testing automation framework that provides coverage of business functionality for the team and must have experience with at least one programming language such as Java, Python, Ruby, TypeScript/JavaScript.
  • Performance Testing: Able to independently develop test scripts, create test scenarios, and execute various types of performance tests (load test, stress test, endurance test) using Load Runner or Jmeter. Hands on experience in Application Performance Monitoring tools like AppDynamics, Dynatrace, Splunk. Ability to monitor and collect result data, analyze, pinpoint bottlenecks, and provide results to the team.
  • 508 Compliance Testing: Knowledge and experience with Section 508 Laws and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and ADA standards. Create and execute 508 test scenarios and test procedures of new and existing applications using tools such as JAWS, aXe Dev tools, NVDA, CCA, ANDI, Lighthouse.

GS-13:
Specialized Experience:
At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service that includes: Hands on testing experience developing, coordinating, and conducting software testing cycles and activities in support of testing programs using Agile methodologies and experience with at least one of the below types of testing using the listed tools:
  • Automation Testing: Able to design, code, test, deploy and maintain testing automation framework that provides coverage of business functionality for the team and must have experience with at least one programming languages such as Java, Python, Ruby, TypeScript/JavaScript.
  • Performance Testing: Able to lead end-to-end Performance Testing tasks, including project planning, prepare test strategy, test data, estimations, script development, execution, analysis, and sign-off. Hands on experience on Performance Testing tools like Load Runner or Jmeter and experience on Application Performance Monitoring tools like AppDynamics, Dynatrace, Splunk. Ability to monitor and collect result data, analyze, and pinpoint bottlenecks and guide developers in fixing performance issues.
  • 508 Compliance Testing: Knowledge and experience with Section 508 Laws and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and ADA standards. Create and execute 508 test scenarios and test procedures of new and existing applications using tools such as JAWS, aXe Dev tools, NVDA, CCA, ANDI, Lighthouse.
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.
  • 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.
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

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

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. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.

This position is being concurrently announced under Merit Promotion Announcement Number FSIS-26-MMP-12936803-DW. Current or former Federal employees or other eligible applicants may apply to both announcements to expand all possibilities of consideration since different referral criteria apply to each type of announcement. See the above announcement for more information.

If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.

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.

The Office of Personnel Management has granted Direct Hire Authority for Cyber positions. There is a critical hiring need, and these positions play an important role in protecting the nation's food supply.

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Services has authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional) positions under Direct Hire Authority. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply.

For more information on the Government-wide Direct Hire Authority positions click here

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.

Due to the Direct-Hire Authority (DHA), applicants are not rated and ranked numerically, and Veteran's preference does not apply. Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide complete information about their job-related experience and education. Your resume must document that you meet the Qualification Requirements detailed above. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. Although Veteran's preference does not apply due to the existence of the DHA for this position, applicants are still encouraged to provide documentation related to veteran's preference.

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of two or three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent to which they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies:

You will be assessed based on the following competencies:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Oral Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Teamwork
  • Systems Testing and Evaluation
  • Technical Competent
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.

Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) your resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.

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 and 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/12925455

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

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