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

Branch Chief - Applications Development

Securities and Exchange Commission
Office of Information Technology (OIT)

Summary

The Office of Information Technology is seeking applicants to fill their Supervisory Information Technology Specialist (Branch Chief - Applications Development) position. As a Branch Chief, you will serve as an agency IT expert and authoritative consultant to design, document, develop, modify, test, install, implement, and support new or legacy applications and software security solutions for both OIT and other SEC program teams.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/12/2026 to 05/26/2026
Salary
$162,308 - $280,156 per year

Starting salary is based on experience. The range is listed for informational purposes. Initial pay will be set below the maximum. See more below.

Pay scale & grade
SK 15
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
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
15
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
26-DH-12957464-SMP
Control number
868889100

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

All US Citizens

Duties

Help

In this role as a Branch Chief - Applications Development, you will be responsible for:

  • Providing strategic leadership and direction to the team, setting priorities, allocating resources, and removing obstacles to ensure successful delivery of application management, architecture, and cloud solution initiatives.
  • Serving as a software engineer and applications developer and consultant, on a diverse range of highly technical and complex software engineering, development, security, and identity management issues.
  • Designing, developing, and deploying secure cloud infrastructure, automated processes, and continuous integration using Amazon Web Services to enhance the operations, installation and maintenance of specialized software and hardware supporting business operations.
  • Supporting the enterprise services including DevSecOps, data integration, middleware, security solutions, reporting and visualization, and other processes to provide an effective environment for development operations.
  • Using Agile and DevSecOps methodologies to monitor and maintain the system development through production delivery.
  • Applying artificial intelligence tools where appropriate, including code assistant tools such as GitHub Copilot and information processing tools such as Amazon Bedrock.
  • Using machine learning, financial mathematics, data mining, and/or other quantitative modeling to solve customer problems.
  • Providing insight and advice on digital customer experience planning and implementation, including designing surveys and conducting interviews and focus groups.
  • Ensuring IT projects are delivered on budget and comply with the terms of agreements.
  • Developing cooperative relationships working with customer teams and navigating and working through conflicting priorities from stakeholders.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • CITZENSHIP: You must be a US Citizen.
  • SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/).
  • SECURITY CLEARANCE: Entrance on duty is contingent upon completion of a pre-employment security investigation. Favorable results on a Background Investigation may be a condition of employment or selection to another position.
  • PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION (PCS): Moving/Relocation expenses are not authorized.
  • DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
  • SUPERVISORY PROBATIONARY PERIOD: This appointment may require completion of a two year supervisory/managerial probationary period.
  • The duties of this position may require the incumbent to carry a cell phone and be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week on a rotational basis, based on the needs of the organization.

Qualifications

Applicants are responsible for confirming all required materials are submitted by the closing date of the announcement. Please check the How You Will Be Evaluated and Required Documents sections carefully, as missing documents will render the application incomplete and ineligible for review.

Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sector. 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. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: For all positions individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below:

  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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must also meet the minimum qualification requirement below.

SK-15: Applicant must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/SK-13 level:
  1. Architecting and developing secure software solutions for supporting modern applications/systems;
  2. Leading information systems development and modernization efforts;
  3. Performing customer engagement to identify opportunities for new or improved business process solutions; and
  4. Securing software throughout complete product lifecycle including security engineering and operations.

ACCOMPLISHMENT RECORD COMPETENCIES: Your Accomplishment Record narratives should address the following competencies. See the How You Will Be Evaluated section below for more information:
  • Cyber Operational Planning: Conducts strategic and operational-level planning to support cyberspace operations and prevent unauthorized access to electronic assets such as databases, equipment, systems, networks, and information.
  • Information Systems/Network Security: Implements and uses methods, tools, and procedures, including the development of information security plans and standards, to prevent information systems vulnerabilities and provide or restore privacy and security of applications, information systems, and/or network services.
  • Technology Expertise: Knowledge of the principles and methods of specialized technologies, tools, and delivery systems, including security, risk management, governance, functionality, and user interface in area of expertise (e.g., programming languages, server, web, applications, network)
  • Building Teams: Ability to create and foster cohesive and effective teams.

Additional information

Supplementary vacancies may be filled in addition to the number stated in this announcement and may be filled from any division or office within the agency.

SEC COMPENSATION PROGRAM: Total salary (base pay + locality) is dependent upon duty location. The overall salary range listed above is provided for informational purposes; a selectee's initial pay will be established below the maximum rate of the range. The pay for current SEC employees will be determined according to the procedures specified in the agency's policy. Please click here for a compensation overview.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SURPLUS OR DISPLACED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not I/CTAP eligible. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; the questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility (2) be rated well-qualified; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. View information about I/CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

Reasonable Accommodation: If you are an applicant who needs a reasonable accommodation to participate in the SEC application process due to a medical disability, please contact reasonableaccommodation@sec.gov. For religious-based accommodations, please contact religiousaccommodation@sec.gov . Please be sure to submit your request at least 5 business days in advance of the date you need the requested accommodation.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Information for SEC Job Applicants: For more information, please click here.

The Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint, or any other information, to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged non-compliance by contacting the Legal and Policy Office in the Office of Human Resources at ElliottT@sec.gov.

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 for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this announcement.

This position is being advertised through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Direct-Hire Authority (5 U.S.C. Section 3304 and 5 CFR Part 337, Subpart B) and is open to All U.S. Citizens. Under this authority, competitive rating, ranking and veterans' preference procedures do not apply.

Your resume and application package will first be reviewed to determine whether you meet the minimum qualification requirements outlined in the announcement. If you are found minimally qualified, the Office of Human Resources will contact you to request an Accomplishment Record. You will have 3 business days from the date of the request to submit it. Failure to submit the Accomplishment Record on time will remove you from further consideration. Because of the short turnaround time, you are strongly encouraged to begin preparing your Accomplishment Record in advance.

Once your Accomplishment Record is received, a rating panel will review both your resume and your narrative responses. Your Accomplishment Record must clearly demonstrate your proficiency in the competencies listed in the Qualifications section.

Click here for guidance on writing your Accomplishment Record.

Your resume must provide evidence that supports the claims in your Accomplishment Record. Each narrative must describe one specific, relevant example from your experience or training. Responses are limited to 300 words per competency; any text beyond this limit will not be reviewed.

You must provide one document containing your narrative responses for all four competencies. Failure to address each competency annotated on the announcement or failure to provide the correct document will result in loss of further consideration. Please note: A Performance Appraisal does not satisfy the requirement for an Accomplishment Record.

Required Accomplishment Record Format:

Applicant First Name and Last Name
Competency Title

  • Position title and dates from your resume that this experience was obtained
  • Describe the situation (i.e., the challenged faced, the problem solved)
  • Describe the specific actions you took
  • State the outcome, results, or long-term impact of your accomplishment
  • Name and email address of someone who can verify this information

Reference checks may be conducted as part of the final selection process, and you will be notified before any contacts are made.

Basis for Rating: The rating panel will evaluate applicants' accomplishment records and resume, and then place them into one of the following categories:

  • Pass - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and has at least a moderate amount of skills and experience in most of the job related competencies.
  • Fail - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but has only limited experience in several of the job related competencies.

Passing applicants will be referred to the hiring office for further review and consideration. The hiring office may directly contact recommended candidates for interview(s).

To preview the Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12957464

Securities and Exchange Commission

Our mission includes advocating for investors who seek to secure a future for their family, providing guidance and regulations for the nation's securities industry in an increasingly global market, and taking action with an eye toward promoting the capital formation necessary to sustain economic growth.

A career with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) offers work that is exciting, challenging and rewarding. You can contribute to securities regulation and enforcement while making a positive difference for the American investing public. The SEC provides:

  • Careers that broaden and deepen your already accomplished knowledge, skills and abilities;
  • An environment that allows you to work and learn with the nation's experts;
  • Benefits, compensation and career expansion opportunities; and
  • A balance between your professional and family life.
The SEC offers a number of enhanced pay and benefits plus the standard Federal benefits. Please be sure to visit the SEC's compensation and benefits program pages.

Agency contact information

ask HR
Email
askHR@sec.gov
Address
Office of Information Technology
100 F Street NE
Washington, DC 20549
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Securities and Exchange Commission, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.sec.gov.

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.