IT Specialist (APPSW)

Job Details

Qualifications & Requirements

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/19/2026. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Basic Requirements 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. For all positions individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the five 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. AND Selective Placement Factor: In addition to the minimum qualifications described above, you must meet the following requirement(s) to be considered qualified for the position: you must possess a certification in Project Management (such as: Project Management Professional (PMP) or Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM), or similar Project Management Certifications). AND Specialized Experience: You must possess a minimum of one (1) year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: project/product management experience managing major complex multi-year health care IT software development programs with program budgets greater than $1 Million, and demonstrating success utilizing Agile principles, including acquisition/contracting 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Position Overview

The position is in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Information and Technology (OIT), Product Delivery Service (PDS) Health Services Portfolio. OIT is responsible for the implementation of information technologies that are aligned with the business strategies of the Department of Veterans Administration (VA), from Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), National Cemetery Administration (NCA) and Corporate offices.

Duties

• OIT Mission: The mission of the Office of Information and Technology (OIT) is to collaborate with our business partners to create the best experience for all Veterans. OIT Vision: To become a world-class organization that provides a seamless, unified Veteran experience through the delivery of state-of-the-art technology. OIT is seeking a Senior IT Specialist Project/Product Manager to lead software project management initiatives within the Health Services Portfolio. This position is responsible for developing, coordinating, monitoring, assessing and elevating project schedules for applications assigned to OIT. This position is a key link to other organizations within VA to ensure coordination and integration of project management activities into overall program and engineering plans, and on-time delivery. Major Duties: Provide ongoing optimization and problem-solving support. Lead and oversee budget, staffing, and contracting. Provide expert oversight of cost resource estimates. Participate in future strategic planning budget developing projects. Develop, modify or provide input to project plans such as the Project Management and Acquisition Financial Management Plans, Cost Analysis and Technical project documentation. Establish and/or participate in meetings such as Integrated Project Team (IPT) meetings, SCRUMs, Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMS), project milestone reviews and final project critical decision reviews. Manage program/project management and systems lifecycles to include: Acquisition, development, modification, enhancement, deployment or decommissioning of a product, service or system which may be COTS or internally developed. Provide feedback to leadership and other project stakeholders through appropriate reports, meetings, briefings and information papers, both formally and informally. Regularly brief senior leadership and management staff on project status and significant developments. Develop and communicate project plans and schedule system scope based on cost estimates for new or modified application systems on a clear understanding of customer requirements and information on project costs, schedule, quality, and performance. Analyze and develop efficient IT solutions using a mastery of knowledge of hardware, software, operating systems and peripherals. Develop methods to monitor and measure risk, compliance, and assurance efforts. This position is primarily aligned to the following NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework work roles: Cybersecurity Code: 802- IT Project Manager: Directly manages information technology projects. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: As determined by the Agency Policy Telework: Adhoc telework may be authorized at management discretion. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: IT Specialist (APPSW)/PD18421A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: No Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary but involves use of a personal computer so a degree of dexterity and visual acuity sufficient to utilize these tools is required. Some physical effort is required to lift and carry reference books, working papers and similar items to and from meetings. A moderate amount of standing and walking is required in getting to and from meeting places away from the work site. The work does not require any special physical effort. Working Conditions: Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office setting or remote teleworking via computer and telephone. There is occasional noise from normal office equipment. Some unscheduled work hours are required. Occasional travel is required to attend meetings, conferences and specialized technical training. Designated Drug Testing Position: Not applicable This is a non-bargaining unit eligible position.