IT Program Manager

US Department of Education Headquarters; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) in Washington, DC, through NCES, seeks a GS-15 IT Specialist to lead large-scale student assessment IT projects and to ensure data protection throughout the data life cycle.

The role requires coordinating with the IES CTO to shape IT strategy focused on performance, security, and resilience, and serving as senior COR for multiple IT contracts.

Qualifications

• Knowledge planning and executing technology projects for student assessments at scale.
• Skills in technology and delivery of assessments of students' knowledge; work with CTO on IT strategy.
• Ability to serve as senior COR for multiple IT contracts.
• Knowledge of inherently governmental functions related to federal IT requirements.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Customer Service

Decision Making

Information Management

Interpersonal Skills

Oral Communication

Problem Solving

Teamwork

Technical Competence

Job description

This position is with the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) located in Washington, DC. National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) within IES, is responsible for the design and conduct of rigorous research activities, including education statistics and education evaluation. It is also responsible for ensuring knowledge derived from rigorous research can be applied to problems of education policy and practice, strengthening education system and improving student outcomes.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

You may meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-15, if you possess the specialize experience.

Specialized Experience for the GS-15: One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-14 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments:

1. Experienced in setting organizational priorities and developing road maps for large-scale student assessment IT projects, including collaboration with education leaders and policymakers to translate business needs into technical solutions and clearly explain system features to both technical and non-technical audiences.
2. Experience leading modernization, technology transformation, and technical execution for large-scale student assessment platforms, including IT principles and concepts throughout the system development life cycle.
3. Experience in systematically analyzing the collection, use, sharing, and maintenance of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and data protection throughout the data life cycle.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).

1. Knowledge in planning and executing technology projects for student assessments conducted at scale, such as major national or international data collections.

2. Skills in the technology and delivery of assessments of students' academic knowledge. Partners closely with the IES CTO to shape the IT strategy for modern IT solutions that are scalable and focused on performance, resilience, and security.

3. Ability to serve as senior-level Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) for multiple, IT contracts.

4. Knowledge of inherently governmental functions related to federal information technology system requirements.

Basic Experience Requirements Example (IT Specialist GS-15 grade levels)

Basic Experience Requirements Example (IT Specialist GS-15 grade levels), applicants may qualify by meeting or exceeding the minimum proficiency level established for each of the required competencies, in addition to meeting the specialized experience requirement as demonstrated through the assessment of skills. You must possess IT-related experience (paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (e.g., IT certification), as appropriate) demonstrating each of the nine 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 (i.e., 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. Decision Making - Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change. 4. Information Management - Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems. 5. Interpersonal Skills- Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations. 6. 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. 7. Problem Solving- Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. 8. Teamwork- Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals. 9. Technical Competence- Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.