Summary As a Computer Scientist, the incumbent serves as a principal technical specialist to support the Flight Program Operations' Airborne Flight Inspection System. The work of this position involves the application of computer science methods and techniques to store, manipulate, transform, and present information by means of computer systems. Responsibilities Develops software systems using a knowledge of techniques, procedures, and processes such as operating system theory, data structures, computer system architecture, software engineering, and computer communications. Performs multiple, varying, and complex assignments made under the minimal direction of a manager, project/program manager, team leader, or more experienced technical specialist. Acts as principal technical specialist or as a project manager or team leader to support the Flight Program Operations' Airborne Flight Inspection System and aircraft fleet in the research, design, development, maintenance, evaluation, and integration of large and complex software and hardware systems or components for the Next Generation Automated Flight Operation Program. Applies experience and comprehensive technical knowledge of the FAA Next Generation Flight Operation Program operating systems, object oriented programming, and system software and programming languages, and environments including, but not limited to, Visual Basic, Visual Basic for applications (VBA), C++, and/or Microsoft.net environment to contribute to the design, development, acquisition, maintenance, documentation, and testing of various project and software development plans relating to the Airborne Next Generation Automated Flight Inspection System. Understands new technologies and methodologies to solve complex problems and develop improved technical processes or systems interfaced with the flight inspection system. Considers the objectives of the FAA and its flight inspection mission when developing, implementing, and integrating solutions to diverse, complex problems. Assignments frequently require knowledge and experience working across functional and/or organizational lines. Typical assignments include: complex system design and integration, extensive research, and analysis; investigation and inspection activities; compliance and enforcement actions; and direct responsibility for project/ program management. Conducts research into computer science methods and techniques to store, manipulate, transform, or present information of computer systems. Defines, organizes, and assigns resources to accomplish organizational objectives. Allocates resources to accomplish large work activities within established schedules. Contacts are internal and external. Often represents FAA as a senior technical point of contact on projects, programs, and other work activities. Communicates results to all levels internally (within an LOB or SO or across LOB/SO's and externally). Plays a lead role in drafting, reviewing, and editing reports or contractual documents for final approval prior to external distribution. Presents briefings to obtain consensus/approval on policies. Coordinates significant technical matters with representatives of external organizations. Broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for addressing issues but allow considerable discretion to develop new and innovative approaches. Uses specialized knowledge of aircraft systems, limitations, design characteristics, mathematics, and statistical science to transform information for the flight inspection system. Draws on experience to solve unusual problems and may create new solutions and policy interpretations as the situation requires. Provides policy guidance and instruction to others, both internally and externally. Provides guidance to lower level staff on how to solve difficult technical issues. Resolves all but unique technical problems without the intervention of management or a more experienced technical specialist. Develops plans, techniques, and policies to address current or anticipated problems and issues. Works with management to solve problems. Work is reviewed rarely, typically through status reports and at project completion to ensure technical compliance and alignment with the requirements of the project or other work activity. Requirements Conditions of Employment We are not accepting applications from noncitizens. Qualifications Basic Requirements: Bachelor's degree in computer science or bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions. Evaluation of Education: Applicants should have sufficient knowledge to understand the fundamental concepts and techniques of computer science. Courses designed to provide an introduction to computer science techniques and methodologies, to problems of system design, and to other specialized fields are acceptable. Courses or experience in teaching elementary, business, or shop mathematics are not acceptable. To qualify for this FV-J (FG/GS-14) position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-I (FG/GS-13) level. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE includes experience utilizing software languages and development tools in support of automated systems: Java, C#, and .NET (Core or Framework); experience with software application design, development, testing, and engineering; experience developing software systems, real time data acquisitions systems, simulation modeling, data analysis and complex electronic instrumentation systems, and data mining, for a flight inspection system, and leading projects to manage and/or implement activities related to the development or maintenance of a multi-level software architecture or component that interfaces and/or interacts with a large software system. Applicants should include examples of specialized experience in their work history. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Education This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcripts(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcement to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. You may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS or fax it to fax number provided in the announcement (please include announcement number on each page). Failure to do so will result in loss of consideration. Schools must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation may be verified at the following website: www.ed.gov/accreditation. Foreign education must be evaluated by a private professional organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials or an accredited U.S. educational institution in terms of equivalence to a degree acquired at an American college or university. A copy of the evaluation results must be included, otherwise your foreign education will not be considered. See Qualifications Required. Information Regarding KSA’s: As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA. In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs), in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a Human Resource Specialist as appropriate. Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the KSAs and Other Factors listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for consideration. Additional Information We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions. Position may be subject to a background investigation. A one-year probationary period may be required. The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements The U.S. Department of Transportation strives to ensure that equity, transparency, accountability, collaboration, and communication permeate all that we do for the betterment of the Department, the traveling public, and our nation. As such, DOT values a highly diverse workforce of persons who promote a culture of belonging by respecting the personal dignity and worth of each individual and fostering a positive environment where all feel safe and welcome. If these commitments coincide with your personal ideals and professional aspirations, please consider joining the DOT family. This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing. NOTES: 1) Applicants must apply online to receive consideration for this vacancy announcement. Faxed, mailed or emailed applications cannot be accepted. 2) Please ensure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job. 3) Some, none, or all candidates may be interviewed. 4) Position to be filled at the J Band within AJF-2130, duty location of Oklahoma City, OK. 5) This position has a positive education requirement. If you have never held a permanent 1550 series position with the FAA, you must UPLOAD a copy of your transcripts with your application in USAJOBS or to 9-AMC-AHF-S210@faa.gov. 6) To confirm receipt of documents, Please contact Jeff Westlake at Jeffrey.K.Westlake@faa.gov. 7) This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information about core compensation is available on the following website: Pay & Benefits | Federal Aviation Administration (faa.gov). 8) Additional information regarding living in Oklahoma can be found at www.abetterlifeokc.com. This is a bargaining unit position. This position is represented by LIUNA 2097: Aircrft Maint & Engrg AMC TC. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay , COLA