COMPUTER SCIENTIST

Summary

Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS) mission is to lead the Department of Defense (DoD) in finance and accounting by ensuring the delivery of efficient, exceptional quality pay and financial information.

Duties

• •Apply knowledge and skill of relevant mathematical and statistical sciences, computer theory, algorithms, data structures, programming concepts, and computer architecture, with a working knowledge of computer hardware.
• •Develop and applies principles, theories, and techniques of computer science, software engineering, hardware design, enterprise computing, commercial cloud adoption and information engineering.
• •Directs the research of complex automated processes in the development of information systems in support of AI’s goal of accelerating the delivery of AI automation and AI enabled capabilities, services, and systems for the agency.
• •Researches the applicability of new technological developments in the field to solve continuing problems or meet current/future needs of the agency’s AI information systems infrastructure.
• •Defines and designs mappings and models of technical computing architectures, high-speed systems architectures, interconnection structures, centralized and distributed control, data-driven architectures, and parallel programming languages.
• •Develops performance measures and performance models for automated information systems components and networks in order to define configuration design tools and to establish evaluation criteria for the acquisition of products.

Qualifications

This position is being filled under the Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense via delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. We reserve the right to close this announcement early or to extend, as appropriate, based upon the needs of the Agency. Qualified application packages may be referred to management at various points in the selection process depending on the number and timing of applications received. Selections may be made at any point during the announcement open period.. Human Resources will determine your qualifications for each entry grade level based on your interest and the additional following criteria. Resumes for federal government positions need more detailed work descriptions and accomplishments than a typical private sector resume. Please be sure to clearly describe this in your resume. Combinations of education and experience may also be sufficient. BASIC REQUIREMENT: 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. Make sure the response you select is supported by your resume and transcripts. NOTE: You must submit copies of your transcripts, failure to provide transcripts may render you ineligible for the position. FOR ENTRY AT THE GS-11: In addition to the Basic Requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade GS-09 in the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required. Specialized experience is defined as: Developing software systems; integrating information structures, new computing systems, or computer software and/or hardware solutions. FOR ENTRY AT THE GS-12: In addition to the Basic Requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade GS-11 in the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required. Specialized experience is defined as: Developing software systems; transforming and integrating information structures, new computing systems, or computer software and/or hardware solutions; solving a variety of technical challenges/problems throughout the automated information systems life cycle in support of AI product development. FOR ENTRY AT THE GS-13: In addition to the Basic Requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade GS-12 in the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required. Specialized experience is defined as: Advising on the development of software systems; development of software and systems; solving technical challenges and problems throughout the automated information systems life cycle; providing technical advisement on data and AI-related technical feasibility. This position is developmental and selections may be made at the GS-11, GS-12 or GS-13 entry grade levels. Once eligibility and qualification requirements are met, selectees will be eligible for promotion at management discretion to the GS-12 and GS-13 grade levels without further competition. Volunteer 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; religious; spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. You may qualify for consideration if meeting time-in grade, specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement. The Security Designation will vary and dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher. Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed/undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals selected are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position may result in termination. For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements.

Education

FOR ENTRY AT THE GS-11: Substitution of education for experience: A qualifying 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. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed higher-level graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. If you are using education to substitute for the specialized experience, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply. To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html). FOR ENTRY AT GS-12 AND GS-13: Education is not substitutable for specialized experience at these grade levels.