Summary Who may apply: Current, permanent DoD Federal Civilian Employees in the competitive service, eligible Priority Placement Program DoD Military Spouse Preference applicants, eligible PPP applicants, and current DoD VRA employees. This job announcement uses the USA Hire Assessment to evaluate applicants. For more information, visit USA Hire Assessment. Responsibilities Acts as a subject matter expert on issues related to Cognos installation, upgrade, and troubleshooting. Installs, configures, and maintains the Cognos Business Intelligence suite of applications on either Linux or Windows servers. Provides support for planning, system administration, and business intelligence reporting within a Cognos environment. Delivers Cognos system support for multiple applications and environments, including performance configuration and tuning. Monitors system performance using system metrics and administers servers to optimize the speed and efficiency of IBM Cognos software. Applies advanced knowledge of Cognos report, query, and cube development and deployment to troubleshoot and resolve failing processes. Collaborates with web and database administrators on engineering efforts related to server security settings and file/folder configurations for various web servers. Possesses foundational knowledge of web technologies, databases, and operating systems. Develops, maintains, and executes security procedures to guard against unauthorized intrusion into the Cognos environment. Provides data management and technical support to other IT specialists in support of a major automated information system. Collaborates with developers to deploy Cognos objects in alignment with DFAS and IBM best practices. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Basic Requirement: Applicants must have IT-related experience demonstrating the following competencies appropriate to, or above, the level of this position. For vacancies below the full performance level of the position, the basic requirement will be evaluated on a developmental basis. Your resume and work experience should clearly support your ability to meet these competencies and will be evaluated as part of the entire application process. Attention to Detail - experience reviewing my own information technology-related work or data and have been asked by others to review their work or data to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency with standards. Customer Service - experience maintaining relationships with customers, assessing current information technology needs of customers, and developing or identifying information technology products and services that are tailored to meet customer needs. Oral Communication - briefing mid-level management and IT staff on the status of information technology systems, projects, or daily operations, including the communication of technical information to a non-technical audience. Problem Solving - identifying alternatives to address complex information technology-related issues by gathering and applying information from a variety of sources that provide a number of potential solutions. One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade (GS-12) within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required. Specialized experience is defined as: Experience administering IBM Cognos across multiple applications and environments, including performing performance configuration and tuning to ensure optimized functionality of Cognos applications. Time-in-Grade: Current or former federal employees who have held a GS position in the preceding 52 weeks, must meet the time in grade requirement. Applicant must have served 52 weeks as a GS-12 or higher grade in Federal Service. 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. We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 120 days of the closing date. Education Education is not substitutable for specialized experience at the GS-13 grade level. Additional Information Moving expenses will be paid. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here. For positions where relocation is paid (see Location block of vacancy announcement), you can learn more about relocation allowances and entitlements. We may use this announcement to make a temporary promotion. For some positions, the temporary promotion may be made permanent without further competition. Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment. As a condition of employment, you may be required to serve a 1 year probationary period during which we'll evaluate whether your continued employment advances the public interest. The evaluation will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment advances agency or governmental goals; and whether your continued employment advances the efficiency of the Federal service. At the end of the probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification that your continued employment advances the public interest. This position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act. Travel requirement is occasional. This position is covered by a bargaining unit. PPP Application Based Preference Eligibles (Military Reserve and National Guard technicians, Military Reserve and National Guard technicians receiving disability retirement, and Retained Grade employees) will receive priority consideration at the full performance level only. Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, here. 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. Criminal History Inquiries- For some positions, criminal history inquiries may not take place before you receive a conditional job offer. Please see Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 (dfas.mil) for more information on The Fair Chance to Compete Act, exceptions, and DFAS contact information.
