National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)

IT Specialist - Senior/Expert Level

Continuous Announcement - Chantilly, VA - Full Time

WE ARE THE NRO

For sixty years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched and operated the satellites that are the foundation for America’s advantage and strength in space. Using a diversified architecture of spacecraft, NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance content on the planet.

Learn more at nro.gov.

Basic Eligibility for a position with NRO

  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • You must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
  • You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic drug testing
  • You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic polygraph examinations

Where You Will Work

Do you enjoy designing, creating, and exploring possibilities? Do you have experience in Software Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, Cyber Security, or Networking?  Does designing information technology systems to compliment complex and innovative overhead reconnaissance systems interest you? 

If so, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is looking for you!

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes via a continuous announcement for consideration against current and future opportunities for senior/expert level (GG 14-15) IT Specialists, occupational series 2210. For more information on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series, click here.

This is a full time position. Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match.

Who May Apply

  • This position is open to the public.
  • Federal government employees MUST currently be at the grade level or higher as indicated in this announcement. This is NOT a promotion opportunity for current Federal government employees. If selected for the position, Federal government employees will transition laterally at their current grade level and step.
  • Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade IAW DoD 1400.25 Volume 2006.
  • The NRO is only accepting external applicants for this job announcement. Current NRO Cadre employees should apply internally.

  • This position does not qualify for the appointment of a Reemployed Federal Annuitant IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 300.

What You Will Be Doing

This is a broad announcement that requires specialty in one or more of the following specialized areas:

Software Engineer/Applications Development

  • Serve as an expert software engineer/ applications developer and consultant, managing and directing multiple highly complex and innovative IT projects and initiatives. This includes translating technical specifications into programming specifications; developing, customizing, and/or acquiring applications software programs; and testing, debugging, and maintaining software program.

Project Leadership

  • Provide expert technical advice, leadership, and direction on all software engineering related issues for the improvement of the product. Determines project objectives and sets priorities; anticipates potential threats and opportunities. Provides expert leadership and guidance in how to use user research findings to influence software product development. Establishes a shared understanding across team members and stakeholders. 
  • Lead, coordinate, communicate, integrate, and is accountable for the overall success of the program, ensuring alignment with critical agency priorities.

Leadership to Ad Hoc Teams

  • Lead cross-functional teams at scale or in highly complex environments to develop innovative software and/or services. Focuses team efforts towards current goals and priorities.
  • Plan, develop, and execute large scale IT projects that transform the manner in which work is accomplished. Determine the size, skills, and roles necessary for an ad hoc team to deliver a product and identifies appropriate team members.

Relationship Management

  • Serve as a liaison to high-ranking stakeholders within GSA and customer agencies to convey information regarding Agile Technology Program activities, policies and goals; to clarify procedures; and to interpret directives as needed.
  • Work closely with customer agencies in senior leadership roles and navigates conflicting priorities from senior stakeholders or in complex environments. Reinforces, upholds, and advocates core principles for building IT services, including building in the open, developing software using agile and lean methodologies, and using user-centered design methods.

What You Need

  • Highly desired: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in related IT functional area (e.g. software engineer, information technology, cybersecurity, systems and network engineers, etc.).
  • Mastery of and directly applicable experience with advanced IT principles, concepts, methods, standards, and practices.
  • Experience developing and interpreting policies, procedures, and strategies governing the planning and delivery of services throughout the agency.
  • Proven ability to provide expert technical advice, guidance, and recommendations to management and other technical specialists on critical IT issues;
  • Significant experience applying new developments to previously unsolvable problems and make decisions or recommendations that significantly influence important agency IT policies or programs. 
  • Proven ability to manage large-scale projects from cradle to grave to include leading cross functional teams.
  • Demonstrated experience communicating with high ranking stakeholders to resolve issues, provide executive briefings and status updates.
  • Experience delivering IT products using Agile and lean methodologies.

Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform  and is typically in or directly related to the duties of the position as described above. Experience must be reflected in your resume.

Other Information

  • You may be required to obtain a CISM or CISSP certification within 6 months of being appointed to the position IAW Cyber Workforce Requirements outlined in DoDI 8500.01.
  • Overtime Statement:  May be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
  • Travel Statement:  May be required to travel in military or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.
  • Financial Disclosure:  May be required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
  • Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) coded positions: If selected for a DAWIA coded position, the incumbent must meet appropriate certification requirements IAW the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) no later than 24 months after accepting this position. Individual shall maintain, at a minimum 80 continuous Learning Points every 24 months via the services acquisition management system. DAWIA requirements may be located at the Defense Acquisition University website.
  • Geographic Mobility Agreement: May be subject to directed reassignment as required to address mission effectiveness, and/or career development.
  • Information Assurance (IA): Must achieve the appropriate IA certification within six months of assignment.
  • Emergency Essential: Certain positions are deemed emergency essential and incumbents must be willing to meet all position requirements.

Location

Washington D.C. area.

Salary

This position meets the qualifications for Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) Targeted Local Market Supplement (TLMS) STEM pay for NRO Cadre employees and candidates as authorized by the office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security’s (OUSD(I&S)).  Cadre employees and candidates are eligible to receive STEM pay if they are currently serving in a STEM designated position. Should a Cadre employee or candidate earning STEM pay change positions within the organization, they must be assigned to another STEM qualifying position in order to continue to remain eligible for STEM pay.  Otherwise, Cadre employees and Candidates Generally would be transitioned to the DCIPS GG Pay Scale. For more information on STEM pay, visit https://dcips.defense.gov/Human-Resources/Compensation/

2024 STEM Salary ranges:

GG-14: $144,354 - $187,662

GG-15: $163,017 - $191,900

**This position is a senior/expert level DCIPS position. The NRO is accepting applications from U.S. Citizens and current Federal Government employees for this position To qualify for the position, Federal government employees MUST currently be at the GG 14-15 grade level and may ONLY apply for a lateral reassignment at their current grade level and step. Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade per IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 2006.

Hiring Incentives

The NRO may offer hiring incentives and other entitlements at management’s discretion.

Trial Period

All new DCIPS employees will be required to serve a 2-year trial period.

Veterans’ Preference

DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans’ Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Vol 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement.  If you are a veteran claiming veterans’ preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 USC, you must submit documents verifying your eligibility upon request.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.

Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:

  • An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
  • An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
  • An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.

You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please send your request to [email protected].

Privacy Act Notice

Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): We use this information to determine qualifications for employment. This is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.

Read more about the Privacy Act of 1974 

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