Branch Chief (IT)

Full Job Description

This position is located in Office of the Chief Information Officer. The supervisor for these positions varies. This position is subject to Confidential Financial Disclosure reporting requirements.

This position is not subject to security ownership restriction reporting requirements.

Applicants must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below: Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.

Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, 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.

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.

Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

Additionally, applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as: Specialized experience includes leading and managing IT programs, operations, and personnel, including supervising technical staff and contractors, performing workforce planning, and fostering a collaborative, high-performing work environment.

Experience includes communicating complex technical information to a variety of audiences, providing executive-level briefings, and engaging stakeholders to support mission objectives.

Experience managing IT projects and programs using established methodologies, with responsibility for scope, schedule, cost, risk, and performance outcomes, as well as translating business needs into effective IT solutions.

Experience overseeing IT service delivery and operations, including incident, problem, and change management, ensuring system reliability, continuity of operations, and effective end-user support.

Experience applying cybersecurity principles and risk management practices, including implementing security controls, supporting compliance efforts, and participating in risk assessments and incident response activities.

Experience supporting IT governance and policy implementation, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and regulatory requirements.

Experience managing IT resources, including budgets, contracts, and vendor performance, as well as supporting acquisition and procurement activities.

Demonstrated knowledge of IT systems and technologies, including infrastructure, cloud services, software development, and data management, to support system integration and operations.

Experience contributing to IT strategic planning, aligning initiatives with organizational goals, and supporting modernization and change management efforts.

Experience managing data and information resources, including data governance, analytics, and privacy considerations.

Experience applying analytical and critical thinking skills to solve complex problems, make risk-informed decisions, and balance competing priorities in a dynamic IT environment.

A description of how you possess the specialized experience as well as how you meet the qualifications desired in an ideal candidate should be addressed in your resume.

Resumes must reflect experience with six of the above specialized experience statements.

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following: Demonstrated ability to provide technical direction; lead the implementation, operation, and modernization of complex IT services or processes; and deliver measurable improvements in reliability, performance, security, user experience, or mission support.

Demonstrated expert knowledge and application of specialized IT domains relevant to the position (e.g., Artificial intelligence/machine learning, data engineering, enterprise infrastructure, IT governance, IT operations).

Experience ensuring compliance with federal IT laws, regulations, cybersecurity, privacy, records management, and risk management frameworks.

Experience in strategic IT planning, governance, demand intake, requirements gathering, and portfolio management.

Ability to lead and supervise multidisciplinary teams, manage contractors, and communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences.

A description of how you possess the specialized experience as well as how you meet the qualifications desired in an ideal candidate must be addressed in your resume.

The NRC encourages applicants to provide job experience details in your resume.

Applicants may also use the supplemental vacancy question to provide additional information pertaining to the specialized experience and ideal candidate criteria. PLEASE BE CLEAR AND CONCISE.

WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Major Duties:

The successful candidate will perform the full range of Branch Chief duties.

Initial vacancies anticipated to be filled from this announcement are in Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering; Enterprise IT Strategy and Governance; IT Infrastructure and Platform Services; and Regional IT Services.

Additional Branch Chief positions may be filled in other IT specialties as needed.

Such duties may include but are not limited to: Provide leadership and technical direction for the planning, implementation, operation, and improvement of complex IT programs, services, or capabilities to support agency mission and business needs.

Oversee the delivery, performance, and reliability of enterprise or multi-site IT services and solutions, ensuring they are implemented securely, consistently, and in alignment with enterprise architecture, cybersecurity requirements, and federal policies.

Develop, coordinate, and implement strategic plans, priorities, and governance processes to evaluate IT needs, guide investment decisions, and ensure integration of IT initiatives across organizational units.

Ensure compliance with applicable federal laws, regulations, and standards, including cybersecurity, privacy, records management, risk management, continuity of operations, and other agency or government-wide IT requirements.

Supervise and lead multidisciplinary teams, including assigning work, evaluating performance, fostering workforce development, and coordinating with senior leaders, stakeholders, and partnering with organizations across the agency.