Information Technology Specialist (Data Management)

Full Job Description

The Information Technology Specialist with primary focus on a database administration for specialized scientific, laboratory, and administrative systems in support of both APHIS and Agricultural Research Service (ARS) users at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in a combined services environment.

This position is responsible for database management within the Information Technology unit in Manhattan, KS.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 grade level) that demonstrates: - Administering and implementing database systems supporting scientific and laboratory computing environments, including systems used for diagnostics, research workflows, laboratory information systems, and high-volume scientific data storage and retrieval.

- Implementing and optimizing data architectures and workflows that support compute-intensive laboratory applications like high-performance computing (HPC) workloads, including managing dependencies across storage, networking, virtualization layers, and scientific instrument integration.

- Integrating databases with scientific instruments and laboratory automation systems ensuring reliable data flow, system interoperability, and mission-critical operational support.

Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.

In addition, all applicants qualifying based on experience must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below.

Applicants must demonstrate possession of these competencies within the body of the resume; no separate statements addressing them are required.

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.

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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Major Duties:

• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Works with database system dependencies, including storage, networking, and server operating systems.
• Works with application middleware solutions, including configuration and securing of application environments.
• Ensures that the data management components remain in good working order and infrastructure issues are promptly addressed.
• Researches, tests, and proposes new database and data management solutions to meet the ever-changing needs of the NBAF scientific community and its stakeholders.
• Provides operational support for other necessary system components as they relate to databases, such as laboratory information systems, stakeholder submissions, and quality management.
• Provides support for application development platforms, including integration and connectivity to database and data management systems.