Computer Engineer

Description:

This employee supports the USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, WI.

This employee serves as a professional computer network engineer in support of research, design, development, testing, evaluation and maintenance for computer hardware and software systems.

For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Steven Kalinosky at Steven.Kalinosky@usda.gov or James Bridwell at james.j.bridwell@usda.gov.

Requirements:

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

Basic Requirement for All Engineering positions: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdfFor detail, please see Education section below.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below.

For the GS-7 level: Applicants must have one full year of graduate level education (coursework directly related to position being filled). Directly related coursework would include computer engineering, IT, computer science, computer programming and/or computer networking courses.
OR
Superior Academic Achievement (click the link to determine if you are eligible: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp)
OR
Successful completion of a 5-year program of study of at least 160 semester hours leading to a bachelor's degree in engineering.
OR
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 level.
OR
An appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience. Professional engineering experience is defined as nonroutine engineering work that required and was characterized by (1) professional knowledge of engineering; (2) professional ability to apply such knowledge to engineering problems; and (3) positive and continuing development of professional knowledge and ability.

Minimum Qualifications Requirements:
For the GS-07 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level. Specialized experience at this level is defined as 3 out of 4 of the following:
1). Performing basic contemporary software engineering practices, including object-oriented programming, behavior driven development, test driven development, version controls systems, and design patterns. 2). Identifying and selecting appropriate software architecture components, including operating systems, compilers, information storage and retrieval software, display processing and generation software, and applications programs for real-time and non-real-time processing functions. 3). Developing, programming, maintaining, and modifying computer software and applications. 4). Maintaining, repairing, replacing, upgrading, and installing computer and network systems, audio-visual systems, and Wi-Fi systems - including hardware, software, and components.

For the GS-9 level: Applicants must have 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree (coursework directly related to the position being filled).
OR
Successful completion of a 5-year program of study of at least 160 semester hours leading to a bachelor's degree in engineering and 1 year of appropriate professional experience.
OR
A combination of superior academic achievement and 1 year of appropriate professional experience.
OR
One year of specialized professional engineering experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 level.
OR
An appropriate combination of specialized experience and education (only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade level). Professional engineering experience is defined as nonroutine engineering work that required and was characterized by (1) professional knowledge of engineering; (2) professional ability to apply such knowledge to engineering problems; and (3) positive and continuing development of professional knowledge and ability.

Minimum Qualifications Requirements:
For the GS-09 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level. Specialized experience at this level is defined as 3 out of 4 of the following:
1). Maintaining computational and software inventory using custom hardware and software solutions for experimental demands. 2). Designing, programming, maintaining, and modifying computer software and applications with a complex feature. 3). Researching, evaluating, recommending, procuring, installing, specifying, and implementing new technology, instrumentation, computer hardware and software, audio-visual equipment, networking and Wi-Fi gear, and commercially available systems and components to determine suitability for use. 4). Providing system administrator functions for non-enterprise networks, file servers (NAS), high-power and modeling computational center workstations, and local area networks.

For the GS-11 level: Applicants must have 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (coursework directly related to position being filled).
OR
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 level.
OR
An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.) Professional engineering experience is defined as nonroutine engineering work that required and was characterized by (1) professional knowledge of engineering; (2) professional ability to apply such knowledge to engineering problems; and (3) positive and continuing development of professional knowledge and ability.

Minimum Qualifications Requirements:
For the GS-11 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level. Specialized experience at this level is defined as 3 out of 4 of the following:
1). Designing, developing, programming, maintaining, and modifying computer software and applications with a variety of complex features. 2). Coordinating, executing, and providing technical engineering support - including development of new systems engineering techniques, computer science technologies and applications, and sophisticated electronic systems. 3). Developing and maintaining computer hardware and software, applications, software development, system administration, and networking. 4). Developing network design, hardware setup, and operating system/application installation.

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 directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.