IT Specialist (Database Platform Engineer)

As a IT Specialist (Database Platform Engineer) at the GS-2210-13, you will be part of Ofc of the Chief Information Officer Office of Personnel Management. If selected, you will design and engineer enterprise database and data-platform solutions across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments, including the data architectures supporting OPM's AI and machine-learning initiatives.

Major duties

Develop and maintain database platform technical designs, patterns, and engineering approaches for complex mission-critical systems across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments, consistent with enterprise architectural direction. Design database solutions using relational, non-relational, distributed, and cloud-native technologies, including approaches for resiliency, replication, backup and recovery, disaster recovery, encryption, and access management. Develop proposed reusable database reference architectures, design patterns, and engineering standards, and provide architectural guidance for modernization and migration of legacy environments to cloud-native database services. Design and engineer assigned data systems supporting AI and machine-learning capabilities, including vector and embedding stores, feature stores, retrieval-augmented generation and LLM data pipelines, and training and inference data flows. Evaluate emerging database technologies and data-platform services, contribute to modernization roadmaps, and provide architectural analysis and recommendations to OCIO technology governance and engineering reviews. Provide advanced technical advice to OCIO organizations and program offices, work with architects, engineers, and cybersecurity personnel to resolve issues spanning multiple technology domains, and mentor database administrators and engineers.

Qualifications

For the GS13: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, or equivalent, performing information technology database platform engineering work that includes: Designing database solutions using relational, non-relational, distributed, or cloud-native technologies, including approaches for resiliency, replication, backup and recovery, encryption, or identity and access management; and Developing proposed database reference architectures, design patterns, engineering standards, or technical implementation guidance for enterprise systems; and Providing architectural guidance or support for the modernization or migration of legacy database environments to modern database platforms or cloud-native database services; and Designing or developing data architectures or platform components supporting artificial intelligence or machine-learning systems (such as vector or embedding stores, feature stores, retrieval-augmented generation or large language model data pipelines, or training and inference data flows); and Evaluating emerging database or data-platform technologies and communicating architectural recommendations, risks, and alternatives to technical and nontechnical stakeholders. AND Competency Requirement: In addition to the Specialized Experience above, you must meet the competency requirements for the Information Technology (IT) Management Series 2210, as described below. A. You must have Information Technology related experience demonstrating each of the following required competencies, and must meet or exceed the *minimum proficiency level for each (Please see the Education section below for the Minimum Proficiency Level scale): For the GS-13: Attention to Detail (Level 4, Advanced), Customer Service (Level 4, Advanced), Decision Making (Level 3, Intermediate), Information Management (Level 4, Advanced), Interpersonal Skills (Level 4, Advanced), Oral Communication (Level 3, Intermediate), Problem Solving (Level 4, Advanced), Teamwork (Level 4, Advanced), Technical Competence (Level 4, Advanced). Competency definitions: 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. Decision Making - Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change. Information Management - Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems. Interpersonal Skills - Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations. 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. Teamwork - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals. Technical Competence - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues. or B. You do not fully meet the competency requirements outlined above, but you are nonetheless demonstrably well qualified to perform the work of the position. You possess appropriate licensure, registration, or certification (Examples include: Oracle Certified Professional (OCP), Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate, Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, AWS Certified Database - Specialty, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), Databricks or Snowflake certifications, CompTIA Security+, ITIL, or other database, data platform, cloud, cybersecurity, or enterprise IT certification). You must provide copies of licensure, registration, or certification. or C. You do not fully meet the competency requirements outlined above, but you are nonetheless demonstrably well qualified to perform the work of the position. You have a substantial record of experience, achievement, and publications that demonstrates eminence in the appropriate profession/technical field. You must provide examples such as published works, industry keynotes, peer research, awards, board memberships, etc. OPM Qualification Standards and additional information for this position can be found here: Competency-Based Qualification Standard for the Information Technology Management Series, 2210 Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. One year at the GS-12 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS 13 level. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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.

Education

There is no education requirement for this position. Under the Competency-Based Qualification Standard for the Information Technology Management Series, 2210, education may not be required, used in lieu of, or substituted as an alternative for demonstrating the required competencies or specialized experience. Transcripts are not required. Minimum Proficiency Level: *Applicants may qualify by meeting or exceeding the minimum proficiency level established for each of the required competencies. Below is a detailed explanation of the Proficiency Level Scale used to evaluate General Competencies for this position:

Level 1 - Awareness:

• Applies competency in the simplest or most structured situations.
• Requires close and extensive guidance.
• Demonstrates awareness but limited practical application.
• Learning the foundational elements.

Level 2 - Basic:

• Applies the competency in somewhat routine or structured situations.
• Requires frequent guidance.
• Demonstrates familiarity with key concepts and practices.
• Beginning to build confidence and independence.

Level 3 - Intermediate:

• Applies the competency in moderately difficult situations.
• Requires occasional guidance.
• Demonstrates solid understanding and consistent application.
• Able to adapt to new or unfamiliar contexts.

Level 4 - Advanced:

• Applies the competency in considerably difficult or varied situations.
• Requires little or no guidance.
• Demonstrates broad and in-depth understanding.
• May coach or guide others.

Level 5 - Expert:

• Applies the competency in exceptionally difficult or novel situations.
• Serves as a key resource and trusted advisor to others.
• Demonstrates mastery and deep insight into the competency area.
• Often leads or mentors others in this area.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin
• Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required
• You will be required to report to an OPM assigned office.
• This position is not eligible for inclusion in a bargaining unit