Supervisory IT Specialist (SYSANA) Branch Chief

Social Security AdministrationWoodlawn, Maryland, Durham, North Carolinausajobspublished 10/08/2026

Directs a branch of employees involved in product/program/project management, enhanced customer/user experience, technology usability and accessibility, product/program/project governance, lifecycle standards/methods/procedures, product team support, and quality assurance controls. The position description number for this position is PD9F042S. A summary of the major duties are listed below. You may also view the full position description on the Agency intranet at the following link: PD Search

Major duties

  • Directs branch employees in the Systems Analysis, Customer/User Experience, Discovery, Software Design, User Accessibility, IT planning, IT investments, IT Project Governance and Quality Assurance activities.
  • Plans, organizes and controls branch operations. Establishes branch goals and based on periodic evaluation, determines the need to adjust them.
  • Conducts continuing liaison with other SSA components and external agencies to determine feasibility and to plan the development of systems applications.
  • Directs staff involved with applying analytical processes to the planning, design, and implementation of new and improved information systems to meet business requirements of customers.
  • Directs, coordinates and reviews a variety of special studies and projects Customer/CT ser Experience, Discovery, Software Design, User Accessibility, IT planning, IT investments, IT Project Governance and Quality Assurance.
  • Furnishes advice to the Division Director and other officials on unique or complex software problems and issues. Identifies potential for improvement and recommends changes.

Qualifications

Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered. Visit the 'Required Documents' section below for more information. Your SSA-45/resume must provide sufficient experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and proficiency of any required competencies to perform the specific position for which you are applying. Your SSA-45/resume is the key means we have for evaluating your experience, education, knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies as they relate to this position. Your resume and supporting documents must specifically address the evaluation criteria for the position. Describe duties you perform (not just knowledge, skills and abilities) as they relate to the specialized experience required for this position. Be clear, accurate and specific when describing your experience; e.g., list all positions separately, include full start and stop dates for each position, your component and grade, and a comprehensive description the relevant duties you performed in each position. YOUR RESUME OR SSA-45 MUST INCLUDE YOUR OFFICIAL DUTY STATION AND YOUR COMPONENT (DC-LEVEL DOWN TO OFFICE-LEVEL) OR YOU MAY BE FOUND INELIGIBLE. This information is instrumental in determining the highest quality candidates to be referred to the Selecting Official. Please submit a thorough SSA-45/resume that directly relates to this position. If your application materials do not demonstrate the knowledge, skills, abilities, experience needed for this position, your application will be ineligible for consideration. To qualify for the 2210 IT Specialist series, applicants must demonstrate the following competencies: must be IT related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate.

  • Attention to Detail (Level 4, Advanced) - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
  • Customer Service (Level 4, Advanced) - 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 (Level 3, Intermediate) - 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 (Level 4, Advanced) - Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems.
  • Interpersonal Skills (Level 4, Advanced) - 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 (Level 3, Intermediate) - 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 (Level 4, Advanced) - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
  • Teamwork (Level 4, Advanced) - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
  • Technical Competence (Level 4, Advanced) - 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.

Specialized Experience: Applicants must have specialized experience that is directly related to the work of the position and have equipped them with the competencies required to successfully perform the duties of the role. These knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies are normally attained through the equivalent of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of the position being filled. To qualify at the GS-14 level, you must have specialized experience at the GS-13 level, or equivalent. This experience must demonstrate proficiency in at least 3 of the following:

  • Experience performing systems requirements engineering, design, software development, or software validation.
  • Experience leading a team in the planning, analysis, design, development, or validation of a major programmatic application system or enterprise website or tool.
  • Experience leading a team in user-centered design or accessibility activities.
  • Experience obtaining input from peers or subordinates and using the information gathered to make a technical recommendation to management.
  • Experience providing technical direction and establishing priorities for staff or peers.

The specialized experience is REQUIRED and must be explicitly documented/described in your resume, or you will be disqualified from further consideration. Qualification standards and additional information for this position can be found here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/2200/information-technology-it-management-series-2210-alternative-a/ Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Applicants for promotion must have 52 weeks at GS-13. Time in grade requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.