Information Technology Specialist (Policy and Planning)

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Information and Technology, Passenger Systems Program Directorate, located in Ashburn, VA. Additional selections may be made to include other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above. Joining Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Information and Technology (OIT) will allow you to serve as an IT subject matter expert in planning and policy, providing guidance to senior management on a broad spectrum of IT management functions, including capital planning, investment control, workforce planning, and policy development. This position leads the development and management of enterprise IT performance measures, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.This position starts at a salary of $143,913.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $187,093.00 (GS-14, Step 10). In this Information Technology Specialist (Policy and Planning) position you will become a key team member of Homeland Security professionals. Typical work assignments include: Leading the development and management of enterprise IT performance measures, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and providing guidance to senior management on IT management functions. Developing and analyzing new or revised policies related to budget, financial management, and IT, requiring extensive interpretation to determine the best path forward for critical issues. Translating senior management's goals and objectives into actionable strategies, proposing innovative solutions to complex IT and acquisition management challenges. Collaborating with internal departments and external stakeholders to prioritize IT investments, manage financial and budgetary needs, and build robust business cases to demonstrate value. Monitoring and reporting on the performance of IT investments, developing metrics, conducting risk and feasibility analyses, and refining strategic requirements to ensure alignment with agency goals. GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position. Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts. Basic Requirement: Individuals qualifying based of experience must have Information Technology (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. Along with the four competencies listed above you must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience described below to qualify based on experience. Experience: You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Reviewing complex IT systems and infrastructure to find improvement opportunities and recommend new technologies and approaches that support organizational goals. Utilizing IT strategic planning methods to help develop, update, and maintain IT plans that support the mission and business objectives. Translating senior management goals into practical IT projects and initiatives and helping create and track enterprise IT performance measures. Collaborating with other departments and external partners to set priorities for IT investments and help build business cases that show expected costs and benefits. Developing IT metrics and performance tracking tools, reviewing budgets, analyzing risks, and defining key IT requirements to support planning and decision-making. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements. 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. You must: Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 11/18/2026. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions: Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university Working as a contractor, intern, consultan