IT SPECIALIST (ENTERPRISE DATA ARCHITECT)

Summary

The Surface Transportation Board is an independent federal agency that is responsible for the economic oversight of the nation's freight rail system. The position is located in the Office of the Managing Director, Section of System Services and serves as an Information Technology Specialist (ENTERPRISE DATA ARCHITECT)

Duties

• THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT has an applicant limit of 50. Therefore, the announcement will close the day 50 applicants have been received, which may be before the date listed above. In this position you will serve as an Information Technology Specialist (ENTERPRISE Data Architect) responsible for serving as the agency's principal data architecture expert, designing and governing enterprise level data architectures that align information assets, applications, and technologies to mission outcomes under the Federal Data Strategy and Board Data Management policies. You lead the definition of current and target business, data, application, and technology architectures; establishe standards and data models; and ensures secure, interoperable, and high quality data across enterprise systems and platforms (cloud and on-premises). As a Data Architect in STB, you will perform the following duties: - Design and implement enterprise data architectures that integrate diverse data sources and platforms, ensuring scalability, reliability, and alignment with organizational needs. - Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate business requirements into effective data solutions that support strategic objectives. - Serve as the organization's subject matter expert on data exchange standards, formats, and technologies, ensuring accurate, secure, and reliable data interchange with external stakeholders. - Partner with external stakeholders - to define, negotiate, and maintain standardized data submission formats and specifications. - Own the change-management process for data submission standards, including version control, stakeholder communication, documentation updates, and rollout coordination. - Validate and troubleshoot incoming data submissions, resolving discrepancies and format issues end-to-end and ensuring adherence to defined standards. - Build and maintain data pipelines and system integrations, applying both hands-on engineering skills and higher-level architectural design. - Lead enterprise data architecture initiatives, providing technical guidance and best practices in data modeling, metadata management, governance, and security. - Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation, including architecture diagrams, data dictionaries, and submission format specifications, to support operations, compliance, and knowledge sharing. - Stay current with emerging technologies, data standards, and industry trends, and proactively evolve the enterprise data architecture to drive innovation and continuous improvement. -Design and implement data architectures and services that support the Board's future artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives and enable advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI applications.

Qualifications

Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered, please visit the new resume guidance for more information.READ ALL SECTIONS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY. THIS INFORMATION IS CRUCIAL TO SUBMITTING A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION. All applicants are required to submit a resume with your application. To receive full consideration for relevant and specialized experience, please utilize the following date format MM/YY to MM/YY - or - MM/YY to present and the number of hours worked per week for each period of employment/experience listed in your resume. Your responses to the questionnaire must be supported/demonstrated in your resume. If, after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and experience, your rating may be lowered to reflect the submitted documentation more accurately. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience or education. In order to qualify for this position, your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are being considered. Resumes are restricted to no more than 2 pages. Illegible/unreadable resumes will not be considered. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. Specialized experience must meet 52 weeks equivalent to the next lower grade level. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.Specialized Experience is defined as the experience that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position of Information Technology Specialist (Data Architect) GS-14 To be qualified for this position at the GS-14 grade level, you must demonstrate in your resume one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-13, in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector or volunteer experience) demonstrated: Designing and implementing enterprise data architectures, integrating various data sources and platforms to support organizational needs. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to translate business requirements into effective data solutions and ensure alignment with strategic objectives. Leading data architecture projects, providing guidance to technical staff, and fostering best practices in data management and security. Developing and maintaining comprehensive documentation, including architecture diagrams and data dictionaries, to support ongoing operations and compliance. Staying current with emerging technologies and industry trends, continuously enhancing data architecture to drive innovation and improvement. AND Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies: Applicants for the Information Technology Management series, 2210 at the GS-14 grade level must have Information Technology (IT) related experience which demonstrates proficiency in the following competencies: 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. Reasoning - Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions. Teamwork - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals. Technical Competency - 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. PLEASE NOTE: This 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: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/2200/information-technology-it-management-series-2210-alternative-a/

Education

Education may not be used as a substitute for experience at this grade level.

Requirements

U.S. Citizenship is required. All qualification requirements must be met by 09/25/2026. Please Note: Your application package will not receive consideration if it lacks any of the required documents under the "Required Documents" tab. Probationary Period: A One-year probationary period may be required. Required to participate in the Direct Deposit program. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See http://www.sss.gov/ E-Verify: If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form 1-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System. The STB is an E-Verify Participant. Required to participate in the Direct Deposit program. Employment is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background investigation and the granting of a Federal suitability clearance. If selected, you may be offered a tentative offer until the background investigation has been adjudicated. Background Suitability Investigation: Continued employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background investigation and the granting of a Federal suitability or security clearance. Please Note: If selected, you may be offered tentative employment until the background investigation has been fully adjudicated. Relocation expenses are not authorized. You may be asked for a writing sample during the Interview process. You will not receive consideration if your package is missing any of the items outlined under the required documents section.

Evaluations

This position is being filled using Direct Hire Authority and is open to all U.S. Citizens. All applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration. Your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position. Your resume must document specialized experience and support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Your application package will be further evaluated to determine your possession of the critical knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics listed below. Your application may be further assessed by a Subject Matter Expert (SME) panel to verify your qualifications. If your qualifications are not substantiated by your submitted resume, you will be eliminated from further consideration. As part of the selection process, the Selecting Official may invite you to participate in a structured interview, check references, and/or request a writing sample or work exercise to further evaluate your qualifications for this position. Competencies: Customer Service Data Analysis Data Extraction and Transformation Technology Application DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated by a resume. If, upon review, it is determined that your resume and/or supporting documents do not support your answer choices, your application may be removed from consideration.Preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click .https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13023646

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on {INSERT DATE} to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the "Submit Application" button prior to 11:59pm (ET) on the announcement closing date. After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you both on screen and via email notification. To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by return to your USAJOBS account. There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to "Update Application." This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account, all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an "Additional Application Information" page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. You may preview the assessment questionnaire by clicking here: {insert assessment questionnaire}

What to expect next

Once referred, you may be asked to complete a structured interview, written demonstration, and/or fit interview. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you or for dismissing you from the position/agency during the probationary period. Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated. You will receive another notification about the status of your application.

Required documents

Please be advised, the following documents are required even if you are already a current Federal or STB employee: 1. Resume must clearly articulate how your skills and experiences align to the criteria defined in the qualifications section of this announcement and it must support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. For each position you must describe your duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities. Your resume must also include the month and year that you began and ended for each position held. Full-time employment will be assumed unless otherwise stated on your resume. Part-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience. Not providing this information may result in the lowering of your assessment score or an ineligible rating. Please limit your resume to 2 pages. For resume writing guidance, please visit the USAJobs Resource Center. 2. Responses to questionnaire. 3. Supporting documents verifying your eligibility or any preference eligibility along with your application package.These documents may include, but are not limited to: Veterans' documentation: All veterans MUST submit a DD-214, MEMBER 4 copy, if you are currently on active duty, you must submit an official statement of service from your command or other official documentation that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions. Preference eligible documentation: If claiming 10-point preference you must also submit a SF-15 and any other proof that you are eligible for 10-point preference if a job offer is extended to you, final VA letter including percentage (please do not include letter from VA noting specific private medical information); ICTAP documentation: RIF separation notice along with last performance rating or appraisal;

Other information

A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. In addition, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) has work/life-balance flexibilities that may be right for you, such as. A Flexible Work Schedule options. This position is telework eligible based on STB Policy. Fitness Center: STB employees, at no cost, have access to the fitness center conveniently located in the building; and A monthly transit subsidy for a portion of your commuting costs to help defray the commuting costs of employees who use mass transportation, including commuter bus, Metrorail or Metrobus, or commuter rail systems. More than one position may be filled from this announcement. The lnteragency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be rated well-qualified by scoring 85 or better on the assessment. Please use this link to find out additional information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources.