IT Specialist (APPSW)

National Institutes of Health • Montgomery County, MD

10d

About The Position

Join the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as an IT Specialist Applications Software (APPSW) supporting clinical research IT systems. The role plans and leads software testing, develops and executes test plans, identifies and tracks defects, coordinates testing activities, and provides technical recommendations to help ensure reliable system releases supporting patient care and clinical research.

The position tests clinical information systems, custom applications, integrations, and software across multiple user platforms and environments. It works with developers and technical teams to validate corrective actions, retest changes, and confirm that systems meet established requirements. The position is designated as a non-emergency/teleworker position; in the event of a closure, the employee must be available to telework or request leave. Depending on the supervisor’s discretion, the position may offer telework and compressed or flexible schedules.

Requirements

• Meet the U.S. citizenship or U.S. national requirement by the announcement closing date.
• Pass required background investigation and qualification verification, complete onboarding forms, submit required documents, and satisfy other job-related requirements.
• Meet all qualification requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Demonstrate IT-related experience, paid or unpaid, or specific intensive training demonstrating attention to detail, customer service, oral communication, and problem solving.
• For GS-12: At least one year of qualifying experience equivalent to GS-11 in the Federal service, including reviewing requirements to identify testing needs; developing and executing software test plans, cases, or scripts; identifying and tracking defects and validating corrections; preparing or coordinating test data, environments, and activities for releases or changes; and communicating results, defects, risks, and status.
• For GS-13: At least one year of qualifying experience equivalent to GS-12 in the Federal service, including independently planning and coordinating testing; developing testing plans and criteria based on requirements and risks; evaluating results and defects and recommending release readiness; prioritizing resources and providing technical direction; and tracking and communicating critical issues and coordinating retesting.
• Must be able to perform the essential duties, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• If selected and based on duty location, pass a pre-employment medical examination, provide evidence of immunization, and be free from communicable diseases.
• A one- or two-year trial or probationary period may be required, depending on appointment.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate software testing for clinical research information systems, applications, integrations, releases, upgrades, and production changes.
• Review business, functional, and technical requirements and develop test plans, test cases, test scripts, test data, and testing criteria.
• Execute and document functional, integration, system, regression, performance, usability, and acceptance testing.
• Identify, document, track, and retest software defects and incidents to verify corrective actions and validate system changes.
• Evaluate test results and risks, communicate findings and testing status, and provide technical recommendations supporting release-readiness decisions.
• Prioritize testing assignments, coordinate testing resources, and provide technical direction to personnel supporting testing activities.
• Test clinical information systems, custom applications, system integrations, and software across multiple user platforms and environments.
• Participate in release-readiness and go/no-go discussions by reporting critical defects, testing risks, unresolved issues, and overall test status.
• Coordinate with developers and technical teams to validate corrective actions, perform retesting, and confirm system changes meet established requirements.

Benefits

• A comprehensive federal benefits package for employees and their families; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• Potential recruitment incentive for a newly appointed or reappointed individual, subject to organizational need, case justification, and budget limitations.
• Potential service credit for prior qualifying work experience or active-duty uniformed service when determining annual leave accrual, subject to approval before the employee’s start date.
• Potential salary above the minimum based on superior qualifications or a special government need, subject to approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed