The incumbent serves as a Technical Writer for software applications developed within the software development organization, Office of Information & Technology (OI&T), Department of Veterans Affairs.
To qualify for this position, all qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/14/2025. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For the GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Applicants must meet all requirements when a request is received to fill a vacancy. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Basic Requirements Experience: Experience 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. For all positions individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the five competencies listed below. The employing agency is responsible for identifying the specific level of proficiency required for each competency at each grade level based on the requirements of the position being filled. 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. AND Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-12 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as: Experience applying principles, methods, or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, monitoring, evaluating, and managing IT projects and resources, including technical performance; creating software documentation (both in printed and on-line form) using on-line authoring tools such as HTML, Win Help, etc.; participating in software deployment processes. 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; religions; 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. Note: 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 indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
OIT Mission: The mission of the Office of Information and Technology (OIT) is to collaborate with our business partners to create the best experience for all Veterans. OIT Vision: To become a world-class organization that provides a seamless, unified Veteran experience through the delivery of state-of-the-art technology. Major Duties: Project components include task analysis, collection of data through interactive techniques, creation of manuals, on-line documentation and quick reference cards for software applications. Review software requirements for accuracy and consistency with documentation, identify problems and suggest revisions, prepare written documents following standard guidelines for technical publication for Analysts, Developers, end users, etc., coordinate layout and organization of documentation to follow VA document standards and conventions. Meet with stakeholders and transcribe meeting minutes. Interpret stated requirements into written business requirements documents, manuals and training guides. Produce Section 508 compliant documentation. Maintain an understanding of current systems, software applications, and levels of user proficiency to review, edit, proofread, and revise previously created documentation, create graphical images, flow charts, and diagrams for inclusion in documentation. Create use cases for internal departments documenting step-by-step instructions for each function and troubleshooting steps used during external user support. Create systems documentation to support the execution and monitoring of the production systems and analysis by future enhancements. Research, develop, and write content for user manuals, technical documentation, and supporting materials for technical procedures and internally developed software applications (i.e., Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA)/HealtheVet (HeV). The incumbent designs and writes both paper and on-line technical and user oriented documentation using various authoring tools. Maintains documentation that details functionality of all current software applications (i.e. VistA Monograph manuals). The incumbent participates in usability activities associated with the documentation of assigned projects. Work collaboratively with application development and end users to determine training strategy and create training presentations for classroom training and web conferencing for both internal and external users. Work closely with Technical Architect, Business Analyst, Developers, and users for the development of business requirements document, test plans, operations and maintenance manuals and other documentation as assigned. Position Description/PD#: IT Specialist/PD10153A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Travel Required: Occasional travel may be required as needed for this position. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8AM-4:30 PM; Tour of duty will be determined based on organizational needs. Compressed/Flexible: As determined by the Agency Policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Physical Demands: Work closely with Technical Architect, Business Analyst, Developers, and users for the development of business requirements document, test plans, operations and maintenance manuals and other documentation as assigned. Working Conditions: The work area is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions.