Advance Your Career: Supervisory IT Specialist at Federal Student Aid

Are you a seasoned IT professional looking to make a significant impact on national education policy? The U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid (FSA) office is seeking a visionary leader for the role of Supervisory IT Specialist (Project Manager). This GS-15 position offers the unique opportunity to oversee multi-million dollar modernization programs that facilitate higher education access for nearly 12.9 million students.

Job Responsibilities

In this role, you will lead high-stakes IT initiatives. Your core responsibilities include:

Portfolio Management: Lead enterprise Agile portfolios within a technology PMO.
Technical Oversight: Direct project teams in the development of mission-critical applications.
Vendor Management: Manage contracts, acquisitions, and vendor performance to ensure delivery on multi-million dollar projects.
Process Engineering: Configure DevOps systems, maintain project artifacts, and implement portfolio dashboards to increase transparency.

Requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen and meet the specialized experience requirements equivalent to a GS-14 level. This includes deep experience in managing complex IT budgets, overseeing project lifecycles, and leading cross-functional teams in an Agile environment.

Comparison: General vs. Specialized Experience

Feature	General Requirements	Specialized Experience
Focus	Basic IT Competencies	Enterprise Portfolio Leadership
Scope	Foundational IT Knowledge	Managing Multi-Million Dollar Projects
Supervisory	Minimal	Managing/Mentoring PM Teams

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $169,279 to $197,200 annually. Beyond the base salary, employees at the Department of Education enjoy:

Flexible work arrangements.
Excused leave for wellness and volunteerism.
Potential eligibility for recruitment and student loan repayment incentives.

Application Tips

Act Fast: The announcement is limited to 200 applicants.
Tailor Your Resume: Focus on the ten required competencies, including Accountability, Decisiveness, and Problem Solving.
Formatting: Ensure your resume is exactly 2 pages with a minimum 10pt font to avoid truncation.

This role is an excellent fit for a project management expert ready to lead at the federal level. By managing the technology that drives the Department of Education’s mission, you will play a pivotal role in the lives of millions. Review the full requirements and apply today.

Why This Supervisory It Specialist (Project Manager), Gs-2210-15 Fpl Gs-15 (Dh) Job Matters

Lead cutting-edge digital modernization for millions of students. Join the Department of Education's Federal Student Aid office as a Supervisory IT Specialist and drive the future of government technology.

Supervisory It Specialist (Project Manager), Gs-2210-15 Fpl Gs-15 (Dh) Job Overview

The Federal Student Aid (FSA) office is seeking a highly skilled Supervisory IT Specialist (Project Manager) to serve within the Chief Technology Office in Washington, D.C. In this mission-critical role, you will oversee enterprise-level IT portfolios, manage complex vendor contracts, and lead teams through digital transformation efforts that directly impact millions of students and the administration of federal education programs.

Requirements for Supervisory It Specialist (Project Manager), Gs-2210-15 Fpl Gs-15 (Dh)

U.S. Citizenship.
Registration with the Selective Service (for males 18 and older).
Completion of a successful background investigation and fingerprint check.
Possession of one year of specialized experience at the GS-14 level (or non-federal equivalent).
Meet qualification requirements within 30 days of the announcement closing date.
Ability to pass a supervisory probationary period.

Preferred Qualifications for Supervisory It Specialist (Project Manager), Gs-2210-15 Fpl Gs-15 (Dh)

Experience leading enterprise Agile portfolios (Scrum, Kanban, SAFe).
Demonstrated success in project management office (PMO) governance, intake, and funding prioritization.
Proven history of supervising technical teams and managing workforce performance.
Expertise in configuring and integrating DevOps and project management tools like JIRA.
Strong oral and written communication skills suitable for high-level executive reporting.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive Federal salary and benefits package.
✓Family-friendly environment including flexible scheduling.
✓Excused leave for parent-teacher conferences and annual health screenings.
✓Recruitment, relocation, and student loan repayment incentives (subject to service agreements).
✓Matching leave for community volunteer service.

💡 How to Apply Supervisory It Specialist (Project Manager), Gs-2210-15 Fpl Gs-15 (Dh) Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Supervisory It Specialist (Project Manager), Gs-2210-15 Fpl Gs-15 (Dh) Job

Create or update your USAJOBS account.
Prepare a resume (maximum 2 pages) highlighting your technical leadership and PM experience.
Click the Apply Online button and complete the required questionnaires.
Submit your application and all supporting documentation before the limit of 200 applications is reached.
Check your email for instructions if you are selected for the USA Hire assessment.
Monitor your status via the USAJOBS dashboard.

💡 General Tips

Submit early: This vacancy is limited to the first 200 applicants.
Use concrete examples: Quantify your experience with project budgets, team size, and impact.
Follow the formatting rules: Keep your resume to 2 pages or less, using at least 10pt font.
Prep for the assessment: Use the USA Hire practice tools to familiarize yourself with the format before starting.
Be precise with your SF-50s: Ensure all documentation matches the requirements if you are claiming priority consideration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application cap for this position?

This announcement is limited to the first 200 applications received. Once 200 applications are processed or the closing date is reached, the window will close.

Can I substitute education for the required work experience?

No, education cannot be substituted for the specialized work experience required at this GS-15 grade level.

Is relocation assistance available?

Relocation expenses will not be paid, though you may be eligible to negotiate a relocation incentive depending on agency policy.

What is the security clearance level for this role?

This position is classified as Moderate Risk and requires a background investigation.

Is telework permitted?

Yes, the position is telework-eligible, though specific requirements are determined by the hiring office.

Job from Federal Student Aid

Federal Student Aid (FSA) is the largest provider of student financial aid in the United States. Its mission is to ensure that all eligible students can benefit from federal financial assistance. The Chief Technology Office (CTO) within FSA is at the forefront of this mission, constantly modernizing the digital infrastructure that handles millions of loan applications, grants, and work-study data points annually.