IT Specialist (Data Engineer)

CMS offers a structured, mission-driven environment for data engineers who shape scalable data infrastructure used by data scientists, analysts, and stakeholders across the agency. This onsite role in Woodlawn, MD places you at the center of a data ecosystem with a clear architectural vision, a competitive salary range of USD 108,173 to 158,322 per year, and flexible work arrangements. You’ll work within a unionized setting (American Federation of Government Employees, Local 1923) and contribute to enterprise data initiatives that support critical healthcare programs.

Responsibilities

• Direct the architectural vision and set enterprise standards for robust data infrastructure, including databases, data warehouses, and systems handling large volumes of healthcare data.
• Serve as the technical authority for data storage solutions optimized for peak performance, reliability, and cost efficiency.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity leadership to implement data protection regulations, access controls, audit trails, and data retention policies.
• Design and enforce enterprise disaster recovery and backup protocols to ensure uninterrupted data availability and business continuity.
• Architect complex, enterprise-spanning automated pipelines to integrate, transform, and sanitize data from diverse internal and external sources into centralized repositories.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship or National status required.
• Must undergo a background and suitability investigation.
• Selective Service: Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt; http://www.sss.gov
• One-year probationary period may be required.
• Documentation for DHS Form I-9 will be verified via the DHS E-Verify system if selected.
• All Federal employees must receive salary payments by direct deposit.
• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Oral Communication
• Problem Solving
• Experience designing enterprise-scale data infrastructure including databases, data warehouses, and cloud storage to support large-scale analytics and mission-critical operations.
• Experience building automated ETL/ELT pipelines to integrate data from multiple sources into centralized repositories, ensuring data consistency and scalability.
• Experience developing disaster recovery and backup protocols for enterprise data systems to ensure business continuity.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and senior leadership to define data engineering standards and align solutions with strategic goals.

This job is open to

• The public
• U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
• Federal employees whose agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional Information

• Bargaining Unit Position: Yes-American Federation of Government Employees, Local 1923.
• Tour of Duty: Flexible
• Recruitment Incentive: Not Authorized
• Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized
• Financial Disclosure: Not Required
• Additional Salary Information: Kansas City, MO: $108,173 - $140,627; Dallas, TX: $115,711 - $150,426; Philadelphia, PA: $117,284 - $152,471; Seattle, WA: $119,630 - $155,521; Woodlawn, MD: $121,785 - $158,322
• Workplace Flexibility at CMS: This position has a regular and recurring reporting requirement to the CMS office listed in this announcement. CMS offers flexible working arrangements and allows employees the opportunity to participate in alternative work schedules at the manager's discretion.
• The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced federal employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.

How you will be evaluated

You will be assessed based on how well your qualifications align with the requirements and competencies listed in this notice. Evaluation considers your application materials, responses to the application questions, and the results of required online assessments. A Subject Matter Expert may assist in resume review to determine minimum qualifications. Competencies include Accountability, Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Decision Making, Flexibility, Influencing/Negotiating, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Learning, Reading Comprehension, Reasoning, Self-Management, Stress Tolerance, and Teamwork. Completion of the online USA Hire assessment is required, with a cut score that must be met or exceeded. Veterans' preference rules apply within category ratings.

Required Documents

• Complete Application Package: Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional. Resumes must be two pages or fewer and indicate citizenship and Selective Service registration (if male born after 12/31/1959). Include work experience and education details.
• CMS Required Documents (e.g., SF-50, DD-214, SF-15, etc.).
• RPL Eligibility Required Documents if claiming RPL eligibility: most recent SF-50 showing position, tenure, grade and salary; separation documentation if applicable.
• Reasonable Accommodation requests for the USA Hire assessments: provide supporting documentation as needed.

How to Apply

Submit your complete application by 11:59 PM (ET) on 07/08/2026. Steps include clicking Apply, answering questions, attaching documents, and submitting the application. If required, you will receive a USA Hire assessment link via your application portal and email. Set aside about 3 hours to complete the assessments, with the option to continue later using your unique link.