Business Automation Engineer

The Celestar Corporation has been issued a task order to provide support to the Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). As a result, we’re looking for a Business Automation Engineer who will be seated in Washington, DC. If interested and qualified, we welcome you to post for this challenging opportunity.

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENT:  A Secret security clearance is required for this position; however, the contractor may begin work with an interim Secret security clearance.

POSITION LOCATION: The physical work location is the INL/KM/DDL office at State Annex 1 (SA-01), Columbia Plaza, 2401 E St. NW, Washington, DC 20520.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The period of performance for this order will be one (01) year from the date of award with the option to exercise four (04) one-year option periods, subject to performance, need, and funding. The INL Contracting Officer (CO) will notify the Vendor of the Government’s intent to exercise an option prior to the end of each performance period in accordance with FAR 52.217-9.

BACKGROUND

The U.S. Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy and the Secretary of State is the President’s principal foreign policy advisor. The Department of State’s mission is to advance U.S. national security interests, fight terrorism, protect U.S. interests abroad, and implement foreign policy initiatives that build a freer, prosperous, and secure world.
The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) keeps Americans safe at home by countering international crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad. INL helps countries deliver justice and fairness by strengthening their police, courts, and corrections systems. These efforts reduce the amount of crime and illegal drugs reaching U.S. shores.
INL’s Office of Knowledge Management (INL/KM) seeks to continuously improve the design, implementation, and results of assistance aimed to improve criminal justice capacity abroad by providing programmatic and policy guidance, expertise, and training informed by experience and evidence. The position is located in the Division of Design and Learning (INL/KM/DDL), which focuses on program design, monitoring, evaluation, and learning.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The purpose of this Third Party Contract (TPC) is to provide a Business Automation Engineer who shall be ready to assist with the development and maintenance of automated processes that support data collection and input into INL’s performance monitoring database for foreign assistance projects. The position will directly support INL’s ability to manage its foreign assistance projects, monitor results, and report impacts to Congress, the White House, and other stakeholders. The Business Automation Engineer will work within a team of data scientists and social scientists, performing the following types of duties: 1) work with end users to design and improve forms to collect inputs; 2) develop and improve automated workflows and processes using R, Python, or Microsoft Power Platform tools; 3) develop and improve tools to produce automated reports that monitor automated workflows and user interaction with the database; and 4) support non-technical users as needed. The position requires the ability to collect business requirements from non-technical users, build, troubleshoot, and maintain automated workflows, and produce visually appealing analytic reports. This position also requires a commitment to customer service and an ability to help users who are not comfortable or proficient with IT tools, primarily including implementers of foreign assistance projects (e.g., staff from foreign and domestic non-government organizations (NGOs), other U.S. government agencies, and international organizations).

TRAVEL: Travel is authorized for this position in accordance with the award and shall not exceed the designated ceiling.

LEVEL OF EFFORT
Hours for the position will be the core hours of the Department of State: Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week, 8 hours per day. The level of effort for this position is equivalent to a Program / Management Analyst Level 4.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE
The period of performance for this order will be one (01) year from the date of award with the option to exercise four (04) one-year option periods, subject to performance, need, and funding.

TELEWORK
This is a hybrid position that allows for a combination of in-office presence and regular telework. This specific position’s maximum telework is 40% which would require the Third Party Contractor to report to the work location six (6) times per pay period. The incumbent’s actual in-office and telework schedule will be determined by the COR and CO, based on INL policy of the total numbers per pay period/week, and is subject to change.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
• Work within a team and with external stakeholders to collect business requirements and user feedback on existing workflows and processes.
• Create new or improved models of workflows and processes based off the requirements and feedback.
• Translate models into technical requirements.
• Use the technical requirements to develop or improve automated workflows and processes using R, Python, or Microsoft Power Platform tools, where appropriate.
• Monitor, troubleshoot, and continuously improve automated workflows and processes, with emphasis both on user experience and efficiency/accuracy.
• Produce analytic reports about process flows and outputs, with a focus on where we can improve.
• Communicate any problems or opportunities for improvement to the team and management.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• U.S. Citizen;
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, Business Analytics or related field;
• Six to ten years’ experience (in total – not for each task):
o Conducting business analysis, process automation, or software development;
o Using programming languages such as R and Python for statistical computing and graphics;
o Developing automated processes using Microsoft Power Automate or equivalents;
o Designing and optimizing workflows for efficiency, effectiveness, and ease-of-use; and
o Teaching or providing assistance to others, especially but not limited to assistance with IT tools.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Federal regulations in regard to area of specific need                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Note: applicants may demonstrate knowledge by consulting 18 FAM 301.4 prior to submitting their application;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite;
• Demonstrated experience facilitating organizational change.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Analytic Skills:
    o Demonstrated ability to understand and translate business requirements into technical specifications;
    o Demonstrated experience conducting needs assessments, gap analyses, and process mapping;
    o Demonstrated excellent analytic and problem-solving skills to troubleshoot and optimize automated workflows;
    o Demonstrated ability to identify and implement improvements to existing processes.
• Communication Skills:
    o Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication skills to interact with stakeholders and document processes clearly;
    o Demonstrated ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Advanced degree in relevant field or specialized certifications (e.g., Microsoft Certified: Power Platform, R or Python certification);
• Demonstrated proficiency in R, Python, or equivalents, with experience in writing scripts and developing applications to automate tasks;
• Demonstrated experience with API integration and developing custom connectors for automation tools;
• Demonstrated experience with data extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL) processes;
• Demonstrated experience working at the U.S. Department of State or another federal agency.

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT
DOS will provide office space, computer, phone, and other required equipment and supplies necessary to complete all job requirements. DOS will own and maintain all government furnished property.

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENT
A Secret security clearance is required for this position; however, the contractor may begin work with an interim Secret security clearance.

 TRAINING
This BPA Call provides for mandatory training for DOS-specific equipment, systems, and processes (reference 13 FAM 300 Agency Mandated Training), which shall be completed promptly and in accordance with Department policy. These trainings do not require INL Contracting Officer (CO) approval.
Travel related training (i.e., FACT (CT650), HTSOS-C etc.), may be required, if applicable. The contractor’s Program Manager (PM) shall coordinate with INL/EX/GAPP to determine if applicable and if INL CO’s approval is required prior. All other training requires INL CO approval.
TPCs are strongly encouraged to take orientation training to best integrate with INL and effectively contribute to the mission. Depending on their role they should attend either INL SOAR (Staff Orientation and Readiness) or PREP (Pre-deployment program) training. SOAR is for TPCs whose position is primarily to work with INL staff in support of INL programs and projects. PREP is for TPCs whose position is primarily to work with host government or foreign counterparts to train or advise them, or to support other TPCs in that work. TPCs are encouraged to take other INL-delivered trainings, and State-specific training through FSI in coordination with the program office, and with CO approval. For more information on training including a course catalogue and calendar, suggested learning pathways and information on how TPCs should register for courses, please contact
INLInternalTraining@state.gov.

REPORTING & RELATIONSHIPS
The contractor will report to his/her contracting company and will receive direction from the CO, Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), and/or Government Technical Monitor (GTM).

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a Best Athlete Selection Process! Please ensure that the required and/or desired experience is reflected on your resume to receive fair and competitive consideration.

Celestar is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, disability status, gender identity or national origin.