Information Technology

As the nation’s central bank, the Federal Reserve depends on information to make policy and to conduct the Board’s business. The Board offers information technology professionals many opportunities in all divisions to work with sophisticated information technologies that contribute to its mission. IT professionals build distributed, web-based, and mainframe-based applications, they implement local and wide-area networks, and evaluate and introduce innovative new technologies. IT staff also provide other services such as database administration, data and statistical analysis, information security, and technical training.

• Communications analysts design, deploy, and support telecommunications networks.
• Computer applications analysts, drawing on knowledge of economics and finance, design and develop systems using contemporary database management systems and web development tools.
• Financial systems analysts use statistical techniques to ensure that data used for decision making are accurate.

The Board employs modern management techniques that emphasize partnership between the divisions and information technology staff in developing information systems. The technologies used at the Board include JAVA, Microsoft.NET, ColdFusion, C++, Lotus Notes, Visual Basic, Microsoft Windows, Unix, Linux, HTML, XML, and advanced IBM mainframe databases and languages.

Qualifications

The Board offers graduates in computer science, engineering, and information science challenging career opportunities in many information technology fields. Applicants should have experience in distributed systems, web technology, mainframes, or telecommunications. Some IT positions require hands-on work experience while others require academic knowledge. Knowledge of economics, finance, or accounting is also valuable for many positions.

IT Positions in the Division of Reserve Bank Operations

The Division of Reserve Bank Operations and Payment Systems hires information technology (IT) professionals to assess the IT environment of the Federal Reserve Banks and other System entities. Staff members perform onsite assessments and analyses that:

• evaluate the implications of System and district IT strategy;
• identify and evaluate the implications of legal, policy, and operational changes on the Reserve Banks’ IT environment;
• identify opportunities to enhance IT efficiency;
• develop quantitative analytical models to assess IT security, risk, and efficiency; and
• evaluate initiatives to enhance the quality, reliability, security, and cost-effectiveness of Federal Reserve IT resources.

Qualifications

The Board offers graduates in computer science, engineering, and information science challenging career opportunities in many information technology fields. Applicants should have experience in distributed systems, web technology, mainframes, or telecommunications. Some IT positions require hands-on work experience while others require academic knowledge. Knowledge of economics, finance, or accounting is also valuable for many positions.

Positions in the Division of Reserve Bank Operations and Payment Systems require a bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, auditing, or business administration. Applicants with training or experience in IT, bank operations, or bank auditing are preferred. Applicants should also have excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. Skills in project management, technology assessment, financial analysis, or auditing are a plus. CISA, CCP, or other related professional designation is preferred.