TELECOMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Duties
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• Serves as a System Administrator for the Contingency Response (CR) Weapons Systems including radio, computer, telephone, and other Information Technology support equipment & devices.
• Analyzes and evaluates Contingency Response (CR) communications and deployable support equipment to ensure they meet Operational Plans (OPLAN's), Homeland Defense, and Military Operations other than war.
• Administers Preventative Maintenance Inspections (PMI). Develops PMI schedule for assigned CR systems and supporting cyberspace systems.
• Serves as the unit's COMSEC Responsible Officer (CRO) and Secure Voice Responsible Officer (SVRO), administers the unit's Crypto Access Program (CAP), and provides user COMSEC & Secure Voice training.
• Provides Unit Security Manager/Unit Security Assistant duties. Administers the Information Protection (IP) and Information Security (IS) Personnel Security program for the unit.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• A security clearance may be required
• If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
• PCS- locally funded
• This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Advance in hire may be authorized if there is demonstrable proof provided on your resume
• Leave accrual may be authorized upon request
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• In direct support of a Reserve unit. Schedule will be aligned to allow full participation in weekend Training Assemblies, other training events, exercises, and deployments. Flexi-Tour, or similarly flexible schedule is advised to minimize overtime
• Individual must be able to maintain physical and skill level requirements of the duty/specialty.
• May be required to work an uncommon schedule of duty with brief advance notice. May be subject to on call or recall during contingencies or emergencies.
• The incumbent must be able to fly in military and/or commercial aircraft and to perform temporary duty (TDY) assignments world-wide.
• A Secret clearance is a condition for employment. The employee will be required to maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Must attend appropriate and related communications conferences, workshops, and training as required.
• Information Assurance Certification is a condition of employment. Must achieve the appropriate IA certification within six months of assignment of these duties. A waiver of this six-month requirement may be granted.
• cont...Certification must be maintained, failure to obtain and retain the proper IA certification may result in removal from this position.
• Must be qualified to drive government motor vehicles and should attain 10k/10k AT forklift certifications, and flightline driving qualification.

Qualifications

Conditions of Employment cont...

• Use of both arms and legs is required. Must be able to work in indoor and outdoor equipment sites, occasionally in harsh climate environments for extended periods of time. Requires frequent walking, kneeling, bending, prolonged standing, working in strained and uncomfortable positions, and lifting/carrying moderately heavy items (15-70 lbs.).
• Potential exists for injuries such as electric shock, cuts, and bruises, as well as bums caused by electrical or RF energy and soldering equipment.
• This is a Mission-Essential position performing a Mission-Critical-Function which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency and continued through full resumption of all functions.
• Must be able to distinguish colors and shades of colors.
• This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program. Employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety
• A pre-employment physical may be required.

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions to include the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the GS-0391, Telecommunications Series.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes experience with techniques, methods, and processes for integration and optimization of system requirements, capabilities, life cycles, test and evaluation methods, system administration, perform corrective fix actions, operate CR and cyberspace systems, and ability to provide accurate technical assistance to the equipment users.

OR
EDUCATION: Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. with a major study in electrical or electronic engineering, mathematics, physics, public utilities, statistics, computer science, telecommunications management, information systems management, business administration, industrial management, or other fields related to the position to be filled.

OR
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Knowledge of a wide range of deployable cyberspace systems communications theories, concepts, principles, and practices, procedures, policies, standards, operational requirements; and of operational and performance characteristics of deployable equipment, systems, services, and transmission media to evaluate devices, proposals, and approaches.
• Thorough knowledge of a variety of telecommunications systems including mobile satellite communications, wireless communications, secure systems, command and control systems, antennas, and fiber optic communication.
• Skill in isolating and checking equipment and components for correct value and performing precise measurement of such parameters as timing duration, frequency, amplitude, current, voltage and phasing at various test points utilizing proper test equipment.
• Ability to troubleshoot electronic equipment to localize defects, and follow voltage, current, and resistance paths, and trace signals through a variety of processing and amplification stages.
• Ability to read, comprehend, and interpret communications such as COMSEC messages, operational plans, execution orders, Manpower, and Equipment Force Packaging System (MEFPAKS), emergency action plans and orders applying knowledge of information systems security and personnel security principles and methods.
• Knowledge of standardized telecommunications theories, concepts, principles, and practices regarding in-garrison and deployable computer/communications equipment, and other systems including commercial off-the-shelf(COTS) components.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

The mission of the United States Air Force is: To fly, fight, and win...Airpower anytime, anywhere. To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision of Global Vigilance, Global Reach and Global Power . That vision orbits around three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting and Integrating Operations. Core competencies and distinctive capabilities are based on a shared commitment to three core values -- integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.

Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide:

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here . To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position.

Temporary and Term Appointments: If you are selected for a temporary or term position in the competitive service, your appointment may be extended to the maximum period allowed by law without further competition.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here .

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here .