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Telecommunications Specialist (Radio Technician)

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource.

This position is located in Winnemucca, NV. Information about Winnemucca and the surrounding area can be found at: Winnemucca Chamber of Commerce.

We expect to fill one vacancy at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.

This position is offering a 10% incentive, see other information section for more details

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
02/28/2024 to 03/27/2024
This job will close when we have received 30 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$59,966 to - $94,317 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Winnemucca, NV
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
NV-Merit-24-12334051-JP
Control number
778717600

Duties

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  • Install, repair, and maintain a wide variety of complex electronics equipment including VHF, UHF, repeater, mobile and portable radios and telephone equipment.
  • Troubleshooting, solving and repairing operational problems and conducting repairs to communication systems involving work on remote mountain top locations.
  • Resolves complex Land Mobile Radio (LMR) and telecommunications systems by linking incompatible radio equipment, telephone equipment, and dispatch systems involving different kinds of voice and/or data requirements.
  • Monitors and makes configuration changes to statewide voice and data communications systems involving Land Mobile Radio (LMR) systems and radio/voice dispatch systems.
  • Develops procedures for diagnostic testing, error recovery, traffic re-routing, problem isolation and identification, gathering and analyzing data within a Land Mobile Radio system.
  • Maintains automated inventory and applicable records for each piece of assigned radio and tele-communications equipment including preventive maintenance checks and service.
  • Provides input for the annual work plan for design, development, construction, implementation, and maintenance of all radio communications systems and networks.
  • Prepares a variety of radio and telecommunications reports for submission to headquarters.
  • Prepares specifications and requirements for proposals and contracts, reviews bids for vendor availability, and monitors vendor performance to ensure equipment and service requirements are met.
  • Applies procurement knowledge in purchasing equipment parts.
  • Develops detailed plans based on long-term plans and objectives, and user requirements for radio and telecommunications equipment, and services.
  • Analyzes electronic systems for the State and District Offices to determine the most effective and economical equipment and services to meet established standards.
  • Responsible for radio frequency management within the assigned area inclusive of maintaining records and licensing of all existing frequencies.
  • Prepares and forwards requests for new licensing to the State Office. Coordinates all frequency use agreements between the Bureau and others within the assigned area.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Be sure to read the 'How to Apply' and 'Required Documents' Sections.
  • You cannot hold an active real estate license: nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
  • Direct Deposit Required.
  • Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination.
  • Your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the qualification requirements as defined in the announcement. In addition, your responses to the questions must adequately reflect in your resume.
  • You must pass a pre-employment physical.
  • An applicant appointed to this position must possess (or obtain within 30 days of entrance on duty) and maintain a valid state driver's license while employed in this position.
  • May require a one year probationary period.
  • This is a Drug Testing Designated Position. You will be required to submit to screening for illegal drug use and pass prior to appointment. This position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.

Qualifications

Selective Placement Factors: This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified: Physically capable of climbing towers and installing antennas. Be able to install and perform maintenance of repeater and base station radios on mountain tops ranging in elevation from 3,000 to 12,000 feet.

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience.

At the GS-09: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-07) in the federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: Experience in programming, repairing and/or installing Digital handheld radios, mobile radios, VHF repeaters; dispatch consoles; experience in grounding telecommunications systems; experience with repairing, installing, testing network and phone cabling; OR a Master`s or equivalent graduate degree or two years of graduate education leading to such a degree. The undergraduate & graduate education major study is 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 this position; OR equivalent combination of the specialized experience and graduate education described above.

At the GS-11: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-09) in the federal service. Examples of specialized experience include: Evaluating, analyzing, developing, managing, or improving communications systems, procedures; experience in programming, repairing and installing Digital hand held radios, mobile radios, VHF repeaters; dispatch consoles; experience in grounding telecommunications systems; experience with repairing, installing, testing network and phone cabling; OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree with a major field of study in the following--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 this position; OR a combination of experience and education.

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

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade requirement in accordance with 5 CFR 300.604. If you are a current Federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level.

Physical Demands: The work is mostly sedentary, although there is a continuing requirement for field work for the maintenance and/or installation of communications equipment. Considerable and strenuous physical exertion is required to work in high elevation up to 12,000 feet on antenna supporting structures up to 150 feet above the ground, and in inclement weather conditions. Other demands such as the frequent climbing, considerable walking, climbing, bending, pulling and heavy lifting of equipment weighing over 50 pounds is required for the installation, loading and transporting of communications equipment in the field. May be required to climb towers.

Work Environment: The tower climbing work is performed under variable and unpredictable working conditions in many locations, sometimes in inclement weather and at high altitudes. The incumbent will also be exposed to radio frequency hazards, high voltages, noise, and slippery and uneven surfaces. It also includes working in voice and data equipment rooms and computer rooms. Travel to field/remote communications sites in the desert, mountains, mud and snow using 4x4 vehicles, snowmobiles, 4-wheel all-terrain vehicles or aircraft is required. The incumbent will comply in utilizing all appropriate safety equipment, policies, and procedures.

Education

This position falls under the Telecommunications Specialist Series, 0391 Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR).

This position allows for education to be substituted for specialized experience (see qualification section for education requirements). If using education to qualify - You MUST submit a copy of ALL your college transcripts or a list of ALL college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited U.S. college/university. Upon selection, official transcripts must be received prior to appointment. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. If using education to qualify, you must submit copies of all transcripts or a list of college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited U.S. college/university. See Required Documents section for more information. All selections and tentative offers of selection are contingent upon submission and verification of 'official' transcripts upon selection.

Additional information

Relocation/Recruitment Incentive: This position is offering a Relocation/Recruitment Incentive, 10% of the annual salary. To be eligible for a Relocation Incentive, you must be a current Federal Employee and the selectee must be employed with the Federal Government and the selectees current duty location is more than 50 miles from the duty location of this position. To be eligible for a Recruitment Incentive, selectee must not be employed by the Federal Government.

DOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit E-Verify.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/lnteragency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well qualified for the position with a score of 90 or above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information: CTAP or ICTAP

Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service

Travel and relocation expenses will be paid consistent with the Federal Travel Regulation, Chapter 302, and Departmental policy. Selectee will be responsible for tax obligations related to payments for moving expenses - 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, Public Law 115-97. Tax Law Impact for PCS: Moving expenses reimbursement is a taxable benefit. However, the Federal Travel Regulation 18-05 issued by General Services Administration has authorized agencies to use the Withholding Tax Allowance and Relocation Income Tax Allowance to pay for "substantially all" of the increased tax liability resulting from the "2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" for certain eligible individuals.

The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis. The selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

This position is not eligible for Telework.

Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees. If eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive or Student Loan Repayment.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the application process is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume, supporting documentation and responses to the online questionnaire will be made. Your responses to the online questionnaire will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for this position. However, your resume must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. The best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be contacted for an interview.

Your answers to the online questionnaire will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:

  • Manages and Organizes Information
  • Technical Problem Solving
  • Telecommunications


In the evaluation process, due weight will be given to job related experience, education, training, incentive awards and performance appraisals. Applicants must have a performance rating of at least the equivalent of fully successful to be eligible for promotion or placement. Applicants may provide a copy of a performance appraisal of record dated within the last 18 months. If the applicant is unable to provide a performance appraisal of record dated within the last 18 months, the applicant may provide a written explanation as to why.

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires successful completion of the following additional assessment: Subject Matter Expert Resume Panel Review. These assessments measure the critical competencies listed above that are required to successfully perform the job.

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