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Pathways Recent Graduate (Electronic Engineer)

Federal Communications Commission
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This is a Recent Graduates position in the Pathways Program which is located in the Office of Engineering and Technology in Washington, DC.

Position may be rotated and reassigned throughout the agency.

THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL POSITIONS WITHIN 90 DAYS.

We are considering those that will be graduating May 2022.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
04/21/2022 to 05/26/2022
This job will close when we have received 175 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$40,883 to - $97,430 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 05 - 11
Location
Washington, DC
Many vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Recent graduates - This is a one year developmental program which may lead to a term or permanent appointment.
Work schedule
Full-time - This is a full-time position. Work schedules, including telework, are at the discretion of the supervisor, consistent with agency policy and reentry planning.
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
11 - Full performance level is GS-11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
PATHWAYS-OET-2022-003
Control number
650354700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Recent Graduates-Individuals who have graduated from an accredited educational institute within the last 2 years or 6 years for veterans. In addition, we are also considering current students who have not yet graduated from an accredited college and are scheduled to graduate in May of 2022. *This announcement will close once 175 applications have been received or on May 26, 2022; whichever occurs first.*

Duties

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The incumbent of this position will receive on-the-job-training, will be a bargaining unit employee and be a part of the Federal Communications Commission's Office of Engineering and Technology. The incumbent will receive training on the agency's policy and rulemaking processes and other administrative processes for government agencies.  The incumbent will receive technical training covering a wide variety of telecommunications services and technologies.  The incumbent will receive training on engineering and policy principles relevant to the fast paced telecommunications industry.  In this position, the incumbent may conduct and analyze basic engineering studies, telecommunication system proposals and/or telecommunications technology proposals in order to authorize new and innovative services.  The incumbent will assist more senior staff in the analysis of petitions, requests for proposals before the FCC to determine viability and the need for FCC action.  The incumbent may conduct studies and perform summaries and/or communicate findings with senior staff.  The incumbent may prepare written material, including summaries, memorandum letters, E-mail correspondence and other written documents to individuals within and outside the agency. 

The incumbent will be trained and may be tasked with performing propagation analysis of terrestrial, satellite and/or airborne systems or evaluating the emission characteristics of various transmitters to validate the co-existence with neighboring systems.  Projects may also involve various computer software engineering and scientific applications. The incumbent will be required to effectively communicate with individuals within and outside the agency on a variety of topics related to the FCC and engineering principles. The incumbent will be required to assist and work with other FCC staff.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Education-Transcripts Required
  • US Citizenship.
  • Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
  • Serve a probationary period of one year, if applicable.
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
  • Non-Veterans must have received qualifying degree within 2 years
  • Veterans must have received qualifying degree within 6 years
  • Financial disclosure statement may be required upon assuming the position.

Recent Graduates who obtained a qualifying associate, bachelors, master's, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution, within the previous 2 years.  (In support of Veterans Recruitment efforts, some exceptions to the 2-year window apply to veterans whose military service obligation precluded application during any portion of the 2-year application window.)

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must within the previous 2 years, have completed a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution.  

Preference eligible veterans who were precluded from applying due to their military service obligation begin their 2-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed 6 years from the date on which they completed their degree or certification.

NOTE: We are also considering current students who have graduated from an accredited educational institute within the last 2 years or 6 years for veterans.  In addition, we are also considering those who have not yet graduated from an accredited college and are scheduled to graduate in May of 2022.

College Transcripts (For Positive Education Required positions and if qualifying based on education and or experience and education.), if applicable.

Please note your resume must thoroughly support your qualifications for this position.  Your resume is an integral part of the process for determining if you meet the basic qualifications of the position and determining if you are to be among the best qualified.

Preference eligible veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree due to military service obligation may apply up to six years after degree or certification.

This is a Recent Graduates position in the Pathways Program. This program provides an entry-level developmental experience with the potential to lead to a career in the Federal Government after successfully completing the Program. Upon completion of the developmental program, Recent Graduate appointees may be non-competitively converted to a term or permanent position without further competition.

More information about the Recent Graduates Program can be found here: http://www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.  Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.  

In order to be deemed as qualified, candidates must meet the basic education requirements as outlined in subpart A below in addition to the required qualifications criteria outlined in subpart B, including specialized experience. Specialized experience is experience which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.  Candidates who apply for this position MUST upload a copy of their transcripts to verify that educational qualification requirements are met.  If transcripts are not submitted, your application will be rated as ineligible.

A. BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

All applicants must meet the basic requirements described in the individual occupational requirements to fully qualify for the specified entry grade GS-5 click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf

AND

B. REQUIRED QUALIFICATION CRITERIA

GS-5

To be deemed as qualified candidates must meet the basic educational requirements per the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf

GS-7

To be deemed as qualified you must meet one of the following (A, B, C, or D) in addition to meeting the specialized experience requirements as outlined below.

A. One year of professional experience in an appropriate field comparable in difficulty and responsibility to GS-5 level work in the Federal service. Applicants with an engineering degree who have appropriate experience as a technician equivalent to the GS-5 level or higher may have such experience credited for grade GS-7 only on a month-for-month basis up to a maximum of 12 months.

B. One full academic year of graduate education in an appropriate field. An academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. If that number cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered an academic year of graduate study. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended.


C. Successful completion of a 5-year program of study of at least 160 semester hours leading to a bachelor's degree in engineering in an accredited college or university.


D. Completion of all requirements for a bachelor's degree that is fully qualifying for the position which meets the eligibility requirements under the Superior Academic Achievement provision. Superior Academic Achievement is based on: (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. 1. Class Standing: A standing in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision based on completed courses. 2. Grade-point average: a. A grade-point average of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on four years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final two years of the curriculum; b. a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field of study or the required courses in the major field completed during the final two years of the curriculum. 3. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society (other than freshman societies) that meet the requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies.

Required specialized experience for the GS-7 includes the following:

1. Assisting more experienced engineers
2. Conducting and analyzing basic engineering studies; and
3. Performing computer based projects using various software applications.

GS-9

To be deemed as qualified you must also meet one of the following (A or B) in addition to meeting the specialized experience requirements as outlined below.

A.One year of professional experience in an appropriate field comparable in difficulty and responsibility to GS-7 level work in the Federal Service.

B. Two full academic year of graduate education leading to a master's degree in an appropriate field.

Required specialized experience for the GS-9 includes the following:

1. Assisting more experienced engineers
2. Conducting, analyzing, and write basic engineering studies; and
3. Performing computer based projects using various software applications.

GS-11


To be deemed as qualified you must also meet one of the following (A or B) in addition to meeting the specialized experience requirements as outlined below.


A.One year of professional experience in an appropriate field comparable in difficulty and responsibility to GS-9 level work in the Federal Service.

B. Three full academic year of graduate education leading to a Ph.D degree in an appropriate field.

For the GS-11, specialized experience includes the following:

1. Assisting more experienced engineers
2. Independently conduct and analyze, and write basic engineering studies; and
3. Performing computer based projects using various software applications.

KSA'S

You will be evaluated for this position on the following Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other characteristics (KSAOs):

  • Knowledge of professional electronics engineering principles and concepts.
  • Knowledge of engineering concepts, principles and practices of electronics engineering in order to perform studies, provide advice to applicants, industry officials, and agency representatives.
  • Skill in applying standard engineering practices, methods and techniques to perform relatively limited assignments.
  • Skill in evaluating the impact and/or acceptability of a variety of advanced communications technologies given existing rules, regulations and policies.

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.

Education

If you are qualifying based on positive education, please provide a copy of your college transcript.  The transcript may be unofficial or photocopy at time of application, but MUST provide the original if selected.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order to receive credit towards qualifications.  Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website:  http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html

All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly.  If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.

Students who have graduated from an accredited college must submit unofficial or official transcripts at the time of application.  The transcript must demonstrate the date that the degree was conferred.

Additional information

Pathways Program - U.S. CITIZEN OR NON-U.S.CITIZEN EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:
There is no U. S. citizenship requirement to participate in the Pathways Programs. HOWEVER, U. S. citizenship is a requirement for conversion to the competitive service via a term or permanent appointment.
**Non-U.S. citizens may apply to the Pathways Internship Program as current students or recent graduates and be employed; however, the student must have been lawfully admitted into the United States as a permanent resident or otherwise authorized to be employed in the Pathways Internship Program.
NOTE: A non-citizen student may not be converted to career-conditional employment in the competitive service unless they are U.S. citizens at the time of conversion. Additionally, applicants must be a U.S. citizen for positions that require security clearances.

EEO Policy Statement

Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement

Veterans Information

Legal and Regulatory Guidance

Before hiring, an agency will ask you to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. The agency will also ask you to sign and certify the accuracy of all the information in your application.  If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be fined or jailed. If you are a male over age 18 who was born after December 31, 1959, you must have registered with the Selective Service System (or have an exemption) to be eligible for a Federal job.

Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.

How you will be evaluated

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

All applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience and education relevant to the duties of the position.  The FCC determines the BEST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES based on the major job related competencies and evaluation of your knowledge, skills, and abilities reflected in your application and supporting documents using the CATEGORY RATING PROCESS. All eligible applicants under Delegated Examining (DEU) will be placed in one of the following three categories:

1.  Highly Qualified (Score 90-100) - the applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a superior level of major job related competencies and possession of all evaluation criteria;
2.  Fully Qualified (Score 80-89) - the applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level of major job related competencies and possession of the evaluation criteria; and
3.  Minimally Qualified (Score of 70-79)- the applicants possessing only the specialized experience described in the vacancy announcement.

An automated score is administered based on the on-line application process used.  Eligible applicants will receive a numerical rating based on their responses to the job specific questions for this position.  

Application of Veterans Preference:  The category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category.  Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have compensable service-connected disability at least 10 percent MUST be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.

Preference eligible veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree due to military service obligation may apply up to six years after degree or certification.

This is a Recent Graduates position in the Pathways Program. This program provides an entry-level developmental experience with the potential to lead to a career in the Federal Government after successfully completing the Program. Upon completion of the developmental program, Recent Graduate appointees may be non-competitively converted to a term or permanent position without further competition.

More information about the Recent Graduates Program can be found here: http://www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads.

A selecting official may make selection from the highest quality category ("HIGHLY QUALIFIED") provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in the same category.

There are several parts to the application process that affect the overall evaluation of your application including:

1.  the core questions
2.  the vacancy questions
3.  supplemental documentation (e.g., DD-214, SF-50, SF-15, transcripts), if applicable; and
4.  your resume.

Applicants will be rated ineligible, if they do not respond to job specific questions, provide supplemental documents and submit resume.  For more information, please click on Rating Process.


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