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Telecommunications Specialist (Radio)

Department of Justice
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
This job announcement has closed

Summary

ATF is a law enforcement agency in the U.S. Department of Justice that protects our communities from violent criminals/criminal organizations, illegal use/trafficking of firearms, illegal use/storage of explosives, acts of arson/bombings, acts of terrorism, and illegal diversion of alcohol/tobacco products. We partner with communities, industries, law enforcement, and public safety agencies to safeguard the public through information sharing, training, research, & technology. Visit www.atf.gov

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
03/10/2023 to 03/24/2023
Salary
$82,830 to - $128,043 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Locations
2 vacancies in the following locations:
Scottsdale, AZ
Nashville, TN
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
23-OST-ST-11864039-KA
Control number
711860900

Duties

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This position is located under the Office of Science and Technology (OST), IT Services Management Division, Radio Services Branch in Nashville, Tennessee and Scottsdale, Arizona.

The primary purpose of this position is to develop, acquire and support the deployment of an integrated Information Technology (IT) infrastructure across ATF and one that shares information across federal, state and local governments.

As a Telecommunications Specialist (Radio), GS-0391-12/13, your typical work assignments may include:

GS-12:

  • Assists with the installation, implementation, and testing of IT equipment and console into IT equipment via various methods such as SSH, Serial cable and Remote Desktop. Assist with cabling end-user devices and other equipment to the network.
  • Analyzes and resolves interference problems pertaining to radio communications systems. Coordinates with various users such as paging companies, the National Oceanographic Atmospheric Association (NOAA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and National Telecommunications Information Agency (NTIA) to identify and correct the interference.
  • Provides on-site communications support with his/her assigned field division(s) and applies new concepts and methods to communication problems where accepted methods are not effective.
  • Serves as the technical representative liaison to establish interoperability partnerships with state and local public safety agencies and makes recommendations and implement new systems or modifications to existing systems.
  • Functions as a technical authority in telecommunications services, maintaining the overall design and technical monitoring.
GS-13:
  • Identify communication requirement, analyze technical solution, conduct physical survey, implement, and validate the final solution used to meet the communication requirement.
  • Serves as troubleshooter and trainer to resolve operational and technical problems for radio systems user and coordinate directly with their field division leadership and representative of other federal, state, and local public safety agencies.
  • Coordinates with various user such as paging companies, the National Oceanographic Atmospheric Association (NOAA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and National Telecommunications Information Agency (NTIA) to identify and correct the interference.
  • Serves as a Bureau representative for interagency groups, such as, Department of Justice (DOJ) Integrated Wireless Network (IWN) and Shared Land Mobile Radio Systems (SLMRS), DOJ 25 Cities Project, etc., to formulate telecommunications program guidance for different operating environments, evaluate new and experimental technology, and develop interoperability techniques for law enforcement communications initiatives.
  • Develops and implement comprehensive plan, policy and objective, and provide technical advice to integrate the Bureau's telecommunications systems with operational requirement and to apply evolving technology.
  • Serves as a member of interagency working group to review, evaluate and recommend current and proposed telecommunications systems and ensure effectiveness and compatibility between systems.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

The time-in-grade requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement. The qualification requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

MOBILITY PLAN: New employees hired pursuant to this vacancy announcement must sign a mobility agreement. The purpose of ATF's mobility policy is to enhance career development and progression, and achieve mission and business effectiveness. To accomplish these objectives, the mobility plan will facilitate the movement of employees through special short-term assignments or permanent reassignments throughout the Bureau. Applicants who decline to sign a mobility agreement, as required, will be removed from the hiring process.

Key Requirements:
  1. Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  2. Suitable for Federal employment determined by background investigation.
  3. Must be registered or exempt from the Selective Service. See www.sss.gov
  4. May be required to serve a one year probationary period.

Qualifications

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Specialized experience is demonstrated experience, which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Experience must be in the normal line of progression or must be related to the work of the position advertised and must be reflected in resume.

To qualify for the GS-12, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-11. Specialized experience for the position includes:

  • Planning organizing and conducting studies and forecasts to establish telecommunications systems requirements; and
  • Assisting in the implementation of nationwide long-term projects in coordination with the FCSB headquarters office; and
  • Evaluating proposed telecommunications systems and changes to existing systems; recommends methods and equipment needed to upgrade systems capabilities to FCSB, Communications Commission (FCC), and National Telecommunications Information Agency (NTIA) to identify and correct the interference; and
  • Providing on/scene/deployable communications support within the geographical boundaries of their assigned field divisions; and
  • Conducting a variety of technical projects for the Branch and represents the Bureau on multi-agency working groups to develop interoperability standards and techniques; and evaluates procedures and state-of-the art telecommunications systems.

To qualify for the GS-13, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-12. Specialized experience for the position includes:

  • Assisting with the installation, implementation, and testing of IT equipment; console into IT equipment via various methods such as SSH, Serial cable and Remote Desktop; and
  • Assisting with cabling end-user devices and other equipment to the network; and
  • Analyzing and resolves interference problems pertaining to radio communications systems. Coordinates with various users such as paging companies, the National Oceanographic Atmospheric Association (NOAA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and National Telecommunications Information Agency (NTIA) to identify and correct the interference; and
  • Providing on-site communications support with his/her assigned field division(s) and applies new concepts and methods to communication problems where accepted methods are not effective; and
  • Developing and implementing comprehensive plan, policy and objective, and provide technical advice to integrate the Bureau's telecommunications systems with operational requirement and to apply evolving technology; and
  • Providing briefings on proposed modifications or enhancements to FCSB management for implementation.
Please do not cut and paste the position description, specialized experience or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume, as this will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and score 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/.

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): VEOA allows eligible veterans to apply and compete for positions announced under merit promotion procedures when the hiring agency is recruiting from outside its own workforce. To be eligible for a Veteran Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) appointment, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed three (3) or more years of continuous active military service. If you are applying for a Merit Promotion announcement and wish to be considered under the VEOA, you must submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214, in addition to any other required documents listed on this announcement.

Education

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Experience must be in the normal line of progression or must be related to the work of the position advertised and must be reflected in resume.

Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations from ATF's Human Resources Operations Division. Please click on the following link to read important information. DOJ Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov

EEO Statement: The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, status as a parent, genetic information, disability, age, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, or on the basis of personal favoritism. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to discrimination, or retaliation for participating in EEO activity or for opposing discrimination, should contact the ATF's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at (202) 648-8760 within 45 calendar days of when the alleged harm occurred.

Please click on the following link to read important information. Department of Justice EEO Policy Statement https://www.justice.gov/jmd/page/file/1393306/download

DIVERSITY Statement: "As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service."

Reasonable Accommodation Statement: ATF provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the job application and hiring process, and you meet the eligibility requirements listed above, please notify the human resources specialist listed on the vacancy announcement, or contact the ATF's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at (202) 648-8760 or send an email to reasonableaccommodations@atf.gov. The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation is handled on a case-by-case basis.

"Federal Regulations state no ATF employee, his/her spouse, or his/her minor child shall have, directly or indirectly, any financial interest, including compensated employment, stock, or proprietary interest in the alcohol, tobacco, firearms or explosives industries. You should be aware that you may be asked to relinquish any ownership of or interests in the alcohol, tobacco, firearms or explosives industries before a determination can be made whether access to ATF information, information technology systems, and/or facilities can be authorized."

Additional vacancies may be filled from this vacancy announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

The assessment questionnaire is designed to measure your ability in the following competencies:

  • Technical Competence
  • Technical Problem Solving
  • Technical Credibility
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Oral Communication
  • Writing
To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11864039

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