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Electronics Engineer

Federal Communications Commission
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is in the Immediate Office of the Office of Engineering and Technology located in Washington, DC.

RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID.  

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

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
03/15/2023 to 05/01/2023
Salary
$132,368 to - $183,500 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14 - 15
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
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
Competitive
Promotion potential
15
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
DEU-OET-2023-003
Control number
712670300

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to all U.S. Citizens AND MERIT PROMOTION (MP) - STATUS CANDIDATES and NON-COMPETITIVE ELIGIBLES. MP candidates include Federal Employees, Agency Employees, competitive Reinstatement eligibles, VEOA, CTAP and ICTAP. Individuals eligible for non-competitive appointment under special appointing authorities may also apply for consideration (e.g. Individuals with Disabilities; Veterans [VRA, 30% Disabled]; former Peace Corps, AmeriCorps or Vista). Indicate how you wish to be considered.

Duties

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Serves as an expert senior technical engineer with expertise in spectrum allocations, spectrum management, radio frequency characteristics, data collection and database management, geospatial analysis, equipment testing and certification processes, as well as licensing matters in the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET).  Incumbent will be responsible for supporting OET in its mission to oversee effective and efficient spectrum management and allocation processes within the FCC.  The incumbent must possess a mastery of engineering concepts, theories, and practices regarding technical rules and standards for radio frequency (RF) devices, and particularly the technical and administrative requirements, including the FCC’s technical rules for RF devices and an understanding of the IT systems used for implementing such rules.  This expertise will be used to provide strategic engineering and IT management support necessary to lead OET’s efforts to modernize its Information Technology (IT) systems, including its Equipment Authorization System (EAS), its Experimental Licensing System (ELS), and its Frequency Assignment System (OFACS).  In addition, this expertise will be leveraged to support OET programs involving collection, storage, and maintenance of large nationwide data sets for curation, analysis, and extraction using high-performance computational resources.  The incumbent must possess a comprehensive knowledge of Agile IT development, data governance, artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques, radio frequency engineering, network engineering, radiowave propagation modeling, and the FCC’s equipment authorization processes, licensing processes, and principles of spectrum management.  Will represent the Office and the FCC in meetings with industry, government representatives, and the public to identify future telecommunications trends and to analyze the effect of these trends on spectrum allocation and related matters with the goal of translating this information to OET system requirements to ensure those systems keep pace with OET’s regulatory responsibilities.  Incumbent will also support OET spectrum management efforts that incorporate private sector third party databases to provide spectrum assignments to spectrum users.  Incumbent will perform a wide range of highly sophisticated analytical, planning, and policy evaluation duties in connection with OET IT system modernization projects.  Duties will include performing IT system functional architecture design work, requirements gathering, managing Agile IT development processes, data governance, equipment specification, conducting beta testing, user acceptance testing, quality assurance, and managing technical software support.  The incumbent will serve as project manager for OET’s IT-related initiatives and manage daily project tasks, in this capacity the incumbent will conduct and/or oversee special studies/projects and analysis as needed and provide expert advice to OET staff.  The incumbent will work closely and partner with IT teams, IT entities, and Bureau/Office personnel on studies or projects which impact critical OET systems.  May serve as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for contracts necessary to ensure success in modernizing OET’s IT systems and should have or will be expected to obtain a level-2 COR.  Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
  • US Citizenship.
  • May serve a one year probationary period (if applicable)
  • Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
  • If selected, a financial disclosure statement may be required.
  • Current/former federal employees must provide SF-50 verifying grade/status
  • Current FCC employees must provide SF-50 verifying grade & status.
  • Education-Transcripts Required

Please note your resume must thoroughly support your responses to the vacancy questions.  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.

ALL CURRENT/FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND CURRENT FCC EMPLOYEES MUST provide a legible Personnel Action, SF-50, that verifies your status and highest permanently held grade.  If an SF-50 is not submitted, the application will be rated as ineligible.

CURRENT FCC EMPLOYEES-To request a copy of your SF-50 please send an email to PersonnelRecordsRequest@fcc.gov

Qualifications

Applicants must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.  Current Federal employees asking to be considered under Merit Promotion procedures must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.  

Candidates must meet all of the specialized experience requirements outlined below in order to be deemed as qualified.

Specialized experience for the GS-15 includes:  1) performing and directing wireless propagation modeling and network performance evaluation to conduct analyses on broadband networks; 2) performing validation of RF systems and coverage data; 3) providing guidance and recommendation on technical issues involving broadband performance parameters related to wireless and wireline network technologies, system architecture, and technical standards; 4) developing, implementing, and evaluating IT systems modernization; 5) managing, leading, and reviewing IT systems development defects, necessary system enhancements, and appropriate User Acceptance testing and quality assurance as a system owner; 6)  reviewing, advising and resolving problems related to advanced high-performance computing systems; and 7) communicating effectively with diverse groups of individuals inside and outside of the organization to convey technical and policy information.

Specialized experience for the GS-14 includes: 1) performing wireless propagation modeling and network performance evaluation to conduct analyses on broadband networks; 2) performing validation of RF systems and coverage data; 3) providing advice and recommendation on technical issues involving broadband performance parameters related to wireless and wireline network technologies, system architecture, and technical standards; 4) developing, implementing, and evaluating IT systems modernization; 5) managing, leading, and reviewing IT systems development defects, necessary system enhancements, and appropriate User Acceptance testing and quality assurance as a system owner; 6) advising and providing solutions to problems related to advanced high-performance computing systems; and 7) communicating effectively with diverse groups of individuals inside and outside of the organization to convey technical and policy information.

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

  • Knowledge of radio frequency engineering concepts, theories, and practices, regarding technical rules and standards for radio frequency (RF) devices.
  • Knowledge of the FCC’s equipment authorization system and processes, experimental licensing system and processes, OFACS system, Spectrum XXI, and principles of spectrum management.
  • Skill in performing a wide range of highly sophisticated analytical, planning, and policy evaluation which include identifying, scheduling, coordinating, and planning the various OET IT modernization projects, workstreams, and related policy initiatives.
  • Skill in performing IT system functional architecture design work, requirements gathering, managing Agile IT development processes, data governance, equipment specification, conducting beta testing, user acceptance testing, quality assurance, and managing technical software support.
  • Ability to manage, lead, and oversee critical RF Electronics Engineering and related IT systems modernization projects from beginning to end.
  • Ability to respond to requests for Commission rule and policy interpretations relevant to data collection and database management, geospatial analysis, spectrum studies, equipment approval and experimental licensing.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with top level officials including members of Congress, executives of major telecommunications companies and law firms, news media emissaries, equipment manufacturers and test labs, and FCC top level management.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: 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.

Education

Degree Professional Engineering.   To view qualifying educational requirements and/or combination of education and specialized experience click on the following link:
http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800

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.

Additional information

EEO Policy Statement

Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement

Veterans Information

Legal and Regulatory Guidance

Other:
-  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.

-  If applicable, you will be required to serve a trial period of one year.

-  In order for you to be employed at the FCC, there are certain Commission and Federal laws governing the financial interests of you and members of your immediate family. If selected for the position, you must submit a financial disclosure statement upon assuming the position.

How you will be evaluated

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

As this position is being advertised under DEU and Merit Promotion hiring procedures, applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience and education relevant to the duties of the position using the hiring procedures outlined below.

How You Will Be Evaluated-DEU Hiring Procedures

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. Time in grade restrictions do not apply to DEU hiring procedures.

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.

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. Qualified disabled veterans (30% disabled veterans and at least 10% disabled veterans) who meet the qualification criteria float to the top of the Highly Qualified category and by law must be referred over non-veterans. Non-veterans are strictly prohibited from being referred or selected over qualified disabled veterans.

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.

Merit Promotion Procedures

Applicants under Merit Promotion will be considered in accordance with the agency's merit promotion plan and union agreement. Time in grade restrictions apply.

Under Merit Promotion procedures, applicants must meet the qualifications criteria and receive a score of 90 or above in order to be deemed as BEST QUALIFIED.  Candidates who ask to be considered non-competitively only have to receive a score of 70.


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