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TELECOMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST (RADIO TECHNICIAN)

Department of the Army
Army National Guard Units
Vermont Army National Guard
This job announcement has closed

Summary

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION.

This National Guard position is for a Telecommunications Specialist (RADIO TECH), Position Description Number D2582000 and is part of the JFHQ-VT G6 Mission Command Branch of the Vermont Army National Guard.

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
07/15/2024 to 08/15/2024
Salary
$73,889 to - $96,053 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Colchester, VT
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - Indefinite Tenure Appointment Not To Exceed 12/31/2025
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
No
Announcement number
VT-12462827-AR-24-47
Control number
799862600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Area I: All current On-board Permanent and Indefinite Dual Status 32 and Title 5 (Competitive and Excepted) Technicians Area II: All Members of the Vermont Army National Guard. Area III: Currently assigned service members in other branches of the military outside of the VTNG, to include those assigned to Active Duty, Reserve or other state's National Guard.

Duties

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The primary purpose of this position is to support tactical and emergency communications for the State and territory National Guard and serve as a subject matter expert for all government and commercial off the shelf (COTS) radio systems utilized by the National Guard, providing train the trainer level classes on those systems, guiding procurement of commercial off the shelf systems, and strengthening the state's radio maintenance program.

MAJOR DUTIES:

1. Runs the preventative maintenance program for all tactical and commercial off the shelf radio equipment assigned to the Joint Forces Headquarters. This includes HF radios assigned to the state headquarters that participate in the National Guard Bureau Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) net, Disaster Incident Response Emergency Communications Team (DIRECT) equipment, or Joint Incident Site Communications Capability (JISCC) equipment or future equivalent systems. Maintains emergency communications response equipment assigned to the J6/G6 such as communications trailers and command vehicles. Performs routine maintenance on commercial off the shelf radio equipment installed at armories across the state or territory for the purpose of emergency communications. Monitors national preventative maintenance bulletins and works with state level electronics maintenance shops to identify common maintenance issues and disseminates findings to units. Maintains appropriate documentation in accordance with military regulations and publications regarding performed maintenance. Assists the DSCA Communications Planner with maintaining emergency communications cached equipment. Lead maintainer for National Guard owned communications towers and commercial off the shelf (COTS) repeater systems. Responsible for building and maintaining Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) load sets, SINCGARS load sets and hop sets, Land Mobile Radio code plugs, and Mission Critical Push to Talk (MCPTT) configurations. Ensures armory radio-based emergency communications systems are maintained and regularly tested. This includes but is not limited to High Frequency (HF), Single Channel Ground Airborne Radio Systems (SINCGARS), Land Mobile Radio (LMR), satellite (military and civilian), Mission Critical Push to Talk (MCPTT), and microwave systems. Ensures unit communications personnel are trained and proficient in radio operations and maintenance. Maintains keys to state and regional government trunked systems and programs National Guard radios for operation on those systems.

2. Ensures the quality of unit radio training programs remains high by leading train the trainer classes and by producing written and video-based training materials for units to utilize. Identifies quality training materials from vendors and other states and ensures their dissemination to units. Helps plan communications exercises and routine armory communications checks to ensure unit readiness for tactical and emergency employment of assigned systems.

3.Manages statewide National Guard radio nets, to include those on High Frequency (HF), Very High Frequency (VHF), and trunked systems. Provides guidance and assistance to subordinate and interagency activities operating radio nets, to include civil government and Military Auxiliary Radio Service (MARS) nets. Manages unit callsign registrations with the Department of Homeland Security's Shared Resources (SHARES) HF program. Deconflicts callsigns with and between units in the state and territory.

4. During a Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) event involving National Guard forces, serves as a Communications Technician (COMT) under the Incident Commander's Communications Leader (COML) to ensure the successful application of the COM L's communications plan as it applies to the assigned National Guard forces. May serve as a member of a Disaster Incident Emergency Response Team (DIRECT) or Joint Incident Site Communications Capability (JISCC). Serves as a subject matter expert for radio crossbanding involving National Guard owned systems. Advises the command on procurement issues involving COTS radios. Ensures compliance with Department of Defense Instruction (DODI 4650.10) as well as compatibility with NORTHCOM and NGB programs. Coordinates with installation directorates and tenant organizations to ensure that radio dependent equipment (example: mass notification alert systems, handheld radios, and paging systems) being developed or procured for use on the installation are fully supportable and interoperable.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Irregular and overtime (compensatory) hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies.
  • The employee may be required to travel in military and/or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.
  • Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
  • Work may require access to classified information. Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance.
  • May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours; overtime may be required.
  • This is a National Guard dual status technician position which requires military membership.
  • This is an Indefinite tenure appointment not to exceed a maximum of 4 years from the start date.

Qualifications

NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED: This is a Title 32 excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the National Guard. Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform. Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment. Applicants who are not currently a member of the Vermont Army National Guard must be eligible for immediate membership and employment in the National Guard in the military grade listed in this announcement. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact 1-800-GO-GUARD or visit NATIONALGUARD.COM/VT prior to applying for this position.

OPEN AREAS OF CONSIDERATION: AREA 1, 2, 3
Area I:
All current On-board Permanent and Indefinite Dual Status 32 and Title 5 (Competitive and Excepted) Technicians (Tenure: 1-Career, 2-Conditional, 3-Indefinite) - Only those Vermont National Guard members who are in permanent or indefinite technician status as a result of being competitively hired within that National Guard component applying for a position within the component which they are currently employed.
Area II: All Members of the Vermont Army National Guard.
Area III: Currently assigned service members in other branches of the military outside of the VTNG, to include those assigned to Active Duty, Reserve or other state's National Guard.


SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-11: Experience, education and training that provided knowledge of communications equipment, systems, services, and transmission media; knowledge of electronic communications concepts, principles, practices, procedures, policies, standards, and operational requirements; application of specialized communications methods and analytical techniques; technical knowledge of the operational and performance characteristics of communications equipment, automated control and network management systems, transmission media, and the relationships among component parts of telecommunications systems; and competencies in the subject matter or business processes associated with the DoD, U.S. Army, or U.S. Air Force telecommunication programs.

Length of time is not of itself qualifying. Candidates' experience should be evaluated on the basis of duties performed rather than strictly on the rank of the individual; however, established compatibility criteria/assignments must be followed. The applicant's record of experience, training, and education must show possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to fully perform the duties of the position to be filled.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

- Knowledge of a wide range of communications concepts, principles, and practices as well as telecommunications operating techniques, digital and analog communications requirements.

- Knowledge of local area and DOD networking to review, analyze and resolve difficult and complex telecommunications problems.

- Knowledge of NGB and other federal agency's policies to review, develop or interpret communications policies and procedures.

- Technical knowledge to evaluate alternative approaches for satisfying communications requirements and define, coordinate, plan and satisfy user requirements for telecommunications equipment, systems or services.

- Ability to comprehend the latest technological advances.

- Knowledge to plan and implement telecommunication installation procedures involving a variety of available communications equipment, services, methods and procedures, and operating techniques in order to link together previously non-compatible equipment and systems, for direct application in communication switches and terminals.

OR

Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

OR

3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree

OR

LL.M., if related


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.

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.

CONTINUATION OF CONDITIONS EMPLOYMENT & NOTES:
- Must obtain and maintain a minimum of SECRET clearance. However, TOP SECRET (TS) security clearance with eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) may be required based on the highest classification level utilized in the state.
- This position is designated as Essential Personnel and may be subject to duty in preparation for, or in response to, a state emergency or disaster declaration. This designation will not exceed 14 calendar days per year unless otherwise approved in advance by the TAG.
-Incumbent must complete appropriate training and obtain required certifications IAW DoDI 8140, DOD 8570.01M or applicable governing document(s) for Cyber workforce as an IA Technician Level II within 6 months of employment pending training seat availability.
-Position is designated as OM-STS-001 within the Defense Cybersecurity Workforce as guided by NIST SP 800-181, National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education, Cybersecurity Workforce Framework. Which establishes the Tasks, Skills, Knowledge and Abilities expected of this position.
-Incumbent must complete the following Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Incident Command System (ICS) classes within 6 months of employment:
a. Introduction to Incident Command System, IS-00100
b. Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, IS-00200
c. Intermediate Incident Command System (ICS) for Expanding Incidents, ICS-300
d. An Introduction to the National Incident Management System, IS-00700
e. National Response Framework, An Introduction, IS-00800
f. All-Hazards Communications Unit Technician (COMT) Course

Please be advised:
1. Specialized experience will be used to determine qualifications for the announced position.
2. An applicant's RESUME must provide, in detail, how they meet the specialized experience listed.
3. It must be documented with "from (mm/yy)" and "to (mm/yy)" dates and description of the specialized experience.
4. If education or a degree is required as part of the "Specialized Experience", you must include transcripts.

Do not copy the specialized experience qualifications word for word and place into your resume; you must describe your personal experience as it pertains to each statement.

Education

Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience is allowed.

Graduate Level Education: Education at the graduate level in an accredited college or university in the amounts shown in the Office of Personnel Management table meets the requirements for positions at GS-7 through GS-11. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

Combining Education and Experience: Use the Office of Personnel Management Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions to determine if completion of graduate level education in the amounts shown in the table may be qualifying for grade GS-09, GS-10, and GS-11 if it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. When crediting education that requires specific course work, prorate the number of hours of related courses required as a proportion of the total education to be used.

NOTE: In order to qualify for this position using education, you must submit a copy of your transcripts.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the 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. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

*THE ANTICIPATED START DATE FOR THIS POSITION IS 6 OCTOBER 2024

-This is not a permanent appointment.
-This is an indefinite tenure appointment not to exceed 12/31/2025
-The incumbent will be separated at the expiration of the term of appointment.

This is an excepted appointment with indefinite tenure, made for an initial period of 13 months with the potential for extensions in increments of 1 year or less up to a total of 4 years. Appointees do not acquire permanent status or career-conditional employment through an appointment. Employees are eligible to participate in most of the benefit programs available to permanent federal employees, e.g., the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI), Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).

Vermont Army National Guard personnel who are bonus recipients/student loan repayment program recipients may have their benefits terminated and/or recouped if selected as a Permanent/Indefinite Military Technician. Applicants should contact the VTARNG Incentive Manager to determine any possible termination and/or recoupment actions that may result from accepting this position.

If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).

If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.


Please be advised that the applicant rating will be evaluated on the following occupational competencies:

1. Attention to Detail
2. Infastructure Design
3. Oral Communication
4. Problem Solving
5. Telecommunications

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