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TELECOMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Department of Homeland Security
Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Border Patrol
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol Headquarters, Law Enforcement Operations Directorate, Intelligence, located in Ashburn VA.

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
03/27/2025 to 04/09/2025
Salary
$120,579 to - $156,755 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Sterling, VA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
50% 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
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
USBP-IMP-12717838-DDW
Control number
834273500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Current U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees who are currently working in a permanent competitive service position within the local commuting area.

Duties

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This position starts at a salary of $120,579.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $156,755.00 (GS-13, Step 10).


As a Telecommunications Manager typical work assignments include:

  • Serving as a technology and science advisor. Subject matter expert on all technology and scientific matters presenting recommendations to a supervisor for implementation. Technical supervision is nominal and consultative in nature. Working under administrative controls, with wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment. Within the framework of management objectives and priorities, the incumbent is expected to provide technical acumen to identify and explore the technical areas for analyses and methods relevant to services in relation to the mission.
  • Developing operational plans to orchestrate the on-scene drilling of technology bore holes and mobile detection operations as well as direct lateral mobile detection, drilling, and vertical mobile detection in accordance with statement of work or contract obligations. Considering the potential of technologies, both existing and emerging, and concepts as it relates to changing and dynamic data application to materially contribute to the solution of evolving operational needs and future requirements in a resource constrained environment. Providing technical guidance and works with user representatives in formulation of requirements and determines the technical feasibility for implementing new or modified approaches to subterranean challenges.
  • Conducting on-scene analysis of detection data and processes and transfers raw detection data and/or post-processing analysis to government or supporting contractor personnel, as appropriate. Providing support in geographic, environmental, topographic, and related physical science analysis, research, and data collection activities through the application of an in-depth knowledge of available data resources and analytical methods. Independently performing and/or directing the analysis of data working with geographers, chemists, physical scientists, technical information specialists, and functional users. Responsible for analysis of data requirements and operating methods and for evaluating and implementing state-of-the-art improvements to operations and systems.
  • Developing and maintaining records and prepares status reports and briefings for ongoing projects. Providing reports to a supervisor as directed. Due to continuing technological changes, incumbent must continually evaluate new technological tools and anticipate the next development and its effect on subterranean operations.
  • Serving as a technical expert and demonstrating a high degree of expertise in working difficult tasks, often employing original ideas and concepts to perform the work. Attending meetings with other technical staff, analysts, agents, and/or programmers to provide advice/insight on production system capabilities and limitations, including vendor produced design implementations. Planning, implementation, testing and evaluation for test site projects. As required, participates in collaborative projects between various DHS operational and intelligence components, regarding requirements. Responds to requests from other DHS components for assistance/information with technical issues and questions. Serving as a technical expert to advise alternative approaches in development and advanced problem solving.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
  • Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below)
  • You may be required to pass a background investigation
  • CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures.
  • As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link.
  • DHS uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities.
  • Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.

This vacancy has a local commuting area requirement, as defined below:
  • The area surrounding the duty station by which people reasonably travel back and forth from home to work; Or
  • The employee's permanent duty station is located within the reasonable travel area surrounding the duty station of this vacancy; Or if applicable
  • For employees who are detailed or temporarily promoted for more than 1 year to another duty location, the detailed or temporary duty location is considered to be the duty location of record for commuting area purposes. For employees detailed or temporarily promoted for less than one year, the permanent duty location is considered the duty location of record for commuting area purposes.

Qualifications

This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement.

Basic Requirement: You must provide supporting documentation in your application to show you meet the basic requirement below:

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- 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 the position to be filled.

Other Education: Communications/electronics or automatic data processing training in technical institutes or business schools above the high school level or in Armed Forces schools that included advanced instruction in addition to basic courses, may be substituted for general experience on a month-for-month basis.

-OR-

Specialized Experience: Experience in evaluating, analyzing, developing, managing, or improving communications systems, procedures, and requirements that demonstrated knowledge of current developments and trends in communications concepts and technology.

You qualify for this position if you meet the basic requirement listed above and possess the experience or substitution of education, if applicable, as described below:

Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

  • Conducting research by reaching out to the original manufacturer, meeting with subject matter experts, and conducting proof of concepts and best practice applications.
  • Overseeing the installation of data communications systems, video surveillance, intrusion detection systems, networks, and facilities.
  • Preparing feasibility and suitability assessments on new and existing technology to support CBP's mission goals.
  • Developing work improvement plans and recommending personnel actions as necessary
  • Supervising and performing technical and analytical work

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.

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, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
  • Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 04/09/2025.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers

Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:
  • Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
  • A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
  • Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
  • Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government
Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.

Additional information

The incumbent must possess a valid driver's license.

Security Clearance: You may be required to obtain a Secret or higher level clearance for this position.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

Applicants will only be considered for the Eligibilities for which they claim in the job questionnaire AND must provide the supporting documentation. Applicants will not be considered for Eligibilities for which they did not claim, regardless of the documentation submitted with the application. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12717838

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education, and training will be rated using an assessment questionnaire.

This self-assessment will be used to assess the following competencies or KSAs:

  • Knowledge of digital voice equipment, computer data systems, audio and video technologies, intrusion detection systems, and a wide range of test equipment to configure, manage, and troubleshoot routers, relays, and switches.
  • knowledge of engineering theories, principles, practices, and techniques and the ability to analyze and interpret laws, regulations, and CBP policies and procedures and to research precedent setting decisions and the relevant regulations of other federal agencies to design, build, install, and troubleshoot telecommunications technologies and to enhance a wide range of missions for CBP and other agencies.
  • knowledge of a wide range of communications systems, services, equipment ,transmission media, and customer requirements and premises utilized in the sector in order to conduct analysis on the area of responsibility (AOR) and sector TCNS and to enhance and resolve problematic and difficult communications gaps. The TCNS includes a sensor repeater, camera repeater, video surveillance, network repeater, and WAN protocols including Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
  • Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, and to present well considered and sound suggestions to provide telecommunications advice to upper management and internal stakeholders.

If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be contacted for an interview. As a part of the interview process, additional selection criteria may be administered by the hiring manager. Preview the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12717838

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible.View information about CTAP eligibilityon OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement. To be considered well qualified under CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position.

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