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TELECOMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force
Air Force Special Operations Command

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

The primary purpose of this position is: To serve as the Major Command's senior radio, telecommunications, datalink, mission, and other networking systems specialist. As a telecommunications expert, the employee provides technical leadership and management to ensure command strategy, project, and program success.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/30/2026 to 02/13/2026
Salary
$106,437 to - $138,370 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Hurlburt Field, FL
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
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
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
8J-AFPC-12875573-100250-LLK
Control number
855864500

Duties

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  • Serves as a senior telecommunications specialist for assigned MAJCOM programs and projects.
  • Provides technical oversight of command-wide telecommunications, datalink, and mission networking programs and special projects.
  • Prepares technical architectures, assessment, feasibility reports, staff studies, and briefings.
  • Establishes and participates in internal command and external meetings, working groups, and special projects.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
  • This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Only open to current federal civilian employees within the Department of Defense (DoD).
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Clearance.
  • The employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
  • Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station.
  • The employee may be required to travel on military and commercial aircraft.
  • Recall to duty may be a requirement of this position.
  • Overtime and/or emergency overtime may be required
  • This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment, and participation in random drug testing
  • This position may include information assurance (IA) work. Per DoD 8570.01-M, if such work is to be accomplished, the employee must obtain the appropriate IA certification within six months of performing such duties.
  • cont...A waiver of the six month requirement may be granted per DoD 8570.01-M. Failure to receive the proper IA certification may result in the reassignment of IA duties to another employee

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Administrative and Management Positions and the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the Telecommunications Series, 0391.Click here for more information regarding the IOR for this series.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-12, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes experience with telecommunications and networking concepts, principles, and practices to develop command level architectures, systems, and policies through the use of telecommunications devices, methods, services and facilities; to carry out command-level projects involving complex and uncommon interfaces, policies, and practices; sources of technical
data to evaluate new devices, proposals, and approaches; and a practical understanding of contracting practices and legal requirements.

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-12 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

  • In-depth knowledge and advanced skill in the design and configuration of complex radio, telecommunications, datalink, mission, and other networking systems. This includes operational understanding of telecommunications and networking theories, concepts, principles, practices, procedures, policies, and standards; and knowledge of global high frequency and satellite communications for both voice and data
  • Knowledge in advanced electronics theory and operating principles.
  • Knowledge and skills in performing technical assessments, associated methods and techniques in telecommunications and network architecture design and acquisition activities.
  • Ability to research patterns to develop new methods, criteria, and propose new policies and procedures.
  • Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing to identify, direct, or coordinate actions required in providing needed service.
  • Ability to analyze a variety of unique and complex global telecommunications, datalink, and networking systems, conditions, problems, requirements, and conditions
  • Knowledge of the mission, roles, functions, organizational structure, and operation of the DoD, Air Force, USSOCOM, and organizations that govern, interface with, and/or influence systems acquisition, development, and/or sustainment; and knowledge of planning, programming, and budgeting cycles, financial systems, and restrictions on expenditure of funds

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.

Education

This position leads AFSOC communications efforts to ensure Air and Ground mission networking integration, reliability and effectiveness with AFSOC specific developed systems along with Air Force and Special Operations Command (SOCOM) programs of record. Represents the AFSOC communications directorate in various Mission Design Series (MDS) integration events to ensure all facets of the required elements to operate, sustain, and defend are included as technology is fielded. Provides the framework to effectively determine the required manpower and funding to operate and maintain fielded systems and sustained operations. Articulates the required cybersecurity controls required to comply with all applicable DoD, Air Force, SOCOM, and AFSOC policies.

Additional information

Provide fully capable Special Operations Forces to defend the United States and its interests. Synchronize planning of global operations against terrorist networks.

USSOCOM seeks talented and motivated individuals looking to serve your country, optimize your contributions and join our diverse, professional team in Tampa, Florida. You will earn a competitive salary and enjoy outstanding benefits while working alongside some of the brightest, most motivated Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen of our time. Find out more click here.
Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position.

Temporary and Term Appointments: If you are selected for a temporary or term position in the competitive service, your appointment may be extended to the maximum period allowed by law without further competition.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The resume/documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

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