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Telecommunications Specialist

Department of Defense
Defense Logistics Agency

Summary

See below for important information regarding this job.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/04/2026 to 03/15/2026
This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$121,785 to - $158,322 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Arlington, VA
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
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
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
DLADS-26-12901734-DHA
Control number
859745300

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This is a Direct Hiring Authority Notice open to the Public in the commuting area using the Department of Defense (Certain DoD Personnel) DHA

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Duties

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  • Serves as the primary technical subject matter expert (SME) for all TFSO fixed and mobile Broadband SATCOM systems including Ku-band Satellite Communications (SATCOM) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite systems.
  • Lead technician responsible for the operation and maintenance of multiple SATCOM Ground Entry Points (GEPs) within TFSO
  • Serves as the primary technical subject matter expert (SME) and leads IT and Information Management system administration as the TFSO Deployed Communications Trip Lead.
  • Responsible for maintaining and managing radio equipment, including High Frequency (HF), Very High Frequency (VHF), and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) systems.
  • Leads setup, configuration, operation, and maintenance of satellite communications network and global positioning equipment, integration of Radio Frequency (RF) over fiber optic cabling.
  • Integrates network transport gateways that connect diverse communication paths, such as high frequency radio (for data), fixed wireless networks, cellular data, and satellite Ground Entry Point (GEP) connectivity, (Continued on next)
  • (Cont.) Providing primary, alternate, contingency, and emergency communications capabilities in all environments
  • Oversees resolution of hardware and software issues and ensures operational readiness of information management systems critical to National Security Emergency Preparedness (NSEP) and Continuity of Operations (COOP).
  • Provides guidance on RF network security to include configurations and input on design analysis and support for the review of existing and future multi-node ground stations and operational systems.
  • Participates in developing and forecasting telecommunication budgets for annual and long-range projections to ensure implementation, Operations and Maintenance, and lifecycle sustainment of the enterprise architecture.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Tour of Duty: Set Schedule (https://www.dla.mil/Careers/Join-Our-Team/Benefits/#Work)
  • Security: Required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance with access to SCI and SAPs); including submitting to background checks as a condition of employment and/ or continued access to Special Access Programs.
  • Appointment is subject to the completion of a favorable suitability or fitness determination, where reciprocity cannot be applied; unfavorably adjudicated background checks will be grounds for removal.
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Selective Service Requirement: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service.
  • Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
  • Bargaining Unit Status: No
  • Pre-Employment Physical: Not Required
  • Selectees are required to have a REAL ID or other acceptable identification documents to access certain federal facilities. See https://www.tsa.gov/real-id for more information.
  • You will be a Mission Essential employee. This requires you to work during an emergency to ensure continuation of essential functions. You may be required to work at the designated duty location, a telework site, or an alternate location/facility.

Qualifications

To qualify for a Telecommunications Specialist, your resume and supporting documentation must support:

  1. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position and is directly in or related to this position. To qualify at the GS-13 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military, or private sector. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements including minimum qualifications, and any other regulatory requirements by the cut-off/closing date of the announcement. Creditable specialized experience includes:
  • Experience working with telecommunication systems supporting telecommunications, preparedness and special mission requirements.
  • Experience functioning as technical authority in assignments requiring the application of new theories, concepts, and developments to communication problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted methods, technology, or procedures.
  • Leading teams responsible for system engineering and oversight of telecommunication projects. Briefing senior leadership on system capabilities and limitations.


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

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Additional information

This is an Emergency Essential (EE) position. The incumbent will be designated Non-Combat Essential (NCE). In the event of a crisis, the incumbent may be required to deploy, within CONUS only, via temporary reassignment or be required to stay in place to support contingency operations. The incumbent may be required to take part in readiness exercises. This position cannot be vacated during a national emergency or mobilization without seriously impairing the capability of the organization to function effectively; therefore, the position requires the incumbent to be screened from military recall. Military Reservists selected for an EE position must arrange for a military deployment waiver from the Reserve Unit, which will remain in effect while assigned to the EE position. This requirement must be met prior to placement in an EE position. An NCE employee could be deployed to support emergency operations, humanitarian missions, disaster relief, or other expeditionary missions in the continental United States that are not considered "combat" locations. Deployment will be via Temporary Duty (TDY) orders. Deployment may entitle the employee to additional monetary compensation dependent upon the deployment location.

For Important General Applicant Information and Definitions go to: http://www.dla.mil/portals/104/documents/careers/GenAppInfoDef.pdf

Reemployed Annuitants: This position does not meet criteria for appointment of Reemployed Annuitants. The DoD criteria for hiring Reemployed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/140025_vol300.PDF

Drug-Free Workplace Policy

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is committed to maintaining a safe, drug-free workplace. All DLA employees are required to refrain from illegal drug use on and off duty. DLA conducts pre-employment, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, and random drug testing.

Applicants tentatively selected for employment in testing designated positions will undergo a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Refusal to undergo testing or testing positive for illegal drugs will result in withdrawal of the tentative job offer and a six-month denial of employment with DLA from the date of the drug test. Employees in drug testing designated positions are subject to random drug testing.

The DLA drug testing panel tests for the following substances: marijuana, cocaine, opiates, heroin, phencyclidine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, fentanyl, norfentanyl, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), and opioids.

ADVISORY: Use of cannabidiol (CBD) products may result in a positive drug test for marijuana. DLA employees are subject to Federal law and under Federal law, Marijuana is a Schedule I drug and is illegal.

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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.

Direct Hire Evaluation: Once the application process is complete, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements. This vacancy will be filled through a Direct Hire Authority. All applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration. The rule of Three, Veteran's Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply to this vacancy. We will evaluate your application for basic eligibility and to determine if your experience meets the basic qualification requirements described in the announcement. All applicants who meet the qualifications and other basic requirement are eligible for referral and selection consideration. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.

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