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TELECOMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force
U.S. Air Forces, Europe

Summary

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

Purpose of this position is to Serve as a Department of Defense Satellite Communications (DoD SATCOM) Planner within the assigned Regional SATCOM Support Center (RSSC) engaged in the day-to-day operational planning and management of DoD satellite resources on a 24/7 basis.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/09/2026 to 03/13/2026
Salary
$76,463 to - $118,204 per year
Pay scale & grade
NH 3
Location
few vacancies in the following location:
Stuttgart, Germany
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
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
3
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
9N-AFPC-12901385-162870-GM
Control number
859935900

Duties

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  • Provides management and planning for user missions on DoD SATCOM constellations for RSSC-Europe. Engages in emergent, near, and long-range planning and provides or directs timely responses to requests for satellite resource access/allocations.
  • Initiates actions in response to user requirements to establish, upgrade, or phase-out particular satellite ground systems and facilities under Command control.
  • Assists in the development and preparation of command policies, plans, objectives and requirements for DoD SATCOM systems and equipment.
  • Operates necessary equipment and SATCOM terminals at the RSSC in support of CCMDs. Perform resource monitoring, payload control, user access assistance, as well as minor troubleshooting, as needed.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • 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/
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
  • Employee must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret w/SCI clearance.
  • This position is designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program.
  • Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions present a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, public safety. It is required that you refrain from the use of illegal drugs, if requested, submit to urinalysis testing.
  • May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of TDY assignments for 15% of the year; both CONUS and/or OCONUS travel applies.
  • Position is designated MISSION ESSENTIAL. May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis to include travel in inclement weather.
  • Will be required to work various shifts, weekends, and holidays as part of a 24/7 work center.

Qualifications

The mission of the United States Air Force is: To fly, fight, and win ... Airpower anytime, anywhere. To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision of Global Vigilance, Global Reach and Global Power. That vision orbits around three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting and Integrating Operations. Core competencies and distinctive capabilities are based on a shared commitment to three core values -- integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.

Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide:

  • 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans
  • AF DCIPS Interchange
  • AF Internal Employee
  • DoD Transfer (Excluding Air Force)
  • Former Federal Employees (Reinstatement)
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Employee
  • National Service (Peace Corps and VISTA)
  • Non-AF DCIPS Interchange
  • Non-Appropriated Fund
  • Non-DoD Transfer
  • Other (Interchange Agreements)
  • Overseas - Excepted Service Family Member
  • Overseas - Family Member Preference
  • Overseas - Military Spouse
  • Overseas Family Member Preference with Veteran Preference
  • Overseas Military Spouse Preference with Veteran Preference
  • People with Disabilities, Schedule A
  • PPP DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
  • Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction
  • Veterans Employment Opportunities Act


In order to qualify, you must meet the requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions, Telecommunications Series 0391. Click here for the occupational requirements for this position.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower broadband NH-02 (next lower grade GS-11) or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes: evaluating, analyzing, developing, managing, or improving communications systems, procedures, and requirements that demonstrated knowledge of current developments and trends in communications concepts and technology; as well as developing, integrating, and implementing solutions to diverse, highly complex problems across multiple areas and disciplines; establishing precedents in the application of problem-solving techniques to enhance existing processes; conducting research, development, testing, and evaluation of satellite communication user terminals and related ground systems; and applying sound communications principles to develop and implement resiliency strategies, vulnerability assessments, and evaluate higher-level guidance and best practices.

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-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 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:

1. Expert technical knowledge in a variety of professional, technical, and specialty fields based on formal education, professional training, and relevant work experience in DoD SATCOM to serve as the technical expert for the organization.
2. Experience in conducting research and development and testing and evaluation involving satellite communication user terminals and related ground systems.
3. Skill in researching data and recommending solutions to novel and unique SATCOM problems.
4. Ability to apply sound communications principles to develop and implement resiliency strategies, vulnerability assessments, and evaluate higher-level guidance and best practices.
5. Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships and to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
6. With little to no guidance: organize work, set priorities, and determine resource requirements; determine goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinate with other organizations; monitor progress, and evaluate outcomes.
7. Ability to identify problems and use sound judgment and decisions to generate and evaluate alternatives, make recommendations, and take action

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 job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Important Overseas Information: Applicants interested in applying for overseas locations please click here to review important information regarding the exceptional family member program.

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.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

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.

Incentives: Recruitment and/or retention incentives may or may not be used.

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.

BASIS OF RATING:
Your application will be rated under the Cut Point procedures based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience and education relate to the qualification requirements. Additional points are not added for Veteran's Preference; however, Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable.

Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements
Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements.
Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements.

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.

For additional information on what to include in your resume, click here.

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.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: When job announcements indicate PCS costs are authorized, overseas allowances may be authorized in accordance with Department of State Standardized Regulation (DSSR) and any applicable Federal Overseas Regulations.

Selectees who physically reside permanently in the U.S., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or Northern Mariana Islands, and the Possessions of the U.S., during the entire recruitment process (application, selection, and acceptance of a formal job offer) and selected for employment in the foreign area are eligible to receive certain foreign area benefits such as: Living Quarters Allowance (LQA) or government quarters, Post Allowance, Home Leave, etc. (subject to approval).

Selectees who physically reside outside the U.S., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or Northern Mariana Islands, and the Possessions of the U.S., during any step of the recruitment process (application, selection, and acceptance of a formal job offer) will have foreign area benefits eligibility be determined on a case by case basis.

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