Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results
 

TELECOMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force
Air Combat Command

Summary

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

Primary purpose of this position is to provide technical advice/assistance as it pertains to the Defense Red Switch Network (DRSN); ensure site DRSN and associated system accreditations and Authority to Operate are in accordance with Risk Management Framework guidance or applicable security guidance; and serve as a manager/monitor for site DRSN telecommunications systems.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/26/2026 to 04/01/2026
Salary
$75,425 to - $98,058 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Offutt AFB, NE
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
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
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
Yes
Announcement number
8F-AFPC-12920388-202643-STG
Control number
862589000

Duties

Help

  • Plans and develops methods, procedures, policies, and techniques concerning implementation of system security principles for the DRSN.
  • Serves as technical advisor and alternate to DRSN management conducting day-to-day objectives in performance of mission requirements.
  • Implements telecommunication programs and special projects.
  • Oversee and report contractor performance pertaining to configuration management, modification, installation, troubleshooting, fault isolation, maintenance actions and cybersecurity on DRSN secure digital systems, and secure/non-secure peripheral equipment as Contracting Officer Representative (COR).
  • Prepares budget, technical reports, staff studies, and briefings. Prepares budgetary data in support of programs/projects.
  • Provides customer assistance and/or training for assigned telecommunications systems.

Requirements

Help

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 position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Advance in hire may be authorized if there is demonstrable proof provided on your resume
  • Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
  • Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
  • The employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays. Recall to duty may be a requirement of this position. Overtime and/or emergency overtime may be required.
  • Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station. The employee may be required to travel on military and commercial aircraft.
  • This position is designated as a key position IAW AFI 36-507. Duties of this position are essential to the accomplishment of wartime/contingency operations.
  • Incumbents of key positions must be removed from their military recall status if alternative for filling of the position during an emergency are not available.
  • This is a Mission Essential position performing a Mission Critical Function which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency and continued through full resumption of all functions. IAW, DoDI 3020-42, Defense Continuity Programs.
  • Must be able to obtain or maintain a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) to perform the duties of this position.
  • Information Assurance Certification is a Condition of Employment. Position includes information assurance (IA) work as a paramount duty requirement. Failure to receive the proper IA certification may result in removal from this position.
  • Per DoD 8570.01-M, the incumbent of this position must achieve the appropriate IA certification (IAM-Level II) within six months of assignment. A waiver of this six month requirement may be granted per DoD 8570.01-M, C3.2.4.2 or C3.2.4.3.
  • A valid operator's license to drive a motor vehicle to and from work sites is required.
  • This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program. Employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing.
  • Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety.

Qualifications

Learn More About This Agency:
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:

  • AF DCIPS Interchange
  • AF Internal Employee
  • DoD Transfer (Excluding Air Force)
  • EO 13473 Appointment of Certain Military Spouses
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Employee
  • Military Spouse Preference
  • Non-AF DCIPS Interchange
  • PPP DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians
  • PPP DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
  • PPP Mil Res (MR) and Nat Guard (NG) Pref Eligible Technician Receiving Disability Retirement
  • Veterans Employment Opportunities Act


Qualifications:
In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Group Coverage Qualification Standards for Administrative and Management Positions, to include the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the GS-0391, Telecommunications Series. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0300/telecommunications-series-0391/

EXPERIENCE: Must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade (GS-09) or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes: Applying a wide range of communications concepts, principles, and practices to manage work processes using various telecommunications devices, methods, services, and facilities; satisfying communication requirements by utilizing technical data to evaluate new devices, proposals, and innovative approaches; defining, coordinating, planning, and satisfying user requirements for telecommunications equipment, systems, or services based on operational and performance characteristics; applying a broad range of operating techniques for both standard and unique communications systems design, installation, and operational concepts; and reviewing, developing, and interpreting communications policies and procedures.

OR

EDUCATION: Must have a PH.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related. Major studies include: 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. (NOTE: YOU MUST SUBMIT COPIES OF YOUR TRANSCRIPTS)

OR

COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. (NOTE: YOU MUST SUBMIT COPIES OF YOUR TRANSCRIPTS)

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. 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:
  • Knowledge of a wide range of telecommunications theories, concepts, principles, practices, procedures, policies, standards, and operational requirements. To include basic knowledge of the Defense Red Switch Network program.
  • Knowledge of operational and performance characteristics of telecommunications equipment, systems, services, and transmission media to develop procedures/policies/practices for local use; and evaluate devises, proposals, and approaches.
  • Knowledge of associated methods and techniques such as contracting procedures/legal requirements, cost analyses, COMSEC procedures, and budgets.
  • Knowledge of basic electronics theory and operating principles, the application information assurance principles to existing and planned technology to communications requirements, and equipment interoperability and compatibility.
  • Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing to identify, direct, or coordinate actions required in providing needed service.
  • Ability to analyze/apply specialized communication methods and analytical techniques involving telecommunication systems (e.g., systems compatibility, circuits, switches, distribution, satellite linkages, and networking).
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

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

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.

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 dated within 30 days 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.

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.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.