USAJOBS - Job Announcement

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This position is located in the Federal Communications Commission, Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau, Operations and Emergency Management Division, High Frequency Direction Finding Center (HFDF) in Columbia, Maryland.

RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID.

THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL POSITIONS WITHIN 90 DAYS.

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Reviewing applications

Open & closing dates

07/15/2022 to 08/15/2022
Salary

$89,834 - $138,868 per year
Pay scale & grade

GS 12 - 13
Location
- Columbia, MD 1 vacancy
Telework eligible

Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required

Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed

No
Appointment type

Permanent
Work schedule

Full-time - This is a full-time position. Work schedules, including telework, are at the discretion of the supervisor, consistent with agency policy and reentry planning.
Service

Competitive
Promotion potential

13
Job family (Series)

0391 Telecommunications
Supervisory status

No
Security clearance

Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test

Yes
Announcement number

DEU-PSHS-2022-005
Control number

665764100

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Clarification from the agency

Open to all U.S. Citizens AND MERIT PROMOTION (MP) - STATUS CANDIDATES and NON-COMPETITIVE ELIGIBLES. MP candidates include Federal Employees, Agency Employees, competitive Reinstatement eligibles, VEOA, CTAP and ICTAP. Individuals eligible for non-competitive appointment under special appointing authorities may also apply for consideration (e.g. Individuals with Disabilities; Veterans [VRA, 30% Disabled]; former Peace Corps, AmeriCorps or Vista). Indicate how you wish to be considered.

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The incumbent performs "watch duty" and serves as a technical authority providing technical assistance and guidance to communication systems users to resolve radio interference complaints and problems; and collects radio signal analysis information. Uses radio signal analysis equipment deployed throughout the United States to collect, correlate, analyze, characteristics of radio signals involved in interference problems, distress or safety-related signals or other radio signals involved in other high priority activities such as law enforcement or national defense, to include HF, VHF, and UHF. Collects radio signal analysis information; analyzes complaints, inquires, and comments from multiple sources; investigates compliances with the Commission's rules and regulations; and determines the appropriate actions utilizing FCC's remote high frequency network of radio direction finders and radio signal analysis equipment. Develops definitive technical solutions concerning telecommunications system architectures, interoperability, expansion potential, and overall end-to-end compatibility and net centricity. Interacts with public, licensees of various radio services, private industries, other government agencies, and representatives of foreign governments. Represents the Bureau in meetings within and outside the agency. Conducts formal and on-the-job training of co-workers, new recruits, clients, and USTTI participants.

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Conditions of Employment

Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
US Citizenship.
May serve a one year probationary period (if applicable)
Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
If selected, a financial disclosure statement may be required.
Drug Testing Required.

Please note your resume must thoroughly support your responses to the vacancy questions. Your resume is an integral part of the process for determining if you meet the basic qualifications of the position and determining if you are to be among the best qualified.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Current Federal employees asking to be considered under Merit Promotion procedures must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Candidates must meet all of the specialized experience requirements outlined below in order to be deemed as qualified.

GS-12 Specialized Experience: Applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 in the Federal service. For this position, specialized experience includes the following:

Experience with High Frequency spectrum to include propagation characteristics and frequency selection; experience with High Frequency Direction Finding to include skywave and ground techniques; experience with radio communication including modulation characteristics, frequency selection and proper monitoring techniques; experience with basic investigative techniques and tools for radio traffic analysis; and experience analyzing High Frequency specific data.

GS-13 Specialized Experience: Applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 in the Federal service. For this position, specialized experience includes the following:

Applying investigative techniques for radio traffic analysis; applying principles and methods of radio frequency propagation (e.g. HF and/or VHF, UHF); analyzing spectrum occupancy figures and geographic features(e.g. fixed and mobile radio stations, radar, navigational aids, satellite links, terrestrial microwave and trunking systems); and translating radio communication including modulation characteristics, frequency selection and proper monitoring techniques.

You will be evaluated for this position on the following Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other characteristics (KSAOs):

Ability to resolve complaints in writing concerning high frequency radio direction finders and radio signals.
Knowledge of HF communications systems and associated interference mitigation/resolution techniques.
Ability to review information from several sources to draw a conclusion.
Knowledge of a wide range of tools or equipment for communications technology.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: 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.

Additional information

EEO Policy Statement

Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement

Veterans Information

Legal and Regulatory Guidance

Before hiring, an agency will ask you to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. The agency will also ask you to sign and certify the accuracy of all the information in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be fined or jailed. If you are a male over age 18 who was born after December 31, 1959, you must have registered with the Selective Service System (or have an exemption) to be eligible for a Federal job.

Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.

*NOTE-This position is in the bargaining unit. The exclusive representative is NTEU Chapter 209.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

The FCC offers a wide range of employee benefits, including:

Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Dental & Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Long-Term Care Insurance
Holidays and Leave
Retirement
Thrift Savings Plan
Transit Benefit
Alternative Work Schedule
Telecommuting

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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

As this position is being advertised under DEU and Merit Promotion hiring procedures, applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience and education relevant to the duties of the position using the hiring procedures outlined below.

How You Will Be Evaluated-DEU Hiring Procedures

The FCC determines the BEST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES based on the major job related competencies and evaluation of your knowledge, skills, and abilities reflected in your application and supporting documents using the CATEGORY RATING PROCESS. Time in grade restrictions do not apply to DEU hiring procedures.

All eligible applicants under Delegated Examining (DEU) will be placed in one of the following three categories:

1. Highly Qualified (Score 90-100) - the applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a superior level of major job related competencies and possession of all evaluation criteria;

2. Fully Qualified (Score 80-89) - the applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level of major job related competencies and possession of the evaluation criteria; and

3. Minimally Qualified (Score of 70-79)- the applicants possessing only the specialized experience described in the vacancy announcement. An automated score is administered based on the on-line application process used.

Eligible applicants will receive a numerical rating based on their responses to the job specific questions for this position. Application of Veterans Preference: The category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have compensable service-connected disability at least 10 percent MUST be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.

A selecting official may make selection from the highest quality category ("HIGHLY QUALIFIED") provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in the same category. Qualified disabled veterans (30% disabled veterans and at least 10% disabled veterans) who meet the qualification criteria float to the top of the Highly Qualified category and by law must be referred over non-veterans. Non-veterans are strictly prohibited from being referred or selected over qualified disabled veterans.

There are several parts to the application process that affect the overall evaluation of your application including:

1. the core questions
2. the vacancy questions
3. supplemental documentation (e.g., DD-214, SF-50, SF-15, transcripts), if applicable; and
4. your resume.

Applicants will be rated ineligible, if they do not respond to job specific questions, provide supplemental documents and submit resume. For more information, please click on Rating Process.

Merit Promotion Procedures

Applicants under Merit Promotion will be considered in accordance with the agency's merit promotion plan and union agreement. Time in grade restrictions apply.

Under Merit Promotion procedures, applicants must meet the qualifications criteria and receive a score of 90 or above in order to be deemed as BEST QUALIFIED. Candidates who ask to be considered non-competitively only have to receive a score of 70.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

The FCC offers a wide range of employee benefits, including:

Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Dental & Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Long-Term Care Insurance
Holidays and Leave
Retirement
Thrift Savings Plan
Transit Benefit
Alternative Work Schedule
Telecommuting

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

Your resume must clearly document how you meet the specialized experience in order to meet the minimum qualification requirements for this vacancy. Some positions require supplemental document(s). All required supporting documents MUST be received by midnight U.S. Eastern Time of the closing date of the announcement, as specified in this announcement. If you do not submit a required document (e.g. transcripts, etc.) your application will be considered incomplete and you will not receive further consideration. Additionally, you may not receive the special consideration, e.g. Vet's Preference, for which you may be eligible without the appropriate supporting documentation.

Once you apply to this vacancy you will be prompted by the system to upload the documents. If you are unable to upload the required documentation, contact the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement prior to 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.

Electronic Supplemental Documents Required:

1. When the area of consideration is "Government-Wide" or "All U.S. Citizens." current Federal employees, including those eligible for noncompetitive transfer or reassignment, must provide an electronic copy of Personnel Action, SF-50, that verifies your status and highest permanently held grade along with your most recent annual performance appraisal.

2. If applying for consideration under a non-competitive appointment such as Schedule A, Excepted Service, all documentation establishing your non-competitive eligibility must be provided.

3. Veterans MUST upload and submit a Member 4 DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty" or a "Statement of Active Service". The type of discharge must be annotated. Disabled veterans MUST upload and submit the VA letter and/or Schedule A letter which demonstrates the overall percentage of disability. Any/all documentation verifying or confirming veterans preference or non-competitive eligibility as a veteran must be uploaded and submitted electronically at the time of application. If veterans preference is claimed but the appropriate documentation is not provided to substantiate the veterans preference claim, the veterans status will be adjusted to reflect "non-veteran".

4. College Transcripts (For Positive Education Required positions and if qualifying based on education and or experience and education.), if applicable. For positions which require education as a qualifying factor, transcripts MUST BE SUBMITTED. If the transcript is not submitted, the application will be rated as ineligible.

5. Required Documentation for CTAP and ICTAP eligibles:

1. An SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or other official documentation, which shows that you were declared displaced or surplus while serving as a career or career conditional competitive service employee, in tenure group 1 or 2, OR are a current or former Executive Branch agency employee in the excepted service serving on an appointment without time limit, at grade levels GS-15 or equivalent and below, and who has been conferred noncompetitive appointment eligibility and special selection priority by statute for positions in the competitive service.

2. An SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or other official documentation which shows the position you may be or are being separated from has the same or higher promotion potential as that of the vacancy.

CTAP eligibles must submit:

A copy of your Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice; a notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area
A Certificate of Expected Separation
Your agency's certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice of eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice)

ICTAP eligibles must submit:

A copy of your RIF separation notice; a notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area
An OPM notice that your disability annuity has been (or will be) terminated
Certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a compensable injury or Certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for a disability retirement and will receive the special OPM annuity.
A copy of a current (or last) performance rating of record of at least fully successful or equivalent (not required if you are an ICTAP eligible due to compensable injury or disability retirement).

For more information on CTAP and ICTAP download a copy of The Employee's Guide to Career Transition at http://archive.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.pdf

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

To apply to this announcement go to the website: https://fcc.usajobs.gov/

Your application, including resume, all supplemental documents, registration information and answers to job specific questions must be received no later than midnight U.S. Eastern time of the closing date. For more information on applying federal jobs, please check this webpage https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Main_Page.

If applying online poses a hardship, you may contact either the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement or you may contact the Monster Government Solutions help desk (prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement) via e-mail at mgshelp@monster.com or you may reach them directly at 866-656-6831. The Monster Help Desk is available Monday-Friday 7:00 am to 7:00 pm EST.

Qualified applicants may be further reviewed and rated by Subject Matter Experts to determine the validity of on-line question.

The Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) are programs designed to afford selection priority to well-qualified Federal employees who meet the definition of a “surplus” or “displaced” employee.

To be eligible for consideration under CTAP you must meet all of the following criteria:

1) Be a current FCC employee who has received an official notice stating that your position is no longer needed, or that you will be separated by reduction in force (RIF);

2) Have a current performance rating of at least "fully successful" or equivalent as substantiated by the submitted/uploaded performance appraisal. This must be submitted with your application package;

3) Occupy a position in the same local commuting area of the vacancy;

4) Apply for a specific vacancy at or below your current grade level with no greater promotion potential than your current position;

5) Meet the application deadline in the announcement; and

6) Be deemed as "qualified" by meeting all of the required qualification criteria.

To be eligible for consideration under ICTAP, you must be a displaced Federal employee and have a current duty station within the local commuting area of this vacancy. You must submit a copy of the appropriate documentation such as a RIF separation notice, a letter from OPM or your agency documenting your priority consideration status with your application package. The following categories of candidates are considered displaced Employees:

Current or former career or career-conditional (tenure group I or II) competitive service employees who:

Received a specific RIF separation notice; or
Separated because of a compensable injury, whose compensation has been terminated, and whose former agency certifies that it is unable to place; or
Retired with a disability and whose disability annuity has been or is being terminated; or
Upon receipt of a RIF separation notice retired on the effective date of the RIF and submits a Standard Form 50 that indicates "Retirement in lieu of RIF", or
Retired under the discontinued service retirement option, or
Separated because he/she declined a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area.

The additional following types of candidates are considered displaced Employees:

Military/National Guard Technician--you were a Military Reserve or National Guard Technician and now receive a special OPM disability retirement annuity.

To be eligible for consideration under ICTAP you must:

1) Have a current performance rating of at least "fully successful" or equivalent;

2) Occupy (or have been separated from) a position in the same local commuting area of the vacancy;

3) Apply for a specific vacancy at or below the grade level you are being (or have been) separated from that does not have greater promotion potential than your last position;

4) Meet the application deadline; and

5) Be deemed as "qualified" by meeting all of the required qualification criteria.

To apply to this announcement go to the website: https://fcc.usajobs.gov

NOTE: To be considered for an announced vacancy in the area of consideration within which the employee is eligible to compete, the employee must apply online using the Commission’s automated recruitment system. Employees must submit all necessary application materials identified in the announcement by the specified closing date.

Agency contact information

Patrice Jefferson

Phone: 202-418-0976
Fax: 000-000-0000
Email: Patrice.Jefferson@fcc.gov
Address: Federal Communications Commission
45 L Street NE
Washington, District of Columbia 20554
United States

Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications to determine your ranking. The best-qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of the outcome.

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Help

Your resume must clearly document how you meet the specialized experience in order to meet the minimum qualification requirements for this vacancy. Some positions require supplemental document(s). All required supporting documents MUST be received by midnight U.S. Eastern Time of the closing date of the announcement, as specified in this announcement. If you do not submit a required document (e.g. transcripts, etc.) your application will be considered incomplete and you will not receive further consideration. Additionally, you may not receive the special consideration, e.g. Vet's Preference, for which you may be eligible without the appropriate supporting documentation.

Once you apply to this vacancy you will be prompted by the system to upload the documents. If you are unable to upload the required documentation, contact the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement prior to 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.

Electronic Supplemental Documents Required:

1. When the area of consideration is "Government-Wide" or "All U.S. Citizens." current Federal employees, including those eligible for noncompetitive transfer or reassignment, must provide an electronic copy of Personnel Action, SF-50, that verifies your status and highest permanently held grade along with your most recent annual performance appraisal.

2. If applying for consideration under a non-competitive appointment such as Schedule A, Excepted Service, all documentation establishing your non-competitive eligibility must be provided.

3. Veterans MUST upload and submit a Member 4 DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty" or a "Statement of Active Service". The type of discharge must be annotated. Disabled veterans MUST upload and submit the VA letter and/or Schedule A letter which demonstrates the overall percentage of disability. Any/all documentation verifying or confirming veterans preference or non-competitive eligibility as a veteran must be uploaded and submitted electronically at the time of application. If veterans preference is claimed but the appropriate documentation is not provided to substantiate the veterans preference claim, the veterans status will be adjusted to reflect "non-veteran".

4. College Transcripts (For Positive Education Required positions and if qualifying based on education and or experience and education.), if applicable. For positions which require education as a qualifying factor, transcripts MUST BE SUBMITTED. If the transcript is not submitted, the application will be rated as ineligible.

5. Required Documentation for CTAP and ICTAP eligibles:

1. An SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or other official documentation, which shows that you were declared displaced or surplus while serving as a career or career conditional competitive service employee, in tenure group 1 or 2, OR are a current or former Executive Branch agency employee in the excepted service serving on an appointment without time limit, at grade levels GS-15 or equivalent and below, and who has been conferred noncompetitive appointment eligibility and special selection priority by statute for positions in the competitive service.

2. An SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or other official documentation which shows the position you may be or are being separated from has the same or higher promotion potential as that of the vacancy.

CTAP eligibles must submit:

A copy of your Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice; a notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area
A Certificate of Expected Separation
Your agency's certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice of eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice)

ICTAP eligibles must submit:

A copy of your RIF separation notice; a notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area
An OPM notice that your disability annuity has been (or will be) terminated
Certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a compensable injury or Certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for a disability retirement and will receive the special OPM annuity.
A copy of a current (or last) performance rating of record of at least fully successful or equivalent (not required if you are an ICTAP eligible due to compensable injury or disability retirement).