Telecommunications Specialist (CYBER), GS-0391-11/12/13

These positions are located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Coast Guard (USCG), Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber and Intelligence Service Center (C5ISC), (ESD) Engineering Services Division, RF Communications Branch, Long Range Communications, Portsmouth, VA.

You will serve as a Telecommunications Specialist (CYBER) and be responsible for planning, implementing and operating service development, engineering, delivery, support and technical expertise for long range RF communication network services/systems.

Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team. Typical work assignments include:

• Reviewing engineering change proposals involving RF communications services.
• Coordinating configuration management of RF communications products with C5ISC Product Lines.
• Managing advance procurement planning, requirements documents, market research, government cost estimates, and participate in solicitation, contract award, surveillance of contractor performance, review/inspection of deliverables, invoicing, contract modifications, contractor performance documentation and maintenance of a COR file.
• Managing long range communications systems engineering development and project execution activities.
• Providing support and technical expertise for long range communications systems to C5ISC Product Lines, to include integrated communications and encryption services.
• Generating annual budget proposals to sustain existing long range communications systems.
• Quantifying resource needs for all new long range communications systems development activities beyond sustaining a specific product and support RP development.
• Providing service development and delivery of long range communications systems to C5ISC Product Lines.
• Initiating and/or review engineering change requests for long range communications systems.
• Developing maintenance requirements for long range communications systems in accordance with established C5ISC Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) analysis and Maintenance Procedure Card (MPC) development processes and standards.

Occasional travel - This position requires occasional travel.

No

13 - This position may be filled at the GS-11, GS-12, or GS-13 grade level. Promotion potential to GS-13 if selected at a lower grade level.

• Job family (Series)

  0391 Telecommunications

• Requirements

  RequirementsConditions of Employment
  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required
  • A Secret clearance is required.

  All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. This includes Time-In-Grade requirements for current status employees applying through merit promotion procedures. Status applicants applying for a promotion must have 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade.

  Qualifications

  To qualify for the GS-11 Grade Level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience may include:

  • knowledge of radio communication equipment (e.g. satellite, microwave, UVHF/HF radio) to include configuration, maintenance and troubleshooting;
  • skill in the use of an organization’s communications media (e.g., computer and telephone networks, satellite, fiber, wireless);

  OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related

  OR a combination of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in or related to the work of this position AND graduate level education that provided the specific knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position and experience.

  To qualify for the GS-12 Grade level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the federal service. Specialized experience may include the following:

  • knowledge of aircraft and/or shipboard satellite communication and network equipment to include configuration, maintenance and troubleshooting;
  • skill in the use of an organization’s communications media (e.g., computer and telephone networks, satellite, UHF/HF radio, fiber, wireless);

  To qualify for the GS-13 Grade level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the federal service. Specialized experience may include the following:

  • Support and technical expertise for long range RF communications systems to include encryption services.
  • Experienced with System Engineering Life Cycle (SELC)
  • Led teams to develop or oversaw the development of requirements, specifications, work statements and other appropriate procurement documents for RF communication systems, equipment and/or services based on user requirements and an understanding of the underlying technology and the goals of the organization.
  • Performed market research for procurement of RF communication systems, equipment and/or services.
  • Knowledgeable in the establishment of routine and preventive maintenance used to achieve and sustain optimum performance and reliability.
  • Developed and oversaw the execution of project plans, schedules & technical installation / implementation plans to procure, configure, deploy and maintain RF communication systems.
  • Oversaw the planning, design and evaluation of projects to deploy RF communication systems to mobile units (ships, aircraft, and portable systems) nationwide or worldwide.
  • Establish and maintained capital planning budgets & accounts.
  • Proposed new policies and practices in order to resolve specific complex and/or intricate issues and problems or research trends and patterns in order develop new methods and criteria.
  • Established criteria; formulating projects; assessing program effectiveness; and/or investigating/analyzing a variety of unusual conditions, problems, or issues.
  • Served as an internal consultant and advisor in own area of technical or programmatic expertise (e.g., satellite communications, policy development, capital planning).
  • Provided leadership in the planning, design and evaluation of projects to deploy communication systems to mobile units (ships, aircraft, and portable systems) nationwide or worldwide.
  • Performed Engineering Change Proposal lead functions providing management support and technical expertise on long range RF communication systems to include: transmitters, receivers, amplifiers, antenna couplers, and antenna systems.
  • Review and evaluate effectiveness, technical adequacy, and suitability of engineering work and proposals of others developing system modifications to ensure there is no impact on performance, reliability, and maintainability.
  • Knowledgeable in plan modifications to complex subsystems or major categories of equipment to include preparing cost estimates, procedures, criteria, and specifications for systems modification and for procurement and testing of new equipment and software.
  • Created or update technical documentation and drawings to ensure technical accuracy, conformance, and maintainability of deployed systems.
  • Coordinated technical activities with external customers and support organizations representing the organization in reaching compromises and agreements with engineers and contractors.
  • Acted to ensure contractor performance meets contractual requirements; adheres to US Coast Guard policies and regulations; conforms to engineering and technical specifications; adjudicate deficiencies and discrepancies with installation documents; develop and maintain installation production schedules, review production and cost reports to ensure cost and schedule adherence; and work with installing activities to ensure on time delivery of ships' systems.

  Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.
  
  National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer 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.
  
  The Office of Personnel management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule, C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

  Education

  This position does not have a positive education requirement. If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Required Documents section for detail.
  
  FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications click here

  Additional information

  Applicants will be required to complete questions contained on the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) at the time a tentative job offer is made. Certain responses on the form could pose a problem with suitability for employment determinations. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete/make updates to the OF-306 and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, or imprisonment.
  
  DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about e-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities at click here

  Mandatory training is required which must be successfully completed and other training may occur as necessary for success in the position.

  • Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers Level I (FAC P/PM-I) or management determined equivalent within two years of entry into the position.

  Recruitment incentives may be authorized.
  
  All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit.
  
  The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
  
  More than 1 selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 45 days from the date the certificate was issued.
  
  If you need a reasonable accommodation for the application and hiring process, please contact 202-795-6305. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Visit Reasonable Accommodation

  
  
  How You Will Be Evaluated

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

  We will review your résumé and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education and training will be rated using the on-line self assessment questions that are based on the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job:

  • Knowledge of satellite-based communication systems.
  • Knowledge of capabilities and requirements analysis
  • Skill in identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system
  • Skill in the execution of projects to deploy RF communication systems to mobile units (ships, aircraft, portable systems).
  • Knowledge of information technology (IT) acquisition/procurement requirements.
  • Knowledge of concepts, terminology, and operations of a wide range of communications media (computer and telephone networks, satellite, fiber, wireless).
  • Skill in developing RF communications acquisition/procurement documents & artifacts
  • Knowledge of the acquisition/procurement life cycle process.
  • Knowledge of resource management principles and techniques
  • Knowledge of system life cycle management principles, including software security and usability
  • Ability to oversee the development and update of the life cycle cost estimate
  • Ability to evaluate/ensure the trustworthiness of the supplier and/or product
  • Ability to ensure security practices are followed throughout the acquisition process
  • Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, in order to produce highly technical reports, position papers, and briefings; resolve conflicts based on mature judgment and experience; effectively negotiate complex issues; and maintain god working relationships.

  Your resume and responses to the self-assessment questions are an integral part of the process for determining your qualifications for the position. Therefore, you must support your responses to the self-assessment questions by providing examples of past and present experience in your resume.
  
  If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.
  
  Consideration will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards as an indicator of quality of prior experience; no points will be assigned.

  
  
  To preview questions please click here.
  
  Background checks and security clearanceSecurity clearance

  Secret

  Drug test required

  No

  Position sensitivity and risk

  Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk

  Trust determination process

  Suitability/Fitness

• Required Documents

  Required Documents

  1. Resume
  2. Completed online questionnaire
  3. Current or former federal employees, submit a copy of most recent SF-50, Notice of Personnel Action, which demonstrates your eligibility for consideration, e.g., length of time you have been in your current/highest grade. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, with-in grade increases, NOT performance awards.
  4. If qualifying based on education, submit a legible copy of your unofficial college transcript from an accredited college/university. The transcript must reflect the college/university name and/or logo. Applicants are highly encouraged to proactively order a copy of their official transcripts to be delivered to their home address so transcripts will be readily available if selected. If selected, official transcripts are required prior to establishing your start date. Foreign education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet education requirements if you can show that it is comparable to education received in U.S. accredited institutions. Provide proof with your application. Please see click here.
  5. If claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), submit a copy of your agency notice, most recent performance rating and most recent SF-50, noting your current position, grade level and duty location. If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. To be considered eligible, you must be placed in the well-qualified category for this position. Please see ICTAP eligibility.
  6. If you are claiming veterans’ preference, submit the following documents. Please see Feds Hire Vets for detail.
  a. Veterans claiming 5 point veterans' preference must submit legible Member 4 Copy DD214(s) indicating Character of Service. 5-point preference will not be granted if appropriate documentation is not submitted.
  b. 30% Disabled Veterans must submit their Member Copy 4 DD-214(s), which includes Character of Service, and VA Disability Letter with percentage of disability OR documentation of disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces which reflects a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more.
  c. Other 10 point Preference Eligibles must submit applicable Member Copy 4 DD-214(s), which includes Character of Service, and provide documentation of 10 point preference described on the back of the SF-15. 10-point preference will not be granted if appropriate documentation is not submitted with your application.
  d. If you are a current active duty military member who does not have a DD214 and is claiming preference under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, submit certification from the Armed Forces indicating that you will be discharged or released under honorable conditions from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. Certifications must be on letterhead from the appropriate military branch and include: military dates of service and expected discharge or release date, character of service, military rank, type of discharge and date when terminal leave will begin. Certifications must be signed by, or by direction of military members’ military personnel offices, unit commanders or higher headquarters.
  7. If requesting consideration under Executive Order 13473, you must submit proof. To confirm eligibility for appointment based on the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2019 (NDAA), submit a copy of the marriage certificate to the military member and a copy of your spouses’ active duty military orders (e.g., most recent military orders, PCS orders, etc.). Spouses of military members who are on retirement or separation PCS orders from active duty are not eligible to be appointed unless the member was injured with a 100% rating; or was released/discharged from active duty due to the member’s death while on active duty. Widows or widowers, who are not remarried, of military service members who were killed on active duty must submit a DD-1300.
  8. OPM must authorize employment offers for former or current Political Appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information. Submit proof of your former or current status, such as your SF-50. Please see here.
  All documentation as outlined above must be received by the closing date of the announcement. If you are unable to submit your documents electronically, you may fax or mail the documents. A fax cover sheet will be provided to you from the system with fax number and instructions. Required documents will also be accepted by mail and must be received by the closing date of the announcement. The mailing address is COMMANDANT (CG-123HQ), ATTN OFFICE OF CIVILIAN HUMAN RESOURCES (JOBS), US COAST GUARD, 2703 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR AVE SE STOP 7912, WASHINGTON, DC 20593-7912.

• Benefits

  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.

  DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(K)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and development opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select “Benefits”. Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

  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.

• Individuals with disabilities
• Federal employees - Competitive service

  Current or former competitive service federal employees.

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

• Land & base management

  Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.

• Military spouses
• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
• Special authorities

  Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.

• Veterans

Status Candidates, Merit Promotion, Current Federal Employees, Former Federal Employees, Overseas Employees, Former Overseas Employees, CTAP, ICTAP, VEOA, 30% Disabled, Schedule A, Individuals with Disabilities, Military Spouses, Land and Base Management, Peace Corps, Americorps, Vista For definitions of common terms found in this announcement: http://dhsconnect.dhs.gov/org/comp/mgmt/dhshr/hr/Documents/JOA_Common_Definitions.pdf