Electronics Engineer

Summary

This position is at various Bureaus/Offices at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) located in Washington, DC.

RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID.

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

SELECTED CANDIDATES MAY BE APPOINTED AT THE WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU (WTB) OR THE OFFICE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (OET).

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Duties

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The incumbent of this position serves as an expert authority on next generation wireless communications technologies and applications. The incumbent is required to have an in-depth knowledge of wireless telecommunications technologies, network infrastructure and RF engineering, in order to provide guidance, direction, and development of Bureau/Office and Commission policy regarding coverage mapping, technology deployments, spectrum management, broadband and competition policy, and infrastructure development. Such knowledge should enable the incumbent to act as a technical authority with the ability to successfully resolve unique and controversial problems related to the telecommunications industry and services. The incumbent's area of specialization includes identifying and utilizing state-of-the-art technologies to enhance, integrate, and streamline engineering and technical analysis. The incumbent is responsible for engineering solutions that deliver the best value, innovation, and accuracy available regarding mobile wireless broadband technologies, network design including link budgets, propagation and coverage analysis, technology enhancements, and mobile broadband mapping. GIS mapping analysis and program skills are also necessary to perform in-depth analysis of technical issues. Scope of work includes Division, Bureau/Office, and Commission-wide technical issues and projects. The incumbent provides customized analytical engineering support, reporting and recommendations regarding the efficiency, feasibility, and technical capability of next generation technologies. All projects have a direct impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of the Bureau/Office's overall ability to assess the performance of new and innovative technologies.

Requirements

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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.
• Current/former federal employees must provide SF-50 verifying grade/status.
• Current FCC employees must provide SF-50 verifying grade & status.
• Resume must not exceed two pages and must meet resume format criteria.
• Education-Transcripts Required

See "Qualifications".

Qualifications

Interested candidates should be passionate about the ideals of our American republic, committed to upholding the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution, and committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government. Hiring decisions will not be based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

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.

QUALIFICATION CRITERIA

To be deemed as qualified, candidates must meet the qualification criteria as listed in both Part A & Part B.

PART A. REQUIRED OPM EDUCATION

Candidates must meet the OPM educational qualification standards as listed here:

Applicants are required to submit transcripts (unofficial or official) to confirm attainment of the OPM educational requirements for this position. If transcripts are not submitted, the application will be rated as ineligible.

PART B. ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION CRITERIA

GS-14

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

1) Experience in providing engineering and technical advice on issues related to telecommunications technologies and policy;

2) Experience in analyzing radio frequency (RF) and broadband telecommunications technologies or applications to identify issues regarding their coverage, performance, and impacts on the use of the radio spectrum;

3) Experience in conducting and reviewing a variety of radiofrequency (RF) spectrum management and telecommunications systems studies and analyses, for example, operating frequencies, power, emissions, throughput, latency, error rate, and quality of service;

4) Experience in reviewing, evaluating, writing, and providing recommendations regarding the engineering implications of legislation, rulemaking proposal, licensing applications, position papers, reports, studies, or analyses;

5) Experience in representing and communicating technical and engineering positions, through production of guidance materials, and in high-level meetings and presentations.

6) Experience supporting consequential projects and/or contracts with deadlines and milestones, including familiarity with system troubleshooting, support, development, and maintenance.

GS-15

Specialized Experience: Applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 in the Federal service. For this position, specialized experience includes the following:

1) Experience in providing engineering and technical advice on issues related to telecommunications technologies and policy;

2) Experience in analyzing radio frequency (RF) and broadband telecommunications technologies or applications to identify issues regarding their coverage, performance, and impacts on the use of the radio spectrum;

3) Experience in directing, conducting and reviewing a variety of radiofrequency (RF) spectrum management and telecommunications systems studies and analyses, for example, operating frequencies, power, emissions, throughput, latency, error rate, and quality of service;

4) Experience in reviewing, evaluating, writing, and providing recommendations regarding the engineering implications of legislation, rulemaking proposals, licensing applications, position papers, reports, studies, or analyses;

5) Experience in providing guidance to management regarding complex engineering and regulatory issues;

6) Experience in representing and communicating technical and engineering positions, through production of guidance materials, and in high-level meetings and presentations.

7) Experience managing consequential projects and/or contracts with deadlines and milestones, including familiarity with system troubleshooting, support, development, and maintenance.

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.

SME REVIEW

Subject matter experts will be conducting a competency based, scored structured resume review and will be reviewing resumes to determine if candidates meet the required specialized experience criteria to determine which candidates are eligible to be referred for selection to the selecting official. Candidates must meet the required specialized experience criteria and receive a score of 93 or higher on the scored structured resume review to be eligible for referral to the selecting official.

COMPETENCIES

• Skill providing engineering and technical advice on issues related to telecommunications technologies and policy.
• Skill analyzing radio frequency (RF) and broadband telecommunications technologies or applications to identify issues regarding their coverage, performance, and impacts on the use of the radio spectrum.
• Skill conducting and reviewing a variety of radiofrequency (RF) spectrum management and telecommunications systems studies and analyses, for example, operating frequencies, power, emissions, throughput, latency, error rate, and quality of service.
• Skill reviewing, evaluating, writing, and providing recommendations regarding the engineering implications of legislation, rulemaking proposal, licensing applications, position papers, reports, studies, or analyses.
• Ability to represent and communicate technical and engineering positions, through production of guidance materials, and in high-level meetings and presentations.
• Skill supporting consequential projects and/or contracts with deadlines and milestones, including familiarity with system troubleshooting, support, development, and maintenance.
• Skill managing consequential projects and/or contracts with deadlines and milestones, including familiarity with system troubleshooting, support, development, and maintenance.

Education

If applicable, see "Qualifications".

Additional information

EEO Policy Statement

Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement

Veterans Information

Legal and Regulatory Guidance

Other:

- 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.

- If applicable, you will be required to serve a trial period of one year.

- In order for you to be employed at the FCC, there are certain Commission and Federal laws governing the financial interests of you and members of your immediate family. If selected for the position, you must submit a financial disclosure statement upon assuming the position.

In compliance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan requirements, please be advised that candidates will not be evaluated, selected or hired based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

Optional Four Essay Questions

At the time of application, applicants have the option of answering the following four short, free-response essay questions.

1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.

2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.

3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired.

4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.

Applicants will be required to certify that they are using their own words, and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]). The responses to each question cannot exceed 200 words per question.

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.

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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.