Emergency Telecommunications Specialist

Global Support and Development is seeking to hire an Emergency Telecommunications (ETC) Specialist within our Programs section. The position is full‑time, fixed‑term and will end on December 18, 2026. Reporting to the Senior Manager of National Response System Effectiveness (NRSE), the ETC Specialist will be a technical leader and project manager, responsible for ensuring the successful implementation of the Response Coordination program. This is an in‑person role based in Charlotte, N.C. with significant travel to the Caribbean and Central America. The Emergency Telecommunications Specialist will support priority countries with ETC services, ensuring they are efficient, effective, and sustainable. Benefits Up to 25 days of accrued vacation Up to 80 hours of annual sick leave Up to 80 hours of Military Pay and 30 Days Differential Medical, Dental and Vision (GSD covers monthly premium) Group Life and AD&D Coverage (GSD covers monthly premium) Retirement (Pre and Post Tax Options) and a Company Match Matches on Qualified 529 Plans Up to 14 Paid Holidays Responsibilities Serve as the lead ETC Engineer for the Response Coordination Strategy, overseeing emergency telecommunications (Radio and Satellite) and critical IT infrastructure, developing scalable solutions and building local capacity. Lead the assessment, design and implementation of essential IT infrastructure, including data centers, server architecture, network security, and cloud solutions to support humanitarian operations. With key partners, identify, assess and prioritize areas impeding the reliability and resilience of essential telecommunications infrastructure in GSD prioritized areas of operations. Improve the preparedness of national and local authorities and their key partners to strengthen response readiness and local capacity based on best practices. Use sound project management approaches to support management, oversight, measurement and reporting of GSD‑supported ETC projects. Collaborate with the Innovation team to facilitate the provision of high‑quality, appropriate technology solutions and foster a culture of innovation to deliver quality services for key national authorities. Coordinate with relevant regional bodies in accordance with Partnership protocols, including but not limited to CDEMA and CARILEC. Manage and coordinate a network of in‑region specialists and consultants, providing technical guidance, project oversight and mentoring. Act in accordance with GSD’s core values of accountability, humility and integrity. Promote good stewardship of financial and other resources to achieve maximum benefit to those impacted by disasters. Perform other duties as assigned. Qualifications Required Experience: Ten (10) or more years of relevant work experience in emergency telecommunications, preferably in the humanitarian sector. Five (5) or more years experience operating in emergency telecommunications in an international context. Proven experience designing and managing sustainable projects in accordance with international project management standards; project management certification is a plus. Professional experience in an international, humanitarian context running large Telecom/ICT Support Operations, with proficiency in the basic use of various types of communications equipment (including mobile radios VHF, UHF, HF and IP Radio, satellite phones, BGAN, LANs and WANs); and also involving emergency response operations for ETC. Five (5) years of experience in the design, installation, configuration and troubleshooting of a wide range of communications and IT infrastructure systems, including IP networks (LAN/WLAN/WAN), server administration (Microsoft and Linux), VoIP/Unified Communications, cybersecurity protocols, and experience configuring smart phones of various operating systems. Five (5) years of experience in installing and programming HF base and mobile stations and VHF/UHF analog and digital portable, mobiles and base stations and repeaters, along with troubleshooting and maintaining radio equipment and networks. Two (2) years of experience in installing, configuring and troubleshooting analog and digital PABXs and IPBXs/VoIP/Unified communications systems. Experience in cybersecurity a plus. Demonstrated experience working and leading technical projects in the Caribbean region is highly preferred, with a strong understanding of the unique logistical, cultural and infrastructure challenges present in this area. Additional vocational/on‑the‑job training and participation in field deployment exercises are a plus. Education: Master of Science or Engineering in Telecommunications Network Systems, IT/Computer networks, Information Systems Management or Computer Science applications preferred; or Equivalent education and experience. Professional Licenses/Certifications: Part107 License is desired. ITIL3 certification is desired. Certification in project management is desired. Knowledge/Skills: Proven ability to produce quality results within challenging timeframes and ongoing change. Program oversight and management, development of programmatic policy, procedure and guidelines. Ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously under pressure. Proven ability to manage contractors and consultants’ field work, with the ability to develop the skills of local staff and consultants in diverse cultural contexts. Cultural awareness and ability to work collaboratively with a wide array of stakeholders to build relationships. Proficiency with basic office software (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Docs, etc.). Advanced knowledge of IT infrastructure best practices, including network architecture, data security and disaster recovery planning. Proficiency in coordinating teams of various backgrounds and ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously under pressure. Superior organizational skills, the ability to shift tasks rapidly, be self‑motivated, and have excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentation ability. Fluency in written and spoken English required; fluency in Spanish highly desired. Excellent organizational skills and the ability to rapidly shift tasks. Working Conditions and Physical Requirements GSD is not offering sponsorship and is only accepting applications from persons eligible to work in the United States. Routine domestic and international travel, at times up to 50%, is required. GSD prioritizes the safety, security and well‑being of all staff members. All employees are expected to follow strict safety protocols, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as required and adherence to safety regulations (maritime and other), to mitigate risks. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and North Carolina state law, GSD will provide reasonable accommodation for a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship or a direct threat to the health and/or safety of the individual or others. These working conditions and physical demands are described to provide a clear understanding of the nature of the role, including the essential deployment responsibilities that may be necessary, to ensure that potential candidates are well‑prepared for the challenging and demanding nature of disaster response work. GSD is not able to reasonably predict when or whether it will become necessary to deploy an employee in this position for disaster response work. Such decisions are made as circumstances arise to meet organizational needs, and employees in this role are therefore expected to be able to fulfill disaster response work responsibilities. Working Conditions During Non‑Deployment Periods Work is performed in an office setting and is generally sedentary, but may involve movement (e.g., walking, standing or otherwise being mobile throughout the office) for brief periods of time. Ability to use hands, reach and independently lift and move items weighing up to 20pounds, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Ability to bend and stoop. Ability to sit and view a computer screen for extended periods of time. Ability to demonstrate manual dexterity to operate computer and other office equipment. Ability to communicate effectively with others. Working Conditions During Deployment Periods (Including Rapid Response) May be regularly exposed to and required to work in varying outdoor weather conditions, including extreme heat or cold, heavy rainfall and other extreme weather events. May be required to engage in irregular travel and/or work schedules, which may include extended hours exceeding 8 or 12 hours in a day for prolonged periods outside the control of the individual. While wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) which is required and provided by GSD: Work may be conducted near moving mechanical parts, which could include exposure to loud noises. Work may be conducted near and include potential exposure to fumes, airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals; or Work may be conducted in areas that include exposure to the risk of electrical shock or vibration. Ability to obtain necessary travel documents and fulfill any other travel requirements (including an active passport, visa requirements, vaccinations, etc.). This role may include deployments to support natural disaster response efforts within hazardous, dynamic, and unstable environments (economically/environmentally) in pre‑ and post‑ disaster scenarios, which could include, among other conditions: lack of access to medical care, exposure to critical incidents (including severe injury, death, traumatic encounters, and/or mental strain), and uncommon sleeping arrangements (i.e. not in a hotel, could include close living quarters and cohabitation). GSD’s nutritional environment contains milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat products. Ability to make dietary accommodations may be limited. Potential exposure to food‑borne allergens. Employees may be required to work upon our Humanitarian Vessel for up to 30 consecutive days. The vessel’s working environment entails performing in conditions inherent to vessel travel, including but not limited to: steep and narrow stairs and living spaces, close quarters including cohabitation, sharp surfaces, metal gangways and ladders, heavy doors, European‑type plugs and wiring (220‑240V, 60Hz) which cannot support all American appliances, in addition to bright and flashing lights, loud noises, nuts and shellfish exposure, poor weather, movements which can trigger motion sickness, and/or limited access to hospital / definitive care. This setting involves various sea conditions, including but not limited to rough seas, adverse weather and potential for sea sickness. Physical Demands During Non‑Deployment Periods Ability to perform work indoors in an office environment. Ability to work a varied schedule to complete projects and meet deadlines in response to changing demands. Ability to travel to attend meetings, industry or professional association conferences and stay overnight as required. Physical Demands During Deployment Periods Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for up to 50% of the time. Ability to regularly engage in manual dexterity. Essential physical requirements (depending on job description requirements) may also include climbing, balancing, reaching or stretching, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling. Ability to frequently move, lift, push, pull, carry items weighing up to 20pounds for various needs. Ability to observe details at a close range (within a few feet of the observer) and the ability to communicate information and ideas so that others will understand (must also be able to exchange accurate information in these situations). Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. This job description reflects an assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Other duties and tasks may be assigned to this job at GSD’s discretion. Work Authorization Requirements GSD participates in E‑Verify, an internet‑based system that allows employers to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. E‑Verify is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. Our participation in E‑Verify is in compliance with federal law and is limited to the use of E‑Verify for employment eligibility verification only. We do not use E‑Verify to pre‑screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents presented for use on the FormI‑9. Notwithstanding, employment is conditional upon validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). This job description is a summary rather than a detailed list of the duties performed. The essential functions, knowledge, skills and working conditions may change along with business needs. This job description does not constitute a contract between employer and employee as employment is at will. Global Support and Development provides reasonable accommodations to assist qualified individuals in order to perform the essential functions their job requires. Equal Opportunity Employer Statement GSD is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and embraces all candidates regardless of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), nation of origin, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military/veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law. GSD promotes diversity, equity and inclusion in all candidate selections. #J-18808-Ljbffr gsdngo