Telecommunications Specialist

Summary This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Aviation Division. This position(s) primary purpose is to serves as the technical expert in the areas of covert surveillance, tracking, and interception to assist Special Agents, personnel internal or external to the agency, and across the DEA world-wide with investigative operations by researching, modernizing, testing, evaluating and integrating the use of electronic communications aerial surveillance equipment. Responsibilities As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service. As a Telecommunications Specialist your typical work assignments may include: Participating in sensitive covert activities requiring the installation and recovery of electronic devices. Tracking and intercepting surveillance to assist personnel with investigative operations by integrating the use of electronic communications equipment. Designing and modifying large and diverse inventory of highly specialized state-of-the-art electronics used in surveillance and information gathering activities to support criminal investigations and prosecutions. Participating in maintenance of covert and concealed surveillance equipment. Analyzing networks, including radio frequency-based (e.g., cellular, radio, Wi-Fi) and internet protocol-based, to determine the best technological approach (i.e. electronic surveillance, communication, and interception) to use in support of an investigative operations. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet the Individual Occupational Requirement AND Specialized Experience requirements as noted below. Qualification claims will be subject to verification. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirement Education: Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- 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. Other Education: Communications/electronics or automatic data processing training in technical institutes or business schools above the high school level or in Armed Forces schools that included advanced instruction in addition to basic courses, may be substituted for general experience on a month-for-month basis. OR Specialized Experience: Experience in evaluating, analyzing, developing, managing, or improving communications systems, procedures, and requirements that demonstrated knowledge of current developments and trends in communications concepts and technology. AND You may qualify at the GS-12 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector, which demonstrates experience performing: 1) Using and applying sensitive state-of-the art telecommunications equipment, applications, and computer systems that are used to track, monitor, and intercept radio and digital data signals for active surveillance; 2) Advising on the proper use of highly sophisticated telecommunications equipment and devices for use in active agency operations; 3) Configuring, installing, maintaining, and repairing telecommunications equipment; 4) Assisting in the planning and coordinating technical operations requiring covert tactics and strategies to maintain anonymity during criminal investigations; and, 5) Evaluating new or prototype telecommunication systems, computer applications, or other technologies before utilizing them into agency operations. You may qualify at the GS-13 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector, which demonstrates experience performing:1) Using and applying sensitive state-of-the art telecommunications equipment, applications, and computer systems that are used to track, monitor, and intercept radio and digital data signals for active surveillance; 2) Advising on the proper use of highly sophisticated telecommunications equipment and devices for use in active agency operations; 3) Configuring, installing, maintaining, and repairing telecommunications equipment; 4) Planning and coordinating technical operations requiring covert tactics and strategies to maintain anonymity during criminal investigations; and, 5) Evaluating new or prototype telecommunication systems, computer applications, or other technologies before utilizing them into agency operations. Competencies: Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competencies in the following areas: Network Management Technical Problem Solving Technology Application Technology Awareness Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement (as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F). Education This position requires specific coursework and/or a degree to meet the basic education requirement. You must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Your transcript(s) must clearly demonstrate the course(s) listed in the qualification requirement section. If the transcript(s) does not clearly demonstrate this you must submit a copy of the course description and/or other documentation demonstrating that the courses are equivalent. If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, DEA requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation (Critical-Sensitive/Top Secret, Special-Sensitive/Top Secret, or Non-critical Sensitive/Secret). This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. DEA committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. EEO POLICY STATEMENT Veterans' Preference: Certain veterans are eligible to apply as a status candidate under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA). View Feds Hire vets for more information on veterans' preference see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/. Current or Former Political Appointees: 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. Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP): This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 80 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp Additional selections may be made beyond the total number of vacancies specified using this vacancy announcement. Further selections may also be made for additional organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above. Incentives may be authorized; however, this is contingent upon funds availability and approval. Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid. The incentives may include the following: superior qualifications appointment, and creditable service for annual leave for prior non-federal work experience or prior uniformed military service, etc.