Electronics Engineer (Field Agent)

Full Job Description

This position is in the Enforcement Bureau (EB), Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Candidates may work at one of the following, possible EB field offices: Atlanta, GA Boston, MA Chicago, IL Dallas, TX New Orleans, LA New York, NY Portland, OR RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID.

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

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.

Applicants must meet all qualification requirements as documented in Parts A & B by the closing date of this announcement.

Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification Requirements Part A-Education Degree Professional Engineering.

To view qualifying educational requirements and/or combination of education and specialized experience click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf If you are qualifying based on positive education, please provide a copy of your college transcript.

The transcript may be unofficial or photocopy at time of application, but MUST provide the original if selected. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S.

Department of Education in order to receive credit towards qualifications.

Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly.

If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.

AND PART B-Specialized Experience GS-7 In order to be deemed as qualified for the GS-7 Electronics Engineer position, applicants may qualify by education or specialized experience or a combination of both education and specialized experience.

Education: 1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement OR Specialized Experience: Applicants must have a minimum of one-year specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 in the Federal service.

For this position, specialized experience includes the following: performing junior level engineering tasks such as assisting with the resolution of radio frequency (RF) issues.

GS-9 GS-9 Specialized Experience: Applicants must have a minimum of one-year specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 in the Federal service.

For this position, specialized experience includes the following: performing intermediate level engineering tasks such as performing tests, measurements, calculations and other similar work involved in radio frequency (RF) engineering, broadcast engineering, or telecommunications engineering.

OR Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Electrical/Electronic Engineering.

OR Have a combination of education and experience.

GS-11 GS-11 Specialized Experience: Applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 in the Federal service.

For this position, specialized experience includes the following: assisting in and conducting a broad range of technical radio frequency (RF) engineering studies and special projects; preparing written summaries and analyses of engineering facts and developing recommendations for resolution of problems; and analyzing and evaluating RF engineering and technical data.

OR Education: Have 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR Have a combination of education and experience.

GS-12 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: interpreting and applying engineering rules, regulations, and policies; performing engineering analysis and studies concerning wireless communications issues; operating RF test, measurement and monitoring equipment used to locate and identify RF interference sources; interacting with individuals at all levels of authority; and drafting reports based on technical data gathered.

GS-13 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: performing comprehensive investigations of unauthorized or unlawful radio operation and comprehensive inspections of all classes and types of installations employing RF energy; and fluent in antenna theory, propagation, wireless geolocation techniques, and signal characterization.

You will be evaluated for this position on the following Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other characteristics (KSAOs): Knowledge of the concept, principles, and practices of electronic engineering.

Skill in comprehensive inspections and monitoring all classes and types of installations employing Radio Frequency energy and wireless communications.

Ability to interact with individuals at all levels of authority. Skill in communicating in writing with a wide range of individuals on many organizational levels.

YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A WRITING SAMPLE AT THE TIME OF AN INTERVIEW (if selected). Ability to perform complex engineering analysis and studies. Skill in enforcing regulations.

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

The incumbent resolves Radio Frequency (RF) interference, educates users, and enforces regulations. Investigates all services for violations of Title 47, U.S.

Code, Section 301, unlicensed operations of radio transmitting equipment. Performs and directs fieldwork in matters of importance to communications involving safety of life and property.

Serves as a point of contact for FCC licensees including the U.S. Government in matters of fixed and mobile radio direction-finding and interference resolution.

Participates in unique enforcement and engineering projects that have regional or national applications.

Operates and understands all technical equipment typically used in the Field including RF spectrum analyzers, field strength meters, RF Field survey meters, and radio receivers.

Maintains contacts with and assists other Federal agencies, foreign counterparts, and local law enforcement organizations concerning interaction and utilization of the radio spectrum for both authorized and unauthorized activities.

Initiates Official Notices of Violation, Warnings, Notices of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, and other orders to radio operators and licensees, to bring unsatisfactory or violative conditions to their attention as a result of monitoring, investigations and inspections.

Independently initiates correspondence or other communications with complainants and radio users concerning the enforcement functions of the office and region.

Participates in regional emergency planning meetings, serves as the local expert in emergency communications restoration, participates in FEMA conducted training exercises and is able to serve on ESF-2 task force and deployments as necessary.

Participates and assists in planning of Bureau enforcement and compliance workshops for persons associated with the various industries and radio services the Commission regulates.

Operates a sport utility vehicle in conjunction with travel and routine field activities. May be required to operate SUV under adverse weather conditions and during hours of darkness.

Field work may require lifting objects or equipment over 25 lbs.

The incumbent may be required to perform investigations out of the office several days per week (returning to their duty station the same day.) The incumbent may also be required to perform consecutive days of overnight travel on average once a month.

Occasionally the incumbent may have to perform official overnight travel more often and on consecutive weeks. The incumbent's personal schedule can often be considered when scheduling overnight travel.

The incumbent is expected to serve as the “as-requested” agent an average of 5 times per year over weekends and holidays to address public safety issues and emergency harmful radio interference.