Telecommunications Specialist

Full Job Description

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource. This position is located in any of the BLM Field Office in Arizona.

One vacancy in one of the following locations: Kingman, AZ Lake Havasu City, AZ Yuma, AZ We expect to fill 1 vacancy at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume.

No assumptions will be made about your experience.

For GS-09: You must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-07 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: programming, repairing and/or installing Digital handheld radios, mobile radios, dispatch consoles; experience in grounding telecommunications systems; experience with repairing, installing, testing network and phone cabling.

-OR- Education: A Master`s or equivalent graduate degree, OR two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, OR related LL.B.

or JD, if related with a major field study in the following- 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 this position.

(Note: You must attach a copy of your transcript.) -OR- A combination of specialized experience and education.

Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify.

For GS-11:You must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-09 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: evaluating, analyzing, developing, managing, or improving communications systems, procedures, and requirements that demonstrated experience in programming, repairing and installing Digital hand held radios, mobile radios, very high frequency (VHF) repeaters; dispatch consoles; experience in grounding telecommunications systems; experience with repairing, installing, testing LANs, and routing networks and phone cabling; and experience with standardized equipment, and processes that will be used to obtain services from contractor.

-OR-Education: 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 with a major field study in the following- electrical or electronic engineering, mathematics, physics, public utilities, statistics, computer science, telecommunications management, information systems management, business administration, industrial management, or other fields as defined in the vacancy announcement.

(Note: You must attach a copy of your transcript.) -OR- A Combination of specialized experience and education: Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify.

Physical Demands: The work is mostly sedentary, although there shall be a continual requirement to work in the field requiring the installation and maintenance of communication equipment.

Considerable and strenuous physical exertion is required to work in high elevations up to 12,000 feet on antenna supporting structures up to 150 feet above the ground, and in inclement weather conditions.

Other demands such as the frequent climbing, considerable walking, climbing, bending, pulling and heavy lifting of equipment weighing over 50 pounds is required for the installation, loading and transporting of communications equipment in the field.

May be required to climb towers.

Work Environment:The tower climbing work is performed under variable and unpredictable working conditions in many locations, sometimes in inclement weather and at high altitudes.

The incumbent will also be exposed to radio frequency hazards, high voltages, noise, and slippery and uneven surfaces. It also includes working in voice and data equipment rooms and computer rooms.

Travel to field/remote communications sites in the desert, mountains, mud, and snow using 4x4 vehicles, snowmobiles, 4-wheel all-terrain vehicles or aircraft is required.

The incumbent will comply in utilizing all appropriate safety and personal protective equipment, policies, and procedures. Major Duties:

• Performs technical and analytical work involving the planning, procurement, installation, and maintenance of field communication equipment and systems for Bureau of Land Management and other partner agencies.
• Conduct studies and review results of radio and data communications usage, resolve complex field communication problems, and prepare specifications and requirements for proposals and contracts.
• Review bids for vendor availability, and monitor vendor performance. troubleshoot field communication hardware and software problems for users.
• Manage the programming and installation of field communications hardware and software for all users throughout assigned area and law enforcement personnel from other Department of the Interior agencies.
• Develop detailed plans based on long-term plans and objectives, results of special surveys and studies, and user requirements, for telecommunications and weather collection systems, equipment, and services
• Resolves complex telecommunications and data collections problems, such as linking incompatible equipment and systems and linking different kinds of voice and/or data requirements through automated processors and modems.
• Climb communication towers to provide installation and maintenance of antennas and feedlines supporting radio system equipment installed at various locations.
• Responsible for radio frequency management within assigned area(s) including preparing new requests and maintain records for existing radio frequency authorizations and radio frequency use authorizations.
• Responsible for maintaining and troubleshooting local area network (LAN) equipment associated with field communications equipment.
• Responsible for performing radio encryption tasks including key loading, key management, and rekeying.