Electronics Engineer

Summary This position is in the Enforcement Bureau, Office of the Field Director, Region 3, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) located in Los Angeles, California. RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID. THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL POSITIONS WITHIN 90 DAYS. Responsibilities Summary: Positions are in the following Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Enforcement Bureau, Office of the Field Director, Region 3, Los Angeles, California (LA Office) 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. TRAVEL REQUIRED 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. Requirements 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. Education-Transcripts Required Security Clearance Required Drug Testing Required. Please note your resume must thoroughly support your responses to the vacancy questions. Your resume is an integral part of the process for determining if you meet the basic qualifications of the position and determining if you are to be among the best qualified. ALL CURRENT/FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND CURRENT FCC EMPLOYEES MUST provide a legible Personnel Action, SF-50, that verifies your status and highest permanently held grade. If an SF-50 is not submitted, the application will be rated as ineligible. CURRENT FCC EMPLOYEES-To request a copy of your SF-50 please send an email to PersonnelRecordsRequest@fcc.gov Qualifications 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. Candidates must meet all qualification requirements (for each grade level) as described below in order to be deemed as qualified (at each grade level). GS-9 GS-9 Specialized Experience: Applicants must have a minimum of one-year specialized experience which includes 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 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 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 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 geo-location 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. 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. Education Degree Professional Engineering. To view qualifying educational requirements and/or combination of education and specialized experience click on the following link: pm.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: d.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. 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. *NOTE-This position is in the bargaining unit. The exclusive representative is NTEU Chapter 209.