Communications Operations Specialist (Watch Officer)

Federal Communications Commission

Summary

This position is in Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, Operations and Emergency Management Division, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) located in Washington, DC.

RELOCATION EXPENSES MAY BE PAID. SHIFT WORK REQUIRED.

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

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Federal employees - Competitive service

Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.

Federal employees - Excepted service

Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Land and base management

Current or former employees of a base management agency.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Military spouses

Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.

National Guard and reserves

Current members, those who want to join or transitioning military members.

Individuals with disabilities

Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.

Family of overseas employees

Family members of a federal employee or uniformed service member who is or was, working overseas.

Native Americans

Native Americans or Alaskan Natives with a tribal affiliation.

Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista

Individuals who have served at least 2 years with the Peace Corps or 1 year with AmeriCorps VISTA.

Special authorities

Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed in another hiring path.

Clarification from the agency

Open to all U.S. Citizens AND MERIT PROMOTION (MP) - STATUS CANDIDATES and NON-COMPETITIVE ELIGIBLES. MP candidates include Federal Employees, Agency Employees, competitive Reinstatement eligibles, VEOA, CTAP and ICTAP. Individuals eligible for non-competitive appointment under special appointing authorities may also apply for consideration (e.g. Individuals with Disabilities; Veterans [VRA, 30% Disabled]; former Peace Corps, AmeriCorps or Vista). Indicate how you wish to be considered.

Duties

This position is a Communications Operations Specialist (Watch Officer) at the Federal Communications Commission Operations Center (FCCOC) located at Headquarters in Washington, DC. The Watch Officer functions as an initial point of contact for Homeland Security and National Security/Emergency Preparedness (NS/EP) matters that concern the FCC. Watch functions are performed on an around-the-clock basis on a rotating shift with other Specialists in order to maintain situational awareness of communications issues, provide immediate analysis, and assist with response efforts. The Watch Officer must investigate and analyze a variety of unusual conditions, problems, data, or questions involving the FCC. The incumbent must be capable of exercising sound judgment with minimum oversight and direction from supervisory staff. The incumbent must be capable of professionally representing the Commission to public safety stakeholder and the general public. The incumbent will field requests for assistance from a variety of stakeholders and must be highly organized and have the ability to handle multiple tasks at once. The incumbent must also have the ability to develop and document new processes that will become standard operating procedures for Specialists. The incumbent must be capable of activating and operating the FCC's alternate FCCOC site in situations involving any emergency and/or continuation of operations relocation. The position also includes operation of the FCC's High Frequency Direction Finding (HFDF) system, and other local and remote operated radio signal finding equipment to support public safety organizations as well as FCC operations. The incumbent performs research and investigative analysis on areas covering the entirety of the FCC regulatory purview. The incumbent analyzes and investigates public safety interference, complaints to land mobile, marine, and aviation licenses, and reports antenna problems that may affect aviation. S/he will write situation reports on emergencies, report infractions of Commission rules, and other policy matters for presentation to Commission staff. This includes research and analysis on critical and potentially unprecedented national communications or cyber-related issues.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
US Citizenship. Active TS/SCI security clearance required.
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.
Resume must not exceed two pages and must meet resume format criteria.
Shift work required.
Drug Testing & Security Clearance Required.

See "Qualifications".

Qualifications

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.

Candidates must meet all of the specialized experience requirements outlined below in order to be deemed as qualified.

Specialized Experience

GS-12 Specialized Experience: Applicant must possess one (1) year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 level in the federal service which involved 4 or more of the following: 1. Experience working with the Departmental/Agency/Organizational point of contact, Watch Officer or Analyst responsible for national or homeland security-related communications issues. 2. Experience serving as a member of the team responsible for operating a Departmental/Agency/Organizational alternate Crisis Management Center or Emergency Operations Center during an emergency and/or Continuity of Operations (COOP) situation. 3. Experience utilizing analytical skills and techniques to assist in identifying the impact of a disaster or crisis on communications infrastructure. 4. Experience working with radio frequency direction finding equipment. 5. Experience performing research and analysis on national security and emergency preparedness issues. 6. Experience documenting reports of interference from public safety officials and other licensees to various types of communications systems. 7. Experience preparing concisely written reports for decision-makers on complex topics.

GS-13 Specialized Experience: Applicant must possess one (1) year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 level in the federal service which involves 5 or more of the following: 1. Experience serving as the initial Departmental/Agency/Organizational point of contact, Watch Officer or Analyst responsible for national or homeland security-related communications issues. 2. Experience operating a Departmental/Agency/Organizational alternate Crisis Management Center or Emergency Operations Center during an emergency and/or Continuity of Operations (COOP) situation. 3. Experience conducting extensive analysis and investigation of reported National Security/Emergency Preparedness incidents utilizing advanced analytical procedures, methodologies and research techniques identifying the impact of a disaster or crisis on communications infrastructure and developing options to address issues. 4. Experience working with radio frequency direction finding equipment. 5. Experience initiating, planning, organizing and coordinating analysis on national security and emergency preparedness issues. 6. Experience documenting reports of interference from public safety officials and other licensees to various types of communications systems. 7. Experience preparing concisely written reports for decision-makers on complex topics and offering in-depth analysis and solutions. 8. Experience monitoring media activities nationwide and internationally and providing senior management with immediate intelligence/information to direct the Agency's response to national communications emergencies. 9. Experience working in an environment with rapidly shifting priorities or tasks, with the need to take prompt action, and report results to management.

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.

SME REVIEW

At the time of application you are required to take an external skills-based assessment which is based upon government-wide recognized competencies and consistent with OPM Merit Hiring Plan requirements and the Chance to Compete Act. Should you receive a passing score of 70 or higher, your application will be reviewed by subject matter experts to determine if you meet the OPM qualification requirements for this position.

COMPETENCIES

Knowledge and understanding of incident management and technical communications provision to perform basic investigative research and analysis and make preliminary findings that inform follow-on coordination.
Ability to provide critical, time-sensitive information and operational support during disasters, emergencies, and events of national security significance.
Ability to address public safety interference land mobile, marine and aviation licensees complaints and ability to develop reports of antenna tower problems; and other requests for assistance.
Ability to investigate and resolves communications centric complaints.
Ability to troubleshoot and resolve national and international interference problems when a radio spectrum user disrupts communications of an authorized licensee operating in accordance with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) frequency allocation.
Ability to write clearly, concisely and in an organized manner with conclusions fully supported by appropriate facts and analysis (briefings, daily logs, journals, chronologies of key events, reports and recommendations).

Education

How You Will Be Evaluated-DEU Hiring Procedures

The FCC determines the BEST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES based on the major job related competencies and evaluation of your knowledge, skills, and abilities reflected in your application and supporting documents using the CATEGORY RATING PROCESS. Time in grade restrictions do not apply to DEU hiring procedures.

All eligible applicants under Delegated Examining (DEU) will be placed in one of the following three categories:

1. Highly Qualified (Score 90-100) - the applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a superior level of major job related competencies and possession of all evaluation criteria;

2. Fully Qualified (Score 80-89) - the applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level of major job related competencies and possession of the evaluation criteria; and

3. Minimally Qualified (Score of 70-79)- the applicants possessing only the specialized experience described in the vacancy announcement. An automated score is administered based on the on-line application process used.

Eligible applicants will receive a numerical rating based on their responses to the job specific questions for this position. Application of Veterans Preference: The category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have compensable service-connected disability at least 10 percent MUST be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.

A selecting official may make selection from the highest quality category ("HIGHLY QUALIFIED") provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in the same category. Qualified disabled veterans (30% disabled veterans and at least 10% disabled veterans) who meet the qualification criteria float to the top of the Highly Qualified category and by law must be referred over non-veterans. Non-veterans are strictly prohibited from being referred or selected over qualified disabled veterans.

Merit Promotion

If you ask to be considered under Merit Promotion, you will be considered in accordance with the agency's merit promotion plan and union agreement. Time in grade restrictions apply. Under Merit Promotion procedures, applicants must meet the qualifications criteria and receive a score of 70 or above in order to be deemed as Best Qualified. Candidates who ask to be considered non-competitively also only have to receive a score of 70.

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

The FCC offers a wide range of employee benefits, including:

Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Dental & Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Long-Term Care Insurance
Holidays and Leave
Retirement
Thrift Savings Plan
Transit Benefit
Alternative Work Schedule
Telecommuting

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

As this position is being advertised under DEU and Merit Promotion hiring procedures, applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience and education relevant to the duties of the position using the hiring procedures outlined below.

In compliance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan requirements, please be advised that candidates will not be evaluated, selected or hired based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

Optional Four Essay Questions

At the time of application, applicants have the option of answering the following four short, free-response essay questions.

1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
3. How would you help advance the President’s Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.

Applicants will be required to certify that they are using their own words, and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]). The responses to each question cannot exceed 200 words per question.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

Your resume must clearly document how you meet the specialized experience in order to meet the minimum qualification requirements for this vacancy. Some positions require supplemental document(s). All required supporting documents MUST be received by midnight U.S. Eastern Time of the closing date of the announcement, as specified in this announcement. If you do not submit a required document (e.g. transcripts, etc.) your application will be considered incomplete and you will not receive further consideration. Additionally, you may not receive the special consideration, e.g. Vet's Preference, for which you may be eligible without the appropriate supporting documentation. Once you apply to this vacancy you will be prompted by the system to upload the documents. If you are unable to upload the required documentation, contact the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement prior to 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.

Merit Hiring Plan Resume Requirements

In compliance with Executive Order 14170, Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring Merit to Government Service resumes must not be longer than two pages in length. The resume must address minimum qualifications and other requirements listed in the job announcement.

Resumes must include all of the following information outlined below:

Contact Information

Name and how best to contact you, including email address and phone number.

Relevant Work Experience

Job Title and Employer (including series and grade for any Federal positions)
Start and end dates with month/year (e.g., 05/2019 –08/2022)
The number of hours you worked per week

Ensure work experience descriptions are aligned with the job announcement and address all required qualifications. Brief descriptions should demonstrate your ability to perform the tasks at the required level as stated in the job announcement.

Resumes must be formatted as outlined above. If the two page resume criteria and/or the resume formatting requirement is not met candidates will be rated as ineligible and will not be referred for hiring consideration.

The FCC is providing the following applicant resume resources:

Applicant Guidance on the Two-Page Resume Limit
USAjobs-How to Write a Federal Resume

Current or Former Federal Employees

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

ICTAP/CTAP Employees

If you are an ICTAP or CTAP eligible employee you must submit (along with your resume):

1. Copy of separation SF-50 documenting ICTAP/CTAP eligibility
2. Copy of your final federal performance appraisal
3. Copy of official Reduction in Force (RIF) notice
4. Copy of any other document which documents your eligibility for CTAP or ICTAP

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply to this announcement go to the website: https://www.usajobs.gov/Search/Results?a=FC00&k=Federal%20Communications%20Commission

Your application, including resume, all supplemental documents, registration information and answers to job specific questions must be received no later than midnight U.S. Eastern time of the closing date. For more information on applying federal jobs, please check this webpage https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/process

As outlined in the "Required Documents Details" section of the announcement, resumes must meet be no longer than two pages in length and must meet the resume formatting requirements. If applying online poses a hardship, you may contact either the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement or you may contact the Apply Government Solutions help desk (prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement) via e-mail at fedhirehelp@applygovernment.com or you may reach them directly at 866-656-6831. The Apply Government Sollutions Help Desk is available Monday-Friday 7:00 am to 7:00 pm EST. NOTE: To be considered for an announced vacancy in the area of consideration within which the employee is eligible to compete, the employee must apply online using the Commission’s automated recruitment system. Employees must submit all necessary application materials identified in the announcement by the specified closing date.

If applying as an ICTAP or CTAP candidate...

The Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) are programs designed to afford selection priority to well-qualified Federal employees who meet the definition of a “surplus” or “displaced” employee.

To be eligible for consideration under CTAP you must meet all of the following criteria:

1) Be a current FCC employee who has received an official notice stating that your position is no longer needed, or that you will be separated by reduction in force (RIF);

2) Have a current performance rating of at least "fully successful" or equivalent as substantiated by the submitted/uploaded performance appraisal. This must be submitted with your application package;

3) Occupy a position in the same local commuting area of the vacancy;

4) Apply for a specific vacancy at or below your current grade level with no greater promotion potential than your current position;

5) Meet the application deadline in the announcement; and

6) Be deemed as "qualified" by meeting all of the required qualification criteria.

To be eligible for consideration under ICTAP, you must be a displaced Federal employee and have a current duty station within the local commuting area of this vacancy. You must submit a copy of the appropriate documentation such as a RIF separation notice, a letter from OPM or your agency documenting your priority consideration status with your application package. The following categories of candidates are considered displaced Employees:

Current or former career or career-conditional (tenure group I or II) competitive service employees who:

Received a specific RIF separation notice; or
Separated because of a compensable injury, whose compensation has been terminated, and whose former agency certifies that it is unable to place; or
Retired with a disability and whose disability annuity has been or is being terminated; or
Upon receipt of a RIF separation notice retired on the effective date of the RIF and submits a Standard Form 50 that indicates "Retirement in lieu of RIF", or
Retired under the discontinued service retirement option, or
Separated because he/she declined a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area.

The additional following types of candidates are considered displaced Employees:

Military/National Guard Technician--you were a Military Reserve or National Guard Technician and now receive a special OPM disability retirement annuity.

To be eligible for consideration under ICTAP you must:

1) Have a current performance rating of at least "fully successful" or equivalent;

2) Occupy (or have been separated from) a position in the same local commuting area of the vacancy;

3) Apply for a specific vacancy at or below the grade level you are being (or have been) separated from that does not have greater promotion potential than your last position;

4) Meet the application deadline; and

5) Be deemed as "qualified" by meeting all of the required qualification criteria.

Agency contact information

Kristin Young

Phone: 540-303-8108
Email: Kristin.Young@fcc.gov

Address: Federal Communications Commission
45 L Street NE
Washington DC, District of Columbia 20554
United States

Next steps

Applicants are required to take an online skills-based assessment consistent with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan and the Chance to Compete Act. For non-supervisory positions, the estimated time to complete the assessment is approximately 1 hour. For supervisory positions the estimated time to complete the assessment is approximately 1 ½ hours.

Please review all instructions prior to beginning the assessment. You will have the opportunity through the assessment module to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. The FCC will review such requests and will contact you directly, if needed. If you have questions about the accommodations process or a request, please contact the HR Specialist listed on the announcement. The external assessment meets or exceeds the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Once the announcement has closed and the qualifications review process has been completed, the best-qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of the outcome.

Communications Operations Specialist (Watch Officer) Job in Washington, DC