Electronics Engineering Technician

Clarification from the agency

Current FCC Employees Only

The incumbent serves as the Commission's senior technical authority for the design, integration, modernization, deployment, sustainment, and continuous improvement of highly specialized electronic
systems supporting the nationwide HFDF program. The incumbent provides expert technical leadership for highly complex projects involving advanced radio frequency technologies, electronic system integration, communications networking, mechanical system design, software-controlled instrumentation, computer-aided manufacturing, and specialized fabrication techniques. Assignments routinely require developing original technical solutions where no established methods or precedents exist and resolving unprecedented technical issues affecting nationwide operations.

The incumbent independently leads the planning, design, development, testing, installation, modernization, and sustainment of mission-critical electronic systems that directly support Commission enforcement activities, national security missions, emergency communications, Continuity of Government operations, and interagency spectrum management initiatives. The incumbent serves as the principal technical advisor to Bureau leadership on matters involving the technical direction, modernization strategy, operational readiness, and lifecycle management of the nationwide HFDF program and routinely collaborates with senior technical officials throughout the Federal Government, contractors, equipment manufacturers, research organizations, and international partners.

The work performed directly affects the reliability, operational readiness, and technical capabilities of nationwide communications systems relied upon by the Commission and numerous Federal partners to protect critical communications infrastructure, support public safety operations, safeguard spectrum resources, and respond to national emergencies. The position requires the exercise of exceptional technical judgment, innovation, and independent decision-making in an environment where system reliability and operational availability are essential to accomplishing the Commission's public safety and homeland security mission. The incumbent reports directly to the HFDF Director.

Conditions of employment

• FCC Employees Only.
• Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
• Current FCC employees must provide SF-50 verifying grade & status.
• Resume must not exceed two pages and must meet resume format criteria.
• Drug Testing Required.
• Security Clearance Required

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must:

-Currently be employed in the Federal Communications Commission in positions serving under career or career conditional appointments.

ALL 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. To request a copy of your SF-50 please send an email to PersonnelRecordsRequest@fcc.gov

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 must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.  

GS-14

In order to be deemed as qualified, candidates must have have one year of specialized experience which is equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the federal service. Specialized experience is defined as follows:

1. Experience providing expert technical leadership for highly complex projects involving advanced radio frequency technologies, electronic system integration, communications networking, mechanical system design, software-controlled instrumentation, computer-aided manufacturing, and/or specialized fabrication techniques.
2. Experience independently leading the planning, design, development, testing, installation, modernization, and sustainment of mission-critical electronic systems.
3. Experience developing original hardware configurations, custom electronic assemblies, embedded control systems, mechanical components, instrumentation, and/or integrated subsystems that frequently require adaptation of advanced technologies to meet unique operational requirements.
4. Experience utilizing computer-aided design (CAD), three-dimensional modeling, computer numerical control (CNC) machining, additive manufacturing, precision machining, and other advanced manufacturing techniques.

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

Subject matter experts will review your application to determine if you meet the following required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's):

• Mastery of advanced electronics technology and an expert practical knowledge of the theories, principles, concepts, and practices governing the design, integration, fabrication, testing, modernization, deployment, operation, and lifecycle management of highly specialized electronic and electromechanical systems supporting the Commission's nationwide High Frequency Direction Finding (HFDF) program.
• Expert knowledge of radio frequency theory, antenna systems, digital and analog circuitry, embedded electronics, communications networking, software-controlled instrumentation, signal processing, computer-controlled manufacturing, mechanical design, precision fabrication, advanced machining technologies, computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), additive manufacturing, systems integration, and complex diagnostic methodologies to conceive, develop, and implement innovative technical solutions for highly specialized systems that are unavailable through commercial sources.
• Mastery of advanced diagnostic and analytical techniques to resolve unprecedented
  technical problems involving multiple integrated electronic, mechanical, communications, software, 
  and infrastructure components operating in geographically dispersed mission-critical environments.
  Assignments routinely require developing original technical approaches where accepted practices, 
  precedents, or commercially available technologies are inadequate to accomplish mission objectives.
• Ability to demonstrate exceptional skills communicating highly technical information orally and in writing to senior Commission leadership, technical experts, contractors, manufacturers, partner Federal agencies, and international organizations, including the preparation of technical analyses, engineering documentation, technical standards, acquisition documentation, operational procedures, modernization strategies, and authoritative technical recommendations.

If you are deemed to be qualified by the Subject Matter Experts, your application will be referred to the hiring manager for hiring consideration. Alternatively, if your application is not deemed as qualified by the Subject Matter Experts, your application will not be referred to the hiring manager for hiring consideration.

How you will be evaluated

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

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.

All applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience and education relevant to the duties of the position.  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.

There are several parts to the application process that affect the overall evaluation of your application including:

1. the core questions
2. the vacancy questions
3. supplemental documentation (e.g., DD-214, SF-50, SF-15, transcripts), if applicable; and
4. your resume.

Applicants will be rated ineligible, if they do not respond to job specific questions provide supplemental documents and submit resume.  For more information, please click on Rating Process 

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

ALL SUPPLEMENTAL DOCUMENTS MUST BE UPLOADED BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.  If applying online poses a hardship, you may contact either the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement or you may contact the Monster Government Solutions help desk (prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement) via e-mail at mgshelp@monster.com or you may reach them directly at 866-656-6831. The Monster Help Desk is available Monday-Friday 7:00 am to 7:00 pm EST.

Supplement Documents Required: 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.

ALL 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. To request a copy of your SF-50 please send an email to PersonnelRecordsRequest@fcc.gov

Next steps