This job is open to
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Duties
The United States Space Force (USSF) at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Lompoc, CA is searching for an Outside Plant Technician to support SLD 30 SC (WG-2502-10).
Description:
Are you a hands-on telecom technician with at least one year of experience who is looking for a real mission? We are the Outside Plant (OSP) shop for Vandenberg Space Force Base, and we're looking for a skilled, motivated individual to join our team. We don't just connect buildings; we own the physical communications backbone that launches rockets into orbit. If you're a problem-solver who thrives in the outdoors and takes pride in your work, you're the person we're looking for. This isn't a desk job-you're a "Cable Dawg" who understands that when a critical line goes down, the mission depends on you.
Your daily work will be as dynamic as our mission. One day you'll be driving a 4x4 utility truck through rugged back-country terrain to a remote launch site; the next, you'll be operating a mini-excavator to trench for a new fiber optic line. You will be on the front line, using state-of-the-art equipment like fusion splicers and OTDRs to perform emergency repairs, install critical infrastructure upgrades, and ensure the communications supporting America's space mission are 100% reliable. If you're ready to trade routine service calls for a high-stakes career where you play a direct role in the success of the United States Space Force, we want to hear from you.
Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate for this position will possess a minimum of one year of hands-on experience in the telecommunications field. This experience does not need to be in direct Outside Plant (OSP) work but must provide a strong foundation in cabling, connectivity, and safety protocols. We are looking for a motivated technician who is eager to apply their existing skills to the unique and demanding mission of the VSFB OSP environment.
Core Background & Attitude:
Work Ethic: A dependable, proactive professional who understands mission-critical deadlines and the importance of quality workmanship.
Outdoor Aptitude: Thrives in an outdoor work environment and is physically capable of performing demanding tasks in all weather conditions on Vandenberg's diverse terrain.
Safety Mindset: Has a proven history of adhering to safety procedures, especially when working around utilities, heavy machinery, and critical infrastructure.
Minimum Experience:
Candidate must have documented, hands-on experience in a telecommunications-related field. Equivalent experience includes, but is not limited to:
Installation and maintenance of low-voltage cabling (e.g fiber optics , Outside plant copper)
Work as an electrician's apprentice/helper with a focus on running conduit and pulling cable.
Service in a military telecommunications role (e.g., USAF Cable & Antenna Systems "Cable Dawg", Cyber Transport; Army 25L/N; Navy IT) following initial technical training.
Field service or installation work with a commercial telecommunications provider.
Tools: Proven proficiency with common hand and power tools used in the telecommunications or construction trades.
Technical Aptitude: The ability to learn and apply new technical concepts, read basic diagrams, and logically troubleshoot connectivity issues.
In short, we are seeking a candidate with a solid foundation in telecommunications who is ready to build a specialized career and become an expert in the mission-critical Outside Plant environment at Vandenberg SFB.
Key Skills and Abilities:
1. Knowledge of safety regulations, practices and procedures such as safety precautions related to oxygen deficiency, oxygen enrichment, toxic and explosive gases, working aloft, rescue procedures for aerial and underground environments, basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
2. Knowledge of technical practices in order to plan, layout, install, modify, troubleshoot and repair a variety of infrastructure methods.
3. Knowledge of the principals and theories of telephony fundamentals, electronic principles including digital techniques, copper core and fiber optic transmission principals as they apply to telecommunications.
4. Skill in using and maintaining a variety of hand tools, power tools, test equipment and computers.
5. Skill in troubleshooting and tracing hard-to-locate defects or problems on large projects applying prescribed test procedures and equipment as required.
6. Ability to create and use electrical drawings, blueprints, engineering drawings and wiring diagrams to install, troubleshoot, repair and maintain various telecommunication infrastructures and their associated equipment without more than normal supervision.
7. Skill and ability to operate a variety of motor vehicles in support of cable installation, splicing, maintenance operations to include such vehicles as 2 ½ ton truck, ¾ ton four-wheel drive line truck, cable reel truck, tractors/back-hoe and trenching/boring machines.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- Must be a U.S Citizen.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
- Safeguards classified or sensitive budget-related information and/or files.
- May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
- Recall to duty maybe a requirement of this position.
- This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.
- Employee may be required to perform travel by military or commercial passenger aircraft in the performance of temporary duty assignments.
- PCS / relocation funding is not authorized.
- Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 15 days per year.
- Drug Testing: This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program.
- This position requires the employee to drive a government vehicle. A current state driver's license must be maintained.
- May be appointed by supervisor to perform some of the following duties: ADPE Custodian, Equipment Custodian, TMDE Monitor, Records Custodian, Bench Stock Monitor, Supply Point Monitor, SPRAM Monitor or others as directed by the supervisor.
- Required to attend training and become certified in CPR and First Aid Certification to act as First Responder in work area.
- Practices standard safety policies and procedures established to maintain a safe and clean work environment.
- Employee may be required to provide training and / or technical assistance to other workers.
Qualifications
AREAS OF CONSIDERATION: The areas of consideration for this position, Title 32 Excepted Service (32 U.S. Code § 709), will be in the following manner and sequence:
- The FIRST area of consideration for this position will be all excepted permanent and indefinite temporary technicians within the ILNG.
- The SECOND area of consideration will be all current Federal Employees.
- The THIRD area of consideration will be all Federal re-employment eligible.
- The FOURTH area of consideration will be applicants willing to become T32 Dual Status Technicians and gain ILNG membership.
- The FIFTH area of consideration will U.S. Citizens.
Military Grades: Officer/Warrant Officer/Enlisted - May not exceed the rank of LTC.
GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Must possess experience or training which demonstrates a basic knowledge of telephone equipment, knowledge of the principles of electricity and electronics, and ability use test equipment, wiring diagrams, schematics and other specifications.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: WG-10 Level- Must possess specialized experience which includes running wire, installing molding, insulators, connectors and terminal boxes, and other protective and support items; experience in the use of complex test equipment such as hand test sets, volt-ohmmeters, tone testers, etc.; experience in reading and understanding layout sheets, wiring diagrams, schematics, building plans, etc.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.
Verbiage displayed on your resume or application must contain your own words. You may refer to position descriptions, i.e. the general and specialized experience located within the vacancy announcement, to assist with describing work experiences; however, resumes or applications received in verbatim will not be considered. In your resume you will need to address the general and specialized experience listed below. Please use as much detail as needed, giving dates (months and years) of the experience, position title and how the experience was gained. This information is needed to determine if you are qualified for the position.
Additional information
Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.
Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.
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.
Review our benefits
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.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled. Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here:
Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position.
Required Documents
Resume:You must submit a resume that may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume must provide:
- Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number
- Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended
- Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information:
- Job title
- Detailed duties and accomplishments
- Employer's name and address
- Supervisor's name and phone number
- Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.)
- Hours per week
- Salary, if applicable
- Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses
College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.
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
Do not email applications. To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here.
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