Spectrum Management Officer - Entry to Expert Level (Maryland) Job in Fort Meade, MD

Vacancy No. 1248062 Department National Security Agency/Central Security Service
Salary $86,498.00 to $195,200.00 Grade 7 to 15
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 8/18/2025 Close Date 8/24/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Fort Meade, MD


Summary

As an Engineering and Physical Science professional, you will coordinate with spectrum authorities worldwide to evaluate, enable, and protect accesses and equities supporting global operations across the entire RF spectrum. You will establish licenses and certifications, where possible, validating and protecting RF systems from adverse interference impacts.

Duties

Would you enjoy honing your expertise in RF technologies while collaborating with wide-ranging experts across the intelligence community solving timely and impactful mission challenges? If so, a job supporting NSA as a Spectrum Management Officer may be right for you!

NSA's technical workforce designs, develops and fields capabilities across many specialized disciplines. A Spectrum Management Officer enables every spectrum dependent capability through the efficient and effective use of spectrum, a valuable and scarce natural resource. Through the relentless expansion of new and emerging RF technologies, from cell phones to satellites, and from radar to remote sensing, spectrum is increasingly congested, contested, complex and constrained. As a result of these trends, NSA needs experts in spectrum management navigating our mission capabilities into the future. We need your talent and energy!

A Spectrum Management Officer may be expected to:

- Manage the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum at field sites, regions, areas, and/or Agency levels accomplishing specific assigned missions.
- Measure the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum, analyzing spectrum usage (allocations, licenses, technologies, compliance factors, etc.) and signal characteristics (efficiency, bandwidth, signal strength, occupancy, modulation, direction finding/locating, etc.).
- Prevent and resolve electromagnetic (EM) interference using spectrum management partnerships, networks and capabilities.
- Anticipate, research, and prepare for future spectrum allocation changes.
- Engage with internal (NSA/CSS) stakeholders, including partner and customer organizations, and individual employees.
- Represent the Agency or its subordinate organizations to customers, suppliers, and stakeholders on spectrum matters.
- Confer with/educate clients, customers, or stakeholders on spectrum legal or policy issues.
- Conduct site surveys on existing facilities for capturing system infrastructure and associated operational characteristics.
- Review engineering plans, drawings, or schematics.
- Identify new and existing products, technologies, and/or architectures to solve design, development, and operational problems.
- Attend conferences and communicate with people in a particular technical field to keep abreast of new technologies and information.
- Serve as a subject matter expert to support research and development efforts.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph.

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.

Degree must be in Computer Science, Engineering, Physical Science, Mathematics, or a related STEM technical field (e.g., Computer Security, Networking, Telecommunications, Information Systems/Technology, RF Spectrum Management, RF or Information Systems, Electronic Systems, Geo-spatial Information Systems (GIS), Electronic Warfare, Electrical/Electronics Engineering Technology, and /or Computer Information Systems).

Relevant experience must be in on or more of the following: design and engineering of communication systems or radio frequency (RF) systems, working/applying technical knowledge in engineering and/or scientific research, development, design, testing of materials or products, and/or field investigations. Additional areas of experience can include spectrum management, RF/Wireless Telecommunications, RF propagation analysis, RF spectrum monitoring, RF interference resolution, Electronic Warfare, and/or Electromagnetic Environmental Effects or engineering technical support.

ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTAL
Entry is with a Bachelor's degree and no experience, or an Associate's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience. A high school diploma or GED plus 4 years of relevant experience will be considered for applicants who have completed relevant military degree programs or completed relevant military training, for example, Air Force IRFMS (Interservice Radio Frequency Management School) training or Army Spectrum Management Courses.

FULL PERFORMANCE
Entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of experience, or a Master's degree plus 1 year of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree and no experience. An Associate's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience will be considered. A high school diploma or GED plus 7 years of relevant experience will be considered for applicants who have completed relevant military degree programs or completed relevant military training, for example, Air Force IRFMS (Interservice Radio Frequency Management School) training or Army Spectrum Management Courses.

SENIOR
Entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 6 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 4 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 2 years of relevant experience. An Associate's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience will be considered. A high school diploma or GED plus 10 years of relevant experience will be considered for applicants who have completed relevant military degree programs or completed relevant military training, for example, Air Force IRFMS (Interservice Radio Frequency Management School) training or Army Spectrum Management Courses.

EXPERT
Entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 9 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 7 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 5 years of relevant experience. An Associate's degree plus 11 years of relevant experience will be considered. A high school diploma or GED plus 13 years of relevant experience will be considered for applicants who have completed relevant military degree programs or completed relevant military training, for example, Air Force IRFMS (Interservice Radio Frequency Management School) training or Army Spectrum Management Courses.

Education

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.

Degree must be in Computer Science, Engineering, Physical Science, Mathematics, or a related STEM technical field (e.g., Computer Security, Networking, Telecommunications, Information Systems/Technology, RF Spectrum Management, RF or Information Systems, Electronic Systems, Geo-spatial Information Systems (GIS), Electronic Warfare, Electrical/Electronics Engineering Technology, and /or Computer Information Systems).

Additional information

Pay: Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position.

Salary Range: $86,498 - $195,200 (Entry/Developmental, Full Performance, Senior, Expert)
Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position.

Training will be provided based on the selectee's needs and experience.

Benefits: NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, with basic 8hr/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible).

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.

Benefits

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.

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.

The ideal candidate is someone with excellent problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills who is able to:

- Work equally well independently and in a team environment
- Effectively address multiple concurrent projects
- Synthesize information to solve complex problems
- Apply knowledge of spectrum
- Identify and document customer requirements
- Operate in a fast-paced environment

Knowledge and experience in one or more of the following is desired:

- Applying principles, methods, analysis, and applications of radio frequency theory such as radio wave propagation, antenna theory and antenna operation.
- Lab test equipment (e.g. spectrum analyzers, signal generators, etc.)
- Amateur or HAM Radio

Required Documents

The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the DoD Intelligence Community Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions in the NSA are in the Excepted Services under 10 United States Codes (USC) 1601 appointment authority. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you may be asked to submit documents verifying your eligibility.

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, please visit: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1248062

Agency contact information

NSA POC
Address
NSA External Hiring
9800 Savage Road
Fort Meade, MD 20755
US

Next steps

To apply, please visit: https://apply.intelligencecareers.gov/job-description/1248062


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.