Telecommunications Specialist Job in Okinawa Island, Japan

Vacancy No. DAKB-26-13053151-CES Department U.S. Army Cyber Command
Salary $76,463.00 to $104,502.00 Grade 12 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/18/2026 Close Date 10/6/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Okinawa Island, Japan


Telecommunications Specialist

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Cyber Command
U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command

Summary

About the Position: This position is a DOD Cyber Excepted Service (CES) personnel system position in the Excepted Service under 10 USC 1599f. Employees occupying CES positions are in the Excepted Service and must adhere to U.S. Code, Title 10, as well as Department of Defense Instruction 1400.25. This position is located in Okinawa Island, Japan.

This is a position with an initial overseas tour of 24 months with possible extensions for a total of 5 years.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

See "Who May Apply" in the "Qualifications" section for more information on who is eligible to apply for this position. Organization is defined as current, permanent ARCYBER/NETCOM employees only.

Duties

  • The incumbent serves as a Telecommunication Specialist responsible to the Commander, United States Army Signal Activity Okinawa.
  • Performs troubleshooting and provides technical direction to ensure timely restoration of optimal telecommunications services involving highly complex and technical issues, and personnel.
  • Ensures personnel comply with regulatory, doctrinal, procedural, and best practice initiatives in troubleshooting and restoration of telecommunications services and systems.
  • Ensures personnel comply with regulatory, doctrinal, procedural, and best practice initiatives in troubleshooting and restoration of telecommunications services and systems.
  • Performs maintenance, provides technical direction involving highly complex and technical issues while working with personnel located in different functional areas.
  • Ensures maintenance is completed in accordance with regulatory, doctrinal, procedural, and best practice initiatives including accuracy, timeliness, and completion of maintenance paperwork.
  • Provides positive control of repair parts and access to repair parts for all maintenance activities.
  • Provides site certification and developmental training on all systems, equipment, services, and procedures involving highly complex and technical training on all operational systems, equipment, and mission types.
  • Instructs formal and informal classes, as required, effectively performing as an instructor/facilitator/mentor in a variety of learning settings.
  • Plans and coordinates with the Shift Supervisor on the use of communications equipment providing hands on training and evaluation.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • Three year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • This is a DoD Cyber Excepted Service (CES) personnel system position in the Excepted Service under 10 USC 1599f. Appointment to this position does not confer competitive status.
  • This position requires shift work to provide coverage on evenings, weekends, holidays, or special situations.
  • The employee may be required to work overtime.
  • This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment. A background investigation and credit check are required.
  • This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
  • This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 10% of the time.
  • This position requires the incumbent to possess, or obtain and maintain, a valid regular or official U.S. Passport.
  • In accordance with AR 690-11, this position has been designated as "Emergency-Essential". Emergency-Essential designation takes precedence over any transportation agreement or military recall status.
  • During a crisis situation or wartime, the incumbent must continue the duties and requirements of the position to ensure the success of combat operations or to support combat essential systems subsequent to mobilization or an evacuation order.
  • The duties of this position require the incumbent to possess or obtain and maintain a valid state Driver's License in one of the 50 U.S. states or possessions to operate vehicles.
  • This position requires completing appropriate training/certification/recertification per DOW Publication 8140.03 and supplemental Army guidance, for each Cyber work role.
  • Cyber work role certification proficiency level requirements: Foundational qualification within 9 months; Residential qualification requirements within 12 months; and 20 hours of Continuous Professional Development.
  • This position require the incumbent to possess or obtain and maintain a valid state Driver's License in one of the 50 U.S. states or possessions to operate vehicles.
  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a pre-employment certification statement for Selective Service registration.
  • See "Additional Information" section for additional requirements.

Qualifications

CYBER EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITIONS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE TWO-PAGE RESUME LIMIT. YOUR FULL RESUME WILL NEED TO BE UPLOADED TO YOUR USAJOBS PROFILE USING THE DOCUMENT TYPE "OTHER DOCUMENTS".

Who May Apply:
Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

  • Current Civilian Employees of the Organization Applying to Cyber Excepted Service (CES) Positions

Organization is defined as current, permanent ARCYBER/NETCOM employees only.

This position is in the Professional Work Category at the Full Performance Work Level within the CES Occupational Structure.


In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for Telecommunications Specialist:

Specialized and Other Experience Requirement:

Applicant must have one year of directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience is typically in or directly related to the work of the position to be filled. Qualifying experience would be demonstrated by directing telecommunications troubleshooting to restore network services; administering technical training and certifications to ensure proper operational systems and mission; engineering technical drawings and restoral plans to guarantee best practice initiatives.

Education

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone-no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Additional information

  • If you are a current federal career/career-conditional employee, you will be placed on an excepted appointment..
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a Digital Technology Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Locality pay does not apply in the overseas area.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
  • Selectees may receive certain foreign area benefits such as: Living Quarters Allowance (LQA) or government quarters, home leave, etc. Selectees will have their eligibility for foreign area benefits determined at the time of hire in accordance with Department of State Standardized Regulation (DSSR) and DoDI 1400.25 volume 1250.
  • Medical and dental care may be provided by host nation providers. The availability and level of care at host nation medical and dental facilities will vary by location.
  • If an employee brings an infant or toddler (up to 3 years of age) to an overseas location, and that infant or toddler is entitled to attend the DoDEA on a space-required basis in accordance with DoDEA Regulation 1342.13, then the Military Department responsible for EIS will provide the infant or toddler with the required EIS in accordance with the eligibility criteria consistent with DoDI 1342.12 and DoDM 1342.12.
  • Employees (and family members) who require medical or dental care in the overseas location will be responsible for obtaining and paying for such care. Access for civilian employees and their families to military medical and dental treatment facilities is on a space-available and reimbursable basis only.
  • Applicants must comply with the Exceptional Family Member Program requirements as outlined in the DoD Instruction 1315.19.
  • In accordance with DoD CES Personnel System Implementation Guidance for Overseas Rotations and Administrative Return Rights, employees must be able to satisfy the rotation requirement and tour limitations in DoD Instruction 1400.25 Volume 1230.
  • Current DoD Employees: If a current permanent CES employee, you shall be granted administrative return rights. If not a current permanent CES employee, you may be granted administrative return rights if agreed to by your CONUS organization.
  • If an employee brings a child to an overseas location and that child is entitled to attend a DoD school on a space-required basis in accordance with DoDEA Regulation 1342.13, the DoDEA and the Military Department responsible for providing related services will ensure that the child, if eligible for special education, receives a free appropriate public education, including related services pursuant to DoDI 1342.12 and DoDM 1342.12.

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.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

Required Documents

WARNING: DO NOT INCLUDE CLASSIFIED INFORMATION IN YOUR APPLICATION PACKET! Application packages that contain Classified information WILL NOT receive consideration for this position. Should you submit a resume or any other document as part of your application package and it is confirmed that any of the information is Classified, in addition to being found ineligible for consideration for this position, your Security Office will be notified to determine if any further action is warranted.

The documents you are required to submit vary based on the authority you are using to apply (i.e., applying as a veteran, applying as a current permanent Federal employee, applying as a reinstatement, etc). Please review the following links to see which documents you need to provide to prove your eligibility to apply: Applicant Checklist for Internal/Merit Promotion Announcements.

As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

1. Your resume:

  • Cyber Excepted Service positions are not subject to the two-page resume limit. Your full resume will need to be uploaded to your USAJOBS profile using the document type 'Other Documents'.
  • Your resume may be submitted in any format and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
  • For each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (include month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position.
  • Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume.
  • If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
  • For additional information, to include formatting tips, see: What to include in your resume.

2. Other supporting documents:
  • Cover Letter, optional
  • Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable
  • Proof of Eligibility to Apply: Your application must include the documents which prove you are eligible to apply for the vacancy. The Proof of Eligibility document describes authorities commonly used in merit promotion recruitment and what document(s) are required to prove you meet the requirements of the authority. You must meet the requirements of at least one of the authorities listed in the Who May Apply section above to receive further consideration.

NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/06/2026 to receive consideration.

  • To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13053151).
  • Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. For additional information, refer to the 'Required Documents' section.
  • You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
  • You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. Your resume selected in USAJOBS will be included, but you must re-select other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application may be incomplete.
  • It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
  • Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/applicant/profile/dashboard/), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
KB-W06LAA 78th Signal BN - USA SA-DSCS-Okinawa
DO NOT MAIL
APO, AP 96376
US

Next steps

If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.

U.S. Army Cyber Command

Civilian employees serve a vital role in supporting the Army mission. They provide the skills that are not readily available in the military, but crucial to support military operations. The Army integrates the talents and skills of its military and civilian members to form a Total Army.

Okinawa is Japan's southernmost prefecture, consisting of a few dozen small islands in the southern half of the Nansei Shoto, the island chain which stretches over about one thousand kilometers from Kyushu to Taiwan. The islands making up Okinawa Prefecture are also known as the Ryukyu Islands-- named after the native culture, which is distinctly different from that of the rest of Japan in terms of language, cuisine, arts, etc.

Okinawa's climate is subtropical, with temperatures barely falling below 59 degrees in winter. The seas surrounding Okinawa's islands are considered among the world's most beautiful with coral reefs and abundant marine wildlife. Okinawa is closer to South Korea and Taiwan than it is to Tokyo and its international airport at Naha hosts cheap and frequent flights to various locales in SE Asia for those who like to travel and experience other cultures.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
KB-W06LAA 78th Signal BN - USA SA-DSCS-Okinawa
DO NOT MAIL
APO, AP 96376
US

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https://www.netcom.army.mil/