Summary

The FCC Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) advises the Commission on technical and engineering matters; develops and administers FCC decisions regarding spectrum allocations; grants equipment authorizations, experimental licenses, and special temporary operation authority; regulates the operation of unlicensed devices; and conducts engineering and technical studies.

Duties

Help

The Chief Engineering Advisor provides authoritative engineering advice and consultation to OET leadership, and, as appropriate, the Chairman, Commissioners, Bureaus and Offices, and other senior Commission officials on matters involving advanced communications technologies, radiofrequency spectrum, wireless and electronic communications systems, interference, equipment and device technologies, technical standards, and other complex engineering issues within the Commission's jurisdiction.

Job duties of the Chief Engineering Advisor include:

• Serving as a principal senior engineering advisor to OET leadership and other senior Commission officials on the most complex and consequential engineering and technology matters before the FCC.
• Providing authoritative professional engineering advice concerning radiofrequency spectrum, electromagnetic compatibility, interference, propagation, wireless and communications systems, electronic devices and equipment, advanced communications technologies, and other technical matters affecting Commission programs and regulatory responsibilities.
• Analyzing complex issues involving spectrum sharing, harmful interference, electromagnetic compatibility, propagation characteristics, transmitter and receiver performance, antenna systems, technical operating parameters, and related communications engineering matters.
• Providing expert engineering analysis and advice regarding the efficient and effective use of the radiofrequency spectrum and the technical characteristics of communications systems operating within spectrum regulated by the Commission.
• Assessing the engineering implications of new technologies, architectures, devices, and communications capabilities and advises Commission leadership regarding potential impacts on spectrum use, interference environments, technical rules, and regulatory policy.
• Reviewing and evaluating technical proposals, engineering studies, industry submissions, petitions, comments, standards, and other technical materials presented to the Commission.
• Consulting with nationally recognized engineers, scientists, technical experts, industry representatives, and government officials concerning highly complex communications and spectrum engineering matters.
• Providing technical leadership through expert consultation, mentoring, and professional guidance to engineers and other technical professionals throughout OET and the Commission.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• Resume must not exceed two pages and must meet resume format.
• Education-Transcripts Required
• Security Clearance Required. Drug Testing Required.
• US Citizenship.
• Must submit a financial disclosure statement upon assuming the position.
• Serve a probationary period of one year, if applicable.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
• Current/former federal employees must provide SF-50 verifying grade/status.
• Current FCC employees must provide SF-50 verifying grade & status.

N/A

Qualifications

To be deemed as qualified, candidates must meet the qualification criteria as listed in both Part A & Part B.

PART A. REQUIRED OPM EDUCATION

Candidates must meet the OPM educational qualification standards as listed here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf

Applicants are required to submit transcripts (unofficial or official) to confirm attainment of the OPM educational requirements for this position. If transcripts are not submitted, the application will be rated as ineligible.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order to receive credit towards qualifications. Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html

PART B. ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION CRITERIA

Specialized Experience

1. Providing authoritative engineering advice and technical expertise on highly complex communications and electronics engineering matters involving areas such as radio frequency spectrum, wireless communications systems, electromagnetic compatibility, interference analysis, propagation, or advanced communications technologies.

2. Evaluating and resolving complex or precedent-setting engineering issues involving communications technologies, spectrum use, electronic systems, or emerging technologies, including assessing technical studies, engineering analyses, standards, models, or other technical evidence and developing technically supportable recommendations for senior decision-makers.

3. Advising senior officials and engaging with technical stakeholders on significant engineering and technology matters, including communicating complex technical concepts and recommendations to senior leadership, government officials, industry representatives, standards organizations, academia, or other technical experts.

AND

Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ's/Required Competencies)

1. Electronics, Communications, and Spectrum Engineering-Ability to demonstrate expertise applying advanced electronics and communications engineering principles to exceptionally complex matters involving radiofrequency spectrum, wireless communications systems, electromagnetic compatibility, interference, propagation, electronic equipment, or related technologies.
2. Complex Engineering Analysis and Technical Judgement-Ability to evaluate and resolve novel, highly complex, or precedent-setting engineering issues and develop authoritative technical recommendations based upon engineering analyses, studies, standards, models, measurements, or other technical evidence.
3. Senior Technical Advice and Influence-Skill providing authoritative engineering advice to senior decision-makers and communicating complex technical issues and recommendations to senior officials and external technical stakeholders.

SME REVIEW

Subject matter experts will be conducting a competency based, scored structured resume review and will be reviewing resumes to determine if candidates meet the required specialized experience criteria and the required competencies listed above to determine which candidates are eligible to be referred for selection to the selecting official. Candidates must meet the required specialized experience along with the required competencies and receive a score of 90 or higher on the scored structured resume review to be eligible for referral to the selecting official.

Additional information

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

Help

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.