Summary

This position is in Office of Engineering and Technology; Policy and Rules Division; Technical Rules Branch; Federal Communications Commission (FCC) located in Washington DC.

RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID.

THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL POSITIONS WITHIN 90 DAYS.

Duties

Help

• Provides engineering and scientific research direction covering all aspects of spectrum usage for communications equipment and systems.
• Plans and supervises the development of highly advanced technical information studies.
• Provides recommendations on policy and rules related to spectrum allocation issues, and technical and engineering standards concerning Part 15 and 18 of the Commission's rules to ensure efficient use of the radio spectrum.
• Provides technical expertise and advice on potential interference issues.
• Serves as Commission representative on domestic government/industry technical committees.
• Uses expert knowledge and experience to provide expert engineering guidance and advice to other Commission staff on electromagnetic wave propagation, antenna theory and practices, radio frequency exposure and efficient utilization of the radio spectrum and related communications issues.
• Conducts engineering studies to further the more efficient use of radio spectrum and resolve interference issues.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
• US Citizenship.
• May serve a one year probationary period (if applicable).
• Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
• If selected, a financial disclosure statement may be required.
• Current/former federal employees must provide SF-50 verifying grade/status.
• Current FCC employees must provide SF-50 verifying grade & status.
• Resume must not exceed two pages and must meet resume format criteria.
• Education-Transcripts Required

See "Qualifications".

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 asking to be considered under Merit Promotion procedures must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Candidates must meet all of the specialized experience requirements outlined below in order to be deemed as qualified.

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.

PART B. ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION CRITERIA

Specialized Experience

GS-15

1. Experience overseeing, directing, supervising or managing a subordinate staff.
2. Planning and administering highly complex projects and proceedings of major policy and technical significance related to frequency use or other policy matters.
3. Providing guidance and advice to management regarding engineering and policy issues.
4. Experience providing technical expertise on potential interference issues.
5. Experience utilizing cutting edge RF propagation models as part of computer simulations used to improve efficient use of radio spectrum and identify the potential for interference occurring.
6. Developing and implementing improved analytical techniques, models and designs applicable to spectrum engineering.
7. Writing detailed and complex technical procedures for engineering and technical policies and procedures.

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 be conducting a competency based, scored structured resume review and will be reviewing resumes to determine if candidates meet the required specialized experience criteria in addition to the required competencies to determine which candidates are eligible to be referred for selection to the selecting official. Candidates must meet the required specialized experience criteria in addition to 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.

COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of potential interference issues.
• Knowledge of technical aspects of radio equipment performance.
• Skill in resolving technical issues related to international negotiations related to cross-border implications of domestic operation of communications equipment.
• Ability to coordinate Commission representation on various government/industry committees, and actively manage Branch participation.
• Ability to effectively communicate technical matters to non-technical individuals in both oral and written form.

Education

If applicable, see "Qualifications".

Additional information

Other:

- Before hiring, an agency will ask you to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. The agency will also ask you to sign and certify the accuracy of all the information in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be fined or jailed. If you are a male over age 18 who was born after December 31, 1959, you must have registered with the Selective Service System (or have an exemption) to be eligible for a Federal job.

- If applicable, you will be required to serve a trial period of one year.

- In order for you to be employed at the FCC, there are certain Commission and Federal laws governing the financial interests of you and members of your immediate family. If selected for the position, you must submit a financial disclosure statement upon assuming the position.

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.

Expand Hide 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.