Telecommunications Specialist, GS-9/11/12, Laboratory Division/Technical Hazardous Response Unit, Quantico,VA (FBI Employees Only)

Job Opening: 58168
Open to current, permanent FBI employees in all locations
Opening Date: December 11, 2024
Closing Date: December 27, 2024 11:59 p.m. (EST)

Job Summary
Position: Telecommunications Specialist, GS-9/11/12
Division: Laboratory Division (LD)
Unit: Technical Hazardous Response Unit (THRU)
Location: Quantico, VA
Working Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm
Salary: GS-9 $68,405.00 - $88,926.00
GS-11 $82,764.00 - $107,590.00
GS-12 $99,200.00 - $128,956.00
Full Performance Level: GS-13
Number of Positions Available: 1
Duration: Full Time/Permanent
Additional selections may be made from this announcement to fill positions within the same division when the position includes substantially the same duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.
Selected applicant may be eligible for an up to 25% Relocation Incentive. Selectee will be required to sign a service agreement upon receipt of relocation incentive. To be eligible for Relocation Incentive, proof of change of residency will be required.
Key Requirements

• Must be a current, permanent FBI employee
• Must be able to obtain an SCI clearance
• Must be able to pass a US Government physical exam
• Frequent travel may be required
• Selectee will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450 annually
• Selectee will be required to complete form FD-887, Request for Access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)
• This position will potentially be exposed to situations or information that depicts violent acts, lewd images, or involves isolated working conditions.
• THRU Telecommunications Specialists are required to be trained to safely work in hazardous environments and apply their skills in potentially complex and dangerous situations.
• THRU personnel fill 24/7 on-call assignments for National Security and field support mission requirements. This requires that one Telecommunications Specialist be on call every day to respond to no-notice deployments in support of the unit's mission.

This is a highly technical position that requires a background in tactical communications and operational experience in running FBI communications platforms.

Major Duties

• Responsible for ensuring effective mobile communications capability for the Laboratory Division, Forensic Response Section (FRS).
• Daily responsibility includes maintenance, trouble shooting and upkeep of all FRS radio systems, Base of Operations platforms and handheld radio communication devices.
• Manage all deployable COMSEC equipment and frequently deploy in support of FRS missions. Their duties include locks and alarms, security camera systems, ERAS terminals and other electronic systems that support the FRS mission. In addition, they manage the THRU robot and remote camera programs.

Qualifications and Evaluations
Please make sure your specialized experience/requirement(s) can be identified in your resume. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Your application will be evaluated and rated under the FBI's Candidate Rating Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement and will be compared to your responses to the online assessment questionnaire. High self-assessment in the vacancy questions that is not supported by information in your resume, and/or supporting documents may eliminate you from Most Competitive status.
If you are deemed Most Competitive, you will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.
All applicants will be rated on the following Competencies:

• Customer Service
• Project Management
• Technology Application
• Telecommunications

Specialized Experience (SE):
GS 9: Applicants must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS 7 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as follows:

• Monitored established communications systems and programs.
• Participated in the planning, ordering, installation, operation, maintenance, repair and termination of services.
• Maintained liaison with various internal and external customers.
• Maintained inventory of telecommunications equipment.
• Assisted with maintaining telecommunications systems to include programming services such as voicemail and the assignment of telephone extensions.
• Assisted with maintaining accurate and detailed records and/or prepared technical reports of existing configurations of data circuits, and equipment.

GS-11: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Coordinated the installation of equipment and telephone services with local telecommunication service providers.
• Conducted data traffic analysis and performed troubleshooting to resolve technical difficulties encountered with telecommunication equipment.
• Maintained accurate and detailed records and/or prepared technical reports of existing configurations of data circuits, and equipment.
• Analyzed and implemented requests for telephone and data services to be used in connection with investigative and administrative operations.
• Administered and maintained telecommunications systems to include programming services such as voice mail and the assignment of telephone extensions.
• Provided guidance on technical practices relative to the operation and control of communication systems.
• Maintained liaisons with FBIHQ and various service providers to resolve issues and address operational capabilities.

GS-12: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. SE (in addition to the above) is defined as follows:

• Expert knowledge of telecommunications/networking concepts and methods to provide operational services.
• Experience constructing, evaluating, analyzing, or managing communications systems, procedure and requirements that demonstrated knowledge of current developments and trends in
• communications concepts and technology.
• Experience evaluating and measuring the effectiveness of program operations in meeting established goals and objectives.
• Knowledge of radio frequency propagation and land mobile radio theory of operation.
• In depth operation experience in running mobile FBI communications platforms.

Education
All degrees must be from an accredited college or university. Education may be substituted for specialized experience as follows:
GS-9: Applicant must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related.
GS-11: Applicant must have a Ph.D. OR equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related.
How to Apply
For detailed instructions related to applying, uploading documents, withdrawing an application or updating your application, please review instructions on How to Apply . If applying online is a hardship, please use the contact information listed in the vacancy announcement prior to the closing date for assistance.
Required Documents
To apply to this position, interested applicants must provide a complete application package by the closing date which includes:

Your resume, specifically noting relevant work experience and associated start and end dates

A complete assessment questionnaire

Other supporting documents (if applicable) :

• College transcripts, if qualifying based on education or if there is a positive education requirement
• Memorandum for Record (MFR), Please see Additional Information

Documents that were uploaded one or more years ago will need to be uploaded again. Although an applicant may see these documents within their current profile, the HR Specialists may not have access to view them. All applicants are being asked to upload another copy (if applicable) to ensure the staffing units can review the complete application.
You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. If applying online is a hardship, please contact the HR Specialist listed in the vacancy announcement prior to the closing date for assistance.
What to Expect Next
Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The Most Competitive candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of your status throughout the process.
Additional Information

• Failure to provide necessary and relevant information required by this vacancy announcement may disqualify you from consideration. Additional information will not be requested if your application is incomplete. Your application will be evaluated solely on the basis of information you have submitted.
• As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
• Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing the other workplace safety protocols. Positions with fitness for duty requirements or those that require international travel may require proof of certain vaccinations.
• Management may select at any grade for which this position has been announced.
• Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for an actual assignment and performance of higher-level duties.
• Limited Movement: Policy has been implemented wherein support employees entering a position through a competitive OR non-competitive action may be precluded from moving to another position within the Bureau by means of reassignment or change to lower grade for a minimum of 12 months. HRD will waive this limited movement policy for qualified employees, who have received an official notification letter that their current position is being relocated to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama by 2024, so those employees can compete for a position elsewhere.
• Probationary employees are precluded from being considered for all job opportunities until 12-months of their 24-month probationary period has concluded. Probationary employees may be considered for competitive vacancies that are advertised within their respective division or field office after serving 90 days within the FBI.
• Candidates will not be considered if currently on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP); a Letter of Requirement (LOR); or have failed a PIP or LOR and are currently awaiting the final action by HRD.

a. A Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) is a 90-day written developmental plan for an employee whose performance on one or more critical elements is rated "Inconsistent."
b. A Letter of Requirement (LOR) is issued when a supervisor identifies leave abuse and/or when frequent absences negatively impact operations of an office.

• Relocation expenses will be borne by the selectee, except FBI employees returning from LEGAT assignment. Employees returning from LEGAT assignments must advise the Staffing and Administrative Unit / International Operations Division of their application for this position.
• Current tax law impacts your transfer by making your moving expense reimbursements taxable. Please contact Transfer_Issues for information regarding taxable expenses. For additional insight on the personal impact of the IRS tax rules, you may wish to contact the IRS or a tax professional. Federal Travel Regulation provides that the Withholding Tax Allowance (WTA) plus the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) are designed to "substantially reimburse" an employee for the additional Federal, State, and Local taxes associated with a change of duty station and the FBI has the authority to compensate employees through the WTA and RITA.
• Candidates receiving a transfer of physical location, whether at the expense of the FBI or not, will be required to complete a one year commitment to the assignment, prior to moving to a new position at the FBI. The 12-month waiting period begins the day an employee reports for duty at the new location.
• Employees selected for promotions at the GS-12 level or higher, as well as employees selected for positions where a transfer of location is required, will be processed through the name check program prior to being notified of their selection.
• Memorandum for Record: Work performed outside assigned duties (that would not normally be documented on a SF-50, i. e., back-up duties), has to be documented in detail by an immediate supervisor in order to receive full credit for amount of time worked in that position. If no documentation is furnished no credit will be given for time worked in that position. The following notations must be specified in the documentation (Memorandum for Record):

a. Percent of time worked in the partic