Communications Operations Specialist (Watch Officer)
What you'd do
This position is in Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, Operations and Emergency Management Division, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) located in Washington, DC. RELOCATION EXPENSES MAY BE PAID. SHIFT WORK REQUIRED. THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL POSITIONS WITHIN 90 DAYS.
Major duties
This position is a Communications Operations Specialist (Watch Officer) at the Federal Communications Commission Operations Center (FCCOC) located at Headquarters in Washington, DC. The Watch Officer functions as an initial point of contact for Homeland Security and National Security/Emergency Preparedness (NS/EP) matters that concern the FCC. Watch functions are performed on an around-the-clock basis on a rotating shift with other Specialists in order to maintain situational awareness of communications issues, provide immediate analysis, and assist with response efforts. The Watch Officer must investigate and analyze a variety of unusual conditions, problems, data, or questions involving the FCC. The incumbent must be capable of exercising sound judgment with minimum oversight and direction from supervisory staff. The incumbent must be capable of professionally representing the Commission to public safety stakeholder and the general public. The incumbent will field requests for assistance from a variety of stakeholders and must be highly organized and have the ability to handle multiple tasks at once. The incumbent must also have the ability to develop and document new processes that will become standard operating procedures for Specialists. The incumbent must be capable of activating and operating the FCC's alternate FCCOC site in situations involving any emergency and/or continuation of operations relocation. The position also includes operation of the FCC's High Frequency Direction Finding (HFDF) system, and other local and remote operated radio signal finding equipment to support public safety organizations as well as FCC operations. The incumbent performs research and investigative analysis on areas covering the entirety of the FCC regulatory purview. The incumbent analyzes and investigates public safety interference, complaints to land mobile, marine, and aviation licenses, and reports antenna problems that may affect aviation. S/he will write situation reports on emergencies, report infractions of Commission rules, and other policy matters for presentation to Commission staff. This includes research and analysis on critical and potentially unprecedented national communications or cyber-related issues.
What you need to qualify
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. Specialized Experience GS-12 Specialized Experience: Applicant must possess one (1) year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 level in the federal service which involved 4 or more of the following: 1. Experience working with the Departmental/Agency/Organizational point of contact, Watch Officer or Analyst responsible for national or homeland security-related communications issues. 2. Experience serving as a member of the team responsible for operating a Departmental/Agency/Organizational alternate Crisis Management Center or Emergency Operations Center during an emergency and/or Continuity of Operations (COOP) situation. 3. Experience utilizing analytical skills and techniques to assist in identifying the impact of a disaster or crisis on communications infrastructure. 4. Experience working with radio frequency direction finding equipment. 5. Experience performing research and analysis on national security and emergency preparedness issues. 6. Experience documenting reports of interference from public safety officials and other licensees to various types of communications systems. 7. Experience preparing concisely written reports for decision-makers on complex topics. GS-13 Specialized Experience: Applicant must possess one (1) year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 level in the federal service which involves 5 or more of the following: 1. Experience serving as the initial Departmental/Agency/Organizational point of contact, Watch Officer or Analyst responsible for national or homeland security-related communications issues. 2. Experience operating a Departmental/Agency/Organizational alternate Crisis Management Center or Emergency Operations Center during an emergency and/or Continuity of Operations (COOP) situation. 3. Experience conducting extensive analysis and investigation of reported National Security/Emergency Preparedness incidents utilizing advanced analytical procedures, methodologies and research techniques identifying the impact of a disaster or crisis on communications infrastructure and developing options to address issues. 4. Experience working with radio frequency direction finding equipment. 5. Experience initiating, planning, organizing and coordinating analysis on national security and emergency preparedness issues. 6. Experience documenting reports of interference from public safety officials and other licensees to various types of communications systems. 7. Experience preparing concisely written reports for decision-makers on complex topics and offering in-depth analysis and solutions. 8. Experience monitoring media activities nationwide and internationally and providing senior management with immediate intelligence/information to direct the Agency's response to national communications emergencies. 9. Experience working in an environment with rapidly shifting priorities or tasks, with the need to take prompt action, and report results to management. 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 At the time of application you are required to take an external skills-based assessment which is based upon government-wide recognized competencies and consistent with OPM Merit Hiring Plan requirements and the Chance to Compete Act. Should you receive a passing score of 70 or higher, your application will be reviewed by subject matter experts to determine if you meet the OPM qualification requirements for this position. COMPETENCIES Knowledge and understanding of incident management and technical communications provision to perform basic investigative research and analysis and make preliminary findings that inform follow-on coordination. Ability to provide critical, time-sensitive information and operational support during disasters, emergencies, and events of national security significance. Ability to address public safety interference land mobile, marine and aviation licensees complaints and ability to develop reports of antenna tower problems; and other requests for assistance. Ability to investigate and resolves communications centric complaints. Ability to troubleshoot and resolve national and international interference problems when a radio spectrum user disrupts communications of an authorized licensee operating in accordance with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) frequency allocation. Ability to write clearly, concisely and in an organized manner with conclusions fully supported by appropriate facts and analysis (briefings, daily logs, journals, chronologies of key events, reports and recommendations).
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