Telecommunications Specialist

Federal Emergency Management Agency•Chicago, IL

10d

About The Position

This position is located in FEMA Region 5. The Telecommunications Specialist supports emergency communications planning, coordination, assessment, and operational integration across the region. The role works with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners to strengthen interoperable communications, support incident response, and advance regional preparedness for disasters and emergencies. The specialist serves as a regional subject matter resource for emergency communications planning, continuity of communications, incident communications coordination, and interoperability. Work also includes supporting response operations, exercises, technical assistance, and coordination with emergency management, public safety, and communications stakeholders. FEMA employees have regular and recurring emergency management responsibilities and may be recalled at any time for emergency operations. Deployment may involve irregular work hours, duties outside the official position description, extensive travel with little advance notice, and extended assignments at emergency sites with austere and operationally challenging conditions. The employee must be able to deploy anywhere in the United States and its territories with little or no advance notice. If selected, the employee must attend a three-week in-person training course in Emmitsburg, Maryland within six months of onboarding; FEMA covers travel expenses.

Requirements

One full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal government, or comparable experience in state or local government or the private sector, coordinating emergency communications planning, interoperability initiatives, and operational communications support across partners; supporting emergency operations by assessing communications impacts, identifying resource needs, tracking issues, and providing timely operational updates; and reviewing emergency communications to strengthen readiness and resilience.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must successfully pass and maintain a Top Secret/SCI background investigation; the process may include a credit check and review of financial issues and criminal or drug-related matters.
Must register for Selective Service, if applicable.
Current federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Government credit card.
Must be able to deploy with little or no advance notice anywhere in the United States and its territories for an extended period.
Must attend a three-week in-person training course in Emmitsburg, Maryland within six months of onboarding.
New Federal competitive service employees and new supervisors and managers must complete a one-year probationary period.
May be subject to random drug testing if the position is designated as a Testing Designated Position.

Responsibilities

Support planning, coordination, assessment, and operational integration of emergency communications capabilities across FEMA Region 5.
Work with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners to strengthen interoperable communications.
Support incident response operations and advance regional preparedness for disasters and emergencies.
Serve as a regional subject matter resource on emergency communications planning, continuity of communications, incident communications coordination, and communications interoperability.
Support regional response operations, exercises, and technical assistance efforts.
Coordinate with emergency management, public safety, and communications stakeholders.
During emergency operations, support communications impact assessments, identify resource needs, track issues, and provide timely operational updates.
Review emergency communications to strengthen communications readiness and resilience.