Telecommunications Specialist (Wildland Fire)

Office of the Secretary of the Interior • Grand Junction, CO

9d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is with the Office of the Secretary of the Interior, U.S. Wildland Fire Service, with duty locations in Grand Junction, Colorado; Albuquerque, New Mexico; or Las Cruces, New Mexico. The specialist evaluates electronic systems for state and field offices and identifies effective, economical equipment and services that meet established standards. The role supports telecommunications and data systems, including radio controls, dispatch consoles, computers, local area networks, and peripheral-sharing devices; troubleshoots user hardware and software; resolves complex telecommunications and data-collection problems; manages radio communications software programming and installation; and monitors and configures statewide voice and data communications systems.

The work is primarily sedentary in an office, with periodic field assignments at dispatch facilities, telecommunications sites, and remote radio or repeater installations. Field work may involve rough terrain, ladders, moderately heavy equipment, travel over unimproved roads, adverse weather, and exposure to radio-frequency and electrical hazards. Tower climbing may be required for some assignments, subject to required training, certification, and safety procedures.

A one-year probationary period is required. The position may require on-call work, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and shift work. Telework is suitable only during an emergency or natural disaster. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be offered to eligible and qualified applicants on a case-by-case basis; relocation expenses may be authorized depending on location and eligibility.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen or national.
• Must be suitable for Federal employment as determined by a background investigation.
• Must enroll in Direct Deposit.
• Must pass a pre-appointment drug test and is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• Must hold and maintain a valid state driver's license because operation of a government or private motor vehicle is required for official duties.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• May be required to complete training and obtain and maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
• When tower climbing is required by the assignment, must obtain and maintain required tower-climbing training and certification and comply with applicable safety policies and procedures.
• For GS-11, must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09, such as evaluating, analyzing, developing, managing, or improving communications systems, procedures, or requirements, including relevant experience with digital handheld and mobile radios, VHF repeaters, dispatch consoles, telecommunications grounding, LANs, WANs, routing networks, phone cabling, or standardized equipment and services used to obtain contractor services.
• Specialized experience may be substituted by a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a related listed field, or an equivalent combination of specialized experience and education.
• Applicants relying on education or a combination of education and experience must submit transcripts and any other required education documentation.

Responsibilities

• Analyze electronic systems for state and field offices to determine effective and economical equipment and services that meet established standards.
• Support connections for remote radio control terminals, dispatch consoles, personal computers, local area networks, and peripheral-sharing devices.
• Troubleshoot hardware and software problems for users.
• Resolve complex telecommunications and data-collection problems.
• Manage programming and installation of radio communications software.
• Monitor and make configuration changes to statewide voice and data communications systems.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Eligible and qualified applicants may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive, at the agency's discretion.
• Relocation expenses may be authorized for eligible applicants, depending on location and applicable distance requirements.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree