Job Opening: 55594

Open to ALL U.S. Citizens

Opening Date: June 17, 2024

All Resumes should be submitted to RSUresume@fbi.gov for questions, please contact Denise Epperson at depperson@fbi.gov

Position: Telecommunications Specialist (Tactical Communicator), GS-0391-11

Division: CIRG

Unit: Render Safe Readiness Unit

Location: Quantico, Virginia

Working Hours: 8:15 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Salary: GS-11 $82,764.00 - $107,590.00

Full Performance Level: GS-13

Number of Positions Available: Unlimited Number of Vacancies

Duration: Full Time/Permanent

PLEASE READ THIS JOB POSTING IN ITS ENTIRETY

This vacancy is a highly technical and specialized communications position responsible for dedicated communications support to the Render Safe Unit. The Render Safe Unit’s operations are designed to locate, diagnose and subsequently disable or destroy improvised explosive devices, and weapons of mass destruction.  The Render Safe Readiness Unit (RSRU) Selection will consist of a 5-day testing period conducted at Quantico, VA.  During this Selection, each candidate will be extensively evaluated in a number of scored areas.  The Selection process is designed to replicate conditions which have occurred during RSRU training and deployments.  This is a comprehensive assessment to identify the most desirable candidates for hire based on technical and non-technical knowledge, skills and abilities as well as physical readiness for the mission.  In addition to the core technical evaluations, practical problem solving testing and fitness evaluation on which all candidates will be evaluated, candidates will undergo skill-specific testing specifically related to communications systems supporting the counter-IED and WMD problem set.  Skill-specific competencies, knowledge and trainability will be evaluated through scenario-based and written evaluations.

Only the most competitive candidates who achieve the highest scores in these areas will be retained.  Candidates must achieve preferred or acceptable ratings in all assessed events.  As a condition of the job offer, candidates who receive ANY unacceptable ratings during this assessment and those with the lowest scores will have their offer rescinded.  A candidate who fails to pass the strength and mobility assessment, the swim test, or the interview panels may be removed from the selection process.

Key Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be able to pass a U.S. Government physical exam and HAZMAT exam
• Must be able to obtain a Top Secret-SCI clearance 
• Some Travel required
• Must pass a strength and mobility assessment and swim test
• Must be able to operate in all environments and cleared for world-wide deployment's

Mission Statement:

The mission of the FBI is to protect the American People and uphold the Constitution of the United States.

Major Duties:

GS-11:

• Responds to actual and potential incidents.  
• The incumbent works within a dynamic team environment to provide tactical and technical communications systems providing intra-team and national reach back communications capabilities.
• Under the guidance of senior technicians, maintains and tests specialized communications equipment to guarantee availability during a deployment.  Regularly performs system and software updates to optimize performance and standardize capabilities across teams.
• Meets established proficiency standards and training requirements validated through technical and physical assessments.  
• Maintains skillset for working in austere environments including hot or cold environments, working on ropes at heights, working in confined spaces, and operating in a maritime environment.  
• Incumbent must be available to serve on a duty recall roster.  While on recall status the incumbent must remain mission-ready for no-notice deployments at all times.
• Handles COMSEC items such as keying material, classified material and controlled cryptographic items in accordance with FBI security policies.  
• Trains on and enforces proper protection practices, understands all FBI security regulations and reports any compromise or other security issue involving these materials.  
• At the direction of senior technicians, researches and tests solutions to improve technical capabilities.  
• Provides input and recommendations to senior personnel in the planning, design and development of communications systems to enhance deployment operations.

  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.

  Your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Most Competitive, Competitive, or Least Competitive. Names of candidates in the Most Competitive category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Veterans’ preference will be applied.

  All applicants will be rated on the following Competencies:

  • Telecommunications
  • Technology Awareness
  • Collaboration
  • Problem solving/Judgment
  • Communication
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Equipment Maintenance

  Specialized Experience (SE):

  GS11-: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

  
  Experience working in a team supporting electronic tactical and technical communications systems.

  • Experiencing troubleshooting and resolving technical communication systems as a member of a team of technicians.
  • Knowledge of local and wide area networking fundamentals
  • Knowledge of satellite communications concepts
  • Knowledge of radio communications concepts

  Physical Demands

  • Work may require kneeling for extended periods of time while operating equipment.
  • Potential for exposure to HAZMAT and/or Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) contaminated or otherwise physically hazardous locations.
  • May require operating at extreme heights, lifting objects in excess of 50 pounds
  • Must be capable of identifying speech and tones with both ears and have color vision.

    Education

    All degrees must be from an accredited college or university. Education may be substituted for specialized experience as follows:

    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:

    1. Your resume, specifically noting relevant work experience and associated start and end dates
    2.  A complete assessment questionnaire
    3. Other supporting documents (if applicable):
    • College transcripts, if qualifying based on education or if there is a positive education requirement
    • Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50; not applicable to current FBI employees
    • Memorandum for Record (MFR), Please see Additional Information
    • Most recent Performance Appraisal; not applicable to current FBI employees
    • Veterans: DD 214; Disabled Veterans: DD 214, SF-15, and VA letter dated 1991 or later

    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

    • Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols. Positions with fitness for duty requirements or those that require international travel may require proof of certain vaccinations.
    • The FBI is in the Executive Branch of the federal government. It is one of the components of the Department of Justice (DOJ). The FBI is the principle investigative arm of the DOJ. All FBI positions are in the excepted service.
    • 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.
    • Applicants must be U.S. citizens and consent to a complete background investigation, urinalysis, and polygraph. You must be suitable for Federal employment; as determined by a background investigation.
    • 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. You application will be evaluated solely on the basis of information you have submitted.
    • 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.
    • The selectee will be required to serve a one-year probationary period for initial assignment to a supervisory position.
    • If you are hired, you will be required to serve a two-year probationary period. 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.
    • Memorandum for Record: Work performed outside assigned duties (that would not normally be documented on an 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 particular position (cannot conflict with main duties)
            b. The month/year work began
            c. Frequency worked (i.e., daily, monthly, etc.)
            d. Specific duties performed

    Attach the Memorandum for Record to your application in the “Cover Letters and Attachments” section of My Career Tools on the Careers Home page. Please upload the attachment as type “Other.”

    Veterans' Preference

    If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume and application. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.

    Nepotism

    Nepotism is the act of favoring relatives in the hiring process, and is prohibited by law. Public officials are prohibited from hiring or promoting relatives or relatives of officials in their chain of command, as well as actively or indirectly endorse a relative’s appointment or promotion.

    During the hiring process, all selected candidates and FBI hiring managers will be required to certify they are not related to anyone involved in the hiring process.

    Reasonable Accommodation Request

    The FBI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities.  If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please notify the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Affairs (OEEOA) Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Program by either e-mail at REASONABLE_ACCOMMODA@fbi.gov, telephone at 202-324-2158, or FAX at 202-324-3976.  Your request will receive an individualized assessment.

    This e-mail address is only for reasonable accommodation requests.  Please do not submit your application and/or any questions unrelated to reasonable accommodations.  Should any applications be received, they will not be forwarded for consideration during the hiring process.

    Equal Employment Opportunity

    The FBI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for this vacancy. Unless explicitly authorized by law, selection will be made without regard to, and there will be no discrimination because of, color, race, religion, national origin, marital status, parental status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age (40 or over), sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, gender identity, and sexual orientation), or on the basis of personal favoritism, or any other non-merit factors.

    Benefits

    The FBI offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.

    This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees:  http://www.opm.gov/insure/new_employ/index.asp

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