Communications Watch Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary
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.
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Duties
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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.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
• US Citizenship. Active TS/SCI security clearance required.
• May serve a one year probationary period (if applicable).
• Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
• If selected, a financial disclosure statement may be required.
• Current/former federal employees must provide SF-50 verifying grade/status.
• Current FCC employees must provide SF-50 verifying grade & status.
• Resume must not exceed two pages and must meet resume format criteria.
• Shift work required.
• Drug Testing & Security Clearance Required.

See "Qualifications".
Qualifications
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).

Education
How You Will Be Evaluated-DEU Hiring Procedures
The FCC determines the BEST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES based on the major job related competencies and evaluation of your knowledge, skills, and abilities reflected in your application and supporting documents using the CATEGORY RATING PROCESS. Time in grade restrictions do not apply to DEU hiring procedures.
All eligible applicants under Delegated Examining (DEU) will be placed in one of the following three categories:
1. Highly Qualified (Score 90-100) - the applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a superior level of major job related competencies and possession of all evaluation criteria;
2. Fully Qualified (Score 80-89) - the applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level of major job related competencies and possession of the evaluation criteria; and
3. Minimally Qualified (Score of 70-79)- the applicants possessing only the specialized experience described in the vacancy announcement. An automated score is administered based on the on-line application process used.
Eligible applicants will receive a numerical rating based on their responses to the job specific questions for this position. Application of Veterans Preference: The category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have compensable service-connected disability at least 10 percent MUST be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.
A selecting official may make selection from the highest quality category ("HIGHLY QUALIFIED") provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in the same category. Qualified disabled veterans (30% disabled veterans and at least 10% disabled veterans) who meet the qualification criteria float to the top of the Highly Qualified category and by law must be referred over non-veterans. Non-veterans are strictly prohibited from being referred or selected over qualified disabled veterans.
Merit Promotion
If you ask to be considered under Merit Promotion, you will be considered in accordance with the agency's merit promotion plan and union agreement. Time in grade restrictions apply. Under Merit Promotion procedures, applicants must meet the qualifications criteria and receive a score of 70 or above in order to be deemed as Best Qualified. Candidates who ask to be considered non-competitively also only have to receive a score of 70.
Additional information
EEO Policy Statement
Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement
Veterans Information
Legal and Regulatory Guidance
Other:
- Before hiring, an agency will ask you to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. The agency will also ask you to sign and certify the accuracy of all the information in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be fined or jailed. If you are a male over age 18 who was born after December 31, 1959, you must have registered with the Selective Service System (or have an exemption) to be eligible for a Federal job.
- If applicable, you will be required to serve a trial period of one year.
- In order for you to be employed at the FCC, there are certain Commission and Federal laws governing the financial interests of you and members of your immediate family. If selected for the position, you must submit a financial disclosure statement upon assuming the position.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
The FCC offers a wide range of employee benefits, including:
Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Dental & Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Long-Term Care Insurance
Holidays and Leave
Retirement
Thrift Savings Plan
Transit Benefit
Alternative Work Schedule
Telecommuting
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-ti