Duties

Serves as a senior engineer, expert consultant, and special project director on telecommunications and wireless communications engineering. Incumbent will need to ensure new technologies are compliant with the Commission's rules. Performs highly technical analyses and research, studies, projects in support of the Commission's rulemaking and policy. Applies a mastery of engineering principles and practices (e.g., electro-magnetic compatibility measurement principles; Radio Frequency propagation -models, mathematical principles, radiated field measurements, conducted emission measurements, computer networking practices, various wireless communications technologies and cognitive radio developments) to the study of technical problems and issues accompanying rule making proceedings. Leads and/or actively participates as a member of agency and interagency program planning panels, committee teams and meetings, to determine possibilities for development of comparative wireless network activities. Directs advanced telecommunications and wireless network systems research projects and technology research teams in developing test plans and diverse procedures. Advises the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) on developing new telecommunications and related technologies (e.g., wireless local area networks, measurement procedures for Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) devices, and Multiple-In Multiple-Out (MIMO)) and determining interference risks and technical operating parameters to develop technical standards. Advises the Branch Chiefs and the Division and Deputy Chiefs on Part 2 rules for equipment authorization and marketing, Part 15 and 18 rules for unlicensed radio frequency devices and other technical rules for approval of licensed devices. Provides advanced technical support for the compliance guidance to manufacturers, test laboratories and the Telecommunication Certification Bodies (TCBs) on the equipment authorization program; and development of test procedures for devices to comply with the Commission's technical rules. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Education-Transcripts Required
• US Citizenship.
• Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
• Serve a probationary period of one year, if applicable.
• Must submit a financial disclosure statement upon assuming the position.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Please note your resume must thoroughly support your responses to the vacancy questions. Your resume is an integral part of the process for determining if you meet the basic qualifications of the position and determining if you are to be among the best qualified.

As required by Executive Order 14043 , Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021 or before appointment or onboarding with the agency, if after November 22. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of the agency a legally required exception from this requirement.

ALL FCC EMPLOYEES MUST provide a legible Personnel Action, SF-50, that verifies your status and highest permanently held grade. If an SF-50 is not submitted, the application will be rated as ineligible. To request a copy of your SF-50 please send an email to PersonnelRecordsRequest@fcc.gov

Qualifications

Applicants must meet eligibility and qualification requirements as outlined below by the closing date of this announcement. Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. In order to qualify for this position candidates must meet the basic requirements in addition to the specialized experience requirements as outlined below.

A. Basic Requirements

Candidates must meet the following OPM basic requirements: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/electronics-engineering-series-0855/.pdf

AND

B. Specialized Experience:GS-14 Specialized Experience: For this position, applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service performing the following tasks:

Participated in developing new hypotheses and theories on RF use and spectrum management;

Participated in studies on spectrum sharing arrangements concerning equipment authorization and RF use;

Performed EMC measurements to demonstrate compliance with technical requirements for International regulatory agencies, industry organizations, or other federal agencies;

Providing advice on major technical research and analysis projects involving shared spectrum;

Participated in the development of EMC measurement procedures for evolving technologies (e.g., multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO), long term evolution (LTE), Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII), Wi-Fi, etc.).

GS-15 Specialized Experience: For this position, applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service performing the following tasks:

Led the development of new hypotheses and theories on RF use and spectrum management;

Directed studies on spectrum sharing arrangements concerning equipment authorization and RF use;

Led the development of EMC measurement procedures and standards for evolving wireless technologies (e.g., multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO), long term evolution (LTE), Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII), Wi-Fi, etc.);

Overseeing and leading others on major technical research and analysis projects involving shared spectrum;

Performed EMC measurements to demonstrate compliance with technical requirements for International regulatory agencies, industry organizations, or other federal agencies.

You will be evaluated for this position on the following Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other characteristics (KSAOs):

• Knowledge of the latest telecommunications and wireless network systems technology which includes testing and certification of devices.
• Knowledge of agency policies concerning equipment authorization and Radio Frequency (RF) use.
• Ability to develop new hypotheses and theories on RF use and spectrum management.
• Skill in the use and application of RF emission measurements for fixed and mobile services and operations.
• Ability to serve as focal point for coordination of activities with industry organizations such as American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).
• Ability to prepare bulletins, guidance documents and public notices, give speeches and serve on panels at public and industrial forums.
• Ability to develop measurement techniques for determining multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO), long term evolution (LTE), Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII), Wi-Fi, etc. of various devices including mobile/portable wireless user equipment and IEEE 802.11 wireless network devices.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. 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.

EDUCATION DOCUMENTATION-UNOFFICIAL OR OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE SUBMITTED. CANDIDATES WHO DO NOT SUBMIT THEIR TRANSCRIPTS WILL BE DEEMED AS INELIGIBLE.

Education

Degree Professional Engineering. To view qualifying educational requirements and/or combination of education and specialized experience click on the following link:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/electronics-engineering-series-0855/.pdf

Please provide a copy of your college transcript. The transcript may be unofficial or photocopy at time of application, but MUST provide the original if selected.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order to receive credit towards qualifications. Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html

All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.

Additional information

EEO Policy Statement

Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement

Veterans Information

Legal and Regulatory Guidance