Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Media Bureau, Audio Division.

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

This position is in the Bargaining Unit.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The incumbent performs a complete technical analysis of applications for new and existing AM, FM, Low Power FM, FM translator, and FM booster stations. This analysis involves preparing and evaluating engineering studies and plots to determine compliance with the technical rules. Also provides a technical assessment of any request for waiver of the rules. The incumbent responds to a wide variety of technical correspondence received from the public, government agencies, industry representatives and engineering societies. Provides technical advice on spectrum use and potential interference issues. Reviews evaluate and coordinate the preparation of engineering documents and FCC agenda items to ensure technical accuracy, completeness of the content and overall consistency. Handles all other technical matters within the scope of responsibilities assigned to the Bureau and other such matters as may be assigned by the Division/Bureau Chief.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

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

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.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Specialized Experience GS-13: Applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 in the Federal service. For this position, specialized experience includes the following:

Processing and/or reviewing of technical applications; applying regulations and using a variety of engineering databases; and knowledge of transmitting systems and their design and maintenance.

Assessing engineering situations and performing data research and analysis in support of problem-solving recommendations to engineering managers (e.g., use of interference prediction models, mapping tools, and radiofrequency (RFR) emission calculations.)

Specialized Experience GS-14: Applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 in the Federal service. For this position, specialized experience includes the following:

Processing and/or reviewing of AM, FM, low power FM, FM translator and FM booster applications; applying regulations governing AM, FM, Low Power FM, FM Translator stations and using a variety of broadcast engineering databases; and knowledge of broadcast transmitting systems and their design and maintenance.

Assessing broadcast engineering situations and performing data research and analysis in support of problem-solving recommendations to engineering managers (e.g., use of broadcast interference prediction models, broadcast station mapping tools, and radiofrequency emission calculations).

Conducting and directing a variety of radio frequency (RF) spectrum management and radio broadcast systems studies and analyses; and

Interpreting and applying technical and policy judgments related to RF devices and services that are contained in government rules and regulations, industry standards, and international agreements.

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.

Education

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

If you are qualifying based on positive education, 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

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.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

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

All applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience and education relevant to the duties of the position. 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. 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.

Applicants under Merit Promotion will be considered in accordance with the agency's merit promotion plan and union agreement.

There are several parts to the application process that affect the overall evaluation of your application including:

1. the core questions
2. the vacancy questions
3. supplemental documentation (e.g., DD-214, SF-50, SF-15, transcripts), if applicable; and
4. your resume.

Applicants will be rated ineligible, if they do not respond to job specific questions, provide supplemental documents and submit resume. For more information, please click on Rating Process.

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

• Knowledge of Part 73 and Part 74 radio technical rules; electronics engineering concepts, theories, and practices required to process radio broadcast applications and FCC policies, precedents, international agreements, and treaties;
• Ability to develop reports that includes factual data and recommendations, or as appropriate, the presentation of alternatives;
• Skills in using a variety of databases and computer systems to generate maps, reports, and engineering studies.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

***Your resume must clearly document how you meet the specialized experience in order to meet the minimum qualification requirements for this vacancy. Some positions require supplemental document(s). All required supporting documents MUST be received in the FCC'S Human Resources Office by midnight U.S. Eastern Time of the closing date of the announcement, as specified in this announcement. If you do not submit a required document (e.g. transcripts, etc.) your application will be considered incomplete and you will not receive further consideration. Additionally, you may not receive the special consideration, e.g. Vet's Preference, for which you may be eligible without the appropriate supporting documentation. Once you apply to this vacancy you will be prompted by the system to either upload the documents or print fax coversheets to fax the documents. The fax number will be listed on this sheet. If faxing, supplemental document(s) required should be faxed separately on the fax cover sheet provided. Once faxed, you should receive an email confirmation within an hour. If you do not receive an email confirmation, your fax has not been successfully received and you should fax again. If you are unable to fax the required documentation, contact the Human Resources Office at 202-418-0130 prior to 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.***

Hardcopy Supplement Documents Required:

1. When the area of consideration is "Government-Wide" or "All U.S. Citizens." current Federal employees, including those eligible for noncompetitive transfer or reassignment, MUST provide a legible hardcopy of Personnel Action, SF-50, that verifies your status and highest permanently held grade along with your most recent annual performance appraisal.

2. If applying for consideration under a non-competitive appointment such as Schedule A, Excepted Service, all documentation establishing your eligibility must be provided.

3. Veterans MUST submit form DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," or an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form.

4. College Transcripts (For Positive Education Required positions and if qualifying based on education and or experience and education.), if applicable.

Required Documentation for CTAP and ICTAP eligibles:

1. An SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or other official documentation, which shows that you were declared displaced or surplus while serving as a career or career-conditional competitive service employee, in tenure group 1 or 2, OR are a current or former Executive Branch agency employee in the excepted service serving on an appointment without time limit, at grade levels GS-15 or equivalent and below, and who has been conferred noncompetitive appointment eligibility and special selection priority by statute for positions in the competitive service.

2. An SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or other official documentation which shows the position you may be or is being separated from has the same or higher promotion potential as that of the vacancy.

Additionally for CTAP eligibles:

A copy of your Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice;

A notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area;

A Certificate of Expected Separation; your agency's certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice of eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or a similar notice).

Additionally for ICTAP eligibles:

A copy of your RIF separation notice, a notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area;

An OPM notice that your disability annuity has been (or will be) terminated;

Certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a compensable injury; or

Certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement and will receive the special OPM annuity.

A copy of a current (or last) performance rating of record of at least fully successful or equivalent (not required if you are an ICTAP eligible due to compensable injury or disability retirement).

For more information on CTAP and ICTAP download a copy of The Employee's Guide to Career Transition at http://archive.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.pdf

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.