Duties

Summary

IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION, YOU MUST PROVIDE A COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS (UNOFFICIAL).

This position is located in the Federal Communications Commission, Office of Engineering and Technology, Laboratory Division, Equipment Authorization and Compliance Branch in Columbia, MD.

RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Serves as the Chief of the Equipment Authorization & Compliance Branch. Knowledge of day-to-day supervisory functions including the establishment of performance standards, the review of work performance, and the initiation of actions for promotions, reassignments, disciplinary measures, and awards. Uses engineering expertise to plan, direct and supervise in-depth filing of the equipment authorization applications, developing rules and technical standards, and testing of equipment related activities of the Division, including establishing goals and objectives. Advises and assists staff on preparing responses for Division's KDB and EAS inquires relating to guidance publications, technical reports and procedures, technical rules for new and novel radiofrequency equipment, rule interpretations and stakeholder presentations. Directs the coordination of Branch activities with the Office of General Counsel, and other Federal agencies and departments such as the National Telecommunications Information Agency, and with the private sector such as Electronic Industries Association and Telecommunications Industry Association. Review and development of recommendations concerning the disposition of matters arising under the FOIA, the Privacy Act, and the Commission's implementing rules, address requests for interpretations of the FCC Rules and Regulations, particularly those dealing with the equipment authorization program and those requiring technical interpretations establishing goals and objectives for these activities. Developing interpretations for complex technologies uniquely related to the functions of the Branch; staying abreast of technical and engineering developments affecting the equipment authorization and compliance programs by reviewing Commission decisions, legislation, professional publications, standards activities and trade press. Researches legislation, decisions, opinions, and regulations. Developing test procedures, scientific, engineering and technical reports. Determine the proportion of total Branch resources to be devoted to individual activities; evaluates need for and develop justification for funding, personnel, other resources, and actions to take to improve efficiency and economy of operations. Directs and evaluates the work of the Branch as delegated by the Division Chief. Performs other duties as assigned.

Travel Required

25% or less - Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings and conferences.

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
15

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.

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: For this position, applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to next lower grade level in the Federal service performing the following tasks:

Experience overseeing, directing, supervising or managing a subordinate staff;

Experience in developing strategies for auditing equipment authorization applications for compliance;

Experience providing technical expertise on radio frequency emission, radio frequency exposure and hearing aid compliance measurement procedures and policies;

Experience in a broad range of wireless technologies and systems the Commission regulates, and developing approaches to provide outreach to third party certification and testing entities;

Experience providing guidance and advice to management regarding engineering and regulatory issues.

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.

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

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

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 equipment authorization and compliance matters related to telecommunications technologies nationwide.
  • Ability to discuss, explain, defend and promote Commission policies with representatives of other government agencies and private industry.
  • Knowledge of day-to-day supervisory functions.
  • Ability to relate economic and technical considerations to regulatory issues in a clear and concise manner.
  • Ability to provide guidance and advice on Commission proceedings surrounding major sectors of the communications industry involving equipment authorization testing, and compliance.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)

Trust determination process
Credentialing , Suitability/Fitness , National security

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 coversheet 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 are 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 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 a 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.