Duties

Summary

This position is in the Industry Analysis Division (IAD or Division), Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA or Office), Federal Communications (FCC or Commission) located in Washington, DC. This position will either be onsite in Washington, DC or will be 100% remote.

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Transcripts must be received by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

Additional selections may be made from this announcement.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The incumbent provides expert technical and policy advice on the architecture, technology, design, construction, and operations of broadband and legacy wireline communications networks, including access and wide-area communication networks and technologies. The incumbent performs investigative analyses and original research with respect to critical and unprecedented network operations and service provision issues that involve emerging technologies and services (e.g., IP-based voice and video operations); evaluates technical, social, legal, institutional and/or other related implications of proposed policies on technology adoption, deployment, network operations and communications services provision; and provides input into Commission proceedings that implement those proposed policies.

Provides technical advice on the development of metrics to support quantitative analyses of the deployment, operational performance and service quality of communications networks and the communications and content services provided on those networks. Analyzes proposals submitted by stakeholders in Commission proceedings for measuring the deployment, operational performance, and service quality of communications networks and the communications and content services provided on those networks in order to provide guidance to the Division and the Office on the feasibility, implementation, and usefulness of those proposals. Reviews and comments on technical, business and financial analyses of parties to proceedings at the Commission.

Exercises an understanding and ability to balance technological, business, and regulatory considerations while performing assigned responsibilities, including the following: (1) developing methods of implementing incentive-oriented regulatory theories, including innovative technical approaches to meeting regulatory objectives; (2) reviewing and evaluating current rules and policies to determine whether they continue to provide an effective means of achieving the goals for which they were designed; (3) determining the feasibility and alternative means of achieving the objectives of current rules and policies in instances in which such rules and policies are not congruent with evolving regulatory requirements and technological reality; and (4) identifying opportunities to further the adoption and deployment of broadband technologies and services in support of Commission's overall goals and its specific objectives associated with universal service, competition policy and public safety.

Keeps abreast of technical developments generally affecting advanced communications systems and technologies including broadband systems and technologies, by reviewing Commission decisions, professional publications, industry standards and requirements, trade press, legislation, and through contacts in the technical and scientific community and the communications industry; and by participation in the Commission's rulemaking and other proceedings. Based on such review as well as a broad perspective of Division and Office functions, policies and activities, the incumbent drafts and reviews agenda items and other documents for the Division; assures that the documents are complete, comprehensive, internally consistent, technically correct, and conforming with existing policy and precedent; and meets with staff to discuss questionable areas and to obtain supplemental information.

Provides guidance and leadership over unusually complex and controversial technical matters including those of a precedent-setting nature. Provides expert technical and policy analysis for the Division on the workings of advanced communication systems including broadband systems and the Internet as assigned by the Division Chief or designees.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
15 - GS-15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

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

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. Candidates MUST meet both the qualification requirements and the educational requirements in order to qualify for this position.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

A. EDUCATION

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/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf

AND

B. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE

GS-14:

Candidates must have one year of specialized experience which is equivalent to the GS-13 grade level as outlined below:

1) Experience performing quantitative analyses of the deployment, operational performance and service quality of communications networks and the communications and content services provided on those networks.
2) Experience performing investigative analyses and original research with respect to critical and unprecedented network operations and service provision issues that involve emerging technologies and services (e.g., IP-based voice and video operations).
3) Experience evaluating the technical, social, legal, institutional and/or other related implications of proposed policies on technology adoption.
4) Experience analyzing proposals in order to measure the deployment, operational performance, and service quality of communications networks and the communications and content services provided on those networks.

GS-15:

Candidates must have one year of specialized experience which is equivalent to the GS-14 grade level as outlined below:

1) Experience independently performing quantitative analyses of the deployment, operational performance and service quality of communications networks and the communications and content services provided on those networks.
2) Experience independently performing investigative analyses and original research with respect to critical and unprecedented network operations and service provision issues that involve emerging technologies and services (e.g., IP-based voice and video operations).
3) Experience independently evaluating the technical, social, legal, institutional and/or other related implications of proposed policies on technology adoption.
4) Experience independently analyzing proposals in order to measure the deployment, operational performance, and service quality of communications networks and the communications and content services provided on those networks.

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.

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.

Education

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/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf

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

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 Applicants claiming veterans preference please click on 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):

1. Ability to provide expert technical and policy advice regarding the operations of broadband legacy wireline communication networks.
2. Ability to provide guidance and leadership over unusually complex and controversial technical matters.
3. Knowledge of communications systems and related policies.
4. Ability to negotiate and resolve technical problems

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

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 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 upload the documents. If you are unable to upload the required documentation, contact the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement 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 upload and submit a Member 4 DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty" or a "Statement of Active Service". The type of discharge must be annotated. Disabled veterans MUST upload and submit the VA letter and/or Schedule A letter which demonstrates the overall percentage of disability. Any/all documentation verifying or confirming veterans preference or non-competitive eligibility as a veteran must be uploaded and submitted electronically at the time of application.
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.