Chief Engineering Advisor

Summary

The FCC Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) advises the Commission on technical and engineering matters; develops and administers FCC decisions regarding spectrum allocations; grants equipment authorizations, experimental licenses, and special temporary operation authority; regulates the operation of unlicensed devices; and conducts engineering and technical studies.

Duties

The Chief Engineering Advisor provides authoritative engineering advice and consultation to OET leadership, and, as appropriate, the Chairman, Commissioners, Bureaus and Offices, and other senior Commission officials on matters involving advanced communications technologies, radiofrequency spectrum, wireless and electronic communications systems, interference, equipment and device technologies, technical standards, and other complex engineering issues within the Commission's jurisdiction. Job duties of the Chief Engineering Advisor include: Serving as a principal senior engineering advisor to OET leadership and other senior Commission officials on the most complex and consequential engineering and technology matters before the FCC. Providing authoritative professional engineering advice concerning radiofrequency spectrum, electromagnetic compatibility, interference, propagation, wireless and communications systems, electronic devices and equipment, advanced communications technologies, and other technical matters affecting Commission programs and regulatory responsibilities. Analyzing complex issues involving spectrum sharing, harmful interference, electromagnetic compatibility, propagation characteristics, transmitter and receiver performance, antenna systems, technical operating parameters, and related communications engineering matters. Providing expert engineering analysis and advice regarding the efficient and effective use of the radiofrequency spectrum and the technical characteristics of communications systems operating within spectrum regulated by the Commission. Assessing the engineering implications of new technologies, architectures, devices, and communications capabilities and advises Commission leadership regarding potential impacts on spectrum use, interference environments, technical rules, and regulatory policy. Reviewing and evaluating technical proposals, engineering studies, industry submissions, petitions, comments, standards, and other technical materials presented to the Commission. Consulting with nationally recognized engineers, scientists, technical experts, industry representatives, and government officials concerning highly complex communications and spectrum engineering matters. Providing technical leadership through expert consultation, mentoring, and professional guidance to engineers and other technical professionals throughout OET and the Commission. Requirements

N/A Qualifications

To be deemed as qualified, candidates must meet the qualification criteria as listed in both Part A & Part B. PART A. REQUIRED OPM EDUCATION Candidates must meet the OPM educational qualification standards as listed here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf Applicants are required to submit transcripts (unofficial or official) to confirm attainment of the OPM educational requirements for this position. If transcripts are not submitted, the application will be rated as ineligible. 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 PART B. ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION CRITERIA Specialized Experience 1. Providing authoritative engineering advice and technical expertise on highly complex communications and electronics engineering matters involving areas such as radio frequency spectrum, wireless communications systems, electromagnetic compatibility, interference analysis, propagation, or advanced communications technologies. 2. Evaluating and resolving complex or precedent-setting engineering issues involving communications technologies, spectrum use, electronic systems, or emerging technologies, including assessing technical studies, engineering analyses, standards, models, or other technical evidence and developing technically supportable recommendations for senior decision-makers. 3. Advising senior officials and engaging with technical stakeholders on significant engineering and technology matters, including communicating complex technical concepts and recommendations to senior leadership, government officials, industry representatives, standards organizations, academia, or other technical experts. AND Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ's/Required Competencies) Electronics, Communications, and Spectrum Engineering-Ability to demonstrate expertise applying advanced electronics and communications engineering principles to exceptionally complex matters involving radiofrequency spectrum, wireless communications systems, electromagnetic compatibility, interference, propagation, electronic equipment, or related technologies. Complex Engineering Analysis and Technical Judgement-Ability to evaluate and resolve novel, highly complex, or precedent-setting engineering issues and develop authoritative technical recommendations based upon engineering analyses, studies, standards, models, measurements, or other technical evidence. Senior Technical Advice and Influence-Skill providing authoritative engineering advice to senior decision-makers and communicating complex technical issues and recommendations to senior officials and external technical stakeholders. SME REVIEW Subject matter experts will be conducting a competency based, scored structured resume review and will be reviewing resumes to determine if candidates meet the required specialized experience criteria and the required competencies listed above to determine which candidates are eligible to be referred for selection to the selecting official. Candidates must meet the required specialized experience along with the required competencies and receive a score of 90 or higher on the scored structured resume review to be eligible for referral to the selecting official.

How You Will Be Evaluated

DEU 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 specialized experience 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 all specialized experience criteria. 3. Minimally Qualified (Score of 70-79)- the applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a minimum level of major job related competencies and possession of all specialized experience criteria.; and 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. As this is a professional position above the GS-9 grade level, 10% or more disabled veterans float to the top of their respective category, they do not float to the top of the Highly Qualified category unless they receive a score of 90 or above. You may preview questions for this vacancy. 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 Other Information

EEO Policy Statement Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement Veterans Information Legal and Regulatory Guidance - 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. In compliance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan requirements, please be advised that candidates will not be evaluated, selected or hired based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. Optional Four Essay Questions At the time of application, applicants have the option of answering the following four short, free-response essay questions. 1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience. 2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes. 3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired. 4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position. Applicants will be required to certify that they are using their own words, and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]). The responses to each question cannot exceed 200 words per question.