Telecommunications Specialist (Intercepts)

Summary

This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Houston Field Division. This position(s) primary purpose is to support the technical expert in systems design, engineering, optimization, and modifications for large and diverse inventory of highly specialized state-of-the-art electronics, video, photographic, fixed, and mobile tracking, analog, and digital telecommunications.

Duties

As a your typical work assignments may include: Applying sensitive state of the art telecommunications equipment, applications, and computer systems that are used to track, monitor, and intercept radio and digital data signals. Providing advice, guidance, and strategies concerning the use of highly sophisticated telecommunication equipment and devices for use in active agency operations. Maintaining, modifying, or repairing telecommunications equipment which may require installation or de-installation depending on the operational environment. Coordinating technical operations requiring covert tactics and strategies to maintain anonymity during criminal investigations while utilizing telecommunications systems and platform that intercept radio and digital communication signals. Performing tasks related to concealing, scanning, or enhancing the anonymity of signals transmitted or received from telecommunications devices in an operation under time constraints in various operational environments. Qualifications

For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility Applicants must meet the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of the announcement. If you are qualifying based on education or if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcripts with your application. Basic Qualification Requirements: Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- electrical or electronic engineering, mathematics, physics, public utilities, statistics, computer science, telecommunications management, information systems management, business administration, industrial management, or other fields related to the position to be filled. Other Education: Communications/electronics or automatic data processing training in technical institutes or business schools above the high school level or in Armed Forces schools that included advanced instruction in addition to basic courses, may be substituted for general experience on a month-for-month basis. OR Specialized Experience: Experience in evaluating, analyzing, developing, managing, or improving communications systems, procedures, and requirements that demonstrated knowledge of current developments and trends in communications concepts and technology. AND Applicants applying for the GS-12 must meet one the following requirements: Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level, and your experience includes performing ALL of the tasks listed as part of your regular duties: 1) Using and applying telecommunications equipment, applications, and/or computer systems to track and monitor digital data for active surveillance; 2) Managing, retrieving, processing and maintaining telecommunications data and information utilized in support of investigations; 3) Participating in the installation, configuration, deployment, maintenance of technical setup of telecommunications equipment and systems used in support of investigations; and 4) Evaluating, testing, assessing or implementing telecommunications systems and/or technologies to identify operational needs, system improvements or technology enhancements. Applicants applying for the GS-13 must meet the following requirements: Qualifying experience must demonstrate the following: Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level, and your experience includes performing ALL of the tasks listed as part of your regular duties:1) Using and applying telecommunications equipment, applications, and/or computer systems to track and monitor digital data for active surveillance; 2) Providing training and/or technical guidance in the use and application of telecommunication systems, applications, and/or technologies; 3) Planning and coordinating technical telecommunications or operations in support of investigations, including the deployment, configuration, or operation of telecommunications collection systems and technologies; and 4) Leading or performing technical evaluations, testing, implementation, or assessment of new or emerging telecommunication systems, computer applications, or other technologies. Specialized 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. Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

See the qualification section of this vacancy announcement for education requirements. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials, visit: www.naces.org/members.php. If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13051084 The assessment questionnaire includes four short, free-response essay questions which provides an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question in 200-words or less. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and have not used a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot. Applicants will only be considered for the Eligibilities for which they claim in the job questionnaire AND must provide the supporting documentation. Applicants will not be considered for Eligibilities for which they did not claim, regardless of the documentation submitted with the application. All qualified Non-Competitive applicants and the best qualified Merit Promotion applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Agency and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP and ICTAP) candidates must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for selection priority. Candidates are considered well qualified if their knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) exceed the minimum qualifications described in the announcement. Other Information

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire CompetencyBased Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980686389652-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information) Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If an applicant is currently, or has been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, applicants must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office listed in this announcement. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to similar positions in any Division/Office listed in this announcement. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions. Relocation Incentives may be considered and approved under conditions specified provided the agency has determined that the position is likely to be difficult to fill in the absence of an incentive and funding for such an incentive is available. If eligible, telework and/or remote work agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval. Please note that any approved remote work arrangement is subject to the locality pay area of the alternative telework worksite.