Telecommunications Specialist (Intercepts)

Summary

This position is located in the DEA, New Orleans Field Division, Birmingham, AL District Office This position(s) primary purpose is to support local and domestic investigative personnel with investigative operations by integrating the use of electronic interception equipment and system networking, for voice, data, internet protocol technology, and service providers.

Duties

As a Telecommunications Specialist (Intercepts), your typical work assignments may include: Conducts wire interception of a variety of electronic communication devices to collect evidence such as voice audio and visual (text messages, emails, notes, photos) directly from the device or internet operated application. Identifies needs, develops recommendations, and coordinates risk-management studies relating to changes or upgrades to existing technical equipment and systems. Conducts site surveys to determine the best approach and operational needs for each site. Analyzes and monitors telecommunications equipment for software reliability and utilization. Wires and assembles components to design, construct, and implement electronic surveillance systems to acquire high quality intelligence and evidentiary information. Performs maintenance to ensure that the equipment is in reliable operating condition and available for normal daily functions and emergencies. Provides consultative/planning, advising, while continuously evaluating advancements in technology and equipment. 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: Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 (or equivalent), and your experience includes performing at least three of the tasks below as part of your regular duties: 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. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector, which demonstrates experience performing: Using and applying telecommunications equipment, applications, OR computer systems to track, monitor, and intercept radio OR digital data for active surveillance; 2) Retrieving, distributing, OR archiving data to be utilized in investigations; 3) Participating in the installation and concealment of surveillance equipment; 4) Conducting verbal and/or written evaluations of telecommunications equipment and providing recommendations on technology improvements. Applicants applying for the GS-13 must meet the following requirements: Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 (or equivalent), and your experience includes performing at least three of the tasks below as part of your regular duties: 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. Qualifying experience must demonstrate the following: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector, which demonstrates experience performing: 1) Using and applying telecommunications equipment, applications, and computer systems to track, monitor, OR intercept radio and digital data for active surveillance; 2) Providing training and technical guidance in the use and application of telecommunication systems, applications, OR technologies; 3) Planning and coordinating technical operations using covert tactics in a criminal investigation; 4) Leading the evaluation of new or prototype telecommunication systems, computer applications, or other technologies. 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) and assessment questionnaire. If you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements for this position, a panel of subject-matter-experts (SMEs) will perform a structured review of your resume to evaluate your knowledge, skills, abilities, and competences as they directly relate to the duties of this position." Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Telecommunications Planning & Evaluation Technical Competence Technology Awareness 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. Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) 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. ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE: You may preview the https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13048392. Other Information

For reasonable accommodation at the Drug Enforcement Administration, please contact the Human Resources office listed in this announcement. 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 if the DEA 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.