Emergency Operations / Telecommunications Specialist

bowheadcareers-uicalaska; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Bowhead seeks an Emergency Operations / Telecommunications Specialist to support EPA’s National Security Emergency Preparedness Program in Washington, DC. This on-site role requires working in a classified environment and coordinating with EPA continuity personnel to install, test, operate, and manage secure and nonsecure communications capabilities.

The ideal candidate has 4+ years in telecom/EOC operations, strong Microsoft Office skills, and a proven ability to produce SOPs and training

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in Telecommunications Systems, Management, Information Systems, or related field.
• 4+ years general experience in telecom operations, EOC activities, and office automation.
• 2+ years specialized experience in national security emergency support or environmental emergency program.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to work independently or in a team.

Responsibilities

• Operates and maintains telecommunications and cryptographic equipment and systems.
• Serve as Alternate COMSEC Custodian and assist with COMSEC account management.
• Maintain control and accountability of Controlled Cryptographic Items (CCI).
• Prepare operational reports and develop SOPs for telecom and cryptographic equipment.
• Ensure EOC and related systems remain in a ready state for emergencies.
• Coordinate testing and regulatory requirements (OSTP/OMB) as needed.
• Collaborate with DHS NOC, NICC, FEMA EOC to obtain status information.
• Provide orientation and training on EOC communications capabilities.
• Support on-site EOC/EOF operations during extended periods.
• Assist Watch Officers in developing and transmitting EOC products.

Skills

EOC operations

Microsoft Office

Oral and written communication

Interpersonal skills

Classified environment work

Education

Bachelor's degree

BA/BS in relevant field

Tools

Secure communications equipment

COMSEC account management

Job description

Overview

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS / TELECOMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST (EPS):

Bowhead seeks an Emergency Operations / Telecommunications Specialist to support the National Security Emergency Preparedness Program contract in Washington, DC. This individual serves as one of the contract’s four Key Personnel and works onsite in a classified operating environment. This specialist will assist the EPA National Continuity Manager and senior EPA continuity personnel in the acquisition, installation, integration, testing, operations and management of a suite of secure and nonsecure communications capabilities. This specialist will assist the Program Manager in daily and emergency operations in the Secure Access Facility (SAF), Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at the HQ facility and several alternate locations.

Responsibilities

• Operates and performs operator level preventive and corrective maintenance on all telecommunications and cryptographic equipment and systems.
• The Emergency Operations/Telecommunications Specialist will serve as Alternate COMSEC Custodian and assist in managing EPA’s NSA approved COMSEC account from the EOC’s SAF.
• Assist in maintaining positive control and accountability of all assigned Controlled Cryptographic Items (CCI) in EPA’s account that can enable secure communications up to the TS/SCI level.
• Assist in the distribution of CCI to users at EPA HQ, Regions, Laboratories, and other sites and help ensure they perform semiannual inventories and accomplish associated documentation.
• Prepares the telecommunications systems portions of the daily, weekly, and monthly Operations Status reports; identifies telecommunications equipment and system shortfalls; and develops/revises Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and instructions for telecommunications and cryptographic equipment.
• Ensure the EOC and all associated communications systems and equipment are maintained in a constant state of operational readiness.
• Conduct operational testing and coordinate the maintenance of the EPA secure telecommunications system, secure computers, faxes, etc., and if repair or service needed, notify Program Manager and TOCOR.
• Fulfill OSTP/OMB D-16-1 monthly and quarterly testing requirements.
• Ensure EPA's SAF, SCIF can attain full operational capability and support of a full headquarters Emergency Operations Team for extended operational periods under all hazards emergency conditions, including adherence to all National Security Information protocols for secure areas.
• Work collaboratively to proactively analyze existing or developing Presidential / interagency continuity communications policies and directives to determine current or upcoming requirements that may impact the EPA and NSEP program.
• Apply skills from varied disciplines to generate and provide continuity communications related training products and services as requested by the TOCOR.
• Work collaboratively to provide onsite support to EOC operations on all Federal workdays from 7:00am to 5:30pm. Should national emergencies warrant the EOC to implement Extended Daily Operations, Emergency Operations, or Emergency Activation postures, the TOCOR may request Bowhead’s NSEP Program Augmentation Staff to provide expanded support.
• When directed, work closely with the on-duty Watch Officers (Senior Watch Officer/Watch Officer (SWO/WO)) in the preparation, development, and transmission of EOC products (e.g., Daily Emergency Management Report, Spot Reports, and other EOC products).
• When required, coordinate with the DHS National Operations Center, National Infrastructure Coordinating Center, FEMA Emergency Operations Center, and other organizations via classified and unclassified methods to obtain status information and other products the Watch Officer or TOCOR may require.
• Provide orientation training and briefings to headquarters Emergency Operations Team members, NSEP Program Office staff, and authorized official visitors pertaining to the EOC’s communications capabilities, operational readiness status, and activation procedures.
• Monitor classified communications systems for messages, faxes and other forms of communications that may be of interest to the EOC Watch Officer, NSEP program, National Continuity Manager and other stakeholders as directed.
• Work collaboratively to provide onsite support at the EOF to maintain the facility and secure telecommunications systems onsite. Should national emergencies warrant the activation of continuity plans and the use of the EOF, the TOCOR may request Bowhead’s NSEP Program Augmentation Staff to provide expanded support if authorized.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree is preferred in Telecommunications Systems, Management, Business, Information Systems, or other related scientific, technical, or liberal arts discipline.
• A minimum of four (4+) years general experience that includes telecommunications equipment/systems operations; emergency operations center (EOC) activities; PC based office automation equipment and programs (word processing, database management, spreadsheet, etc.); and demonstrated ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• At least two years of specialized experience that includes national security emergency support, catastrophic disaster support, or environmental emergency program support. Additional specialized experience includes familiarization with secure facilities operations; physical security and operations security (OPSEC) planning; previous experience managing/supporting a COMSEC program, and demonstrated ability to develop operational plans, procedures, and instructions.
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office software suite - Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of employees and outside contacts and demonstrable skills in oral and written communications, examples of technical publications / conference presentations may be requested.
• Strong interpersonal skills and good judgment with the ability to work alone or as part of a team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• BA/BS in relevant technical field
• Experience with web development and site customization.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to lift 25 pounds
• Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged amounts of time
• Must be able to twist, bend, and squat periodically

The pay scale for this position is between $100,000 - $120,000.

Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Bowhead considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and business considerations when extending an offer.

SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIRED: Must currently hold a security clearance at the Top Secret/SCI level with the ability to obtain a Counter Intelligence Polygraph. US Citizenship is a requirement for Top Secret clearance at this location.