Telecommunications Specialist

Federal Emergency Management Agency; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 122,000 - 158,000; Full time

Job summary

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Washington, DC seeks a communications specialist for the Office of National Continuity Programs. The role focuses on planning, testing, installation, and maintenance of diverse voice, video, data, and wireless systems to ensure readiness for emergencies.

The ideal candidate will provide technical expertise in satellite communications and network engineering while managing frequency, interoperability, and security concerns across national security and

Qualifications

• Experience testing and maintaining a variety of voice, video, and data communications systems.
• Ability to work independently, troubleshoot and correct communications issues.
• Maintain readiness of assigned communications systems and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Plan, acquisition, implementation, technical acceptance, installation, optimization/maintenance and security support of radio and wireless technology systems.
• Provide technical expertise in satellite communications and network engineering.
• Design deployment, installation, integration, operations and maintenance of wide and narrow band RF systems.
• Perform frequency management, system evaluation and fault isolation of telecom circuits and equipment.
• Support national security and crisis command and control programs; travel for emergency operations as needed.

Job description

• Department: Department of Homeland Security
• Location: Washington, District of Columbia
• Hiring Path: Fed Transition
• Number of Openings: 1
• Security Clearance: Sensitive Compartmented Information

This position is located in Office of National Continuity Programs. The ideal candidate for this position will have experience testing and maintaining a variety of voice, video, and data communications systems; able to work independently, troubleshoot and correct communications issues; maintain readiness of assigned comms systems and equipment.

Key Responsibilities

What will I do in this position if hired? In this position, you will be responsible for planning, acquisition, implementation, technical acceptance, installation, optimization/maintenance and security support of regulated and unregulated radio and wireless technology systems. Typical assignments include: Providing technical expertise in the areas of satellite communications and network engineering.

Planning and designing the deployment, placement, installation, integration, operations, and maintenance of a large variety of wide and narrow band radio frequency systems with associated ancillary equipment. Performing frequency management functions and integration and evaluation of off-the-shelf and prototype radio frequency systems and subsystems.

Performing monitoring, testing, alignment, and fault isolation of voice, data, and video telecommunications circuits, systems, and equipment. Providing oversight on programs technical areas related to the national security and crisis command and control programs. What else do I need to know? At FEMA, our mission is to help people before, during and after disasters, and every employee at FEMA has a role in emergency management.

Every FEMA employee has regular and recurring emergency management responsibilities, though not every position requires routine deployment to disaster sites. All positions are subject to recall around the clock for emergency management operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the official duty station, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee's official position description.

Travel requirements in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature (weeks to months), with little advance notice, and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically austere and operationally challenging conditions.

Requirements & Education

Positive Education Requirement: This position has a positive education requirement, as outlined in the "requirements" section. You must submit a copy of your transcripts (unofficial are acceptable) with your online application. Once selected and prior to appointment, applicants must provide official college transcripts.

Education substitution: This position permits applicants to qualify based on education (or a combination of education and experience), as outlined in the "requirements" section. If you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your transcripts (unofficial are acceptable) with your online application. Once selected and prior to appointment, applicants must provide official college transcripts.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. For example, specific courses accepted for college-level credit by an accredited U.S.

college or university, or foreign education evaluated by an organization recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education as education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. college or university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. Visit the Department of Education's Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information. Other Supporting Documentation (submit if applicable to you) Are you a veteran?

Submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or other acceptable documentation such as a certification letter from your Command reflecting rank, dates of service, and type of discharge, which verifies veteran's status and type of discharge prior to the closing date of this announcement. Those applying for 10-Point preference may fill out the SF-15 and/or provide documentation that demonstrates preference eligibility.

If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty service under honorable conditions, within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. This must indicate your dates of service, expected release dates, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable or general conditions.

View more veterans' information. (Note: for the purpose of verifying length and character of service, a letter from the VA will not suffice. A letter from the VA can only be used to determine disability rating.) Are you a Boren Awardee? Submit a copy of your National Security Education Program (NSEP) certification letter. You may be asked to

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers.

DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service- connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $121785 – $158322/yr.

What security clearance is required?

This position requires a Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-02.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.