Telecommunications Specialist (Wildland Fire)

US Office of the Secretary of the Interior; Grand Junction (CO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

US Office of the Secretary of the Interior is seeking qualified candidates for a telecommunication-focused role in Grand Junction, CO with duty locations in Albuquerque, NM and Las Cruces, NM. The position emphasizes specialized experience in communications, radio maintenance, and network support within a federal context.

Applicants should demonstrate knowledge of digital radios, dispatch systems, and protective grounding practices.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience in evaluating, developing, managing, or improving communications systems.
• Experience in programming, repairing and installing digital radios and dispatch consoles.
• Knowledge of grounding telecommunications systems and network testing.

Skills

Telecommunications systems

Radio maintenance

Network routing

Electrical grounding

Education

Ph.D. or equivalent

Tools

LAN/WAN testing

Job description

This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans preference is not applicable to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority at: Direct Hire Authority

This position is located with the Office of the Secretary of Interior, US Wildland Fire Service in Grand Junction, Colorado; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Las Cruces, New Mexico.

In order to be considered for any duty location, ensure desired locations are selected. Applicants will not be considered for locations not selected.

In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification requirements listed below.

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

Only experience and education obtained by 11/09/2026 will be considered.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. Please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience.

Specialized Experience Requirements:

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement(s); please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade of the position to be filled.

To qualify for the GS-11 grade level, 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 is required. Examples of work experience include, but are not limited to: Evaluating, analyzing, developing, managing, or improving communications systems, procedures, and requirements that demonstrated experience in programming, repairing and installing digital hand held radios, mobile radios, VHF repeaters, dispatch consoles; experience in grounding telecommunications systems; experience with repairing, installing, testing LANs, WANs, and routing networks and phone cabling; and experience with standardized equipment, services, and processes that will be used to obtain services from contractors.

Substitution of Education for Experience:

Must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree with a major field of study in the following -- 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 this position OR an equivalent combination of specialized experience and education.

Physical Demands: Work is primarily sedentary and performed in an office setting. The position includes periodic field work at dispatch facilities, telecommunications sites, and remote radio/repeater installations. Field activities may require extended walking or hiking over rough or uneven terrain; climbing slopes, stairs, or fixed ladders; bending, kneeling, and working in confined or awkward positions; and lifting, carrying, or moving moderately heavy equipment, tools, test sets, and materials associated with telecommunications work.

Work Environment: Work is normally performed in an office environment. Periodic travel to field locations may involve extended driving over unimproved or rough roads and, as conditions require, other modes of transportation (e.g., rotary-wing or fixed-wing aircraft). Field work may occur in adverse weather (e.g., rain, sleet, snow, heat, wind) and at facilities with installed or operating telecommunications equipment. The incumbent may be exposed to hazards such as radio frequency energy, electrical hazards, slips/trips/falls on uneven surfaces, and work in proximity to antenna/tower infrastructure. The incumbent complies with applicable safety requirements and uses required personal protective equipment and precautions (e.g., RF exposure controls, electrical safety, fall protection, and site access procedures).