Communications Operations Specialist (Watch Officer)

This position is a Communications Operations Specialist (Watch Officer) at the Federal Communications Commission Operations Center (FCCOC) located at Headquarters in Washington, DC. The Watch Officer functions as an initial point of contact for Homeland Security and National Security/Emergency Preparedness (NS/EP) matters that concern the FCC. Watch functions are performed on an around-the-clock basis on a rotating shift with other Specialists in order to maintain situational awareness of communications issues, provide immediate analysis, and assist with response efforts.

The Watch Officer must investigate and analyze a variety of unusual conditions, problems, data, or questions involving the FCC. The incumbent must be capable of exercising sound judgment with minimum oversight and direction from supervisory staff. The incumbent must be capable of professionally representing the Commission to public safety stakeholder and the general public.

The incumbent will field requests for assistance from a variety of stakeholders and must be highly organized and have the ability to handle multiple tasks at once. The incumbent must also have the ability to develop and document new processes that will become standard operating procedures for Specialists. The incumbent must be capable of activating and operating the FCC's alternate FCCOC site in situations involving any emergency and/or continuation of operations relocation.

The position also includes operation of the FCC's High Frequency Direction Finding (HFDF) system, and other local and remote operated radio signal finding equipment to support public safety organizations as well as FCC operations. The incumbent performs research and investigative analysis on areas covering the entirety of the FCC regulatory purview. The incumbent analyzes and investigates public safety interference, complaints to land mobile, marine, and aviation licenses, and reports antenna problems that may affect aviation.

S/he will write situation reports on emergencies, report infractions of Commission rules, and other policy matters for presentation to Commission staff. This includes research and analysis on critical and potentially unprecedented national communications or cyber-related issues.

See "Qualifications".

How You Will Be Evaluated-DEU Hiring Procedures The FCC determines the BEST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES based on the major job related competencies and evaluation of your knowledge, skills, and abilities reflected in your application and supporting documents using the CATEGORY RATING PROCESS. Time in grade restrictions do not apply to DEU hiring procedures. All eligible applicants under Delegated Examining (DEU) will be placed in one of the following three categories: 1.

Highly Qualified (Score 90-100) - the applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a superior level of major job related competencies and possession of all evaluation criteria; 2. Fully Qualified (Score 80-89) - the applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level of major job related competencies and possession of the evaluation criteria; and

1. Minimally Qualified (Score of 70-79)- the applicants possessing only the specialized experience described in the vacancy announcement. An automated score is administered based on the on-line application process used.

Eligible applicants will receive a numerical rating based on their responses to the job specific questions for this position. Application of Veterans Preference: The category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have compensable service-connected disability at least 10 percent MUST be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.

A selecting official may make selection from the highest quality category ("HIGHLY QUALIFIED") provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in the same category. Qualified disabled veterans (30% disabled veterans and at least 10% disabled veterans) who meet the qualification criteria float to the top of the Highly Qualified category and by law must be referred over non-veterans. Non-veterans are strictly prohibited from being referred or selected over qualified disabled veterans.

Merit Promotion If you ask to be considered under Merit Promotion, you will be considered in accordance with the agency's merit promotion plan and union agreement. Time in grade restrictions apply. Under Merit Promotion procedures, applicants must meet the qualifications criteria and receive a score of 70 or above in order to be deemed as Best Qualified.

Candidates who ask to be considered non-competitively also only have to receive a score of 70.

As this position is being advertised under DEU and Merit Promotion hiring procedures, applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience and education relevant to the duties of the position using the hiring procedures outlined below. In compliance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan requirements, please be advised that candidates will not be evaluated, selected or hired based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. Optional Four Essay Questions At the time of application, applicants have the option of answering the following four short, free-response essay questions.

1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.

Applicants will be required to certify that they are using their own words, and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]). The responses to each question cannot exceed 200 words per question.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

EEO Policy Statement Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement Veterans Information Legal and Regulatory Guidance

Other: - Before hiring, an agency will ask you to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. The agency will also ask you to sign and certify the accuracy of all the information in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be fined or jailed.

If you are a male over age 18 who was born after December 31, 1959, you must have registered with the Selective Service System (or have an exemption) to be eligible for a Federal job. - If applicable, you will be required to serve a trial period of one year. - In order for you to be employed at the FCC, there are certain Commission and Federal laws governing the financial interests of you and members of your immediate family. If selected for the position, you must submit a financial disclosure statement upon assuming the position.

To apply to this announcement go to the website: https://www.usajobs.gov/Search/Results?a=FC00&k=Federal%20Communications%20Commission Your application, including resume, all supplemental documents, registration information and answers to job specific questions must be received no later than midnight U.S. Eastern time of the closing date. For more information on applying federal jobs, please check this webpage https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/process As outlined in the "Required Documents Details" section of the announcement, resumes must meet be no longer than two pages in length and must meet the resume formatting requirements.

If applying online poses a hardship, you may contact either the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement or you may contact the Apply Government Solutions help desk (prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement) via e-mail at [email protected] or you may reach them directly at 866-656-6831. The Apply Government Sollutions Help Desk is available Monday-Friday 7:00 am to 7:00 pm EST.

NOTE: To be considered for an announced vacancy in the area of consideration within which the employee is eligible to compete, the employee must apply online using the Commission's automated recruitment system. Employees must submit all necessary application materials identified in the announcement by the specified closing date. If applying as an ICTAP or CTAP candidate...

The Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) are programs designed to afford selection priority to well-qualified Federal employees who meet the definition of a “surplus” or “displaced” employee. To be eligible for consideration under CTAP you must meet all of the following criteria: 1) Be a current FCC employee who has received an official notice stating that your position is no longer needed, or that you will be separated by reduction in force (RIF); 2) Have a current performance rating of at least "fully successful" or equivalent as substantiated by the submitted/uploaded performance appraisal. This must be submitted with your application package; 3) Occupy a position in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; 4) Apply for a specific vacancy at or below your current grade level with no greater promotion potential than your current position; 5) Meet the application deadline in the announcement; and 6) Be deemed as "qualified" by meeting all of the required qualification criteria.

To be eligible for consideration under ICTAP, you must be a displaced Federal employee and have a current duty station within the local commuting area of this vacancy.

You must submit a copy of the appropriate documentation such as a RIF separation notice, a letter from OPM or your agency documenting your priority consideration status with your application package. The following categories of candidates are considered displaced Employees: Current or former career or career-conditional (tenure group I or II) competitive service employees who: Received a specific RIF separation notice; or Separated because of a compensable injury, whose compensation has been terminated, and whose former agency certifies that it is unable to place; or Retired with a disability and whose disability annuity has been or is being terminated; or Upon receipt of a RIF separation notice retired on the effective date of the RIF and submits a Standard Form 50 that indicates "Retirement in lieu of RIF", or Retired under the discontinued service retirement option, or Separated because he/she declined a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area. The additional following types of candidates are considered displaced Employees: Military/National Guard Technician--you were a Military Reserve or National Guard Technician and now receive a special OPM disability retirement annuity.

To be eligible for consideration under ICTAP you must: 1) Have a current performance rating of at least "fully successful" or equivalent; 2) Occupy (or have been separated from) a position in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; 3) Apply for a specific vacancy at or below the grade level you are being (or have been) separated from that does not have greater promotion potential than your last position; 4) Meet the application deadline; and 5) Be deemed as "qualified" by meeting all of the required qualification criteria.

Your resume must clearly document how you meet the specialized experience in order to meet the minimum qualification requirements for this vacancy. Some positions require supplemental document(s). All required supporting documents MUST be received by midnight U.S.

Eastern Time of the closing date of the announcement, as specified in this announcement. If you do not submit a required document (e.g. transcripts, etc.) your application will be considered incomplete and you will not receive further consideration. Additionally, you may not receive the special consideration, e.g.

Vet's Preference, for which you may be eligible without the appropriate supporting documentation. Once you apply to this vacancy you will be prompted by the system to upload the documents. If you are unable to upload the required documentation, contact the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement prior to 5:00 p.m.

U.S. Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. Merit Hiring Plan Resume Requirements In compliance with Executive Order 14170, Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring Merit to Government Service resumes must not be longer than two pages in length.

The resume must address minimum qualifications and other requirements listed in the job announcement.

Resumes must include all of the following information outlined below: Contact Information Name and how best to contact you, including email address and phone number. Relevant Work Experience Job Title and Employer (including series and grade for any Federal positions) Start and end dates with month/year (e.g., 05/2019 –08/2022) The number of hours you worked per week Ensure work experience descriptions are aligned with the job announcement and address all required qualifications. Brief descriptions should demonstrate your ability to perform the tasks at the required level as stated in the job announcement.

Resumes must be formatted as outlined above. If the two page resume criteria and/or the resume formatting requirement is not met candidates will be rated as ineligible and will not be referred for hiring consideration. The FCC is providing the following applicant resume resources: Applicant Guidance on the Two-Page Resume Limit USAjobs-How to Write a Federal Resume Current or Former Federal Employees ALL CURRENT/FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND CURRENT FCC EMPLOYEES MUST provide a legible Personnel Action, SF-50, that verifies your status and highest permanently held grade.

If an SF-50 is not submitted, the application will be rated as ineligible. CURRENT FCC EMPLOYEES-To request a copy of your SF-50 please send an email to [email protected] ICTAP/CTAP Employees If you are an ICTAP or CTAP eligible employee you must submit (along with your resume): 1. Copy of separation SF-50 documenting ICTAP/CTAP eligibility

1. Copy of your final federal performance appraisal
2. Copy of official Reduction in Force (RIF) notice
3. Copy of any other document which documents your eligibility for CTAP or ICTAP