Department of Homeland Security

Telecommunications Specialist

District of Columbia, District of Columbia Full time

Telecommunications Specialist

Department: Department of Homeland Security

Location(s): District of Columbia, District of Columbia

Salary Range: $142488 - $185234 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Service Office. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Telecommunications Specialist/IT Specialist and is an expert in planning, developing, testing, operating, maintaining and deploying IT and telecommunications systems for the Office of the Secretary, Homeland Security. Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Major Duties:

  • As a Telecommunications Specialist, GS-0391-14, your typical work assignments may include: Planning, organizing and directing studies to develop long-range studies and forecasts and advising top level agency telecommunications and subject-matter managers on applying new developments and advances in telecommunications techniques in the specialty area. Evaluating and making recommendations concerning overall plans and proposals for major agency and interagency telecommunications programs. Providing telecommunications expertise in estimating the installation, modification, maintenance, operation, and support of both existing and new telecommunications systems. Providing telecommunications input into computing system operational design and proposal review. Evaluating, testing and eventually purchasing telecommunications and computer equipment to ensure present and future state-of-the-art support for the Secretary. All DHS-HQ announcements have a 5-business day open period due to the number of applications received. This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 100 applications have been received, whichever happens first. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.

Qualifications: INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement that must be met prior to meeting the specialized experience. Education. Undergraduate and Graduate Education Degree: 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. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts for review. OR Experience. 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. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in Federal Service or equivalent private sector experience. For this position, specialized experience is defined as: Supporting the total communications needs of senior leadership, such as the Secretary of Homeland Security, in a variety of domestic and international environments. Planning, coordinating, and integrating complex IT and telecommunications solutions to meet operational requirements. Developing innovative approaches for new policies, procedures, and evolving mission needs; and analyzing and evaluating complex and uncertain IT and telecommunications issues to formulate recommendations and solutions that address long-term program performance. Implementing strategies to resolve conflicting requirements and technological challenges; maintaining effective working relationships with high-level officials across federal agencies, the White House, and foreign governments in unstructured and high-stakes environments; and communicating complex technical information and recommendations to senior leadership and diverse audiences. Providing technical guidance on IT and telecommunications systems, supporting the deployment and operation of advanced communications equipment, and ensuring the security and reliability of communications for senior leadership. Note: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level. All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Time-in-grade: Current General Schedule (GS) federal employees, and those that have served in GS positions within the last 52 weeks, must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade, or a combination of the next lower grade level and an equivalent band in the federal service by the closing of this announcement. Note: Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment ("position occupied" block 34 on the SF-50 should show a "1"), tenure group (block 24 should show a 1 or 2), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE. National Service Experience: 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. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Pre-employment Medical Requirements: Prior to appointment, you must be determined physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties. Also successfully pass a pre-employment medical examination (which includes, but is not limited to vision, hearing, cardiovascular and mobility of extremities) given by an authorized government physician. This position may be subject to periodic incumbent examinations in the future. Essential Personnel Position - This position may be designated as essential personnel. Essential personnel must be able to serve during continuity of operation events without regard to declarations of liberal leave or government closures due to weather, protests, and acts of terrorism or lack of funding. Failure to report for or remain in this position may result in disciplinary or adverse action in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. (5 U.S.C. 7501-7533 and 5 CFR, Part 752, as applicable).

How to Apply: To begin your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account and follow the prompts or log in to your existing account. Your application packet must include a completed assessment questionnaire, a resume, and any applicable and or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used. You must submit your resume, your online questionnaire, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM eastern standard time on the date the announcement closes. Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. To preview the questionnaire please click the link below: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12841500. It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, you will not be able to view it in your application. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete. Applicants must submit all required documentation to properly qualify for this position.

Application Deadline: 2026-01-05