Electronics Technician

These positions are located within the Chief Information Office of the USDA Forest Service. Electronics Technicians perform duties related to installing, maintaining, repairing, and acquisition requirements for land, mobile, and radio systems. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Raymond Adams at 406-241-4982 or raymond.e.adams@usda.gov.

Major duties

• Responsibilities listed are at the full performance level.
• Provides design, implementation, corrective/preventive maintenance, and installation of lightning protection and grounding systems.
• Provides radio subject matter expertise to local leadership on the forest and assists in the design of Land Mobile Radio systems.
• Installs and performs corrective/preventive maintenance of Land Mobile Radio systems.
• Programs authorized radio frequencies into radios, requests frequencies, mitigates and deconflicts interference issues.
• Provides incident ticket management and resolution and responds to customer help desk requests.
• Researches technical specifications, equipment configuration, and installation plans to identify equipment and service requirements and procures equipment and services.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. GS-09:Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-08 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as meeting two or more of the following: serving as a technical specialist performing advanced troubleshooting, repair, and system optimization on LMR networks, radio control interfaces, antenna systems, and remote communication sites; and/or leading acceptance testing and evaluation of new LMR system components or site installations, interpreting complex engineering drawings, specifications, and technical data to validate system performance; and/or integrating power, grounding, and lightning protection systems with radio equipment installations, ensuring compliance with engineering and safety standards; and/or performing equipment lifecycle management duties including developing procurement recommendations, analyzing inventory data for shortages or failures, and coordinating acquisition planning with stakeholders. GS-10: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as meeting two or more of the following: providing expert-level technical support for the installation, configuration, maintenance, and modernization of multi-site LMR systems, microwave paths, satellite equipment, and digital control networks; and/or planning and executed comprehensive testing protocols for new and upgraded radio systems, interpreting complex measurements, diagnosing systemic performance issues, and recommending corrective engineering actions; and/or conducting advanced system diagnostics using a broad range of specialized electronic and RF test equipment, identifying root causes of system-level failures across integrated communication platforms; and/or managing technical logistics for large communication systems by developing equipment forecasts, overseeing asset distribution, directing procurement strategies, and advising leadership on system sustainment requirements. GS-11: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-10 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as meeting two or more of the following: serving as a senior technical authority responsible for analyzing, designing, modifying, and integrating complex LMR communication systems, including multi-site networks, IP-based control systems, power systems, and RF infrastructure; and/or leading acceptance, evaluation, and commissioning complex radio communication installations by interpreting engineering requirements, conducting advanced technical assessments, and validating system performance against design criteria; and/or developing and implemented advanced troubleshooting methodologies for integrated communication systems, resolving highly complex RF, electronic, and interoperability issues with minimal guidance; and/or overseeing program-level equipment management by leading lifecycle planning, conducting technical procurement reviews, advising on system upgrades, and ensuring compliance with technical, safety, and reliability standards. 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. TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

There is no substitution of education for specialized experience.