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Telecommunications Specialist

DLA Careers
Arlington, VA Full Time
POSTED ON 4/21/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/21/2026
Summary

See below for important information regarding this job.

Duties

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  • Serves as the primary technical subject matter expert (SME) for all TFSO fixed and mobile Broadband SATCOM systems including Ku-band Satellite Communications (SATCOM) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite systems.
  • Lead technician responsible for the operation and maintenance of multiple SATCOM Ground Entry Points (GEPs) within TFSO.
  • Serves as the primary technical subject matter expert (SME) and leads IT and Information Management system administration as the TFSO Deployed Communications Trip Lead.
  • Responsible for maintaining and managing radio equipment, including High Frequency (HF), Very High Frequency (VHF), and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) systems.
  • Leads setup, configuration, operation, and maintenance of satellite communications network and global positioning equipment, integration of Radio Frequency (RF) over fiber optic cabling.
  • Integrates network transport gateways that connect diverse communication paths, such as high frequency radio (for data), fixed wireless networks, cellular data, and satellite Ground Entry Point (GEP) connectivity, (Continued on next)
  • (Cont.) Providing primary, alternate, contingency, and emergency communications capabilities in all environments
  • Oversees resolution of hardware and software issues and ensures operational readiness of information management systems critical to National Security Emergency Preparedness (NSEP) and Continuity of Operations (COOP).
  • Provides guidance on RF network security to include configurations and input on design analysis and support for the review of existing and future multi-node ground stations and operational systems.
  • Participates in developing and forecasting telecommunication budgets for annual and long-range projections to ensure implementation, Operations and Maintenance, and lifecycle sustainment of the enterprise architecture.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Tour of Duty: Set Schedule
  • Security: Required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance with access to SCI and SAPs); including submitting to background checks as a condition of employment and/ or continued access to Special Access Programs.
  • Appointment is subject to the completion of a favorable suitability or fitness determination, where reciprocity cannot be applied; unfavorably adjudicated background checks will be grounds for removal.
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Selective Service Requirement: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service.
  • Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
  • Bargaining Unit Status: No
  • Selectees are required to have a REAL ID or other acceptable identification documents to access certain federal facilities. See https://www.tsa.gov/real-id for more information.
  • Pre-Employment Physical: Not Required
  • You will be a Mission Essential employee. This requires you to work during an emergency to ensure continuation of essential functions. You may be required to work at the designated duty location, a telework site, or an alternate location/facility.

Qualifications

To qualify for a Telecommunications Specialist, your resume and supporting documentation must support: 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.

  • Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position and is directly in or related to this position. To qualify at the GS-13 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military, or private sector. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements including time-in-grade (General Schedule (GS) positions only), time-after-competitive appointment, minimum qualifications, and any other regulatory requirements by the cut-off/closing date of the announcement. Creditable specialized experience includes:
  • Experience working with telecommunication systems supporting telecommunications, preparedness and special mission requirements.
  • Experience functioning as technical authority in assignments requiring the application of new theories, concepts, and developments to communication problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted methods, technology, or procedures.
  • Leading teams responsible for system engineering and oversight of telecommunication projects. Briefing senior leadership on system capabilities and limitations.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Additional information

The incumbent will be designated as Non-Combat Essential (NCE). In the event of a crisis situation, the incumbent may be required to deploy via temporary reassignment or be required to stay in place to support contingency operations. This position may require deployment in support of a contingency operation where such deployment may subject the incumbent to Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) jurisdiction. The incumbent may be required to take part in readiness exercises. This position cannot be vacated during a national emergency or mobilization without seriously impairing the capability of the organization to function effectively; therefore, the position requires the incumbent to be screened from military recall. Positions identified as EE are subject to deployment to combat support situations. Deployment will be via Temporary Duty (TDY) orders. Deployment may entitle the employee to additional monetary compensation dependent upon the deployment location. Additional allocations are based on the Department of State's determination of a combat zone.

For Important General Applicant Information and Definitions go to: http://www.dla.mil/portals/104/documents/careers/GenAppInfoDef.pdf

Reemployed Annuitants: This position does not meet criteria for appointment of Reemployed Annuitants. The DoD criteria for hiring Reemployed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/140025_vol300.PDF

Information for Veterans is available at: https://www.dla.mil/Careers/Programs/. As of 23 December 2016, Military retirees seeking to enter federal service in the Department of Defense now require a waiver if they would be appointed within 180 days following their official date of retirement.

Drug-Free Workplace Policy

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is committed to maintaining a safe, drug-free workplace. All DLA employees are required to refrain from illegal drug use on and off duty. DLA conducts pre-employment, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, and random drug testing.

Applicants tentatively selected for employment in testing designated positions will undergo a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Refusal to undergo testing or testing positive for illegal drugs will result in withdrawal of the tentative job offer and a six-month denial of employment with DLA from the date of the drug test. Employees in drug testing designated positions are subject to random drug testing.

The DLA drug testing panel tests for the following substances: marijuana, cocaine, opiates, heroin, phencyclidine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, fentanyl, norfentanyl, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), and opioids.

ADVISORY: Use of cannabidiol (CBD) products may result in a positive drug test for marijuana. DLA employees are subject to Federal law and under Federal law, Marijuana is a Schedule I drug and is illegal.

Additional guidance on writing a federal resume can be found at: USAJOBS Help Center - How do I write a resume for a federal job? The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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