As the primary geospatial analysis and geospatial information systems (GIS) authority and senior specialist, the incumbent is responsible for: (a) providing high-level GIS leadership critical to supporting the Commission’s strategic goals related to broadband access performance assessment and deployment of wireline and wireless technology, (b) meeting the Bureau/Office’s responsibility as the representative on several national and inter-government geospatial committees; and (c) performing multiple complex analyses for the Bureau/Office and Commission-led geospatial initiatives requiring cross-Bureau/Office coordination.
As a recognized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) authority, the incumbent performs technical analysis in the design, development, implementation, and testing of GIS software and hardware, which involves collaborating and developing user interfaces to enhance user experience and efficiencies of GIS related applications, software design and application, and data management for broadband and spectrum usage mapping for the Bureau/Office and the Commission. Conducts and analyzes requirements studies and data needs for various mapping projects by working directly with stakeholders and staff professionals. Plans, manages, and directs the design and development of applications software, including configuration, analysis, and installation for the Bureau/Office staff.
- Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
- US Citizenship.
- May serve a one year probationary period (if applicable).
- Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
- If selected, a financial disclosure statement may be required.
- Current/former federal employees must provide SF-50 verifying grade/status.
- Current FCC employees must provide SF-50 verifying grade & status.
- Resume must not exceed two pages and must meet resume format criteria.
See "Qualifications".
Interested candidates should be passionate about the ideals of our American republic, committed to upholding the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution, and committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government. Hiring decisions will not be based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
Applicants must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Current Federal employees asking to be considered under Merit Promotion procedures must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
IN ORDER TO BE DEEMED AS QUALIFIED, CANDIDATES MUST MEET THE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA AS DESCRIBED BELOW.
QUALIFICATION CRITERIA
SME REVIEW
Individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the competencies listed below. SME's will be conducting a scored structured resume review to determine if candidate's resumes demonstrate all required competencies as outlined below. To be eligible for referral to the selecting official, candidates must receive a score of at least 93.
GS-14 & GS-15-OPM GS-2210 Competencies
At the GS-14 and GS-15 grade levels, candidates must meet the required competencies in order to be deemed as qualified.
1. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
2. Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
3. Decision Making-Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
4. Information Management - Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems.
5. Interpersonal Skills - Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations.
6. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
7. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
8. Teamwork - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
9. Technical Competence – Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
GS-14: FCC Job Competencies
- Knowledge of project management concepts, such as Agile and Scrum methodologies, automated project tracking tools, and software development processes sufficient to participate in project planning, monitor assigned work, track project status, and support successful implementation of information technology initiatives.
- Knowledge of systems development life cycle methodologies, including requirements gathering, systems analysis, software testing, implementation, and post-implementation support sufficient to participate in information technology projects.
- Skill communicating orally and in writing with technical specialists, managers, contractors, and nontechnical users to explain technical information, gather requirements, prepare documentation, provide training, and resolve routine technical issues.
- Demonstrated knowledge of project management functions, principles and theories, methods and practices, tools, techniques to carry out complex assignments and develop new methods and approaches.
- Knowledge and application of geographic information systems (GIS) technology analysis, and GIS software, such as ESRI's ArcGIS programs (i.e. ArcGIS Pro), QGIS, or PostGIS, development and use of databases such as MS SQL Server, PostGreSQL, and AWS Redshift etc., coding language such as Python, data acquisition, websites and web-based systems including html, web development, broadband telecommunication analysis, and an understanding of how GIS tools and techniques can be applied to broadband coverage and spectrum usage mapping and more generally to data visualization.
GS-15: FCC Job Competencies
- Knowledge of project management concepts, such as Agile and Scrum methodologies, automated project tracking tools, and software development processes sufficient to participate in project planning, monitor assigned work, track project status, and support successful implementation of information technology initiatives.
- Knowledge of systems development life cycle methodologies, including requirements gathering, systems analysis, software testing, implementation, and post-implementation support sufficient to participate in information technology projects.
- Skill communicating orally and in writing with technical specialists, managers, contractors, and nontechnical users to explain technical information, gather requirements, prepare documentation, provide training, and resolve routine technical issues.
- Demonstrated mastery of project management functions, principles and theories, methods and practices, tools, techniques to carry out complex assignments and develop new methods and approaches.
- An expert level of knowledge and demonstrated mastery of application in geographic information systems (GIS) technology analysis, and GIS software, such as ESRI's ArcGIS programs (i.e. ArcGIS Pro), QGIS, or PostGIS, development and use of databases such as MS SQL Server, PostGreSQL, and AWS Redshift etc., coding language such as Python, data acquisition, websites and web-based systems including html, web development, broadband telecommunication analysis, and an understanding of how GIS tools and techniques can be applied to broadband coverage and spectrum usage mapping and more generally to data visualization.6. Ability to effectively use GIS technology and analyze data to provide policy guidance, make recommendations, weigh and balance the impact on existing or proposed legislation, regulation, and Commission practices and procedures, and consider the effects on other programs or public policies.
PART-TIME OR UNPAID 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.
If applicable, see "Qualifications".
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.
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.
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.
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.
The FCC offers a wide range of employee benefits, including:
Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Dental & Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Long-Term Care Insurance
Holidays and Leave
Retirement
Thrift Savings Plan
Transit Benefit
Alternative Work Schedule
Telecommuting
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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
DEU
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.
Subject Matter Expert Review
Individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the competencies listed below. SME's will be conducting a scored structured resume review to determine if candidate's resumes demonstrate all required competencies as outlined below. To be eligible for referral to the selecting official, candidates must receive a score of at least 93.
All eligible applicants under Delegated Examining (DEU) will be placed in one of the following three categories:
1. Highly Qualified (Score 93-100) - the applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a superior level of major job related competencies.
2. Fully Qualified (Score 85-92) - the applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level of major job related competencies.
3. Minimally Qualified (Score of 70-84)- the applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a minimum level of major job related competencies.
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 93 or above in order to be deemed as Best Qualified. Candidates who ask to be considered non-competitively only have to receive a minimum score of 70.
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
2. Copy of your final federal performance appraisal
3. Copy of official Reduction in Force (RIF) notice
4. Copy of any other document which documents your eligibility for CTAP or ICTAP
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
