Electronics Technician

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. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-05: Applicants must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS- 4 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following: assisting senior technicians in performing routine maintenance, repair, and installation of land mobile radio (LMR) systems, including VHF/UHF portable and mobile radios, repeaters, base stations, antenna systems, and electronic communication components, following established procedures and under direct supervision; and/or supporting testing and acceptance processes for new radio system components by helping perform basic functional checks, equipment inspections, frequency programming, and operational verification tests to ensure alignment with technical specifications and agency standards; and/or Performing routine inventory control tasks for radio and electronic equipment, including tracking serialized assets, documenting equipment status, and assisting with the procurement of replacement parts, tools, and services needed to maintain communication system readiness; and/or Assisting in troubleshooting and routine corrective maintenance by using basic electronic test instruments such as digital multimeters, watt meters, and service monitors under supervision, helping identify equipment malfunctions and performing component-level adjustments or repairs as directed. OR Successful completion of (a) all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, or electronics technology, or (b) 3 years of study in an accredited (by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET) curriculum in electronics, or (c) a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree that included major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as engineering, physical science, technology, or mathematics or equivalent. At least 12 of the 24 semester hours must have been in electronics courses. For the GS-06: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following: performing routine installation, maintenance, and repair of land mobile radio (LMR) systems-including VHF/UHF radios, repeaters, base stations, and antenna systems-with increasing independence while following established technical procedures and guidance from higher-grade technicians; and/or assisting in conducting functional tests, performance checks, and initial verification of new or upgraded radio components to ensure compliance with basic technical specifications and operational requirements; and/or using standard electronic test equipment such as multimeters, watt meters, and service monitors to troubleshoot straightforward equipment malfunctions and perform corrective maintenance under general supervision; and/or supporting logistics and accountability by maintaining equipment records, participating in inventory reviews, and helping coordinate procurement of routine parts and services. For the GS-07: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following: independently performing standard maintenance, repair, and alignment of LMR systems and electronic communication equipment, identifying common failures and applying established troubleshooting techniques; and/or participating in acceptance testing for new LMR components by performing technical evaluations, documenting results, and recommending adjustments based on established performance standards ; and/or applying intermediate-level diagnostic methods using service monitors, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and related test equipment to resolve recurring technical issues with minimal assistance; and/or maintaining accountability for communications equipment by updating inventory data, identifying replacement needs, and assisting in acquiring parts and services for system sustainment. 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. These positions are located within the Chief Information Office of the USDA Forest Service. Electronics Technicians are responsible for land mobile radio systems within their geographic area and provide emergency radio communications support. To learn more, please select the following: Forest Service Chief Information Office Land Mobile Radio Video For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Raymond Adams at 406-241-4982 or raymond.e.adams@usda.gov.