TELECOMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST (Title 32)

MILITARY GRADES: E-4 through E-5 BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: To qualify an applicant for any GS-0391 position, apply and evaluate the applicant's competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors) that include military and civilian experiences, completed education, learned skills, obtained knowledge, endorsed abilities, and training program accomplishments.

The following seven basic qualification competency factors are applicable to the GS-0391 career levels: Skilled in collecting and analyzing data effectively, efficiently, and accurately; Skilled in presenting formal training presentations and briefings; Skilled in the operational and performance characteristics of communications equipment, automated control and network management systems, transmission media, and the relationships among component parts of telecommunications systems; Skilled in applying procedures and directives by reading and interpreting program material; Knowledge of communications equipment, systems, services, and transmission media; Knowledge of electronic communications concepts, principles, practices, procedures, policies, standards, and operational requirements; Ability to clearly enunciate English without impediment of speech that would interfere or prohibit effective communication; Ability to write English in reports and presentation formats; Ability to communicate clearly and effectively; and, Ability to apply specialized communications methods and analytical techniques.

GENERAL EXPERIENCE: All series personnel must be certified at the next higher level before being eligible for that level. Experiences gained through military technical training schools (restricted to one of the identified/allowed compatible military skills) are included in the one year on-the-job experience. An applicant must have a validated understanding of the basic principles and concepts of the occupational series and grade.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: The applicant must meet the position's specialized experiences and competencies in designing, deploying, installing, operating, maintaining, modifying, and recovering various types of communication transmission systems and their components. Must have the knowledge of a wide range of technical methods in the detailed performance characteristics of specific telecommunications equipment, systems, networking and transmission media.

The applicant requires in-depth knowledge and experiences with applications of existing and planned technology to communications requirements; equipment interoperability and compatibility; and, the methods and techniques for systems and services to accomplish information data transfer. Must have the knowledge and ability to interpret and translate policy from higher organizational levels and develop local policy and implementing instructions.

Experience providing a working knowledge of maintenance, installation, and operation of analog/digital transmission equipment and wireless transmission systems in order to diagnose problems and identify corrective measures. Working knowledge of methods and practices for troubleshooting, recovering, adjusting, modifying, and improving telecommunications systems to provide support that minimizes interruptions in the ability to provide critical air support to customers.

Experienced in the concepts, principles and practices on data transfer devices, ground-to-ground radios, ground-to-air radios, and transmission media. Knowledge of telecommunications systems security principles and methods to implement and manage systems, networks, and data that ensures confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Knowledge of a wide range of technical methods in the detailed performance characteristics of specific telecommunications equipment, systems, networking and transmission media.

Must have an in-depth understanding of basic electronics and antenna theory, Internet Protocol (IP) configuration and network operating principles. In-depth knowledge and experience with applications of existing and planned technology to communications requirements, equipment interoperability and compatibility, and the methods and techniques for systems and services to accomplish information data transfer.

In depth knowledge and understanding of the technical theory of electronic communications and multi-band antenna, High Performance Waveform (HPW) and broadband satellite principles, practices, procedures, policies, standards, and operational and safety requirements. Knowledge and ability to interpret and translate policy from higher organizational levels and develop local policy and implementing instructions.

Technical knowledge of the operational and performance characteristics of portable and vehicular telecommunications equipment. Detailed technical knowledge of transmission media, and the relationship among component parts of telecommunications system, such as Theater Battle Management Core Systems (TBMCS), Tactical Air Control Party Close Air Support System (TACP CASS), and Advanced Fire Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS). Knowledge to apply specialized communications methods and analytical techniques.

Knowledge and ability to understand and evaluate communications requirements and relate requirements to existing and available technology, operating practices and procedures, equipment and staffing requirements, funding and cost analysis studies, and other supporting services required to research, identify, provide cost analysis, include logistics tail and purchase the technology.

Knowledge of maintenance, installation and operation of analog/digital transmission equipment and wireless transmission systems in order to diagnose problems and identify corrective measures. Knowledge of methods and practices for troubleshooting, recovering, adjusting, modifying, and improving telecommunications systems to provide support that minimizes interruptions in the ability to provide critical air support to customers.

Knowledge of performance management/measurement methods, tools, and techniques to optimize the functionality of systems, networks, and data. Knowledge of systems testing and evaluation principles, methods, and tools to test the functionality and operability of telecommunications systems, software applications and telecommunications components.

Knowledge of technical digital software (Digital Close Air Support, TACP CASS, Military Ruggedized Tablet) relating to mapping, precision strike, networking, the Integrated Fire And Control Trainer (IFACT), Precision Strike Suite for Special Operations Forces (PSS SOF) broadband satellite communications and High Performance Waveform radio and data transmission equipment. Knowledge and ability to analyze and evaluate quality of training administered on these systems.

In-depth knowledge of telecommunications operating techniques, digital and analog communications requirements (including full motion video), local and wide area networking and procedures to evaluate alternative approaches for satisfying communications requirements.

Knowledge to understand concepts, principles and practices on data transfer devices, ground-to-ground radios, ground-to-air radios, and transmission media and to define, coordinate, plan, and satisfy user requirements for telecommunications equipment, systems, services, to review, develop, and interpret telecommunications policies and procedures.

Knowledge of telecommunications systems security principles and methods to implement and manage systems, networks, and data that ensures confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Such systems include the Military Ruggedized Tablet (MRT), High Performance Waveform (HPW) radio and Automatic Link Establishment (ALE). Knowledge of electronic combat principles and anti-jam procedures as they relate to High Frequency and satellite beyond line-of-sight communications systems and line-of-sight UHF, VHF and FM bands.

This position is located at an ANG Aviation Wing, Air Support Operations Group (ASOG) Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS) and Tactical Air Control Party (TACP). The purpose of this position is to design, deploy, install, operate, maintain, modify, and recover various types of communications transmission systems and their components. These systems transfer voice and data information within service component and to outside agencies and services.

Incumbent is also responsible for maintaining currency requirements as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC)Instructor or Evaluator. Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) are the final authority in the sensor to shooter kill chain for U.S. and coalition airborne, ground and naval forces expending ground-to-ground and air-to-ground munitions in close proximity to friendly conventional and special forces.

Mission Ready currency requirements for the purposes of training entail performing duty while exposed to a variety of climates and in austere conditions. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILIITIES: Incumbent plans and establishes tactical communications between all echelons of coalition land, sea and air forces to ensure joint air operations are conducted effectively and efficiently throughout the battlefield.

• Works with multi-service staffs to integrate and adapt existing systems and plans integration of future technologies to meet user requirements.
• Develops operating procedures to standardize use of voice and data communications equipment and designs training programs to implement those procedures.
• Develops and refines telecommunication policies, in coordination with outside agencies, which provide user guidelines.

Ensures policies and procedures fall within established agency policies and recommends changes to policy when required. Provides technical assistance, guidance and training to users on all current and new equipment. Provides system design and equipment functionality defining user requirements to program managers and contractors (who manufacture tactical military ground-to-air or ground-to-ground telecommunications equipment).

Incumbent defines basic and contingent needs as they pertain to the point-to-multi point transmission of targeting data and time critical information. Instructs on all aspects of air support operations encompassing doctrine, theory, formal classroom, and field performance for joint terminal attack control tactics techniques and procedures. Develops instruction and techniques on Close Air Support doctrine, Tactics, Techniques and Procedures to other services.

Integrates a synergistic Close Air Support operation function within the land forces scheme of maneuver. Develops, implements and executes all training and evaluation programs by complying with Major Command (MAJCOM), Air National Guard(ANG) and Air Force Instructions to include unit commanders training objectives, combat readiness reports, Joint Terminal Attack Control evaluations and currency requirements on any multi-purpose/bombing range.

Analyzes and identifies trends of problems to recommend best corrective action to include procurement of new equipment or changes to staffing and standards. Analyzes costs of life cycle replacement and advises if new technology or equipment would better serve the needs of users. Manages telecommunication programs by forecasting unit and community equipment and technology requirements. Recommends changes to existing equipment authorizations to functional managers at National Guard Bureau (NGB) and active duty.

Manages the radio and frequency spectrum for multiband and multiple nets analyzing assigned nets for effectiveness in the transmission of information. The incumbent will operate and configure the protocols and configurations of highly complex analog and digital communications-electronics equipment, to include Top Secret communications equipment providing voice, data and full motion video capabilities. Provides data transmission by operating communications transmission systems, sub-systems and components.

Installs, configures and programs multiplex radios (Ultra High Frequency, Satellite Communication and High Performance Waveform) using military and commercial protocols. Develops, establishes and maintains work center training programs. Plans and schedules tasks and training activities for drill status guard members. Oversees and conducts on-the-job training (OJT) for personnel. Ensures mobilization readiness of section personnel and equipment.

Assembles cables and connectors to interface with commercial and military transmission systems and sub-systems. Understands and implements proper security principles (Operations Security and Information Security) and reporting procedures for electronic counter measures in a tactical and non-tactical environment.