Forest Service Logo
Position Title
Electronics Technician
Agency
Forest Service
Announcement Number
24-ASC-CIO-12166817-G-RS Opens in new window
Open Period
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 to Monday, October 30, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS CAREFULLY. Your answers will be used to determine your eligibility to apply to this job opportunity announcement. You will be considered under the eligibility option(s) to which you answer YES. Select YES to all eligibility options for which you want to be considered. If you respond NO to meeting the criteria for all the eligibilities, you will not be considered for the position(s) under this announcement.

NOTE: You must submit the required supporting documentation to receive consideration for EACH selected eligibility. Failure to provide the required documents will result in an ineligible rating and your application will be excluded from consideration.
(limit characters)
2.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions (this means an honorable or general discharge) AND you either:
• retired from active military service with a disability rating of 30 percent or more; OR 
• rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) since 1991 or later to include disability determinations from a branch of the Armed Forces at any time, as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more. 

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
 
 
(limit characters)
3.
Are you a current USDA employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee, in which received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy;  AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
 
 
(limit characters)
4.
Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty?

-OR-

Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating of 100 percent at the time of retirement or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100 percent from the Department of Veterans Affairs?

-OR-

Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status?

 For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
 
(limit characters)
5. Are you a current or former permanent Farm Service Agency County employee? (limit characters)
6. Are you a current Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment? (limit characters)
7. Are you a Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment AND you have held or currently hold a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised? (limit characters)
8.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than USDA? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy;  AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

 For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
 
 
(limit characters)
9.
Are you a current or former employee of a land management agency (Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) who is claiming eligibility under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act and: 

• was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; and,

• served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a single break in service of two or more years; and,
• performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; and,

• if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and whose most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance.
  
Note: Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better.  Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked.  Non-pay status (such as LWOP) is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited.  Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.
(limit characters)
10. Are you a Peace Corps Volunteer or AmeriCorps VISTA Alumni who completed your service within the past 12 months; OR,

Are you a Peace Corps Volunteer or AmeriCorps VISTA Alumni who completed your service within the past 36 months AND you are requesting an extension of your non-competitive appointment eligibility due to your military service; study at a recognized institution of higher learning; or involvement in another activity, which the hiring agency may view warrants extension?  OR,

 Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who completed at least 36 months of continuous service without a break in service of 3 days or more AND has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?
(limit characters)
11.
Do you have a severe intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?

For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
 
 
(limit characters)
12. Have you registered for reemployment consideration AND meet one of the below: 

• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating? 
OR 
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
(limit characters)
13.
Are you a former Federal career or career-conditional employee AND

• has reinstatement eligibility; AND 
• has not held a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised?
(limit characters)
14.
Are you a former Federal career or career-conditional employee AND  

• has reinstatement eligibility; AND 
• has held a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised?
(limit characters)
15.
Are you:

• a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
• eligible for veterans' preference?

Note: If you are currently on active duty you may be considered under the two provisions above provided you submit  a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. 

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
 
 
(limit characters)
16.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:

• recently separated (within the past 3 years); OR,
• are a disabled veteran; OR,
• served on active duty during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; OR,
• received an Armed Forces Service Medal (includes the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal)for participation in a military operation?

Note: If you are currently on active duty you may be considered under the two provisions above provided you submit  a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. 

 For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
 
 
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
2. Are you a current or former Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee? (limit characters)
Firearms/Drug Testing
This position authorizes the incumbent to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, U.S.C., Section 922(g)(9)). A "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" is generally defined under the statute as any offense involving the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by the victim's current or former domestic partner, parent, or guardian. The term "convicted" as defined in the statute, excludes any person whose conviction has been expunged, set-aside, or pardoned or any person whose civil rights have been restored unless the pardon, expunging or restoration of civil rights expressly prohibits the possession of firearms or ammunition. Candidates who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence within the meaning of the referenced statutes are not qualified for this position. Candidates under consideration will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of such an offense. False or fraudulent information provided by candidates is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment. (limit characters)
1. Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence within the meaning of the referenced statutes stated above? (limit characters)
2. Have you ever been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year? (limit characters)
3. Are you a fugitive from justice? (limit characters)
4. Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, any controlled substance (as defined as a drug or other substance, or immediate precursor, included in schedule I, II, III, IV, or V of Section 812, Part B, Sub-chapter I, Chapter 13, Title 21 , of U.S. Code.)? (limit characters)
5. Are you an illegal alien or have you been admitted to the United States under a non-immigrant visa? (limit characters)
6. Have you been adjudicated as a mental defective or have you been committed to a mental institution? (limit characters)
7. Were you discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions? (limit characters)
8. Have you renounced your United States citizenship? (limit characters)
9. Are you subject to a court-ordered restraining order from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child? (limit characters)
10. Are there any outstanding warrants for your arrest? (limit characters)
11. Do you have a physical condition that would cause you to be a hazard to yourself or others? (limit characters)
12. Do you understand that this is a testing designated position which requires a negative test result for illegal drug use prior to appointment and randomly thereafter? (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in Electronics Technician, GS-0856-09/10/11 position with the USDA Forest Service. Your resume and the responses you provide to this assessment questionnaire will be used to determine if you are among the best qualified for this position. (limit characters)
1. Select the statement that best describes your experience for Electronics Technician, GS-0856-9. Experience claimed must be supported in your resume. (limit characters)
2. Select the statement that best describes your experience for Electronics Technician, GS-0856-10. Experience claimed must be supported in your resume. (limit characters)
3. Select the statement that best describes your experience for Electronics Technician, GS-0856-11. Experience claimed must be supported in your resume. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
4. Perform installations and removals of mobile radios. (limit characters)
5. Provide emergency radio communications support and intra/inter agency radio collaboration. (limit characters)
6. Diagnose, tune, and align radio systems from different manufacturers to restore or ensure continuous and reliable operation. (limit characters)
7. Assist/maintain inventory control of radio systems. (limit characters)
8. Program authorized radio frequencies into radios, requests frequencies, mitigates and deconflicts interference issues, collaborates with other entities to write channel plans, and provide interagency collaboration on frequencies. (limit characters)
9. Perform corrective and preventive maintenance of land mobile radio systems. (limit characters)
10. Perform corrective and preventive maintenance of radio control over Internet protocol and radio links. (limit characters)
11. Research technical specifications, equipment configuration, and installation plans to identify equipment and service requirements. (limit characters)
12. Train and mentor other technicians on configuring and maintaining of land mobile radio systems. (limit characters)
13. Meet major project goals without compromising design engineering principles and security/safety requirements. (limit characters)
14. Design and implement corrective and preventive maintenance of lightning protection and grounding systems, and primary and backup power systems. (limit characters)
15. Perform testing, acceptance, and user training for land mobile radio system components. (limit characters)
16. Utilize test equipment, including service monitors, digital multimeters, or watt meters for the purpose of troubleshooting and maintaining radio systems. (limit characters)
17. Select circuit configuration and determine equipment placement, cable routing, and integrating for various electronic systems or equipment. (limit characters)
18. Climb towers to perform Land Mobile Radio system installation and corrective/preventive maintenance. (limit characters)
19. Maintain current site surveys and build system designs. (limit characters)
20. Meet major project goals without compromising design engineering principles and security/safety requirements. (limit characters)
21. Install land mobile radio systems, such as Very High Frequency (VHF)/Ultra High Frequency (UHF), portable and mobile radios, shelters, towers, antenna systems, base stations, repeaters, and microwaves. (limit characters)
22. Install radio control components and links, such as Radio Control over Internet Protocol (RCoIP), Very High Frequency (VHF)/Ultra High Frequency (UHF) links, dispatch console computers, and Ethernet equipment. (limit characters)
23. Provide incident ticket management and resolution and respond to customer help desk requests for land mobile radio systems. (limit characters)
24. Assist with frequency requests, mitigation and deconfliction of interference issues. (limit characters)
25. Provide radio subject matter expertise to local leadership. (limit characters)
26. Your responses to the Announcement and Assessment Questionnaires, along with your resume and all supporting documentation are subject to evaluation and verification to ensure accuracy. Submitting false information or attempts to falsify information may be grounds for disqualifying you or for terminating you after you have been hired. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy. (limit characters)