ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN

The primary purpose of this position is to provide technical expertise to maintain and certify Radar, Airfield and Weather Systems (RAWS). Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Technical and Medical Support Positions. Series 0856. BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: This series covers technical positions supervising, leading, or performing work involving applying: knowledge of the techniques and theories characteristic of electronics, such as a knowledge of basic electricity and electronic theory, algebra, and elementary physics; knowledge of electronic equipment design, development, evaluation, testing, installation, and maintenance; and knowledge of the capabilities, limitations, operations, design, characteristics, and functional use of a variety of types and models of electronic equipment and systems related to, but less than, a full professional knowledge of electronic engineering. Electronics technicians may have gained experience assisting in work situations including: Maintenance - Developing maintenance standards and procedures for use by others. Analyzing repair practices and developing procedural instructions for use by others on methods and steps to repair equipment. Installation - Planning and directing the installation of complex systems and associated facilities, particularly where there are site selection and construction problems, dealings with contractors and public utilities, and the possible need to modify equipment for novel site characteristics. Fabrication - Designing and analyzing circuits, determining design feasibility, evaluating equipment performance under varying environmental conditions, and collecting performance data. Designing or modifying designs to achieve performance and cost objectives. Evaluating the adequacy of equipment for such purposes as repair, calibration, and testing. Testing and Evaluation/Research and Development - Developing or evaluating new or modified electronic systems. Completing testing, evaluating data, and determining acceptability of equipment modifications, validity, test procedures and data, or legality of operation. Technicians support professional engineers in performing experiments, research, and developmental activities requiring an in-depth knowledge of technical engineering methods, applications, practices, and principles to work on concepts, prototypes, and experimental projects that are without precedent and support state-of-the-art research. Sustainment - Developing, performing, evaluating, or modifying calibration and test equipment, systems, and procedures. Reporting, analyzing, and archiving test data. Performing complex calculations and manipulations of test data to improve performance of systems, instrumentation, measurement standards, techniques, and procedures. Troubleshooting - Analyzing and diagnosing faults in the operational configuration of electronic systems and equipment. Interpreting circuit wiring, logic cable diagrams, drawings, specifications, and schematics of complete systems and equipment to understand the function and interconnections of the various assemblies and troubleshoot the system. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-10, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes includes a comprehensive, intensive and practical knowledge of, and extensive experience and skill in applying a wide range of technical electronics concepts, practices, regulations, policies, and precedents; analytical and diagnostic techniques; and techniques for developing new or modified work methods, approaches, or procedures sufficient to: develop and recommend changes in procedures and technical instructions to management on substantive functions and practices in a high level air traffic location; develop innovative methods, approaches, or procedures to meet emergency situations in an environment where rapid equipment restoration is always paramount to ensure continuous operation where required; and identify, evaluate, and recommend appropriate solutions to resolve complex interrelated problems and issues. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-10 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Skill and knowledge of wide range of electronic principles and practices Digital Airport Surveillance Radar (DASR-AN/GPN-30); Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS-AN/FSQ-204); Next Generation Weather Radar System (NEXRAD-WSD-88D); Mono-pulse Secondary Surveillance Radar, (MSSR); FMQ-19 or 23 Weather System; GRC, GRT, GRR, CM-300, URC-200 Radio Systems; FCS-127 ETVS; GSH-74 DALR, Instrument Landing System (ILS), TACAN, associated support equipment, and any systems purchased to replace the aforementioned equipment. 2. Knowledge of a wide range of electronic principles and practices, operating parameters, capabilities, and limitations of electronic systems associated with air traffic control and weather radar equipment; and of systems and component design, capabilities, configurations, limitations, and functional operation; and of various types of electronics logic. 3. Knowledge of safety regulations, procedures, and practices. 4. Skill in the interpretation of technical data such as drawings, schematics, blueprints, and specifications of complete electronic systems; in analyzing problems in integrated/interfacing systems involving numerous complex circuits; and in using complex electronic and electromechanical test and measuring equipment using integrated test functions for different purposes. 5. Ability to modify standard procedures, adapt equipment or techniques, and make departures from previous approaches to solve technical problems or improve system performance for highly complex electronic systems; to trace electronics logic from one system to another; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships to represent the organization in a professional manner. 6. Ability to use computer terminals to enter and extract data to maintain records and document actions. Knowledge of computer operating systems programs, e.g. Unix, Linux, Sun Solaris; network types; network topologies; transport devices e.g. hubs, routers, switches; and data communications equipment. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.