Electronics Technician - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Summary This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO), Aircraft Operations Center (AOC), Aircraft Maintenance Branch, Technical Section with one vacancy in Lakeland, FL. This position is also announced under vacancy number OMAO-25-12566182-DE, which is open to Status Candidates. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both. Responsibilities As an Electronics Technician, you will perform the following duties: Ensure the operational and research readiness of the assigned aircraft's radar systems to support all mission flights. Perform UNIX/Linux/Windows system and network administration duties for Radar servers and workstations. Review radar installations, modifications, and repairs for completeness and correctness. Develop and devise improvements and alterations to assigned radar systems, technical equipment, instruments, or software; modify and conduct complex tests and analyze results. Perform all organic maintenance and calibration tasks, as well as manage any outside contractor support requirements. Maintain the Radar Laboratory, which includes a Tail Doppler Radar Mock-up and a Multi-Mode Radar Mock-up. Analyze and evaluate work performed by junior technicians to ensure compliance with engineering drawings, engineering minimum performance standards, and aircraft installation manuals. Respond to and resolve problems with software, hardware, and systems management. Serve as a Contracting Officer Representative. Monitor contracts to ensure compliance with established Federal Acquisition Regulations and procurement regulations. Oversee and participate in the development and execution of contracts. Utilize the knowledge of acquisition regulation, procedures, format, and documentation of purchases and contracts to manage and track expenses in an effective manner and provide quality control and oversight of contracts. Serve as a project manager for the integration of new hardware, firmware, and mission-defined radar tasks and profiles. Oversee interdisciplinary personnel responsible for carrying out all phases of maintenance, troubleshooting, installation, operation, and testing of all radar systems for the assigned aircraft. Design and implement Radar in-flight procedures, checklists, logbooks, work logs, and other required aircraft documentation and tracking procedures. Interface with Aircraft Operations Center (AOC) staff, program managers, and principal investigators to determine radar mission requirements and post-mission data storage configuration. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment involves high risks with exposure to potentially dangerous situations or unusual environmental stress that require a range of safety and other precautions, e.g., working at great heights under extreme outdoor weather conditions, or similar situations where conditions cannot be controlled. Most aircraft maintenance is performed in non-environmentally controlled hangars, or is performed outdoors, especially when deployed from home station, in all types of weather conditions and is subject to the exposure to many hazards: Tropical heat. Sub-zero arctic cold. Frequent exposure to aircraft fluids, such as fuel, engine oil or hydraulic fluid which may irritate the skin or eyes. Frequent exposure to cleaning solutions, solvents and spray paint which may irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs. Frequent exposure to the possibility of cuts, burns, shocks, strains and broken bones. Frequent exposure to noise levels above 85 decibels. Fieldwork may be performed anywhere in the world under less than adequate living and working conditions. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: In addition to being proficient in the use of common electronics equipment such as Multi-Meters, Power Meters, and Oscilloscopes, the incumbent must additionally be proficient in the use of peculiar radar test equipment such as Radar Signal Generators, db power meters, attenuators, spectrum analyzers and have the ability to measure cable signal loss and radar output power. General knowledge of both Sigmet RVP software and or Vaisala Radar Interfacing software is highly desirable. Contracting Officer Representative Level 1 and Government Purchase Card Holder functions are a requirement within six months of being appointed to this position. This position requires that the incumbent engage in mission flights, which may include flights into severe storms, and perform the duties of this position and NOAA Air Crewmember duties during these flights. As a crewmember is subject to drug testing. The incumbent is required to meet and maintain the AOC Air Crewmember medical requirements and the aeromedical requirements of any assigned duties. The position requires strict adherence to safety procedures due to the potentially hazardous environment into which flights are made, and systems involving explosive and incendiary devices. Travel for extended periods of time is a requirement of the position. Travel status of up to 90 days per year and for periods of four to six weeks at a time is not uncommon. This position requires the submission of a Financial Disclosure Form SF-450. Requirements Conditions of Employment PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The technician regularly and recurrently performs inspections, repairs and adjustments: In hard-to-reach places. Requires one to climb, stand, stoop, lift, stretch, bend and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions for long periods of time. Singularly lift parts and equipment that weigh up to fifty pounds. Push and pull heavy items, such as but not limited to, tool boxes, radar receiver transmitters, power supplies, antennas, work stands, external power carts, etc. NOTE: * A one year probationary period may be required. *Payment of relocation incentives OR recruitment incentives may be authorized. Note: Relocation incentives are for current federal employees only. *This position is in the bargaining unit. This position is covered by AFGE- American Federation of Government Employees. Key Requirements: Applicants must be U.S. Citizens Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation. Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information. Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov) Selectee subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam. Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position? This position is subject to both pre-employment and random drug testing as a condition of employment. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received. A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system. If you are a Federal employee applying for a promotion (under merit promotion procedures) you must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Qualifications Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government. 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. To qualify at the GS-12 level: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Using radar test equipment (such as Radar Signal Generators, decibel power meters, attenuators, or spectrum analyzers) to measure cable signal loss and radar output; Supporting scientific or engineering operations in maintaining, upgrading, or repairing radar systems; and Developing in-flight procedures, checklists, logbooks, work logs, or other required aircraft documentation and tracking procedures. Education Substitution of education for experience is not applicable to this vacancy. Additional Information CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: Employee Guide Career Transition CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents: A copy of your specific RIF notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice). A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", noting current position, grade level, and duty location; A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential. ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents: A copy of your RIF separation notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; notice of disability annuity termination; certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a compensable injury; or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement; A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc; A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential. Non-Competitive Reinstatement to a Higher Grade/Band than Previously Held MUST submit the following documents: 1. SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action: you must provide the most current Notification of Personnel Action (Form SF-50) that verifies career/career-conditional status, title, series, and highest grade level held on a permanent basis for your previous position. (do not submit an Award SF-50) AND, the SF-50 that verifies your separation date; AND. 2. Performance Appraisal - most recent performance appraisal showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. Do not submit a performance plan that does not include this information. NOAA participates in e-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. The Department of the Commerce (DOC) places a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspectives and encourages applications from all interested eligible candidates. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental principles that guide the Department and allow us to successfully achieve our mission. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.