FCC Hiring for High Frequency Direction Finding Center 07/19/2022 The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has started accepting applications for a Telecommunications Specialist at its High Frequency Direction Finding Center (HFDFC) in Columbia, Maryland. HFDFC supports the FCC Over-the-Air spectrum observation capabilities, and provides direct support to the public safety community and other federal partners by locating interference sources on HF radio spectrum (below 30 MHz). The Center is part of the FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau in the Operations and Emergency Management Division. The duties for the incumbent are described at www.usajobs.gov/job/665764100 and include performing “watch duty” and serving as a technical authority providing technical assistance and guidance to communication systems users to resolve radio interference complaints and problems, and collecting radio signal analysis information. Using radio signal analysis equipment deployed throughout the United States to collect, correlate, and analyze characteristics of radio signals involved in interference problems, distress or safety-related signals, or other radio signals involved in other high-priority activities, such as law enforcement or national defense, to include HF, VHF, and UHF. Collecting radio signal analysis information; analyzing complaints, inquiries, and comments from multiple sources; investigating compliances with the FCC’s rules and regulations, and determining the appropriate actions utilizing the FCC’s remote HF network of radio direction finders and radio signal analysis equipment. Developing definitive technical solutions concerning telecommunications system architectures, interoperability, expansion potential, and overall end-to-end compatibility and net centricity. Interacting with the public, licensees of various radio services, private industries, other government agencies, and representatives of foreign governments. Representing the Bureau in meetings within and outside the agency. Conducting formal and on-the-job training of co-workers, new recruits, clients, and participants of the United States Telecommunication Training Institute (USTTI). Visit USAJOBS for the complete position summary and to apply.
Based on my estimation of the listed criteria, they want a retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 to 5 with a MSEE and a minimum of >20 years of HF signal analysis in the military intelligence community. It sounds as if the job description was authored for a specific candidate and that candidate has now backed out and they are looking for a 'bespoke' applicant.
Wonder if the saga of the "Carrier on 7033 for 3 weeks" had anything to do with this position opening.
USA Jobs has a reputation for being full of listings for candidates that have already been picked internally or otherwise but they have to go through the motion of posting the job and accepting applications.
Agree with AD7SK and others. Probably a requisition written after the successful candidate has already been identified. Sounds to me like a retired navy CTO or CTM would be a good fit. I'm sure there are similar skillsets in the other armed services just as qualified. You can't get a technical position anywhere today in US government service without at least a Bachelor's Degree ... and the payscale in government service is often dwarfed by what the same qualifications can command on the outside. This problem has plagued federal and state government service for decades. I blame JFK's "everybody gets to go to college" thing.
Well, considering that this is the same write-up they've used for the past several years, they must really be hunting for one specific candidate who just won't get the message
It seems more to me like both KA4ZZZ and K9CTB both got rejection letters before the post has been filled. (And it seems the post still has not been filled!)