Telecommunications Specialist

Summary

Organizational

Location:

This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Information and Technology, Field Support Directorate Northwest Central, Southwest Region, located in: 3 - Havre, MT 1 - Nogales, AZ 1 - El Paso, TX 1 - Douglas, AZ Location Preference:
You may select ONE location where you would be willing to work. This announcement has been amended on 6/10/2026 to extend the closing date to 6/15/2026.

• Joining the Customs and Border Protection Office of Information and Technology will allow you to use your communication skills to design, develop, and monitor voice, data, and video surveillance systems.
• This position starts at a salary of $61,722.00 (GS-09, Step
  1) to $97,081.00 (GS-11, Step 10) with promotion potential to $ (GS-12 Step 10). GS Salary:
  Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position. Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts.
• In this Telecommunications Specialist position, you will become a key member of Homeland Security professionals by coordinating and conducting performance measurements on new and advanced wireless telecommunication equipment and techniques.
• Typical work assignments include:
  Installing, troubleshooting, repairing, redesigning, and maintaining telecommunications systems. Configuring and maintaining telecommunication networks and applications, such as intrusion detection systems, land, mobile radio communication, and video surveillance.
• Resolving telecommunication equipment failure and unsatisfactory performance problems.
• Providing recommendations and proposals on new and advance equipment and techniques based on performance capabilities, limitations, and cost.

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service. Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below). All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English. You may be required to pass a background investigation. CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures.

As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes.

Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Review further details via the following link. DHS uses E-Verify to confirm eligibility to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities.

Bargaining Unit:
This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Treasury Employees Unions - NTEU. For local chapter contact information see Chapter Websites - National Treasury Employees Union - NTEU

Experience:

You qualify for the GS-9 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
Assisting with the installation of new standardized telecommunications equipment;
Assisting with training to users on telecommunications systems and services;
Configuring and maintaining telecommunication networks and applications;
Assisting with designs, development, monitoring, coordination, and completion of technical evaluations on voice communications systems.

You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
Maintaining telecommunication system performance through use of established tools and instructions;
Installing, configuring, troubleshooting, repairing, maintaining and operational testing of telecommunications systems including, but not limited to: voice communications, telecommunications, stationary and mobile video and radar surveillance systems, microwave systems, fiber optic equipment, WAN, LAN, switched equipment, intrusion detection and access control systems;
Assisting with the installation of permanent and temporary tower related equipment;
Monitoring and alerting telecommunication managers regarding deterioration in system performance.

NOTE:

Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible.

Education Substitution:
Education Substitution requirements for the GS-09 and GS-11 grade levels are located…