ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN

Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Technical and Medical Support Positions. . 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 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower broadband NH-II, equivalent to the next lower grade GS-08 or equivalent in other pay systems. Specialized experience is experience a technician, instructor, inspector, or mechanic (civilian or military) that showed progression in theoretical and practical knowledge of electronic theory, and of the characteristics, function, operation, and capabilities of a variety of types of electronic equipment. This experience must have included the use of schematic diagrams, a variety of avionic test equipment, and the application of appropriate electronic formulas involved in such duties as testing, troubleshooting, modifying, designing, calibrating, installing, maintaining, repairing, constructing, developing, and instructing on electronic equipment and avionic items and software. Experience in developing policies, standards, and procedures for maintenance, installation, or similar functions, provided the work clearly shows that the applicant applied a specialized knowledge of the theories and principles of a variety of electronic systems or equipment. NOTE: Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement. OR EDUCATION: I have successfully completed a Master’s or equivalent graduate degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B or J.D., if related. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. 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. Knowledge and skill in designing new circuitry and the ability to perform associated product fabrication techniques such as layout and construction of multi-layer printed circuits, complex back planes, Mil-Std-2000 Cat E High-Reliability soldering and de-soldering, and cutting, bending and drilling of metal using a milling machine, lathe, and drill press. 2. Thorough knowledge of basic electronic concepts and fundamentals (e.g. Ohm’s and Kirchoffs Laws, time and frequency domain relationships, Boolean algebra, and basic digital technology) and the ability to convert theoretical ideas of engineers and scientists to functional components and systems. 3. Knowledge of digital and analog components used in modern technology such as microprocessors, gate arrays, FPGA, LSI devices, and memory devices. Familiarity with data transmission techniques such as Radio Frequency (RF), telemetry, microwave, and fiber optic data links. 4. Ability to read, interpret, correct and modify electrical/electronic schematics/diagrams using the latest software version of the computer-aided-design tool. 5. Skill in using the latest software versions of the computer-aided-design tools AUTOCAD, ALTIUM, and GENERIC CADD for mechanical designs and layouts. 6. Knowledge of and skill in the use of various pieces of electronic test equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, FPGA programmers, telemetry ground stations, synthesizers, spectrum analyzers, Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and Mil-Std-1553 simulators and analyzers. 7. Knowledge of and skill in using and applying the following serial data communication standards: RS- 422, RS- 232, and Mil-Std-1553. 8. Knowledge of and ability to apply Mil-Std-454K to the quality assurance and inspection of locally designed electronic systems. 9. Skill in the development and application of Telemetry Systems and Flight Termination Systems to the test and evaluation of munitions. 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.
Click on “Learn more about this agency” button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is to to perform non-professional technical work in accomplishing limited design, scientific analysis, measurement, and tests in the evaluation of airborne weapon systems and electronic, electro- mechanical or electro-optical systems.