Summary The NY Harbor VA Healthcare system is currently recruiting for two Telecommunication Technicians for the Police service at the Brooklyn VAMC Campus location. The purpose of this position is to provide the services and perform the duties of switchboard and telecommunication operations of the medical facility. The incumbent will handle all switchboard operations which includes routing calls, dispatching emergency services, and law enforcement support. Responsibilities Major Duties include, but are not limited to: Operates a multi-trunk console located within telecommunications section of the Police Service Handles a wide variety of calls - local, long distance, overseas, and facility emergency calls Disperses callers rapidly and professionally to proper party or service within Medical Center - all callers must be treated courteously and assisted in a timely manner Responsible for the monitoring, testing, and recording the results of varying alarms and systems Responsible for the proficient operation of several complex computerized functions which include, multi-channel radio systems, closed circuit television system, and fire alarm system Handles incoming calls approximately 50% of the time, identifying location of clinics, units, and staff members Monitors a complex security closed circuit camera system that focuses on numerous locations Performs other related duties, including clerical, as assigned Work Schedule: The switchboard operates 24/7. Tours will vary, and will be discussed with hiring manager. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Telecommunications Tech/PD01195A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/19/2024. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-5 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-4. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: Must have one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-4) in the Federal Service that has given me the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of this position. Specialized experience includes work where you were responsible for operating a telephone system and/or switchboard to receive incoming calls, monitoring and testing alarm system(s), entering data into a computer, using a paging system, and maintaining records. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully complete 4 years above high school. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. One year of full-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university, or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business, secretarial, or technical school.. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements at grades GS-5. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communication Information Assurance Stress Tolerance Telecommunications 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: Position requires long periods of sitting at the switch telecommunication center during heavy call periods until relieved. The incumbent must be physically capable of activating and visually monitoring numerous critical alarms, computers, and radio equipment in the telecommunications suite. The incumbent must be capable of performing clerical duties and clearly communicating emergency situations to the necessary staff. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.