Computer Engineer (Pathways Recent Graduate) (Honors STEM Program)
Federal Communications CommissionSummary
This is a Recent Graduates position in the Pathways Program. Selected candidates will be placed/appointed at various Bureaus/Offices throughout the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in Washington, DC. Limited placements may also be available at one of the FCC’s Field Office Locations in Boston, New York, Columbia, Atlanta, Miami, New Orleans, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Denver, or Chicago.
This is a developmental position, and the incumbent is a member of the Federal Communications Commission developmental STEM Pathways Recent Graduate Program. This position serves as a developmental professional Computer Engineer performing progressively responsible assignments involving the design, analysis, integration, testing, and evaluation of computer hardware systems, embedded systems, digital architectures, communications interfaces, and related technologies. The incumbent performs conventional engineering assignments independently and assists higher-graded engineers on more complex projects. Work directly contributes to program and mission outcomes.
Conditions of employment
- Education-Transcripts Required.
- US Citizenship.
- Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
- Serve a probationary period of one year, if applicable.
- Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
- Non-Veterans must have received qualifying degree within 2 years.
- Veterans must have received qualifying degree within 6 years.
- Financial disclosure statement may be required upon assuming the position.
- Resume must not exceed two pages and must meet resume format criteria.
Recent Graduates who obtained a qualifying associate, bachelors, master's, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution, within the previous 2 years. (In support of Veterans Recruitment efforts, some exceptions to the 2-year window apply to veterans whose military service obligation precluded application during any portion of the 2-year application window.)
In order to be considered for this position, applicants must within the previous 2 years, have completed a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution.
Preference eligible veterans who were precluded from applying due to their military service obligation begin their 2-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed 6 years from the date on which they completed their degree or certification.
College Transcripts (For Positive Education Required positions and if qualifying based on education and or experience and education.), if applicable.
Please note your resume must thoroughly support your qualifications for this position. Your resume is an integral part of the process for determining if you meet the basic qualifications of the position and determining if you are to be among the best qualified.
Preference eligible veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree due to military service obligation may apply up to six years after degree or certification.
This is a Recent Graduates position in the Pathways Program. This program provides an entry-level developmental experience with the potential to lead to a career in the Federal Government after successfully completing the Program. Upon completion of the developmental program, Recent Graduate appointees may be non-competitively converted to a term or permanent position without further competition.
ALL CURRENT/FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND CURRENT FCC EMPLOYEES MUST provide a legible Personnel Action, SF-50, that verifies your status and highest permanently held grade. If an SF-50 is not submitted, the application will be rated as ineligible.
CURRENT FCC EMPLOYEES-To request a copy of your SF-50 please send an email to PersonnelRecordsRequest@fcc.gov
More information about the Recent Graduates Program can be found here: http://www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads.
Qualifications
Interested candidates should be passionate about the ideals of our American republic, committed to upholding the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution, and committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government. Hiring decisions will not be based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
Applicants must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
In order to be deemed as qualified, candidates must meet the BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS as outlined in SUBPART A below in addition to the REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS CRITERIA outlined in SUBPART B.
Candidates who apply for this position MUST upload a copy of their transcripts to verify that educational qualification requirements are met. If transcripts are not submitted, YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE RATED AS INELIGIBLE.
Specialized experience is experience which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.
SUBPART A-BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
All applicants must meet the basic requirements described in the individual occupational requirements to fully qualify for the specified entry grade GS-5 click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order to receive credit towards qualifications. Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html
All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.
Students who have graduated from an accredited college must submit unofficial or official transcripts at the time of application. The transcript must demonstrate the date that the degree was conferred. You must have graduated by May of 2026 to be eligible for selection.
AND
SUBPART B-REQUIRED QUALIFICATION CRITERIA
GS-5
To be deemed as qualified candidates must meet the basic educational requirements per the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pd
GS-7
In order to be deemed as qualified for the GS-7 Computer Engineer position, applicants may qualify by education or specialized experience or a combination of both education and specialized experience.
Education: 1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement
OR
Specialized Experience: Applicants must have a minimum of one-year specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 in the Federal service. For this position, specialized experience includes the following: performing junior level computer engineering tasks such as performing developmental engineering work in the design, analysis, testing, and evaluation of computer hardware systems and/or related components.
OR
A combination of education and experience.
GS-9
Specialized Experience: Applicants must have a minimum of one-year specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 in the Federal service. For this position, specialized experience includes the following: performing intermediate level computer engineering tasks such as performing segments of computer engineering projects involving design, analysis, integration, and test of computer/embedded hardware and/or related interfaces.
OR
Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as Computer Engineering.
OR
A combination of education and experience.
GS-11
Specialized Experience: Applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 in the Federal service. For this position, specialized experience includes the following:
1. Designing, analyzing, and evaluating computer hardware systems, embedded processors, digital logic circuits, and interface components using established engineering principle
2. Conducting engineering studies involving hardware/software interface issues and system performance optimization.
OR
Education: Have 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree
OR
A combination of education and experience.
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.
*EDUCATION DOCUMENTATION-UNOFFICIAL OR OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE SUBMITTED. CANDIDATES WHO DO NOT SUBMIT THEIR TRANSCRIPTS WILL BE DEEMED AS INELIGIBLE.*
FOREIGN EDUCATION: To receive credit for education outside the U.S., you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs.
SME Review
At the time of application you are required to take an external skills-based assessment which is based upon government-wide recognized competencies and consistent with OPM Merit Hiring Plan requirements and the Chance to Compete Act. Should you receive a passing score of 70 or higher, your application will be reviewed by subject matter experts to determine if you meet the OPM qualification requirements for this position.
GS-5 COMPETENCIES
- Oral communication
- Written communication
GS-7 COMPETENCIES
- Oral communication
- Written communication
- Attention to detail
GS-9 COMPETENCIES
- Oral communication
- Written communication
- Attention to detail
GS-11 COMPETENCIES
- Oral communication
- Written communication
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving
Education
If you are qualifying based on positive education, please provide a copy of your college transcript. The transcript may be unofficial or photocopy at time of application, but MUST provide the original if selected.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order to receive credit towards qualifications. Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html
All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.
Students who have graduated from an accredited college must submit unofficial or official transcripts at the time of application. The transcript must demonstrate the date that the degree was conferred.
Additional information
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
The FCC offers a wide range of employee benefits, including:
Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Dental & Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Long-Term Care Insurance
Holidays and Leave
Retirement
Thrift Savings Plan
Transit Benefit
Alternative Work Schedule
Telecommuting
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.