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Telecommunications Specialist (Intercepts)


Job Location:

Birmingham, MI - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 90410 - 90410
Posted: 6 October 2026 (2 days ago)
Application Deadline: 4 January 2027
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summary

This position is located in the DEA New Orleans Field Division Birmingham AL District Office

This position(s) primary purpose is to support local and domestic investigative personnel with investigative operations by integrating the use of electronic interception equipment and system networking for voice data internet protocol technology and service providers.


Duties

As a Telecommunications Specialist (Intercepts) your typical work assignments may include:

  • Conducts wire interception of a variety of electronic communication devices to collect evidence such as voice audio and visual (text messages emails notes photos) directly from the device or internet operated application.
  • Identifies needs develops recommendations and coordinates risk-management studies relating to changes or upgrades to existing technical equipment and systems.
  • Conducts site surveys to determine the best approach and operational needs for each site.
  • Analyzes and monitors telecommunications equipment for software reliability and utilization.
  • Wires and assembles components to design construct and implement electronic surveillance systems to acquire high quality intelligence and evidentiary information.
  • Performs maintenance to ensure that the equipment is in reliable operating condition and available for normal daily functions and emergencies.
  • Provides consultative/planning advising while continuously evaluating advancements in technology and equipment.

Requirements
Conditions of employment
  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation. Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
  • Incumbent is subject to random drug testing.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities visit: Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see required to become certified Investigative Technology Specialist (Intercepts) GS0391-13 within 12-18 months of assignment.
  • Applicant must possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operators license while employed in the position and will be required to operate the motor vehicle in accordance with applicable OPM regulations and related requirements of DOJ/DEA.
  • This position is entitled to Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime (AUO).
Qualifications

For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility

Applicants must meet the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of the announcement. If you are qualifying based on education or if there are mandatory education requirements listed below you MUST submit a copy of your college transcripts with your application.

Basic Qualification Requirements:


Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study - electrical or electronic engineering mathematics physics public utilities statistics computer science telecommunications management information systems management business administration industrial management or other fields related to the position to be filled.

Other Education: Communications/electronics or automatic data processing training in technical institutes or business schools above the high school level or in Armed Forces schools that included advanced instruction in addition to basic courses may be substituted for general experience on a month-for-month basis.

OR

Specialized Experience:
Experience in evaluating analyzing developing managing or improving communications systems procedures and requirements that demonstrated knowledge of current developments and trends in communications concepts and technology.

AND

Applicants applying for the GS-12 must meet one the following requirements:

Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 (or equivalent) and your experience includes performing at least three of the tasks below as part of your regular duties: Specialized 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; religious; 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.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector which demonstrates experience performing: Using and applying telecommunications equipment applications OR computer systems to track monitor and intercept radio OR digital data for active surveillance; 2) Retrieving distributing OR archiving data to be utilized in investigations; 3) Participating in the installation and concealment of surveillance equipment; 4) Conducting verbal and/or written evaluations of telecommunications equipment and providing recommendations on technology improvements.

Applicants applying for the GS-13 must meet the following requirements:

Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 (or equivalent) and your experience includes performing at least three of the tasks below as part of your regular duties: Specialized 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; religious; 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.

Qualifying experience must demonstrate the following: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector which demonstrates experience performing: 1) Using and applying telecommunications equipment
applications and computer systems to track monitor OR intercept radio and digital data for active surveillance; 2) Providing training and technical guidance in the use and application of telecommunication systems applications OR technologies; 3) Planning and coordinating technical operations using covert tactics in a criminal investigation; 4) Leading the evaluation of new or prototype telecommunication systems computer applications or other technologies.


Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Managements (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

See the qualification section of this vacancy announcement for education requirements.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials visit: you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position you must submit an official transcript unofficial transcript or a list including courses grades earned completion dates and quarter and semester hours earned.
Additional information

For reasonable accommodation at the Drug Enforcement Administration please contact the Human Resources office listed in this announcement.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If an applicant is currently or has been within the last 5 years a political Schedule A Schedule C Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch applicants must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office listed in this announcement.

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible applicants to this announcement may be referred to similar positions in any Division/Office listed in this announcement. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.

Relocation Incentives may be considered and approved if the DEA has determined that the position is likely to be difficult to fill in the absence of an incentive and funding for such an incentive is available.

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.

Review our benefits

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.


Required Experience:

IC