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FirstNet Authority staff members lead guests through the Public Safety Immersive Test Center

Careers

The First Responder Network Authority, or FirstNet Authority, is an independent authority within the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Authorized by Congress in 2012, the FirstNet Authority's mission is to ensure the development, building and operation of the nationwide broadband network that equips first responders with the necessary communications to save lives and protect communities.

We are headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with offices in Washington, D.C. and Boulder, Colorado, and remote staff working in other regions of the United States. Come join the FirstNet Authority team and make a difference in public safety.

Why work for us?

Our team is drawn together by a shared passion for the work. Our culture combines the energy and innovation of technology with the dedication of first responders. Many FirstNet Authority staff are either current or former public safety officials. Others have technical expertise in broadband and telecom technologies. Collectively, we have deep experience in all public safety disciplines and communication technologies in both the private sector and all levels of government—local, state, federal, and tribal. The FirstNet Authority collaborates with responders to inform our work regarding FirstNet and related communications technology, striving to make our world a safer place.

The FirstNet Authority is a great place to build your career and be rewarded for your efforts. Those who choose to serve with the FirstNet Authority receive competitive compensation, full comprehensive federal benefits, flexible work-life balance, and professional growth. If you’re a high-performing individual interested in a challenging, meaningful career with a bright future, we invite you to learn more about us.

Our Careers

A FirstNet Authority career offers you an opportunity to work for a great federal agency and serve our nation. That is why we are looking for the most qualified and highly motivated professionals to serve in the areas of:

  • Acquisition
  • Communications and Outreach
  • Engineering
  • Financial Management
  • Human Resources
  • Information Technology
  • Legal
  • Public Safety

For current and specific job opportunities, please visit www.usajobs.gov. Search for “First Responder Network Authority” or “FirstNet Authority.” Interested applicants may apply directly through the vacancy announcements provided on the USAJOBS website to receive consideration for positions. Each announcement includes details and instructions on how to apply, including required materials to include with your application.

Our Compensation

The FirstNet Authority is covered by the U.S. Department of Commerce Alternative Personnel System (CAPS), which provides a pay-for-performance framework where performance is recognized and rewarded every year. Our career paths, pay bands, and intervals take the place of traditional General Schedule (GS) grades and steps, and give us far greater flexibility in setting pay for new hires.

Our Employee Benefits

Please visit New / Prospective Employees (opm.gov) for detailed information on the comprehensive benefits available to federal employees, including health insurance, dental and vision insurance, long-term care insurance, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, and the Thrift Savings Plan.

How to Apply

Your time is valuable. Read the job announcement carefully to concentrate your job search efforts only on positions for which you meet the areas of consideration and qualification requirements. Announcements provide information about the position, including the job title, duties, location, qualification requirements, who can apply (areas of consideration), and details on how to apply. Make sure your resume addresses all of the specialized experience required for the position.

Be sure to provide all of the required application documents to support your eligibility and qualifications. For example, some vacancy announcements may require you to submit college transcripts, veteran’s documentation including a DD-214, or your most recent SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action if you are a Federal employee. You may consult USAJOBS for helpful tips on resume writing, but be sure to include the month and year that each block of employment began and ended.

To ensure you apply to vacancies for which you are in the area of consideration, use the Explore Hiring Paths guidance in USAJOBS (beneath the federal application process), which outlines each hiring path. FirstNet Authority jobs are advertised using Merit Promotion (MP), Delegated Examining (DE), or Direct-Hire Authority (DHA). Vacancies that are advertised as Merit Promotion have an area of consideration that requires an appointment eligibility (as explained in the vacancy announcement) of competitive service with career or career conditional tenure, Veterans eligible under special appointing authorities, or a variety of other special appointing authorities.

You can apply to any FirstNet Authority vacancy announcement provided your eligibility is included in the area of consideration. You must submit proof of your appointment eligibility at the time you apply. If you do not have appointment eligibility, you can only apply for jobs advertised under Delegated Examining (DE) or Direct-Hire Authority (DHA), which are both open to all U.S. citizens.

Career Resources

The FirstNet Authority is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks a highly talented, diverse workforce.