Radio Electronics Technician Advancement Program

This program is designed to bring experienced personnel and apprentice participants into the program for up to 48 months of being mentored by the Civilian Mariner staff. The successful candidate would serve as Second Radio Electronics Technician (RET2) or First Radio Electronics Technician (RET1) in the Communications Department aboard various classes of MSC civil service crewed ships, both at sea and in port.

Selected candidates will be placed in the Radio Electronics Technician Advancement Program (RAP) for job training, sea time, and work experience. The RAP offers a career opportunity and promotion path for deserving RET2s and RET1s. Candidates will receive online and classroom training, ship assignments and evaluations.

Candidate must sign a 48 months service agreement and fulfill the documented communications sea time, program skill training requirements, and maintain satisfactory or better evaluations from their shipboard supervisors. Upon successful completion of program requirements, participant will be eligible for promotion from RET2 to RET1 and RET1 to CRET.

Selections for permanent promotions will be contingent upon the employee’s ability to achieve and maintain respective position requirements (training, security, medical, performance, etc.), and availability of RET1 and CRET positions. Promotions are also contingent upon successful completion of an administrative review (medical, security, discipline, etc.), and a review of supervisory evaluations and input regarding performance and readiness for permanent promotion.

Failure to comply with the program requirements within the allotted time may result in termination from employment. The Second Radio Electronics Technician (RET2) and the First Radio Electronics Technician (RET1) are civil service mariners (CIVMARs) employed by the Navy to serve the Military Sealift Command (MSC) onboard naval auxiliaries and hybrid—manned warships worldwide, in peace and war. MSC exists to support the joint warfighter across the full spectrum of military operations. MSC provides on—time logistics, strategic sealift, as well as specialized missions anywhere in the world, contested or uncontested environment. The Second Radio Electronics Technician is part of the Communications Department and stand watches under the supervision of the Chief Radio Electronics Technician (CRET). The incumbent operates and maintains the ship’s military communication suites. The incumbent will be required to fulfill the requirements set out below under some degree of guidance and supervision, which is expected to lessen as experience/ training, is gained.

The incumbent transfers information by state-of-the-art technology using tactical/ or commercial satellites on a global basis and traditional RF systems. Operations are routinely performed within a battle group with specific circuits and protocol that must be utilized. Complies with COMSEC (Communications Security) and cryptographic equipment requirements on both transmission and receipt of communication signals. The incumbent must possess a basic knowledge of electronic theory and be competent to perform required equipment inspection, evaluation of performance, problem troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and limited repairs to shipboard communications systems under varying levels of supervision. The incumbent must become capable of operating radio cryptographic equipment. The incumbent must become proficient in interpretation of electronics technical manuals, drawings, specifications, and schematic drawings. The incumbent must be capable of using diagnostic programs, electronic test equipment and tools. The incumbent must be capable in time of diagnosing problems and determining appropriate corrective action using Navy and commercial manuals. The incumbent must be knowledgeable of the Electrical Safety Program and safety requirements of the various types of equipment worked upon. In performing the work, incumbent is required to observe all safety rules to ensure personal safety and safety of co—workers. Incumbent is required to be proficient in the performance of shipboard emergency drills, performing all duties as assigned. The incumbent will be required to work aloft and over the side while maintaining antenna systems. The First Radio Electronics Technician is a watch stander and functions as a watch partner, supervised by the Chief Radio Electronics Technician, and carries out functions for the daily operations of the department. The incumbent has knowledge of, but not limited to, Navy Telecommunications Publications (NT P' s) , Naval Warfare Publications (NWP's), Fleet Telecommunications Publications (FTP's), Communications Information Bulletins (C1B’s), Communications Information Advisories (CIA’s), and Current General Message Files (GMF’s). The incumbent transfers information using tactical or commercial satellites on a global basis. Operations are routinely performed within a battle group with specific circuits and protocol that must be utilized. Complies with EKMS policy and procedures for the handling and safeguarding of COMSEC material and is skilled in operating radio cryptographic equipment. The incumbent operates, monitors, and controls information systems in support of worldwide telecommunications networks. Assigned systems include, CUDIXS, MDU, MDS; NOW, GATEGUARD, FSM, NAVMACS V2 or 11 SYSTEMS, MISNS, and ADNS. The incumbent performs assigned mission organizational level troubleshooting, maintenance and minor repair of Command, Control, Communications, and Computer systems. Systems to be kept fully operational include ship’s capability to handle two or more secure Fleet Broadcast Satellite Communications (FLT BROADCAST) channels for classified traffic, CUDTXS to send and receive genser traffic and tactical voice circuits to report or relay operational and administrative information.

The incumbent must possess knowledge of electronic theory and be competent to perform MSC required equipment preventive and/or- corrective maintenance, equipment troubleshooting, and limited repair to shipboard communications systems.

For both positions, incumbent must be capable of attaining and retaining a Top Secret clearance. Everything in this Position Description is considered to be an essential function of this position. Performs other duties as assigned.