Emergency Telecommunications Specialist

*** Unable to provide sponsorship at this time. Only considering persons eligible to work in the United States.

Global Support and Development is seeking to hire an Emergency Telecommunications (ETC) Specialist within our Programs section. The position is full-time, fixed-term, and will end on December 18, 2026. Reporting to our Senior Manager of National Response System Effectiveness (NRSE), the ETC Specialist will serve as a technical leader and project manager, responsible for ensuring the successful implementation of the Response Coordination program.

This position will be an in-person role based in Charlotte, N.C. with significant travel to Caribbean and Central America. 

The Emergency Telecommunications Specialist will work to ensure successful implementation of the Response Coordination program strategy by supporting priority countries with ETC services, ensuring that they are efficient, effective, and sustainable. 

GSD offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

Up to 25 days of accrued vacation

Up to 80 hours of annual sick leave

Up to 80 hours of Military Pay and 30 Days Differential

Medical, Dental and Vision (GSD covers monthly premium)

Group Life and AD&D Coverage (GSD covers monthly premium)

Retirement (Pre and Post Tax Options) and a Company Match

Matches on Qualified 529 Plans

Up to 14 Paid Holidays

Want to know more?  Read below for additional responsibilities and qualifications.

Serve as the lead ETC Engineer for the Response Coordination Strategy, overseeing both emergency telecommunications (Radio and Satellite) and critical IT infrastructure components. This includes developing robust and scalable solutions and building local capacity for their long-term sustainability; 

Lead the assessment, design, and implementation of essential IT infrastructure, including data centers, server architecture, network security, and cloud solutions, to support humanitarian operations;

With key partners, identify, assess, and prioritize areas impeding the reliability and resilience of essential telecommunications infrastructure in GSD prioritized area of operations; 

Improve the preparedness of national and local authorities and their key partners to strengthen response readiness and local capacity based on best practices;

Adopt sound project management approaches to support the management, oversight, measurement, and reporting of GSD-supported ETC projects;   

In collaboration with the Innovation team, facilitate the provision of high-quality and appropriate technology solutions, and foster a culture of innovation to deliver quality services for key national authorities;

Ensure coordination and collaboration with relevant regional bodies in accordance with Partnership protocols. This will include but is not limited to CDEMA and CARILEC to align GSD's efforts with regional strategies and foster strong, long-term partnerships;

Manage and coordinate a network of in-region specialists and consultants, providing technical guidance, project oversight, and mentoring to enhance local expertise and ensure project success;

Prompt and action GSD’s core values of accountability, humility, and integrity in all work we conduct;

Promote good stewardship of financial and other resources to achieve maximum benefit to those impacted by disaster or at risk of impact; and

Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Required Experience:

Ten (10) or more years of relevant work experience in emergency telecommunications, preferably in the humanitarian sector;

Five (5) or more years experience operating in emergency telecommunications in an international context; 

Proven experience designing and managing sustainable projects in accordance with international project management standards. Project management certification is a plus;

Professional experience in an international, humanitarian context running large Telecom/ICT Support Operations, with proficiency in the basic use of various types of communications equipment (including mobile radios VHF, UHF, HF and IP Radio, satellite phones, BGAN, LANs and WANs); and also involving emergency response operations for ETC;

Five (5) years of experience in the design, installation, configuring, and troubleshooting of a wide range of communications and IT infrastructure systems, including IP networks (LAN/WLAN/WAN), server administration (Microsoft and Linux), VoIP/Unified Communications, cybersecurity protocols, and experience in configuring smart phones of various operating systems;

Five (5) years of experience in installing and programming HF base and mobile stations and VHF/UHF analog and digital portable, mobiles and base stations and repeaters, along with troubleshooting  and maintaining radio equipment and networks;

Two (2) years of experience in installing, configuring, and troubleshooting analog and digital PABXs and IPBXs/VoIP/Unified communications systems;

Experience in cybersecurity a plus; 

Demonstrated experience working and leading technical projects in the Caribbean region is highly preferred, with a strong understanding of the unique logistical, cultural, and infrastructure challenges present in this area; and 

Additional vocational/on the job training and participation in field deployment exercises are a plus.

Education:

Master of Science or Engineering in Telecommunications Network Systems, IT/Computer networks, Information Systems Management or Computer Science applications preferred; or 

Equivalent education and experience.

Professional Licenses/Certifications:

Part 107 License is desired;

ITIL 3 certification is desired; and

Certification in project management is desired.

Knowledge/Skills:

Proven ability to produce quality results within challenging timeframes and ongoing change;

Program oversight and management, development of programmatic policy, procedure, and guidelines;

Ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously under pressure;

Proven ability to manage contractors and consultants’ field work, with the ability to develop the skills of local staff and consultants in diverse cultural contexts;

Cultural awareness and the ability to work collaboratively with a wide array of stakeholders to build relationships;

Proficiency with basic office software (i.e., Microsoft Office, Google Docs, etc.);

Advanced knowledge of IT infrastructure best practices, including network architecture, data security, and disaster recovery planning;

Proficiency in coordinating teams of various backgrounds and ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously under pressure;

Superior organizational skills, the ability to shift tasks rapidly, be self-motivated, and have excellent verbal and written communication skills, to include presentation ability;

Fluency in written and spoken English required, fluency in Spanish is highly desired; and

Excellent organizational skills and the ability to rapidly shift tasks.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

At this time, GSD is not offering sponsorship and is only accepting applications from persons eligible to work in the United States; and

Routine domestic and international travel, at times up to 50%, is required.

GSD prioritizes the safety, security, and well-being of all of our staff members. All employees are expected to follow strict safety protocols, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as required and adherence to safety regulations (maritime and other), to mitigate risks. 

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and North Carolina state law, GSD will provide reasonable accommodation for a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship
or a direct threat to the health and/or safety of the individual or others. 

These working conditions and physical demands are described to provide a clear understanding of the nature of the role, including the essential deployment responsibilities that may be necessary, to ensure that potential candidates are well-prepared for the challenging and demanding nature of the duties and realities of disaster response work. GSD is not able to reasonably predict when or whether it will become necessary to deploy an employee in this position for disaster response work.  Such decisions are made as circumstances arise to meet organizational needs, and employees in this role are therefore expected to be able to fulfill disaster response work responsibilities. 

Working Conditions During Non-Deployment Periods

Work is performed in an office setting and is generally sedentary, but may involve movement (e.g., walking, standing or otherwise being mobile throughout the office) for brief periods of time;

Ability to use hands, reach, and independently lift and move items weighing up to 20 pounds, carry, push, and pull or otherwise move objects;

Ability to bend and stoop;

Ability to sit and view a computer screen for extended periods of time;

Ability to demonstrate manual dexterity to operate computer and other office equipment;

Ability to communicate effectively with others.

Working Conditions During Deployment Periods (Including Rapid Response)

May be regularly exposed to and required to work in varying outdoor weather conditions, including extreme heat or cold, heavy rainfall, and other extreme weather events; 

May be required to engage in irregular travel and / or work schedules, which may include extended hours exceeding 8 or 12 hours in a day for prolonged periods outside of the control of the individual;

While wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) which is required and provided by GSD: 

Work may be conducted near moving mechanical parts, which could include exposure to loud noises;

Work may be conducted near and include potential exposure to fumes, airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals; or 

Work may be conducted in areas that include exposure to the risk of electrical shock or vibration.

Ability to obtain necessary travel documents and fulfill any other travel requirements (including an active passport, visa requirements, vaccinations, etc.);

This role may include deployments to support natural disaster response efforts within hazardous, dynamic, and unstable environments (economically/environmentally) in pre- and post- disaster scenarios, which could include, among other conditions: lack of access to medical care, exposure to critical incidents (including severe injury, death, traumatic encounters, and/or mental strain), and uncommon sleeping arrangements (i.e. not in a hotel, could include close living quarters and cohabitation);  

GSD’s nutritional environment contains milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat products. Ability to make dietary accommodations may be limited. Potential exposure to food borne allergens; and

Employees may be required for this role to work upon our Humanitarian Vessel for up to 30 consecutive days. The vessel’s working environment entails performing in conditions inherent to vessel travel, including but not limited to: steep and narrow stairs and living spaces, close quarters including cohabitation, sharp surfaces, metal gangways and ladders, heavy doors, European-type plugs and wiring (220-240v, 60Hz) which cannot support all American appliances, in addition to bright and flashing lights, loud noises, nuts and shellfish exposure, poor weather, movements which can trigger motion sickness, and / or limited access to hospital / definitive care. This setting involves various sea conditions, including but not limited to rough seas, adverse weather, and potential for sea sickness.

Physical Demands During Non-Deployment Periods

Ability to perform work indoors in an office environment;

Ability to work a varied schedule to complete projects and meet deadlines in response to changing demands;

Ability to travel to attend meetings, industry or professional association conferences and stay overnight as required.

Physical Demands During Deployment Periods

Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for up to 50% of the time;

Ability to regularly engage in manual dexterity; 

[FOR VESSEL] Essential physical requirements (depending on job description requirements) may also include climbing, balancing, reaching or stretching, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling; 

Ability to frequently move lift, push, pull, carry  items weighing up to 20 pounds for various needs;

Ability to observe details at a close range (within a few feet of the observer), and the ability to communicate information and ideas so that others will understand (must also be able to exchange accurate information in these situations); 

Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

This job description reflects an assignment of essential functions.  It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.  Other duties and tasks may be assigned to this job at GSD’s discretion.

Work Authorization Requirements: GSD participates in E-verify, an internet-based system that allows employers to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. E-Verify is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. Our participation in E-Verify is in compliance with federal law and is limited to the use of E-Verify for employment eligibility verification only. We do not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents presented for use on the Form I-9. Notwithstanding, employment is conditional upon validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). 

This job description is a summary rather than a detailed list of the duties performed.  The essential functions, knowledge, skills, and working conditions may change along with business needs.  This job description does not constitute a contract between employer and employee as employment is at will.  Global Support and Development provides reasonable accommodations to assist qualified individuals in order to perform the essential functions their job requires.

GSD is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and embraces all candidates regardless of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), nation of origin, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military/veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law. GSD promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in all candidate selections.