Beamter/Beamtin für den mittleren technischen Dienst der Fernmelde- und Elektronischen Aufklärung des Bundes

Learning locations are: Educational institutions, e.g., administrative schools: Classrooms (classroom instruction). Offices of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) and the Federal Intelligence Service (Bundesnachrichtendienst): Offices, rooms with radio, measurement, and other telecommunications technical equipment.

Occupation type: Civil service training (Beamtenausbildung). Type of training: Preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst), regulated by federal ordinances. Duration of preparatory service: 2 years. Learning locations: Educational institutions (e.g., administrative schools) and offices of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) and the Federal Intelligence Service (Bundesnachrichtendienst). What does one do in this profession? Civil servants in the intermediate technical service of federal telecommunications and electronic reconnaissance search for and record relevant information from abroad using technical procedures and methods. They record and prepare this information and make it available for evaluation and analysis. In telecommunications reconnaissance, civil servants in the intermediate technical service of federal telecommunications and electronic reconnaissance process electromagnetic signals containing messages. These are measured and documented by them. In electronic reconnaissance, on the other hand, they deal with searching, recording, and evaluating radio signals without content.

Job title: Civil servant in the intermediate technical service of federal telecommunications and electronic reconnaissance. Occupation type: Civil service training (Beamtenausbildung)/Preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst). Training duration: 2 years. Entry requirement: Usually a secondary school leaving certificate (mittlerer Bildungsabschluss) or a Hauptschulabschluss (lower secondary school leaving certificate) and a relevant completed vocational training (Berufsausbildung). What does one do in this profession? Civil servants in the intermediate technical service of federal telecommunications and electronic reconnaissance search for and record relevant information from abroad using technical procedures and methods. They record and prepare this information and make it available for evaluation and analysis. In telecommunications reconnaissance, civil servants in the intermediate technical service of federal telecommunications and electronic reconnaissance process electromagnetic signals containing messages. In electronic reconnaissance, on the other hand, they deal with searching, recording, and evaluating radio signals without content.

2 years

The selection process consists of a written part, in which, for example, a performance test and simulation tasks are to be completed, and an oral part, which includes, for example, a presentation and an interview. In addition, a security clearance according to the Security Clearance Act (Sicherheitsüberprüfungsgesetz - SÜG) takes place.

Structure of the preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst) in the intermediate technical service of federal telecommunications and electronic reconnaissance: Theoretical vocational training, practical foreign language training, language examination, practical training, career examination. Total training duration: 24 months.

No tuition fees or course fees are charged. Travel expenses or costs for learning materials may arise. Costs for accommodation at the training location may also be incurred.

During the theoretical training, one acquires knowledge in areas such as: technical fundamentals of telecommunications and electronic reconnaissance, electronic warfare - fundamentals of radio reconnaissance, information technology systems of telecommunications and electronic reconnaissance, electronic warfare - fundamentals of electronic reconnaissance, electronic warfare - fundamentals of Morse code reconnaissance, information systems and information acquisition, fundamentals of telecommunications reconnaissance analysis, technical reconnaissance, and legal foundations in practice. During the practical training, one acquires, among other things, the necessary English communication skills for performing tasks and becomes familiar with the operational procedures in units of the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) or the Bundesnachrichtendienst (German Federal Intelligence Service), as well as the fundamentals of cooperation between civilian and military agencies.

One should be prepared for the following conditions and requirements: During the theoretical training phases: classroom instruction, possibly project work, and reviewing content at home. During the practical training phases: hands-on work (under guidance), e.g., recording signals, analyzing them with technical means and methods, and preparing the acquired information. Requirements include diligence (e.g., careful analysis of radio signals), adaptability (e.g., quickly switching between listening to radio messages and documenting and forwarding relevant information), and confidentiality (maintaining silence about acquired data towards external persons).

Monthly basic remuneration for candidates in federal agencies (gross): 1,473 €. Source: dbb beamtenbund und tarifunion, as of March 2024. Note: In addition to the basic remuneration, candidate allowances include capital-forming benefits, possibly also family allowances and other allowances, remunerations, and surcharges.

In-depth knowledge in the following school subjects is a good prerequisite for successful Ausbildung (vocational training): Mathematics: Candidates are introduced to various encryption and decryption techniques. Mathematical knowledge is particularly helpful here. Physics: Since candidates also deal with the physical-technical foundations of reconnaissance work, physical knowledge is essential. German: As candidates learn to prepare protocols and reports during their training, good German language skills are indispensable. English: To process information from abroad, candidates need knowledge of English.

The following Ausbildung (vocational training) alternatives are available for the profession of civil servant in the intermediate technical service of telecommunications and electronic reconnaissance of the Bundes (Federal): Area of protection and security, civil servant at the Bundesnachrichtendienst (German Federal Intelligence Service) (intermediate non-technical service), civil servant in the Verfassungsschutz (German domestic intelligence agency) (intermediate service). Commonality: Procurement and analysis of intelligence information.

The Ausbildung (vocational training) was first regulated in 2002 by the 'Ordinance on the Career, Training and Examination for the Intermediate Service of Federal Telecommunications and Electronic Reconnaissance'. In 2021, a new 'Ordinance on the Preparatory Service for the Intermediate Technical Service of Federal Telecommunications and Electronic Reconnaissance' came into force, replacing 'intermediate service' with 'intermediate technical service'.

The Ausbildung (vocational training) in the intermediate technical service of Federal Telecommunications and Electronic Reconnaissance is a two-year preparatory service. It is regulated by federal ordinances and leads to a career examination.

The career title is 'Civil Servant - Telecommunications and Electronic Reconnaissance (intermediate technical service)'. The responsible authorities determine whether this career path is offered as an Ausbildung.

After their Ausbildung, civil servants in the intermediate technical service of Federal Telecommunications and Electronic Reconnaissance work for the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) and the Bundesnachrichtendienst (Federal Intelligence Service). They can keep their specialized knowledge up-to-date through adaptive Weiterbildung (further training), covering topics from electronics to administrative law. With appropriate aptitude, civil servants in the intermediate technical service of Federal Telecommunications and Electronic Reconnaissance have the opportunity to move to the next higher career path after a successful Aufstiegsverfahren (promotion procedure). With a Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (university entrance qualification), one can also pursue a Studium (university degree), for example, earning a Bachelor's degree in Information and Communication Technology.

The legal regulations for the Ausbildung are set by the 'Ordinance on the Preparatory Service for the Intermediate Technical Administrative Service of the Federal Government in the Field of Telecommunications and Electronic Reconnaissance (MtDFmEloAufklVDV)' of January 14, 2021 (BGBl. I p. 79), amended by Article 2 para. 27 of the Ordinance of March 11, 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I No. 67).

Generally, a Mittlerer Bildungsabschluss (intermediate school leaving certificate) or a Hauptschulabschluss (secondary school leaving certificate) combined with a completed technical Berufsausbildung (vocational training) is required. Additionally, the following are required for admission to the Ausbildung: German citizenship according to Article 116 of the Basic Law, an extended security clearance. For applicants to the Bundeswehr, further requirements include: a declaration of willingness to participate in Bundeswehr deployments abroad, foreign language skills in English, and a maximum age of 49 years.