Telecommunications Technician

ABOUT THE POSITION

Are you looking for an opportunity to grow your career in a key role within the technical planning, construction, and management of the County’s “next generation” regional public safety communications systems? If so, our Telecommunications Division (Division) currently has one full-time (75 bi-weekly hours) vacancy for you. Our team includes high-morale, independence in competent outputs, and advancement prospects with a dynamic work schedule.

Our Division is responsible for maintaining public safety communications systems across 35 fire stations, 14 Mountaintop sites, 6 dispatch locations, among others. These systems include Mission Critical voice, simulcast digital trunked radio, fire station alerting, warning siren systems, and IP data in support of public safety. In addition, our Division is responsible for the installation of communications and warning equipment in vehicles for various agencies within the County.

The Telecommunications Technician is responsible for keeping first responders in communications with each other by implementing the best technology for the application. This can include but is not limited to Radio, cellular, and microwave networks.  The Telecommunications Technician is expected to independently perform troubleshooting procedures and repairs on County equipment and vehicles. Additional responsibilities include assisting Senior Technicians on projects. The Telecommunications Technician may need to make emergency repairs and maintenance in the field at any time.

ABOUT YOU

Our Highly Qualified Candidate:  The highly qualified candidate must have experience working on complex Radio Frequency (RF) architectures, these systems include but are not limited to multiband subscriber mobile and portable radios, repeaters, base stations, and some computer networking experience. This candidate should have thorough knowledge, understanding, and experience working on complex trunking, simulcast, microwave networks. This candidate must also have experience working with Alternating/Direct (AC/DC) circuitry, Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), electrical panels, fiber optics & cabling, copper cabling, work bench testing equipment, and various Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS) systems etc. Although not a requirement; however, highly recommended candidate should demonstrate experience and knowledge of the OSI model (layer 1-3), Project 25 (P25) theory, radio subscriber programming, Internet Protocol (IP) networking theory, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations, and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), National Electric Code (NEC) concepts and regulations. Certifications in electronic theory, computer networking and server administration, and security are highly desirable. The candidate should also be able to demonstrate sound independent judgment within established procedural guidelines and is knowledgeable regarding the safe operation of hand and power tools used in facility and equipment maintenance and repair. In addition, the candidate will work independently for extended periods of time in remote locations, outdoors in any weather conditions and can work non-standard schedules including evenings, nights, and weekends.
 
We recognize your time is valuable, so please do not apply if you do not have at least the following required Minimum Qualifications: 

A combination of education and experience equivalent to an Associate degree in Electronics or a related field and one year of full-time experience in the installation, maintenance, and repair of trunked radio, microwave, and related communications equipment that provides the necessary knowledge and abilities. One year of additional related experience may substitute for the education requirement.

Certificates and Licenses
Possession of a valid FCC radio-telephone operator’s license or an equivalent radio technician certification issued by a recognized authority such as Association of Public-Safety Communications (APCO) or National Association of Business and Educational Radio (NABER) is desirable.

This job class requires travel between various County and business-related locations, including off-road and remote sites. Employees who drive on County business to carry out job-related duties must possess a valid California driver’s license for the class of vehicle driven and meet automobile insurability requirements of the County, including review of a recent DMV history. At the time of the selection interview by the appointing authority, applicants will have to furnish a recent DMV driving record.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:  Candidates selected must pass a Department of Justice and FBI LiveScan background check prior to appointment.