Communications Technician (Senior)

Description

Under general and consistent direction, to provide lead supervision and to participate in the assembly, installation, maintenance, and repair of a variety of radio communications equipment; to assign, schedule, and oversee day to day tasks of technicians; to lead and participate in performing preventive maintenance on a variety of communications equipment; and to assist and participate in a variety of operational support and administrative tasks.

This classification functions at the advanced journey level of job performance within the Communications Technician job series. Incumbents in this classification provide strong lead supervisory functions and act as a resource to subordinate staff as well as possessing advanced journey level knowledge and skills in either radio/microwave transmitting and receiving or telephony and data communications systems. Incumbents in this job class are expected to have a basic familiarity with all types of communications equipment and systems utilized within the County's operations and supported by the Communications work unit.

This job class is distinguished from the:

• Communications Supervisor in that the latter is responsible for the planning, design, and implementation of all County communications systems and has over-all responsibility for all divisional operations.

Click here for the full recruitment brochure.

Essential Duties

This class specification represents the core area of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the department.

• Develops, plans for, assigns, monitors, and participates in the installation, testing, modification and adjusting of VHF/UHF and microwave radio transceivers, antennas, mobile and portable radios and paging receivers, remote control devices, inter-communications, sound systems, and closed circuit television both in the field and in the shop.
• Assigns, monitors, and participates in the installation, testing, modification and adjusting of various types of data communication systems both in the field and in the shop
• Develops, plans for, assigns, monitors, and participates in the adjustment of transmitters and receivers for maximum efficiency; measures frequencies, modulation and power output of radio, microwave and digital circuitry-; operates and monitors radio telephone equipment
• Receives, prioritizes, and schedules responses to service/repair calls or maintenance alarms; performs the more complex troubleshooting, investigations, analyses and diagnostics of operations and performance of assigned electronic, radio/microwave transmission devices, and/ or telecommunications systems/equipment and initiates appropriate action to resolve problem and optimize system/equipment effectiveness
• Analyzes monitors and evaluates the on-going operations and activities of assigned system responsibilities; recommends improvements and modifications as needed; prepares various reports and records on operations and activities periodically and upon request.
• Confers with users on systems changes, specific needs, user complaints/concerns; contacts and consults with various County staff members and vendors to schedule equipment and servicing; estimates equipment and repair costs.
• Responds to user inquiries and/or trouble reports; assists users to determine malfunctions; initiates troubleshooting of software and equipment problems and failures, documenting and referring complex equipment problems to telecommunications vendors.
• Monitors and maintains central inventory of parts and supplies to ensure adequate levels of stock are on hand; orders necessary parts and supplies as necessary and consistent with County's purchasing policies and procedures.
• Conducts research for new and enhanced telecommunications equipment; contacts vendors for price, features, upgrades, warranties, and delivery; assists with surplusage of unneeded radio and electronics equipment.
• Develops, oversees, and participates in training Communications Technicians in a variety of radio/microwave or telephony/telecommunications functions and tasks; participates in and supports cross-training activities within Communications work unit.
• Acts as resource to Communications Technicians regarding technical and/or procedural questions; answers questions and provides information to users and other County departments regarding specialty area(s) of expertise; troubleshoots and investigates concerns/complaints; recommends and/or implements appropriate corrective action as necessary.
• Builds and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, contractors, vendors, and the general public utilizing principles of good customer service.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level as assigned.

Position Requirements

Education: Successful completion of the twelfth grade, or equivalent, supplemented with at least thirty (30) semester credits in electronics, electrical engineering, communications technology or a related telecommunications or technology field.

Experience: Considerable and progressively responsible work experience in a variety of functions that would demonstrate possession of and competency in requisite knowledge and abilities for either radio/microwave transmission/receiving or telephony/data communications systems.

Typical qualifying experience would be:

• At least two (2) years of journey level work experience equivalent to the work performed by the Communications Technician II with the County of Solano.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, AND REGISTRATIONS:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid and appropriate California driver's license.
• Possession of a valid FCC General Radio Operator License or equivalent may be required.
• Tower Climbing Safety & Rescue Training Certificate may be required.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Mobility and Dexterity: Positions in this class typically require the following: (1) balancing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, crawling, reaching, fingering, grasping, and repetitive motion; (2) climbing and working safely on ladders (extension and A-frame) and step ladders with a total weight that does not exceed the weight capacity of the ladder or the highest rated capacity of the harnesses and lanyards used for fall protection; and (3) standing or walking approximately seven hours per day on uneven surfaces.
• Lifting, Carrying, Pushing and Pulling – Medium work: Positions in this class require exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 of force constantly to move objects. OR Heavy work: Positions in this class require exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and /or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. OR Very Heavy Work: Employees in this class will be exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pound of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Vision: Positions in this class require the employee to have close visual acuity, with or without correction, to prepare and analyze data and figures, view a computer terminal, read, and to distinguish between normal and off shade colors and to read gauges and meters in dimly lighted areas etc. Positions in this class also require employees to have depth perception and good eye-to-hand coordination in order to operate a motor vehicle and to operate a variety of hand and power tools.
• Hearing/Talking: Positions in this class require the employee to perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, and have the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication. Positions in this class require the employee to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word. Detailed or important instructions must occasionally be conveyed to others accurately, loudly, and/or quickly.
• Other: Positions in this class typically require the employee to have sufficient sense of smell, vision, touch and hearing to observe equipment functions for normal and abnormal occurrences.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Office Work plus Outdoor Work: While most work will be in an office setting, visits to outdoor worksites will require an employee in this class to occasionally work outside and be subject to a variety of weather conditions, walking on uneven terrain, and working around vehicles in operation and around machinery with moving parts. AND/OR
• Work in an Industrial Area: Employees in this class will often be working in an industrial area and thus will be subject to exposure to moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, toxic agents, fuel, oil, gases, smoke, fumes, odors, dust, and vibrations; employees may be subject to injuries when working with hand and power tools and equipment. AND/OR
• Traffic Hazards: Employees in this class will OR may be required to operate a vehicle and thus will be subject to traffic hazards while driving. AND/OR
• Working Alone: Employees in this class may be working in remote areas and/or may be working on night shifts and/or on weekends, and thus may working alone for extended periods of time. AND/OR
• Working at Heights: Employees in this class may be required to work at heights six feet and more above the ground on equipment and structures.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Background Checks: The County may conduct a background check and a reference check on candidates prior to appointment to a position within this class. [and, depending on the position, may include information such as:] The background check may include the State of California Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Child Abuse Central Index (CACI), and criminal checks in any City/County where the applicant has lived, worked or gone to school.
• Independent Travel: Incumbents are OR may be required to travel independently, for example, to perform work at other work sites, to attend meetings with other County employees, to attend meetings with community organizations, etc.
• Hours of Work: Incumbents may be required to work weekends, holidays, irregular hours, on-call, and after normal business hours.
• Drug Testing: Candidates for positions in this class and employees in this class will be subject to Pre-Employment, Reasonable Suspicion, Post Accident, Return-To-Duty and Follow-Up drug testing in accordance with the Solano County Alcohol and Drug Free Workplace Policy.

Verification of Education Required

All candidates must submit a verification of education confirming at least thirty (30) semester credits in electronics, electrical engineering, communications technology or a related telecommunications or technology field (copy of official/unofficial transcripts, certifications, degree, etc.) verifying institution, student, date, degree and area of specialization conferred) by the final filing date. Candidates who fail to submit their transcripts by the final filing date will be disqualified from the recruitment.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING: Candidates who attended a college or university that is accredited by a foreign or non-U.S. accrediting agency must have their educational units evaluated by an educational evaluation service. The result must be submitted to the Human Resources Department no later than the close of the recruitment. Please contact the local college or university to learn where this service can be obtained.

How to Submit Your Documents

In addition to uploading attachments when applying online, candidates may submit documents by fax to (707) 784-3424, or by email to recruitment@solanocounty.com. Be sure to include the recruitment title and the recruitment number in your email or fax.

Veteran’s Preference Points

To be eligible, applicant must have served at least 181 consecutive days of active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and have received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions. A COPY OF THE DD 214, SHOWING DISCHARGE TYPE (GENERALLY COPY 4), MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT BY THE FINAL FILING DATE (or APPLICATION REVIEW DEADLINE).

Applicants who have a service connected disability must also submit a recent award letter from the VA stating they are receiving disability benefits for service connected reasons.
Veteran applicants for initial County employment with an honorable or general under conditions discharge shall receive five (5) points added to their combined score. Disabled veterans rated at not less than 30% disability shall have ten (10) points added to their combined score. Veteran’s preference points will only be added to passing scores in competitive open examinations.

Americans with Disabilities Act

It is the policy of Solano County that all employment decisions and personnel policies will be applied equally to all County employees and applicants and be based upon the needs of County service, job related merit, and ability to perform the job.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES:Qualified individuals with a disability, who are able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, and need an accommodation during any phase of the recruitment/testing/examination process (as detailed in the “Selection Process”), must complete the following .

This form must be received in the Human Resources Department by the application review deadline. Applicants will be contacted to discuss the specifics of the request.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $7,622.87 - $9,265.65 per month

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Compensation package:

• Overtime pay

Payment frequency:

• Paid biweekly

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Fairfield, CA 94533: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person