Radio Communications Systems Technician

The Position

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This is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on: 2/23/2024, 3/29/2024, 4/26/2024, 5/24/2024, 6/21/2024, 7/19/2024 (Final)
Under general supervision plans, designs, installs, and maintains the network of radio communication equipment used to support local government jurisdictions in relation to law enforcement, fire suppression, and general government activities.

Examples of Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge Of:

• Advanced theory of radio communications and electronics including microwave radio theory and operation
• Electrical and mechanical theory and operation
• 800 MHz trunked radio systems, digital microwave, DS1 and DS3 multiplexers, LAN, WAN, computer operations and various software programs
• Two-way radio communications
• Various tools and instruments used to test and repair electronic and telecommunications equipment
• Dispatch consoles systems repair, programming, and troubleshooting; computer software and hardware related to radio dispatch console systems
• Basic network systems
• Design, installation, operation, and maintenance of wireless communications systems, including telephone and data systems, simulcast trunked radio systems, microwave and complex multicarrier equipment, automatic switchboards, radio controlled equipment, test devices, and other telecommunications equipment
• Engineering practices and principles related to telecommunications and/or network systems
• Engineering mathematics and electronics
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations
• Industry standards related to public safety and wireless communications
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and other specialized applications related to area of assignment
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation

Ability To:

• Research and evaluate system problems, and recommend solutions
• Read and interpret complex infrastructure and electronic system diagrams, blueprints, and design documentation
• Troubleshoot problems on trunked radio equipment, digital microwave, and multiplexing carrier equipment
• Use hand tools to construct, install, maintain, repair modify and operate electronic equipment, and test complex electronic circuitry
• Use precision instruments for measuring radio frequencies, deviation modulation, and other data
• Develop and maintain cooperative, effective working relationships with others
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
• Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations
• Apply customer service skills, including the identification of customer needs and follow up to ensure customer commitments have been met
• Collect and compile a variety of data and information; keep accurate records and prepare clear and concise reports

Employment Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Either: 1. One year of full-time paid experience employed by Sacramento County in the class of Telecommunications Systems Technician.

Or: 2. Four years of full-time paid experience implementing, maintaining, and repairing conventional and trunked radio systems such as 800 MHz trunked radio systems, digital microwave, multiplexing systems, wireless voice/data systems, and network circuits.

Education Substitution Applicable to Pattern 2: Completion of 30 semester units (or 45 quarter units) in Electronics Technology; Communications Engineering; Electronics/Electrical Engineering; Telecommunications Technology; Management Information Systems; Computer Science; Information Technology; or a closely related field from an accredited college or university, military, vocational, or other specialized training program may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

NOTE: Completion of training courses which do not have semester unit values are equated to semester units on the basis of: 15 clock hours of instruction equal one (1) semester (1.5 quarter) unit.

Note: If the word "experience" is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.

Note: If the minimum qualifications include an educational or certificate/license requirement, applicants must submit proof of requirements with the application. Failure to submit proof of requirements may result in disqualification from the examination. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. For guidelines on submitting acceptable proof of educational requirements, please click here (Download PDF reader) or speak to someone in our office before the cut-off date listed in this notice.

General Qualifications
Criminal History and Background Checks:
The County may access criminal history information on candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of appointment for this class consistent with the provisions of Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 82-602, Personnel Policies, and applicable federal and state laws. The County shall not consider for employment any candidate who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that relates to or impacts the candidate's ability to perform the job duties of this class unless it is determined that mitigating circumstances exist. For purposes of accessing criminal history information, the candidate will be fingerprinted. A subsequent arrest notification may be obtained.

The County may also conduct a background check on the candidate prior to appointment to a position within this class. The background check may include personal and professional reference checks, credit history checks where authorized by Labor Code section 1024.5, Social Security Number verification, professional license/registration verification, military service information and driving history. Information obtained in the course of this background check will be considered by the appointing authority in the selection process. In obtaining such information, the County will comply with applicable consent and disclosure practices in the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act.

License Requirement:
A valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, may be required at the time of appointment. Failure to obtain or maintain the appropriate California Driver License may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Physical Requirements :
Some positions in this class require the incumbent to be able to:

• Discern minute objects and parts.
• Distinguish between different colors.
• Lift, push, pull, or transport up to 50 lbs. with or without assistance.
• Stand, sit, kneel, squat, stoop, reach, or crawl for extended periods of time.
• Climb and work from a ladder.
• Grasp, manipulate, and assemble objects of varying shapes and sizes with precision and coordination.
• Work in confined spaces, such as but not limited to ceilings and crawl spaces.

Individuals who do not meet these requirements due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Working Conditions:
The SRRCS and associated systems function 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All employees in this class will be subject to working shifts, weekends, holidays, overtime and standby.
Some positions in this class require the incumbent to be able to work:

• In or around jails, correctional facilities, mental health facilities, or remote, isolated locations.
• In varying types of weather conditions.
• In confined spaces, such as but not limited to ceilings and crawl spaces.

Probationary Period:
Six (6) months