County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under direction of an Alameda County Fire Department Division Chief, and working closely with the Fire Department Telecommunications Specialist, performs the most complex projects involving the construction, maintenance, testing, and repairing of electro-mechanical and electronic equipment in the Electronic Systems Division of the Communications Division of the Alameda County Regional Emergency Communications Center (ACRECC); may lead certain projects; and perform related duties as required.


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Fire Department Telecommunications Technician is a single, non-safety classification in the Alameda County Fire Department. This classification is responsible for handling complex communication problems and advising the department leadership on difficult work problems related to telecommunications equipment. This classification supports the Alameda County Regional Communications Center (ACRECC), but may also be assigned work in other Alameda County Fire Department functional areas that require telecommunications technical support. Incumbents in this position may lead telecommunications projects related to equipment installation, repair, troubleshooting, maintenance or testing, as needed.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

 

1. Troubleshoots and maintains electronic equipment (e.g., mobile and portable radios, pagers, cellular phones, scanners, PCs, printers, modems and peripherals).

2. Maintains and repairs telecommunications within Fire Department facilities, apparatus and equipment relative to station alerting, land mobile radios, apparatus headset / intercom systems and other telecommunication needs.

3. Trains Fire Department personnel regarding capabilities and use of radios, electronic and other telecommunications equipment.

4. Suggests and recommends improvements to the operability and sustainability of Fire Department communications systems.

5. Liaises with other agencies and County departments regarding voice or telecommunication services.

6. Authorizes the purchase of parts to maintain a proper inventory balance.

7. Coordinates, schedules and participates in the modification and repair of transmitting and receiving equipment to comply with FCC regulations.

8. Handles the more difficult malfunctions of communications equipment; assists technicians on complicated repair jobs; and performs field service work as necessary.

9. Confers with the Telecommunications Specialist and other employees, as it relates to the projects and matters affecting the efficiency of the Fire Department Communications Division.

10. Frequently leads telecommunications projects related to equipment, installation, construction, repair, troubleshooting, maintenance or testing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

The equivalent of one year of experience in the class of Telecommunications Technician in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II

Education:

Completion of an accredited electronics training course, courses pertaining to radio frequency systems, are highly desirable.

And

Experience:

The equivalent of one year of recent, full-time experience in the installation and repair of land mobile electronic communications equipment. Experience with mobile technology and Windows or iOS devices is desired.

Or III

The equivalent of two years of progressively responsible experience in the installation and repair of land mobile electronic communications equipment. Experience with mobile technology and Windows or iOS devices is desired.

Physical Characteristics:

Ability and willingness to climb poles and towers to maintain audio transmission antenna support towers and power lines, ability to lift up to 60 pounds.

License Requirement:

Possess a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

Possess a General Radio Telephone Operator’s license before the completion of the probationary period.

May be subject to emergency re-call while off duty.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above minimum qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Maintenance and repair of land mobiles, base stations, and other related communications equipment.
• Personal computer software applications, including word processing, spreadsheets and radio programming.
• Laws and regulations on the Federal Communications Commission relating to radio systems in the public safety sector.
• Tools, materials, equipment and methods used in the communications industry.
• Radio-telephone procedure and operations.
• Principles and theories of VHF and, UHF receivers, transmitters, and auxiliary communications equipment.

Ability to:

• Lead and direct the work of outside vendors assigned to support the Communications needs of ACRECC.
• Read complex schematic diagrams, diagnose problems and perform repairs on a wide variety of electrical equipment.
• Use tools and related instruments necessary for testing communications equipment, such as frequency meters, signal generators, oscilloscopes, voltmeters and other measuring devices.
• Repair, maintain, modify and install various types of telecommunications equipment.
• Direct and perform the work of large or complex electronics projects.
• Design and fabricate new equipment.
• Learn techniques and procedures specific to the Alameda County Regional Emergency Communications Center.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

Newspec: 8214
MH:cs 4/14/15
CSC Date: 4/15/15
GH:ah Revised 12/8/16
CSC Date: 1/4/17