Communications Systems Technician (#MFAA01)
$33,569.00 Yearly Min / $41,961.00 Yearly Mid / $50,353.00 Yearly Max

Communications Systems Specialist (#MFAA02)
$38,010.00 Yearly Min / $47,513.00 Yearly Mid / $57,016.00 Yearly Max

Senior Communication Systems Specialist (#MFAA03)
$45,798.00 Yearly Min / $57,248.00 Yearly Mid / $68,698.00 Yearly Max

Communications Systems Supervisor (#MFAA04)
$51,858.00 Yearly Min / $64,822.00 Yearly Mid / $77,786.00 Yearly Max

Communications Systems Manager (#MFAA05)
$58,719.00 Yearly Min / $73,399.00 Yearly Mid / $88,079.00 Yearly Max

This class series uses five levels in the Engineering, Planning, Technical Services occupational group, Electronics occupational series and describes technical electronic work involving the installation, removal, repair, modification, and alignment of the state's communications systems and related equipment, such as the 800 MHz Digital Radio and Microwave Communications Systems,  analog, conventional and digital trunked portable radios, mobile analog and digital radios, base stations, repeaters, scanners, antennas and towers, 911 consoles and central electronic banks, controllers, vehicular adapters, radar and vascar equipment, and public address systems and sirens.

Note:  This career ladder series incorporates the Communications Systems Technician, Communications Systems Specialist, and the Senior Communications Systems Specialist levels. The Communications Systems Technician level is to provide entry for hiring new employees into the class series but does not preclude hiring new employees at higher levels.  Employees may be promoted through the career ladder in accordance with minimum qualifications and promotional standards. Promotional standards, a selection document under separate cover, sets forth the criteria that defines and describes the requirements that must be met at each level.  Advancement of employees through the career ladder is dependent on an agency's/department's operational needs and distribution of work. The Communications Systems Supervisor and Communications Systems Manager levels, although not part of the career ladder, provide competitive opportunity for movement of employees.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Installs, removes, repairs, modifies and aligns the state's communications systems and related equipment.
   
• Tests communications equipment for correct responses of frequency, voltage, RF power, sensitivity, and other related test.
   
• Uses a variety of specialized tools, test equipment and diagnostic tools to test, install, remove, repair, modify and align communications systems and electronic equipment.
   
• Attends schools for specialized training in communications systems.
   
• Keeps records of maintenance work, requisitioned parts, and related maintenance activities.

Communications Systems Technician

This is the first level.

• Reports to a technical supervisor.
• Assists Specialists in the repair, removal, installation, modification, and alignment of communications systems, such as the state's 800 MHz Digital Radio and Microwave Communications Systems in addition to the installation and removal of mobile data computers, mobile video systems, cellular phones and automatic vehicle location systems.
• Installs, removes, repairs and maintains portable and mobile analog and digital radios, VHF and UHF analog radio and transmitter base stations and other related electronic equipment such as vehicle mounted sirens, microphones, headsets, recorders, speakers and amplifiers.
• Operates a computer to program analog and digital portable and mobile radios.
• Contacts include state, county and municipal users and managers, state legislators and the Governor when setting up and testing public address (PA) systems.

Communications Systems Specialist

This is the second level.

• Installs, removes, repairs to the board level, modifies, and aligns communications systems and related equipment such as the 800 MHz Radio and Microwave Communications Systems, fixed and portable public address systems, direction finding equipment, and other analog equipment and systems such as portables, mobiles, base stations, repeaters, scanners, antennas and towers, consoles and other associated interface equipment.
• Programs and aligns analog and digital portable and mobile radios for all applications and characteristics; operates regional network management computers for system alarms, monitors system alarms and takes appropriate action.
• Installs, removes, repairs to the board level, modifies, aligns and calibrates radar/vascar systems.
• Maintains and repairs the Global Positioning System.
• Trains Technicians in the field and at repair shops.
• Assists Senior Specialist in operation of regional system management computers to configure and repair complex communications systems such as the 800 MHz Digital Radio System.
• Requisitions, processes and controls inventory.
• Contacts are with state, county and municipal users and managers, manufacturers, the Governor and with legislators when ensuring the quality of Public Address (PA) systems.

Senior Communications Systems Specialist

This is the senior level.

• Installs, removes, repairs to the component level, modifies and aligns communications systems and related equipment such as the 800 MHz Digital Radio and Microwave Communications Systems,  transmitters, receivers, multiplexors, modulators and demodulators, alarm control unit, order wires, wave guide couplers, modems, timing systems, antennas and towers, channel bank, digital portables, mobiles, base stations, repeaters, antennas/towers, consoles, central electronics banks, radio trunking controllers, fixed and portable public address systems, and direction finding equipment to locate illegal transmissions which interfere with authorized frequencies.
• Installs and removes mobile data computers, mobile video systems, cellular phones and automatic vehicle location systems.
• Installs, removes, repairs to component level, modifies, aligns and calibrates radar/vascar systems.
• Assists Communications Systems Supervisor with advanced 800 MHz system management; performs basic system management, and operates regional network management computers for system alarms, responds to alarms by interrogating the system, determines the locality of the trouble, and locates malfunctions down to the circuit board level.
• Repairs and maintains to the component level encryption modules used in secure communication.
• Trains lower level Specialists and Technicians.

Communications Systems Supervisor

This is the supervisory level.

• Supervision is exercised over at least two or more merit full time positions per Merit Rules, one of which must be in the Communications Systems series. The elements of supervision include planning, assigning, reviewing, evaluating, coaching, training, recommend hire and/or fire and discipline.
• Assists in managing the state's communications system central control computer; programs and/or operates computers for system management, regional fault management, hardware management and performance management of the state's communications equipment and system.
• Determines the cause, location, and type of system alarm, and programs the computer to locate the problem.
• Develops plans and operating instructions.
• Determines resource requirements, requisitions parts and equipment, ensuring proper storage and control.
• Performs and assists others in difficult and complex communications system repairs.
• Maintains assigned vehicles, building and other resources.
• May manage communications systems projects.

Communications Systems Manager

This level manages the state's communications system resources and technical operations.

• Manages communications system maintenance through communications systems supervisors.
• Programs and operates specialized computers to manage the state's communications systems full range of applications, such as security management, configuration management, performance management, account management, fault management and hardware management.
• Performs trend analysis of system malfunctions and communications traffic; monitors system alarms and directs appropriate action.
• Provides technical expertise to other agencies, writes specifications for new equipment and systems, evaluates bids and proposals, coordinates with vendors during Request for Proposals (RFP) and assists in the final selection of the successful contractor; supervises operations during system installation, testing and acceptance.
• Ensures communications towers and equipment shelters are maintained.
• Attends and evaluates technical training courses for meeting the Division's training requirements; attends vendor demonstrations to expand knowledge of new communication techniques; schedules employees to attend training.
• Assists in establishing a division strategic plan, budget construction and preparation, and recommends budget priorities, initiates, verifies and certifies purchase orders and payment vouchers.
• Coordinates radio frequency licensing in accordance with FAA and FCC rules and regulations.

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA's listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

• Knowledge of analog, digital, and solid state theory.
• Knowledge of the FCC, federal and state laws, rules and regulations pertaining to radio and microwave transmissions.
• Knowledge of the theory, components, configuration and operation of analog, digital transmitter, and receiver radio systems.
• Knowledge of radio frequencies relative to propagation.
• Knowledge of maintenance methods and procedures, including test and calibration, and installation and replacement of communications equipment.
• Knowledge of the components and configuration of electronic audio circuitry including microphones, recorders, amplifiers and speakers.
• Knowledge of installation practices relating to mobile data computers, radar/vascar mobile video systems and cellular phones.
• Knowledge of the theory, components and configuration of mobile data computer radar/vascar and mobile video systems, and a Loran type automatic vehicle location system, using beams from a satellite and a ground station.
• Knowledge of the theory, components and configuration of microwave systems, multiplexor systems, both time division and frequency division and differential, global positioning satellite vehicle location systems, using signals from earth orbiting satellites and ground Loran stations.
• Knowledge of theory and operation of direction finding equipment.
• Knowledge of programming digital and analog portable radios.
• Skill in the use of diagnostic tools and test equipment and hand tools for testing, removing, repairing, and installing communications equipment.
• Skill in reliable soldering.
• Ability to keep accurate records.
• Ability to read schematic diagrams and comprehend technical manuals.
• Ability to respond to communications system alarms and to take appropriate action.
• Ability to communicate effectively.

In addition to the above knowledge, skills and abilities, the Communications Systems Specialist requires:

• Knowledge of the theory, components, configuration and operation of conventional transmitter and receiver radio systems, 800 MHz digital trunked communications system, digital microwave systems, multiplexor systems both time division and frequency division, public address systems, mobile data terminals, automatic vehicle location system, radar/vascar and siren systems.
• Knowledge of antenna theory, radio wave propagation, receiver voting, trunking and simulcast transmission.
• Knowledge of the theory, components, and configuration of encryption equipment.
• Knowledge of computer programming, components, configuration and use of special purpose and general purpose computers, and network management by computer operation.
• Knowledge of radar/vascar testing and calibration procedures.
• Knowledge of Boolean algebra.
• Knowledge of RF test and measurement procedures.
• Skill in the installation, removal and repair of digital radio and microwave communications systems and related electronic equipment and components to the board level.
• Skill in the installation, removal and repair of radar/vascar systems to the board level.
• Skill in modifying, aligning and calibrating radar/vascar systems.
• Skill in the repair of Global Position System and other complex communications systems components.

In addition to the above knowledge, skills, and abilities, the Senior Communications Systems Specialist requires:

• Knowledge of components, configuration and use of special and general-purpose computers.
• Knowledge of operations in performing regional network management using computers.
• Knowledge of the techniques and methods used in training lower level Specialists and Technicians.
• Skill in the installation, removal and repair of digital radio and microwave communications systems and related electronic equipment and components to the component level.
• Skill in the repair of encryption modules to the component level.
• Skill in the installation, removal and repair of radar/vascar systems to the component level.
• Ability to use and impart knowledge learned at technical course. 

In addition to the above knowledge, skills and abilities, the Communications Systems Supervisor requires:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision.
• Knowledge of the software used to change parameters and control the 800 MHz system and microwave system.
• Skill in programming and operating computers to manage communications systems network and to locate system malfunctions.
• Skill in the use of direction finding equipment.
• Ability to manage electronic equipment repair shop; plan, organize, direct, and control resources.
• Ability to write policies, procedures and informative reports.

In addition to the above knowledge, skills and abilities, the Communications Systems Manager requires:

• Knowledge of the theory, components and configuration of a digital voice, data and image transmission system.
• Knowledge of advanced analog and digital circuitry.
• Knowledge of the rules and regulations of the FCC and the FAA as they pertain to radio frequency transmissions.
• Knowledge of advanced radio and microwave transmissions and propagation characteristics.
• Knowledge of the practices and methods in the procurement, training, repair and alignment of communication systems.
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques of bid preparation, analysis and the selection of a successful contractor.
• Knowledge of the latest advances in radio wave propagation, antennas, receiver voting, radio trunking and simulcast transmission systems.
• Knowledge of the theory, components, configuration and use of voice encryption equipment.
• Knowledge of training methods and materials.
• Skill in staff supervision.
• Ability to develop bid specifications and RFP's and act as liaison with the submitting companies during the period before award.
• Ability to apply management and system analysis principles to the operation and maintenance of communication systems.
• Ability to analyze training programs to make improvements.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Communications Systems Supervisor
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Two years' experience in repairing communications systems equipment.
2. Six months experience in managing a communications systems maintenance operation.
3. Six months experience in interpreting FCC laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
4. Coursework, training and/or work experience in staff supervision, which may include performing as a lead worker overseeing the work of others.
5. Possession of a valid Driver's License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).