State of Maryland

A Maryland State Police (MSP) Avionics Technician is the full performance level of work in the installation, repair and maintenance of avionics and communication systems and equipment for rotary and fixed-wing aircraft in accordance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Regulations.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions, but may provide guidance to Aviation Maintenance Technician Supervisors, Aviation Maintenance Technicians or other support staff.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Program Manager or Administrator.  Employees in this classification may be subject to 24 hour on-call duty.  Work is performed in a hangar or a workshop.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology. The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

Installs, repairs, maintains, tests, calibrates and assembles avionics and communications equipment such as transmitters, transponders, radar, receivers and navigation systems used in both rotary and fixed wing aircraft;

Modifies, constructs, maintains, checks accuracy and calibrates avionics test equipment;

Ensures all avionics and communications equipment is maintained in accordance with the current manufacturer standards;

Advises the Chief Inspector on the status of each piece of test equipment on a regular basis;

Ensures that the FAA Form 337 manual is properly executed and a file containing these forms is updated, current and readily available for review in the repair station;

Evaluates existing installation and maintenance shop procedures and recommends changes to improve the availability of equipment and to improve overall efficiency:

Maintains logs, files, and repair and supply records;

Prepares various reports;

Inventories and orders replacement parts, electronic components and supplies;

May recommend the purchase of operating and test equipment;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the installation, testing and repair of avionics, communication, navigation, radar and other electronic equipment used in rotary and fixed-wing aircraft;

Knowledge of the calibration of specialized tools, test instruments and equipment used for testing avionics systems;

Knowledge of maintenance and repair practices concerning amplitude modulated and frequency modulated transmitting and receiving equipment;

Knowledge of radio transmitting and receiving practices;

Knowledge of digital communication and microprocessor controlled radio transmitting and receiving equipment;

Knowledge of Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations governing commercial avionics and communications systems;

Knowledge of the National Electric Code and local codes and regulations for electrical wiring and installation of electrical equipment related to avionics;

Skill in installing avionics and communications equipment, machines, wiring or programs to meet specifications;

Skill in repairing equipment, machines, or systems using appropriate instruments and tools;

Skill in the use of test equipment such as an oscilloscope, signal simulator, or transponder to detect and locate malfunctions;

Ability to safely operate and maintain manual and power tools;

Ability to make adjustments and repairs to transmitters, receivers and related avionics equipment;

Ability to adjust frequency modulated or amplitude modulated radio transmitters and receivers to proper modulation deviations or modulation levels and operating frequency in accordance with Federal Communications Commission regulations;

Ability to understand and follow schematics;

Ability to use and maintain test equipment such as oscilloscopes and volt-ohm meters;

Ability to prepare and maintain repair records.

Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Four years of experience installing, repairing and maintaining avionics and communications systems and equipment for rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.

Notes: 

1. Candidates may substitute completion of an Aviation Electronics or Avionics technical program of study at a recognized training school, trade school, or college for up to one year of the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Aviation Electronics Technician classifications or Aviation or Avionics specialty codes in the Aviation Technician field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.  

1. Candidates for positions in this classification must have or have held a Repairman Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

2. Candidates for positions in this classification are to possess either a Federal Communications Commission General Radiotelephone Operator license, a FCC Ship Radar Endorsement, a National Association of Business and Educational Radio certificate or an Associated Public Safety Communications Officers Incorporated certificate.

3. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees a ssigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

1. Candidates for positions in this classification will be subject to a complete criminal background investigation and a polygraph examination before permanent appointment can be made. A criminal conviction record may be grounds for rejection of the candidate.

2. Employees in this classification are subject to random substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

3. Positions in this classification are assigned duties which will require the individual to be examined by a Physician. After an offer of employment, candidate will be given a medical examination to certify the ability to perform the essential job functions.

4. Employees in this classification will be required to obtain a FAA Repairman Certificate within six (6) months after appointment to a position and a FCC Radar Endorsement within twelve months after appointment to a position.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies.  Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit A, Labor and Trades classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential   employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.   An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.