State of Maryland

A Maryland State Police (MSP) Avionics Technician III is one of three levels of technical 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 MSP Lead Maintenance Technicians, MSP Maintenance Technicians or other support staff.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a MSP Maintenance Control Supervisor or other designated higher-level administrator. Employees are assigned shift work including holidays and weekends and are subject to 24-hour on call duty during emergencies and staff shortages. Work is performed in a hangar or a workshop. The work may require lifting components or equipment weighing 50 lbs. or more. Employees may perform the work outdoors under a variety of weather conditions.

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 MSP Quality Assurance 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;

Conducts inventories and orders replacement parts, electronic components and supplies;

May recommend the purchase of operating and test equipment;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of 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 transmission and reception 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: Three years of experience working as a MSP Avionics Technician II.

1. Employees in this classification must possess a Federal Communications Commission General Radiotelephone Operator license.

2. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle, therefore, will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

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 the 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.