County of Alameda

This flexibly-staffed class series specification describes the journey level of the Telecommunications Technician series.  Under general supervision, to perform control, operational, and monitoring functions and procedures related to a large-scale, public safety communications system; this includes installing, operating, maintaining, testing, and repairing two-way radio and microwave equipment; providing technical and informational support, develop documentation, conduct data analysis, project assistance, gather requirements; specifications, and other related duties as required.   

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES  

The classification of Telecommunications Technician is located in the Information Technology Department (ITD) and reports to the Senior Telecommunications Technician classification.  Incumbents will repair, service, and maintain a wide variety of electronic equipment both in the field and in a shop environment.  This position will repair sophisticated equipment, resolve telecommunications problems, and may instruct others in related work.  Incumbents are involved with the full range of telecommunications systems including the performance of system control, information processing, and output functions utilized by and between ITD and its customer agencies/departments.  

The Telecommunications Technician class is distinguished from the lower level class of Telecommunications Technician Trainee in that the latter is a training position that is expected to learn the full concept of telecommunication technician work in order to be eligible to promote to the journey-level class.

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. Assembles, repairs, installs, and tests VHF, UHF, 800/900-MHz and microwave radio transmitters and receivers, antennas and remote control systems in stations, dispatch centers repeater sites and mobile units; maintains such equipment.  
2. Fabricates communications equipment from diagrams and written and/or oral instructions.
3. Installs, removes, and repairs switching equipment, intercoms, public address systems, video cameras and monitors, alarm systems and other related communications equipment.
4. Tests equipment; measures frequencies, modulation, and power output of radio and microwave transmitters as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission.
5. Climbs poles and microwave antenna support towers to affix brackets, mount antennas, attach waveguide and choke flanges; maintains audio, transmission, antenna, and power lines.
6. Instructs others when performing tasks which require additional help.
7. Maintains logs and records on repairs and service performed.
8. Coordinates installation, relocations, repairs, work dates, and billing information regarding electronic communications equipment with various vendors and County Agencies/Departments; assists in resolving communication-related problems; contacts vendors to order special items; computes costs and maintains billing and charge information; maintains inventory of electronic communications equipment; processes work order requests.
9. Manages a wide range of ITD Radio Services’ processes and maintains various application databases.

EITHER I  

Experience:  

The equivalent of one (1) year of full-time experience in the class of Telecommunications Technician Trainee in the Alameda County classified service.  

OR II  

Experience:  

The equivalent of two (2) years of full-time experience in electronic maintenance and repair of electronic communications equipment.  

License Requirement:

1. Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
2. General Radio Telephone Operator’s License within six months of appointment to classification.  

Special Requirements:  

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.    

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

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:

• Principles and theories upon which VHF, UHF, microwave radio receivers, transmitters, and auxiliary communications equipment operate.
• Maintenance and repair of land mobiles, base stations, microwave, and other related communications equipment.
• Tools, materials, equipment, and methods used in the communications industry.
• Laws and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission relating to radio and microwave in the public safety sector.
• Operation, maintenance, and installation of routers, switches, and other related equipment.
• Computer software/applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, and radio programming.  

Ability to:

• Read schematic diagrams.
• Diagnose and perform repairs on a wide variety of electronic equipment.
• Use tools and related instruments necessary for testing communications/microwave equipment, such as frequency meters, signal generators, oscilloscopes, voltmeters, and other measuring devices.
• Repair, maintain, modify, and install various types of telecommunications equipment.
• Carry out written and oral instructions.
• Read and interpret electronic drawings and schematics.
• Write clearly and speak concisely and effectively.
• Maintain logs and records of repairs and services performed.
• Deal courteously with those contacted in the course of the work.

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.