City and County of San Francisco

Communications Systems Technician (#7362)

$55.55-$67.53 Hourly / $9,629.00-$11,704.00 Monthly / $115,544.00-$140,452.00 Yearly


Definition

Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of skilled technical maintenance, testing and repair work on complex wireless and networked communications equipment to support a wide variety of emergency communications systems; analyzes malfunctions and equipment failures of various network operating systems such as servers, gateways and routers used in radio communications systems.

Distinguishing Features

This is the journey level class in the series. Incumbents are expected to resolve malfunctions and equipment failures related to operating systems, network management software and equipment parameter configuration software of a wide variety of telecommunications equipment. Job code 7362 is distinguished from job code 7368 Senior Radio Technician in that the latter is responsible for supervising positions in job code 7362.

Supervision Exercised

No supervision exercised.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 9, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Troubleshoots and repairs a wide variety of computer aided telecommunications devices such as radio dispatch consoles, records management consoles, SCADA systems, telemetry and GPS systems by using diagnostic software for localizing equipment and system problems, specialized testing equipment such as DS1, DS3, and SONET impairment test sets, digital oscilloscopes, Radio Service Monitors, digital multimeters, frequency counters and power meters.

2. Configures equipment and system operating parameters through use of mobile radio system software, LAN/WAN service software, and modem service software.

3. Documents system and equipment repairs, modifications and changes as part of ongoing service and maintenance system operating procedures.

4. Troubleshoots and repairs conventional and trunked central and remote radio, microwave and control terminals and related devices such as antennas by use of specialized soldering equipment used in surface mounted devices and physical repair of failed equipment retrieved from field installation.

5. Consults with client department representatives, service providers and vendors, other radio staff, cable splicers or other technical staff as needed in resolving communication system problems.

6. Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of: two-way radio transmission, microwave digital modulation theory and techniques, antenna systems, telecommunication theory, protocols, and interface between radio systems and interconnecting networks; system approach to service and maintenance of communication systems; radio telemetry and global positioning system, as applied to vehicle location system; high speed data transmission theory, troubleshooting, and repair of DSI, DS3, and SONET networks.

Ability to: use telecommunication test set, such as Radio Service Monitor, TIMS, spectrum analyzer, oscilloscope, logic analyzer; work with specialized repair tools such as soldering irons, surface mount soldering and desoldering stations, and circuit magnifiers; read equipment and system schematic diagrams; use computer workstation and laptop PCs used for testing, diagnostics, and programming telecommunications equipment.

Experience and Training

Experience: Three years of journey level electronics technician experience, which must have included the installation, repair, and maintenance of a broad range of electronic communications systems and equipment

License or Certificate

Possession of a Federal Communications Commission General-Class Radio-Telephone Operator's License OR an APCO Certificate of Competency (Associated Public Safety Communications Officers) OR a NABER Certificate (National Association of Business and Educational Radio)

Substitution: Two additional years of experience; OR two years of coursework in electronic communications technology from an accredited college or university (one year experience = 30 semester/45 quarter units); OR 1200 hours of professional certificated technical training in that field; OR any combination of the above may substitute for licensing/certificate requirements.

License:  Possession of a valid driver's license

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment: exposure to disagreeable weather conditions, working in confined spaces, lifting of heavy objects and carrying them or moving them for moderate distances.

Disaster Service Workers

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

CLASS: 7362; EST: 1/1/1900; REV: 1/1/1900;