Career Opportunity

Communications Systems Technician, Department of Technology (7362)

Recruitment: REF53O

Published: August 24, 2023

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About:

This announcement has been updated to adjust the Company Description.

Why Work for the Department of Technology (DT)? DT is the centralized technology services provider in the City and County of San Francisco (CCSF). We deliver technology infrastructure and services to approximately 33,000 employees! With an annual operating budget of over $140M and approximately 260 employees, DT provides a host of services that range from Public Safety radio and wiring and Network services to Enterprise Support and the Cloud.

Benefits of Working for CCSF:  In addition to challenging and rewarding work, the City provides a generous suite of benefits to its employees.

• Job security, pension, and robust retirement options
• Competitive pay with consistent bi-yearly or yearly increases
• Hybrid Work with a minimum of 20% of time spent in our office in San Francisco, California for all IT related roles
• Generous paid time off, family leave, and more!
• Diverse work environment in a diverse city
• Union protections and representation
• Career development and growth — move between departments, learn on the job, or take subsidized/reimbursed classes!

PEOPLE-CENTERED SOLUTIONS — have a powerful, meaningful effect on the community each day with people at the heart of every solution!

CLOSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE — bring the benefits of the internet to low-income and marginalized residents!

SHINE A LIGHT ON WHAT MATTERS — join an award-winning production team at SFGovTV to help residents watch legislators or learn more about what makes this City great!

DRIVE INNOVATION — deliver new, cutting-edge technology to residents and city partners to help San Francisco serve its residents!

Role description

Position:

Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of skilled technical maintenance, estimating, installation, testing and repair work on complex wireless and networked communications equipment to support a wide variety of emergency communications systems. This position will work on the Radio Replacement Project, WIFI deployments, Fiber to Public Housing Project, Inbuilding Bidirectional amplifier deployments and inspection, Police/Fire/EMS/Hospital Communication Systems.

Position Responsibilities: 

• Troubleshoots and repairs a wide variety of computer aided telecommunications devices such as Portable/Mobile and Radio Repeaters, radio dispatch consoles, records management consoles, electronic and electro-mechanical equipment, SCADA systems, Fiber, DWDM, telemetry and GPS systems, wired and wireless network equipment. Regularly use diagnostic software for localizing equipment and system problems, specialized testing equipment such as communications analyzers, digital oscilloscopes, Radio Service Monitors, digital multimeters, cable verifier, frequency counters and RF power meters.
• Configures equipment and system operating parameters through use of mobile radio system software, LAN/WAN service software, and pertinent vendor application software.
• Ability to work 24/7 in support of Public Safety Communication Systems, including nights, weekends and holidays.
• Document’s system and equipment repairs, modifications and changes as part of ongoing service and maintenance system operating procedures.
• Troubleshoots and repairs conventional and trunked central and remote radio, microwave and control terminals and related devices such as antennas.
• Ability to interpret schematic diagrams and troubleshoot to component level when needed.
• Ability to work well with all City of San Francisco client departments in support of their communication needs.  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.  Performs related duties as assigned.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member to accomplish Department of Technology goals and objectives.

JOB APPOINTMENT TYPE: 

The temporary exempt, full time position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive civil service examination process. The successful candidate shall serve at the discretion of the appointing officer. This position has an anticipated duration of up to thirty-six (36) months.

WORK LOCATION: 

Incumbent will conduct the majority of work at various City Agencies throughout the City of San Francisco as well some remote CCSF facilities outside of the City and County of San Francisco. The incumbents primary reporting and dispatch location will be 200 Paul Ave SF CA, 94124.

NATURE OF WORK:

Candidate must be willing to work a 40- hour week as determined by the department. Travel within San Francisco may be required.

How to qualify

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. 

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.

Desirable Qualifications: 

• Five year of journey level electronics technician experience

• Five year of Network Engineering and troubleshooting Experience
• 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 network problems.
• Ability to: use a Radio Service Monitor, TIMS, spectrum analyzer, oscilloscope, logic analyzer; work with specialized repair tools such as soldering irons, surface mount soldering and de-soldering stations, and circuit magnifiers; use computer workstation and laptop PCs used for testing, diagnostics, and programming telecommunications equipment.
• Ability to design, install, commission test Bidirectional Amplifier systems.
• Work Experience in WIFI Deployments.
• Experienced with working safely with high current and/or high voltage equipment.
• Knowledgeable in the field of network communications; to include switches and routers.
• Ability to troubleshoot and maintain Battery Bank/UPS systems.
• Ability to troubleshoot RF Interference Communication issues.
• Experienced in the Field of Marine Electronics maintenance and repair to include Radar, SONAR and Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) equipment.
• Knowledgeable in OSHA safety standards/requirements.
• Use of specialized soldering equipment used in surface mounted devices and physical repair of failed equipment retrieved from field installation.

Note: 

1. Medical Testing: Prior to appointment, eligible candidates must successfully pass the TB testing process. 

2. Security Clearances & Background Investigations: Positions in this classification may require that successful candidates who become eligible for appointment may be required to go through a background investigation to determine the candidate’s suitability for employment in this classification. Factors considered in the investigation may include employment history, use of illegal/controlled substances. Reasons for rejection based on this investigation may include, but not limited to: applicable convictions, repeated or serious violations of the law, inability to accept supervision, inability to follow rules and regulations, falsification of application materials and/or other relevant factors. Failure to obtain and maintain security clearance may be basis for termination. 

What else should I know?

Benefits: https://sfdhr.org/benefits-overview

Compensation:  $58.7500 - $71.4250 hourly / $122,200 - $148,564 annually

How to Apply:

• Your application MUST include a resume.  To upload, please attach using the "additional attachments" function.

You may contact Carol Wong via email at carol.x.wong@sfgov.org with questions regarding this opportunity.

Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. Mailed, hand delivered or faxed documents/applications will not be accepted.

Helpful Information

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.