Career Opportunity

Senior Communications System Technician [Department of Technology-7368 -115900]

Recruitment: RTF0115897-01105450

Published: May 20, 2022

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal.

About:

The Department of Technology is the centralized technology services provider within San Francisco City & County government, delivering technology infrastructure and services approximately 33,000 employees and 800,000 residents. The department has an annual operating budget of over $130M and contains over 260 employees. Core service areas include: Infrastructure and Operations, Technology Security, Service Delivery & Management, Enterprise Applications, Project Management Office, Public Safety Systems & Wiring, Technology Administration, Policy & Governance and IT Public Communications.

If you are interested in a position where your leadership, expertise problem solving is valued, please consider joining DT. We are passionate about public service and contribute a diverse range of perspectives and ideas for improved technology services. Join us as we solve exciting challenge and push the boundaries of what technology can do for San Francisco's 33,000+ City employees and 800,000+ residents.

 This is a Position-Based Test conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 111A.

Specific information regarding this recruitment process are listed below:

• Application Opening:  5/6/2022
• Application Deadline: 5/20/2022
• Compensation Range: $134,446-$163,384 (annually)
• Recruitment ID: # 115900

Role description

Under direction, provides enhanced engineering leadership for complex wireless and networked public safety communications systems.  Manages the installation, programming and repair of a wide spectrum of electronic communication system equipment from numerous vendors.  Electronics system equipment to include fixed and mobile radios, CCTV, microwave, RADAR, wireless access points, LAN/WAN vendor products; routers, switches, firewalls, as well as virtual servers, in support of P25 Phase II radio, MPLS, DWDM, Fire Station Alert, and Public Housing Broadband communication networks.  Supervises the activities of subordinate personnel engaged in such work, managing daily work flow, providing detailed reports and maintaining a good rapport with all representatives from city departments and outside agencies.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties:

1. Receives work orders and assigns and schedules work of crews engaged in the maintenance and repair of communication systems and equipment, including transmission facilities; requisitions, issues and maintains records of materials, tools and supplies received and used in communication system maintenance and repair operations; reviews subordinates' time records, records all materials used and work performed; maintains and implements departmental processes, policies and procedures.

2. Evaluates performance of subordinates; inspects maintenance and repair work in the field to assure compliance with instructions and departmental methods and procedures.

3. Consults with representatives of other city departments regarding maintenance issues of communication systems; responds to public complaints of radio interference to electronic consumer products; investigates complaints of inoperative communication systems and makes necessary reports.

4. Analyzes equipment for malfunctions and corrects most complex maintenance problems; when necessary, notifies appropriate authorities to make necessary repairs.

5. Ensures that Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations are adhered to in the installation, maintenance and repair of radio and communication equipment.

6. Writes specifications for communications equipment such as model and make of mobile and portable radios, control stations, headsets, and related equipment.

7. Enforces codes for safe practices and provides training and development for subordinates.

8. Performs related duties as assigned.

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; ability to safely lift 40 pounds.

How to qualify

Experience: Six 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. 

AND 

License:  Possession of a valid driver's license

AND 

Certificate:  Possession of a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 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); position at Airport requires FCC license.

Substitution: Coursework in electronic communications technology from an accredited college or university may substitute for up to a total of two years of the experience requirement, prorated as follows: one year = 30 semester/45 quarter units.

NOTES:

One-year full-time employment is considered equivalent to 2000 hours (2000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40 hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above forty (40) hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.

A valid out-of-state driver’s license is acceptable during the application process. A valid California driver's license must be obtained prior to appointment and maintained throughout employment.]

Applicants must meet minimum qualification requirements by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

Employees for the City and County of San Francisco may submit performance evaluations showing duties performed to verify qualifying City experience. City employees will receive credit for the duties of the class to which appointed. Credit for experience obtained outside of the employee's class will be allowed only if recorded in accordance with the provisions of Civil Service Commission Rules.

Any new information concerning work experience, education, training and other information that is submitted after the filing may not be used for scoring or considered to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

Verification:
“Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements”

Note: 

Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.

Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

When requested, must be documented on the employer's business letterhead and must include the name of the applicant, job title(s), dates of employment, description of job duties performed, and signature of the employer's authorized representative. Experience claimed in self-employment will only be accepted if supported by documents verifying income, earnings, business license and experience comparable to minimum qualifications above. Copies of tax papers or other documents listing occupation and total earnings must be submitted.

Employees of the City and County of San Francisco may submit performance evaluations showing duties performed to verify qualifying City experience. City employees will receive credit for the duties of the class to which appointed. Credit for experience obtained outside of the employee's class will be allowed only if recorded in accordance with the provisions of Civil Service Commission Rules.

Verification may be waived if impossible to obtain. The applicant must submit a signed statement explaining why verification cannot be obtained. Waiver requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Failure to provide the required verification, or request for waiver when requested may result in rejection of application.

SELECTION PROCEDURE/EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ):
Candidates will be required to complete a MQSQ as part of the employment application. This MQSQ is designed to obtain specific information regarding an applicant's experience in relation to the 

Minimum Qualifications (MQ) for this position. The MQSQ will be used to evaluate if the applicant possesses the required minimum qualifications.

Written Examination  (Weight 100%):
Candidates deemed to meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in a written examination designed to measure their relative knowledge, skills and abilities in job-related areas, which may include, but not be limited to: knowledge of Electronic communication systems and its maintenance, repair methods and procedures and their application to practical field problems and equipment related to such repairs; such equipment includes transmitter dispatch consoles, antenna systems, mobile radios, and related equipment; ability to interpret schematic diagrams and layouts and knowledge of FCC rules and regulations related to the foregoing; the applicable safety practices and procedures relevant to communication systems work, including radio transmission facilities.  Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with representatives of other city departments and other personnel; communicate clearly, effectively and tactfully with subordinates, members of the staff and other city departments, and the general public orally, including assigning work and enforcing regulations to staff, coordinating with other units, and responding to concerns of the public; communicate clearly to write installation specifications, reports to management, and training presentations; plan, assign, coordinate and inspect the activities of subordinate personnel, including training of subordinates as necessary; identify problems and to gather, interpret and analyze information from appropriate sources to formulate and execute effective solutions; this includes the ability to perform basic arithmetic functions to measure and complete work assignments and estimate cost of repairs and maintenance.

A passing score must be achieved on the written examination in order to be ranked on the eligible list.

What else should I know?

Eligible List/Score Report:
A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created, and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.

The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be 12 months and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

To find Departments which use this classification, please see https://sfdhr.org/sites/default/files/documents/Forms-Documents/Position-Counts-by-Job-Codes-and-Department-FY-2021-22.pdf.

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:

 Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by the posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/CityAndCountyOfSanFrancisco1/.

The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is ‘abuse of discretion’ or ‘no rational basis’ for establishing the position description, the minimum qualifications and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date.]

1) Medical Testing: Prior to appointment, eligible candidates must successfully pass the TB testing process. Prospective and current employee may be subject to drug and/or alcohol testing in accordance with Federal rules and regulations.

2) SECURITY CLEARANCES AND 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

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

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

HOW TO APPLY:
Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/CityAndCountyOfSanFrancisco1/ and begin the application process.

• Select the “I’m Interested” button and follow instructions on the screen

Applicants may be contacted by email about this announcement and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses @sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu). 

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received. 

Exam Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the exam analyst at Aarti.Lata@sfgov.org

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

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

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.