COMMUNICATIONS TECHNICIAN I, II

SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS TECHNICIAN

Job Specifications

Class Code:	MY3/MY5/MY6
Analyst:	KM, JS

Date Originated:	6/81
Date Revised:	9/85, 3/87, 5/94, 8/16

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, diagnoses, analyzes, repairs, maintains, adjusts for optimum performance and installs complex two-way radio communications systems and related electronic equipment; and does other work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Communications Technician I is the trainee level in the series. Incumbents independently perform the more routine maintenance and repair work. Initially, incumbents work under close supervision and receive on-the-job training in diagnosing problems and performing repairs on the more complex communications systems and equipment. Incumbents are expected to advance to the Communications Technician II level after two years of service at the Communications Technician I level.

Communications Technician II is the journey level in the series. Incumbents are expected to independently perform technical work on a wide variety of communications systems and equipment. When unusually complex situations are encountered, incumbents seek direction and assistance from the Senior Communications Technician or the Supervising Communications Technician.

Senior Communications Technician is the advanced journey level in the series, which serves as lead-worker and technical expert. In addition to performing the full range of communication equipment maintenance and repair, incumbents are expected to diagnose the most technical and complex problems, and to serve as lead-worker to Communications Technicians I, II.

TYPICAL TASKS

Tasks performed by all levels, level I as trainee, level II as journey and Senior as advanced journey:

Installs, tests, maintains and services fixed and mobile two-way radio equipment and related electronic equipment
Diagnoses problems and repairs less complex equipment such as mobile and base transmitters and receivers, antennas, pagers, public address equipment, security equipment, generators, motors, and tape recorders
Tests and adjusts equipment, systems, circuits and components using a variety of specialized testing and measurement devices
Diagnoses, analyzes, adjusts for optimum performance, maintains and repairs a variety of more complex communications systems and equipment, including fixed and mobile radio systems, comparator systems, radio paging systems, dispatch consoles, portable transmitters, sirens and related equipment; identifies need for and orders replacement parts
Reads and interprets schematics, diagrams, instruction manuals and written instructions
Drives to various locations
Maintains records and prepares reports on work performed
Inputs, accesses and analyzes information using a computer
May assist in training new technicians and installers
Works inside and outside, in a variety of weather conditions, at heights up to 100' such as on radio communication towers, around moving objects, high voltage, sources of non-ionizing radiation such as radio transmitters, high levels of noise and unpleasant odors

Additional tasks performed by Senior Communication Technician:

Acts as lead-worker to technicians and installers, which includes assigning and monitoring work and assisting in training
Diagnoses the most difficult communications systems and equipment problems
Performs the most complex and technical repair work
Assists in designing and implementing communications systems

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

Communications Technician I

Working knowledge of:

Electrical and electronic theory and principles

Some knowledge of:

The tools, methods and equipment used in the routine installation, maintenance and repair of two-way radio and related electronic equipment
The operational principles of radio and electronic communications equipment
Automotive electrical and ignition systems
Safety practices to be observed when repairing electrical and electronic equipment

Communications Technician II

Working knowledge of the above, plus:

The tools, methods, practices, materials and equipment used in the installation, testing, adjustment, maintenance and repair of communication systems and related electronic equipment

Senior Communications Technician

Thorough knowledge of:

The operation, maintenance, modification and repair of complex radio and electronic communications systems and equipment
The tools, methods, practices, materials and equipment used in the installation, testing, adjustment, maintenance and repair of communication systems and equipment
Safety practices to be observed when repairing electrical and electronic equipment

Working knowledge of:

Electrical and electronic theory and principles
The tools, methods and equipment used in the routine installation, maintenance and repair of two-way radio and related equipment
The operational principles of radio and electronic communications equipment
Automotive electrical and ignition systems
The operational principles of electronic communications equipment
The technical communication needs of a variety of public safety agencies

Some knowledge of:

Microwave communications design and operation

Ability to:

Install, test and service fixed and mobile radio equipment
Test, diagnose problems, adjust and make repairs to a variety of less complex radio and other communication equipment such as mobile and base transmitters and receivers, public address systems, antennas, pagers and tape recorders
Install, test, adjust, modify, repair and maintain a variety of complex communication systems and equipment, such as fixed and mobile radio systems, microwave systems, comparator systems, radio paging systems, dispatch consoles, portable transmitters, sirens and similar equipment
Diagnose complex system and equipment problems
Read and interpret complex schematics, diagrams, instruction manuals and written instructions
Keep accurate records of work performed
Work cooperatively, as part of a team, on assigned projects
Follow oral and written directions
Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with others
Learn to operate a computer terminal to input, access and analyze data
Lift items weighing up to 74 pounds, such as when assisting a co-worker to lift a 148-pound battery
Perform tasks requiring strength, such as ascending and descending 100-foot communication towers and carrying equipment, such as a mobile service monitor, to remote work sites
Drive vehicles, such as cars, vans and emergency vehicles, including patrol cars and ambulances; drive fire trucks within the parking lot in order to test mobile communications systems and related equipment
Operate hand and small power tools
Distinguish colors, such as color-coded electrical wires
Perform repair work on micro parts
Assess the condition of tower mounted equipment from ground level
Hear and distinguish various sounds, such as voices of co-workers in noisy environments and sounds of operating equipment

Additional abilities required at the Senior level:

Diagnose and correct the most complex systems and equipment problems
Assist in establishing procedures
Serve as lead-worker, including assigning and monitoring work and assisting with training of technicians and installers

Training and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

Communications Technician I: One year of experience installing, maintaining or repairing two-way radio, microwave or electronic equipment (see educational substitution below).

Communications Technician II: Two years of experience, which has included installation, maintenance and repair of two-way radio communications equipment and related electronic equipment, at a level equivalent to the classification of Communications Technician I (see educational substitution below).

Senior Communications Technician: Three years of experience installing, adjusting, maintaining and repairing a variety of two-way radios and electronic and microwave communications systems equipment, including one year of experience at a level equivalent to Communications Technician II (see educational substitution below).

Educational Substitution: Technical school or college level courses in electronics or radio theory may be substituted for up to six months of the required experience, on the basis of three semester units for two months of experience.

Special Requirements, Conditions:

License, Certificate Requirements: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License. Communications Technician I/II and Senior Communication’s Technician must obtain a FCC General Radio Telephone Operator's License or a Technician Certificate issued by a Federal Communications Commission approved certification organization within one year of appointment.

Special Working Conditions: Exposure to variable temperatures and weather conditions; heights, such as radio communication towers; high levels of noise; unpleasant odors; electrical hazards; silica dust; and non-ionizing radiation; and, the possibility of experiencing burns, bodily injury and contact with toxic substances or chemical irritants.

Other Special Requirements: Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays on an emergency, as-needed basis.

Bargaining Unit: General Representation
EEOC Job Category: 07
Occupational Grouping: 42
Worker's Comp Code: 1160