COMMUNICATIONS ELECTRICIAN O 3686 (REVISED 01-23-26)

Communications Electrician

Annual salary: $116,760 (flat-rated)

The salary in the Department of Water and Power is $121,479 to $128,244 and $135,907 (flat-rated). A shift differential is paid for the positions requiring night work. Some positions with the Department of Water and Power may require permanent assignment outside the Southern California area.

A Communications Electrician does skilled direct hands-on work in the maintenance, repair, installation, configuration and programming of communications systems and equipment such as microwave radio, conventional and trunking two-way radio, VoIP telephony, SONET, SCADA, data networks, radio communications transmitters/receivers and systems, multiplexing, audio and video, IP security cameras, badge access control systems, CCTV, and CAD.

Requirements/Minimum Qualifications

Four years of full-time paid experience in maintenance, repair, and installation of any of a wide variety of electronics and communications systems including video, conventional and trunking two-way radio, microwave radio, telephone systems, monitoring systems, public address, data networks, IP security camera systems, badge access control systems, video and access systems including programming, configuration or troubleshooting of communications systems; or

Two years of full-time paid experience of the type specified in Requirement #1, and either one of the following:

• Completion of a certificate program or associate degree program in electronics technology, telecommunications, or computer science at an accredited college or trade school; or
• Successful completion of a U.S. military electronics technical course of 24 weeks or longer within the last 10 years; or
• A certification in Cisco or HP Networking (CCNA, CCDA, CCDE, CCDP, CCNP, CCIE, HP AIS, HP ASE, HP Master ASE), and two years of experience in the installation and configuration of data network switches, routers and addressable nodes.

Where To Apply & Application Deadline

Applications will only be accepted on-line. When you are viewing the on-line job bulletin of your choice, simply scroll to the top of the page and select the "Apply" icon. On-line job bulletins are also available at

Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues you may encounter.

Applications will only be accepted on-line on the dates listed below:

Filing Period 1: From FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2026 to THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026

Filing Period 2: From FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2027 to THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2027

The examination may close without prior notice at any time after a sufficient number of applications have been received. Filling periods may change without prior notice or additional dates may be added, as needed, at a later date. For administrative purposes, filing will close periodically and reopen on the dates noted in the "Application Deadline" section of this bulletin.

Selection Process

The examination will consist of a qualifying multiple-choice test and interview. In the qualifying multiple-choice test, the following competencies may be evaluated: Safety Focus; Customer Service; and Job Knowledge, including knowledge of: principles of electricity and electronic theory including DC/AC; common sources of trouble in communications systems and various communication systems problems; methods of installing, servicing, rebuilding, and repairing communications systems; electronic test equipment, tools, and materials used in the construction, servicing, installation, and repair of communications systems; radio communication systems; voice network systems sufficient to troubleshoot, install, and/or repair; subnet masks; safety precautions and hazards in working on or installing electronic and communications equipment including the proper safety use and care of hand and portable power tools; and the ability to understand, prepare, and work from communications plans, schematic, diagrams, sketches, drawings, and cable records; differentiate wire and cable colors; and other necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities.

The multiple-choice test will be proctored and administered on-line during a single session. Candidates invited to participate in the on-line multiple-choice test will be able to take the test as instructed from a remote location using a computer with a webcam and a reliable internet connection. Candidates will receive an e-mail from the City of Los Angeles outlining the dates and specific steps on how to take the multiple-choice test on-line. Candidates who do not complete and submit the remote proctored multiple-choice test on-line using a computer by the specified date and time will not be considered further in this examination.

For candidates who apply during Filing Period 1, it is anticipated that the on-line multiple-choice test will be administered between TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2026 AND MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2026.

For candidates who apply during Filing Period 2, it is anticipated that the on-line multiple-choice test will be administered between TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 2027 AND MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2027.

FAQs for on-line testing are available Candidates who do not have the required equipment may have the option to take the multiple-choice test onsite at a City facility.

The passing score for the qualifying multiple-choice test will be determined by Personnel Department staff after the qualifying multiple-choice test is administered. Consideration will be given to the number of candidates taking the test and the existing and anticipated number of vacancies, such that there are a sufficient number of eligible on the list to satisfy current and future vacancies for the next two years. Therefore, the passing score for the qualifying multiple-choice test may be set either at, above or below 70%.

The examination score will be based entirely of an evaluation of professional and personal qualifications by interview. In the interview, the following competencies may be evaluated: Judgment and Decision Making; Safety Focus; Initiative; Conscientiousness, Customer Service; Teamwork; Oral Communication; and Job Knowledge, including knowledge of: principles of electricity and electronic theory including DC/AC; common sources of trouble in communications systems and various communication systems problems; methods of installing, servicing, rebuilding, and repairing communications systems; electronic test equipment, tools, and materials used in the construction, servicing, installation, and repair of communications systems; radio communication systems; voice network systems sufficient to troubleshoot, install, and/or repair; subnet masks; safety precautions and hazards in working on or installing electronic and communications equipment; and the ability to understand, prepare, and work from communications plans, schematic, diagrams, sketches, drawings, and cable records; configure, test, and evaluate hardware; mount equipment on towers and vehicles; test and adjust RF Microwave/base and mobile radio receivers and transmitters to system specifications and/or FCC rules and regulations; differentiate wire and cable colors; identify faults in data cabling; use computers to configure or process information on data network equipment; use and interpret network testers, software and cloud based testers, and protocol analyzers; and other necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities.

Candidates will be notified by e-mail of the date, time, and location of the interview, which may be held in Los Angeles or on-line.