Communications Technician II (Technical Services Unit)

COMMUNICATIONS TECHNICIAN II (Technical Services Unit)

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization. This recruitment is open to the public and will remain open on a continuous basis for a minimum of five (5) business days, until the needs of the Department are met. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. This recruitment is being held to establish an Open Eligible List to fill vacancy in this class until the next recruitment. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications.

The Sheriff-Coroner/Technology Division consists of approximately 150 personnel organized in six areas that specialize in specific operational and technical units, including Administration/Operations, Special Projects, Radio Communications, Applications, Infrastructure, and Security. Each section maintains a staff of Managers, Engineers, Technicians, and support staff to provide a high level of operational and technical expertise to various public safety functions including Law Enforcement, Fire Services, Emergency Medical Services, Lifeguard, Park Rangers, Public Works, Local Government, Courts, County and City jails, and Probation facilities. The Division provides centralized countywide coordinated communications systems for all local public safety agencies; installation and maintenance of communications and electronic equipment (microwave equipment, 9-1-1 dispatch equipment, mobile and portable radios, closed circuit television, surveillance, security electronic systems within the jail system, sound and video systems); operational and maintenance support to the coordinated communications systems; engineering and frequency management; and serves as the central coordinator/program manager for the operation and maintenance of the 800 MHz Countywide Coordinated Communications System (CCCS) and 900 MHz paging system. The Division is also responsible for all Information Technology operations across the entire Sheriff's Department. This includes application development and support, help desk support, desktop support, mobile and MDC support, storage and server support, network and CCTV support, and network security operations.

This is a journey level class in the Communications Technician series that is located at Sheriff's Technical Services Unit (Radio Communications). Incumbents in this class install, maintain and repair complex electronic equipment, and work with minimal supervision.

General duties include troubleshooting and repair of electronics; perform preventative maintenance on radio communications equipment, program radios and design radio channel layout (template); install electronics in public safety vehicles, motorcycles, marine vessels, and buildings; service calls, customer service, ambulance certifications, configure, maintain, and provide media for video recording systems (in-car video, body warn cameras); self-development training; miscellaneous related tasks.

Desirable qualifications for the ideal candidate include two (2) years of experience of troubleshooting, maintaining and repairing electronic equipment; ability to install, maintain, repair, modify a variety of communications and electronic equipment and systems. Additionally, possess the ability to read and interpret instructions in technical manuals including circuitries, schematics, and symbols, and blueprints; completion of certificates or education credits form training courses in electronic theory and practice including Ohms Law, knowledge of AC and DC theory and electronic systems, audio and radio frequency circuits, electronic measurements, semiconductor fundamentals and mathematics for electronic technology; experience using hand and power tools.

Minimum qualifications include thorough knowledge of principles, techniques, methods, test equipment and tools used in installation, maintenance, repair, modification and fabrication communications and other related electronic equipment and systems; general knowledge of principles of electronic system design and operation; ability to install, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, modify a variety of communications and electronic equipment and systems; read and interpret instructions in technical manuals including circuitries, schematics and symbols; read blueprints; use the proper test equipment related to electronics maintenance and repair; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other County and city staff, electronic contractors, vendors and members of the general public; record technical information on time sheets, logs, invoices, etc. Education and experience completion of a training course in electronic theory and practice including Ohms Law, AC and DC theory, audio and radio frequency circuits, electronic measurements, semiconductor fundamentals and mathematics for electronic technology. And two (2) years of experience in the maintenance and repair of electronic communication equipment that developed the knowledge and abilities listed above. License/Certification possession of a valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, by date of appointment.

Special qualifications include applicants must not have been convicted of a felony or be on any form of probation and must pass an extensive background investigation to the satisfaction of the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner. Background screening includes completing of a Personal History Form, interview with a background investigator, fingerprinting and may include a polygraph test. Some of the areas considered in the background screening include prior convictions, traffic violations, drug use and credit problems, employment history, professional references and education verification (i.e. degree, license, or official transcripts. Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credentials Evaluation Services (N.A.C.E.S.).

Sheriff Human Resources screens all applications to identify the most qualified candidates for the position based on the skills required to meet the needs of the Department. After the initial screening, the qualified candidates will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Structured Oral Panel Interview (Weighted 100%): Candidates will be interviewed and rated by a panel of job knowledge experts. Each candidate's rating will be based on responses to a series of questions designed to elicit the candidate's qualifications for the job. Only the most successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list. Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

After all procedures have been completed, Sheriff Human Resources will establish an eligible list of qualified candidates. The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings.

Only on-line applications will be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of on-line applications. Application information must be current, succinct, concise, descriptive and related to the requirements in this job announcement. Your application should demonstrate your professional experience and education related to the specific qualifications/duties listed in this bulletin, including areas which you have developed expertise.