Communications Technician (Senior)

Recruitment #17-484040-02

Introduction

Keeping Information Flowing in Solano County

Solano County Department of Information Technology (DoIT) provides customer-oriented and convenient access to information and services through the use of technology; anytime - anywhere. The County strives for cost-effective use of technology, with interactive exchange and sharing of data within departments, with constituents, with other governments and business partners. The guiding principles of DoIT are:

  • Support and facilitate access to County information for the public and its employees and to help the County conduct its business in a fast and easy manner
  • Support the business goals of the County in an efficient, cost-effective manner
  • Provide safe and secure systems and an integration mechanism to streamline business practices
  • Provide ongoing technology training for staff
  • Provide opportunities for constituents to utilize technology in their interaction with the County
  • Share and exchange information using multiple channels

To learn more about the Department of Information Technology please visit: http://www.solanocounty.com/depts/doit/default.asp

The Position

Provides lead supervision and participates in the design, assembly, installation, maintenance, and repair of a variety of communications, telephony, and/or telecommunications systems and related equipment and materials depending on assigned specialty area(s); assigns, schedules, and oversees the day to day tasks of technicians; assists and participates in a variety of operational support and administrative tasks.

This is the advanced journey level within the Communications Technician job series that performs the full range of journey level duties, possesses technical or functional expertise and performs specialized duties in a highly independent manner.  Incumbents in this classification provide strong lead supervisory functions and act as a resource to subordinate staff as well as possessing advanced journey level knowledge and skills in either radio/microwave transmitting and receiving or telephony and data communications systems.  Incumbents in this job class are expected to have a basic familiarity with all types of communications equipment and systems utilized within the County’s operations and supported by the Communications work unit.  This job class is distinguished from the Communications Manager in that the latter is responsible for the planning, design, and implementation of all County communications systems and has over-all responsibility for all divisional operations.

The current vacancy will be assigned to support Solano County's public safety radio communications systems, including dispatch center, radio site infrastructure, microwave backhaul, and customer subscriber units.

The eligible list created as a result of this recruitment will be used to fill full-time and part-time regular, limited-term or extra-help positions as vacancies occur throughout the County.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS      

Experience:   Three years of progressively responsible work experience in a variety of functions that would demonstrate possession of and competency in requisite knowledge and abilities for either radio/microwave transmission/receiving or telephony/data communications systems.        

 AND     

 Education/Training:   Associate’s degree in telecommunications, electronics, telephony, or related field or a certificate from an equivalent education/training program.  

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, AND REGISTRATIONS                                                                  Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Class C driver’s license is required.          Possession of a valid FCC General Radio Operator License or equivalent may be required.  

To view the job description for this position, please visit: http://www.solanocounty.com/depts/hr/classifications.asp

BENEFITS

Solano County offers a cafeteria-style medical package with health benefits, offered through CalPERS. The County contribution for family coverage for the 2017 calendar year is $1,430.11 per month. The County offers a cash back provision for those who choose employee-only or who waive medical insurance coverage. The County may offer a supplemental contribution for employees enrolled in Employee plus Two or More coverage. 

 Dental and vision insurances for the employee and eligible dependents are paid 100% by the County.

Solano County participates in CalPERS retirement and contributes to Social Security.

 The County observes 12 fixed, paid holidays per year.                                                                       

Vacation is accrued at approximately 10 days per year for the first 3 years. Sick leave accrues at approximately 12 days per year.

Employees are eligible to receive an additional 2.5% longevity pay, per level, after the completion of continuous service at 10, 20, 25, 20 and 35 years.

To view the benefits for a regular position, please visit: http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=16512

Extra-help employees who work less than 29 hours per week do not typically receive or accrue benefits of regular employees during their period of employment. All extra-help employees accrue .034 hours of Paid Time Off for every full hour worked.

To view the benefits for an extra-help position, please visit: ttp://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=16516

Selection Process

11/6//2017 – Deadline to submit application and required documents

Week of 11/27/2017– Tentative date for oral board exam for most qualified candidates

Based on the information provided in the application documents, the qualified applicants may be invited for further examination and will either be pre-scheduled by the Department of Human Resources or be invited to self-schedule. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of an initial application screening, a mandatory information meeting, a supplemental questionnaire assessment, a written and/or practical exam, an oral board exam, or any combination listed. Responses to supplemental questions may be used as screening and testing mechanisms and will be used to assess an applicant’s ability to advance in the process; as such, responses to supplemental questions should be treated as test examination responses. Information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

A minimum score of 70% is required to continue in the selection process, unless otherwise announced.

All potential new hires and employees considered for promotion to management, confidential positions or unrepresented positions will be subject to a background and reference check after contingent job offer is accepted.  These provisions are subject to change.

RETIREES - Solano County invites all qualified candidates to apply for positions; however pursuant to Government Code Section 21221(h) and 21224, hiring restrictions may apply to California Public Sector Pension Plan Retirees.

How to Apply

Please visit the County of Solano website, www.jobsatsolanocounty.com, to apply. All additional application materials as requested in the job announcement (degree/transcripts, certificates, DD-214 if applicable, ADA Accommodation Request) must be submitted with the Document Cover Sheet, available on the employment website: http://www.jobaps.com/Solano/sup/doccover.pdf or at the Department of Human Resources’ office,  and are due by the final filing date.

Previously submitted application materials (i.e. copies of diploma and/or transcripts, etc.) for prior recruitments will not be applied for this recruitment but must be re-submitted for this recruitment.

Any further questions can be directed to the Department of Human Resources at (707) 784-6170 or at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1800 Fairfield 94533. The office is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. EOE/AA.

Document Submittal Requirements

An Associates degree or certificate from an equivalent education/training program is required for this position. All candidates must submit a copy of their college diploma/certificate (verifying the degree/certificate, date earned and area of specialization) or official/unofficial transcripts (verifying the date and degree/certificate conferred) by the final filing deadline. Candidates who fail to submit their diploma or transcripts by the final filing date will be disqualified from the recruitment.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:  Candidates who attended a college or university that is accredited by a foreign or non-U.S. accrediting agency must have their educational units evaluated by an educational evaluation service.  The result must be submitted to the Human Resources Department no later than the close of the recruitment.  Please contact the local college or university to learn where this service can be obtained.

How to Submit Your Documents

In addition to uploading attachments when applying online, candidates may submit documents in-person or by mail at Solano County Department of Human Resources 675 Texas Street, Suite 1800, Fairfield CA  94533, by fax to (707) 784-3424, or by email to recruitment@solanocounty.com.  When submitting documents in-person, by mail or by fax, include the recruitment title (Communications Technician Senior) and the recruitment number (17-484040-02).  If submitting documents by email include the recruitment title and recruitment number in the subject field.

Supplemental Questionnaire

This Supplemental Questionnaire will be used to determine applicants’ qualifications for this position and whether they will continue in the recruitment process; therefore, applicants are encouraged to answer all questions thoroughly and completely.  Omitted information will not be considered or assumed.  Applicants who have no experience in a specific area are recommended to state "no experience in this area" instead of leaving the space blank.  

Please note that the experience in your answers must be reflected in your employment history.

 

This Supplemental Questionnaire will be used to determine applicants’ qualifications for this position and whether they will continue in the recruitment process; therefore, applicants are encouraged to answer all questions thoroughly and completely.  Omitted information will not be considered or assumed.  Applicants who have no experience in a specific area are recommended to state "no experience in this area" instead of leaving the space blank.

Please note that the experience in your answers must be reflected in your employment history.

1.

Describe a  major radio communications installation project where you have taken a lead role installing and configuring equipment.  What specific tasks did you perform; what was your role?


2.

The specific assignment for this position is to support Solano County's public and safety radio communication systems, including dispatch center, radio site infrastructure, microwave backhaul, and customer subscriber units.

Briefly describe your experience installing, configuring, maintaining and repairing radio communications equipment including the following;

 

a.  Mobile and portable radios and codeplugs

 

b.  Dispatch consoles and interfacing

 

c.  Microwave backhaul systems

 

d.  Digital RoIP packet transport

 

e.  Fixed station receivers, transmitters and amplifiers

 

f.  Commmunications towers and antenna management

 
3.

Describe your expieriene with simulcast radio including Simulcast Overlap Distortion and how distortion can be mitigated.  If you do not have experience, please indicate N/A.

 

Supplemental Information

May be required to work outside normal business hours. 

Must be able to perform assigned duties outdoors in all types of weather conditions and may be required to work on towers at heights in excess of two hundred (200) feet. 

Candidates and incumbents may be required to pass a background investigation in accordance with applicable policy statements.  

Veterans Preference Points

To be eligible, applicant must have served at least 181 consecutive days of active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and have received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions.  A COPY OF THE DD 214, SHOWING DISCHARGE TYPE (GENERALLY COPY 4), MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT BY THE FINAL FILING DATE.  Applicants who have a service connected disability must also submit a recent award letter from the VA stating they are receiving disability benefits for service connected reasons. 

Veteran applicants for initial County employment with an honorable or general under conditions discharge shall receive five (5) points added to their combined score.  Disabled veterans rated at not less than 30% disability shall have ten (10) points added to their combined score.  Veteran’s preference points will only be added to passing scores in competitive open examinations.

Americans With Disabilities Act

It is the policy of Solano County that all employment decisions and personnel policies will be applied equally to all County employees and applicants and be based upon the needs of County service, job related merit, and ability to perform the job.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES:  Qualified individuals with a disability, who are able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, and need an accommodation during any phase of the recruitment/testing/examination process (as detailed in the “Selection Process”), must complete the following Request for Testing Accommodation by Applicants with Disabilities Form: http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=23215.

This form must be received in the Human Resources Department by the final filing date of the recruitment.  Applicants will be contacted to discuss the specifics of the request.

Solano County

 Click here to take a video tour of Solano County.

The County of Solano offers a blend of agriculture, corporate business, cultural venues, festivals and events, and provides residents with many recreation and entertainment choices. The County is also home to Travis Air Force Base.

Solano County is centrally located and serves as a gateway to all that Northern California has to offer. The Napa Valley is less than 20 miles away, two world-class public universities (UC Berkeley and UC Davis) are 20 miles away, and both San Francisco and Sacramento are less than 40 minutes away. Day trips can also be made to South Lake Tahoe and Monterey.

With its strategic location, affordable housing, natural resources, responsible land use planning, and attractive quality of life, Solano County is a great place to live, learn, work and play.

County Population (January 2016): 431,498

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.  

SOLANO COUNTY IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER