RADIO COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR (TELECOMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR)

Salary : $82,892.57 - $128,489.50 Annually

Location : FL 33312, FL

Job Type : Full Time

Job Number : NB191-03

Department : Information Technology Services

Opening Date : 09 / 27 / 2024

Closing Date : 10 / 20 / 2024 11 : 59 PM Eastern

POSITION SUMMARY

The City of Fort Lauderdale employees possess a passion for public service demonstrated by a high degree of enthusiasm, self-reliance, and job proficiency.

They effectively convey the vision and mission of the organization and provide excellent service and satisfaction to our internal and external customers.

Under general administrative direction, directs functional operation of mission-critical communications systems; addresses technical issues as related to mission-critical radio communication infrastructure i.

e., radio system, fire alerting, microwave network, etc.; directs planning and coordination of systems maintenance and repair with vendors and end-users;

creates codeplugs, programs, and upgrades subscriber two-way radios, repeaters, etc. Activates and mobilizes emergency backup systems and communications trailer, and provides technical support and responses to public safety departments during emergencies.

NOTE : The duties of this position will include all of those duties set forth in the official job description.

The City offers a wide variety of benefits to employees. In addition to the competitive benefits package and salary, the City participates in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) which offers an investment option and a pension option, and requires a 3% contribution from employees.

New hires are automatically enrolled in FRS.

Say Hello to the City of Fort Lauderdale and Say Goodbye to Your Student Loan!

That's right! Under the U.S. Department of Education's Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, the remaining balance on your student loan may be forgiven after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time at the City of Fort Lauderdale! Please visit for more information or to see if you qualify.

This job classification is in Management Category III for benefits purposes, which includes Six (6) additional Management Vacation Days and a Vehicle Allowance of $250 / month.

This job classification will be governed by the Personnel Rules, as it is not represented by a collective bargaining unit.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Essential functions are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation.

The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification.

The omission of a function does not preclude management from assigning essential duties not listed herein if such duties relate to the position.

• Provides technical guidance to developers with regards to ensuring two-way communications compliance within structures
• Maintains technical and support aspects for all mission-critical and ancillary systems including but not limited to; radio systems, microwave network, fire alerting system and coordinates contractor maintenance activities
• Troubleshoots and performs first echelon level service on subscriber radios and components
• Assists in long range planning of telecommunications and electronic systems requirements
• Prepares technical specifications for proposals
• Develops radio templates and codeplugs utilizing Customer Programming Software (CPS)
• Maintains the radio fleet radio management servers
• Oversees and assists in maintaining all radio system software records such as; programming templates, radio programs, identification numbers, assignments, aliases, talk group assignments, talk group registers, inventory, records and cross reference lists
• Programs backbone system equipment including system controller and interface management system for a trunked radio and conventional repeater communication systems
• Coordinates with system users on activities involving repair, maintenance and regional public safety activities
• Assists and supports departments in implementing the City's Telecommunication Ordinance overseeing the applications for use of the City's right-of-way, establishing an equitable cost, and negotiating preferable routes
• Assists and supports departments in reviewing new development projects within the City which may interfere with the City's radio system and assists in negotiating leases for towers located on City's right-of-way
• Monitors radio and alerting systems and initiates immediate corrective action
• Reviews new development programs submitted to the City for approval to determine which may reduce radio system coverage to below acceptable levels;

conducts fade margin studies to determine the effect of any system impacts

• Provides system usage reports
• Keeps schedule of routine preventive maintenance on various equipment and tower sites
• Serves as liaison with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for licenses and enforcement actions; maintains all required FCC license records;

prepares and submits all required FCC reports; assures proper posting of FCC licenses

• Serves as liaison with Local and Federal Law Enforcement agencies to process interoperability agreements and facilitates programming of their radios onto City radio systems
• Monitors the County's Change Management Request Process (CMR) for communications and dispatching issues
• Provides after hours support to public safety departments during emergencies
• Performs related work as required

JOB REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Bachelor's Degree in Telecommunications, Electronics, Engineering, or a related field.
• Three (3) or more years of experience in a radio communications infrastructure environment along with experience utilizing radio programming software.

Additional qualifying experience in a job related field, may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

• Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Communications Unit Technician (COMT) or Communication Unit Leader (COML) preferred.
• Possess or be able to obtain a valid State of Florida driver's license within 30 days of hire.
• This position will require on call, holiday, night and / or weekend work.

Special Requirements :

• An in-depth pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process as this position is deemed security-sensitive.
• Essential Employees may be required to work during a declared emergency. The employee's Department Head will determine who will be required to work.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT :

Work Environment Frequency Working in Designated Environment Office or similar indoor environmentFrequently or OftenOutdoor environmentFrequently or OftenStreet environment (near moving traffic)Seldom or NeverConstruction siteSometimesConfined SpaceSeldom or NeverIn the community (homes, businesses, etc.

Frequently or OftenWarehouse environmentSometimesShop environmentFrequently or Often

PHYSICAL STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS :

The position involves heavy physical demands, such as exerting up to 100 lbs. of force occasionally (with assistance), and / or up to 50 lbs.

of force frequently, and / or up to 20 lbs. of force constantly to move objects.

Ability to lift, carry, climb, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, walk, push, pull, grasp, stand and access heights or areas where limited space is available.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

HOW TO APPLY / VETERAN INFORMATION

Depending on the number of applicants and the quality of their education and experience, the examination may consist of one or more of the following tests : Evaluation of Training and Experience, Oral Interview, Written Examination, or other assessment method.

Applicants must attain a minimum score of 70 in each part of the examination in order to qualify.

An eligible veteran who enters an open-competitive examination shall receive preference points added to the total passing score earned in the examination as provided for in the Florida Statutes.

To obtain veteran's preference, candidates MUST submit a copy of separation papers and the City of Fort Lauderdale's veteran's preference claim form (J204).

The City of Fort Lauderdale offers a comprehensive benefits package to all regular full-time employees including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and short-term disability insurance.

Click for an overview of employment information including our benefits package and click for additional management benefits.

What is the highest level of education you have received from an accredited college or university in telecommunications, electronics, engineering, radio communications, information systems, information technology, or a closely related field?

• No college level education, or education is in an unrelated field
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years or Associate's Degree
• 3 years
• 4 years or Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree

How many years of experience in a radio communications infrastructure environment along with experience utilizing radio programming software do you possess?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 years
• 6 years
• 7 or more years

Do you possess a certification / license in a related field?

Which certification(s) / license(s) do you possess in a related field? If none, enter None.

Are you a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Communications Unit Technician (COMT)?

Are you a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Communication Unit Leader (COML)?

Do you possess, or are you able to obtain, a valid State of Florida driver's license, within 30 days of hire?

An in-depth pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process as this position is deemed security-sensitive.

Are you willing and able to meet this requirement?

This position will require on call, holiday, night and / or weekend work, are you willing and able to meet this requirement?

Describe your knowledge and experience with installation, maintenance, and support of radio system infrastructure equipment.

This does not include cable television or telephone system equipment, which is unrelated to the technical needs for this position.

Describe your knowledge and experience troubleshooting and repairing two-way subscriber radios and accessory components.

Please include radio make, model series, and manufacturer in your answer.

Describe your knowledge and experience creating trunked radio templates and programming codeplugs for public safety grade subscribers.

Include model series and manufacturer in your answer. Please note : This is more complex than selecting a frequency and privacy code from manufacturer pre-programmed selections available within a radio unit.

Describe your knowledge and experience working with technologies installed in vehicles (particularly subscriber mobile radios, antennas, battery chargers, GTT Opticom Preemption, and wireless modems).

Please note : Magnet-mount antenna and cigarette-lighter type installations are not applicable and should not be referenced in your answer.

Describe your knowledge and experience designing, installing, and maintaining audio-visual systems. Include the types of systems and components used and describe their complexity.

Describe your knowledge and experience utilizing common test equipment found in a typical Radio Shop facility (i.e. a service monitor, spectrum analyzer, wattmeter, DVM, and oscilloscope).

Describe your knowledge and experience in deployment and establishment of communications to support emergency situations or events.

Include a detailed description of how you handled the situation(s) and the outcome.

Describe your knowledge and experience with a Bi-Directional Amplifier (BDA) and / or a Distribution Antenna System (DAS).

Please include any standards and compliances you adhere to.

Describe your knowledge and experience using Microsoft applications.

Describe your knowledge and experience in writing technical specifications, and / or a Statement of Work (SOW) for projects.

Describe your knowledge and experience reviewing blueprints, shop drawing, and schematics.

Describe any other experience and expertise you possess in the installation and support of radio frequency communications equipment, which you have not already described.

Required Question