ASSISTANT TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENGINEER

State of California; California (MO); On-site; USD 88,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

California Department of Transportation is hiring a Telecommunications Engineer - Special Projects to support the Satellite Program (CT SATCOM), Caltrans Auxiliary Radio System (CARS), and Highway Advisory Radio (HAR). The role includes training, design contributions, and licensing support in a statewide context.

Based in Sacramento with hybrid telework options, the position emphasizes networking and IT. The incumbent will work under supervision and travel as needed for field deployments and

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of engineering practices and principles; maintaining up-to-date awareness of emerging technologies and regulations.
• Experience supporting satellite and radio communications programs is preferred.
• Ability to apply technical knowledge to design, installation oversight, and operations of communications systems.

Responsibilities

• Assist engineering staff with tasks related to satellite and radio programs (CT SATCOM, CARS, HAR).
• Support day-to-day and emergency communications services for Caltrans HQ and Sacramento region.
• Develop skills for statewide responsibilities including basic design contributions and FCC licensing support.

Skills

Networking

Information Technology

Emergency communications

Tools

IP networks

Fiber systems

Job description

Job Posting: Telecommunications Engineer - Special Projects

Department of Transportation

JC-530743 - Telecommunications Engineer - Special Projects ASSISTANT TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENGINEER

$7,865.00 - $9,844.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 9/16/2026

Job Description and Duties

Under the direction of the Senior Telecommunications Engineer, Special Projects Branch, the incumbent serves in a training and developmental capacity. The incumbent assists engineering staff with tasks related to the Department’s Satellite Program (CT SATCOM), Caltrans Auxiliary Radio System (CARS), and Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) program. The role supports both day-to-day and emergency communications services for Caltrans Headquarters and the Sacramento Region while developing the skills needed to support statewide responsibilities.

The incumbent will receive training in project planning, basic design contributions, FCC licensing support, equipment installation oversight, and communications system operations. Increasing emphasis is placed on modern communications technologies, and therefore candidates with strong networking and IT backgrounds are strongly preferred, including familiarity with IP networks, fiber systems, and IT-based communications infrastructure. Statewide travel may be required for supervised fieldwork, emergency deployments, and site assessments.

A valid Class C driver’s license is required. Work location of this position will be located at the Caltrans Headquarters office in Sacramento. Work location of this position will be located at the Caltrans Headquarters office in Sacramento in a climate controlled, cubicle-type space, under artificial light. The incumbent may also have the option to work from their home (telecommute) at the discretion of the Department.

PARF# 56-27-0046 / JC-530743

Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Assistant Telecommunications Engineer exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions. To apply for the exam, please click here and search by typing in the classification title.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

Position located at 1120 N St Sacramento, Sacramento County.

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Caltrans’s evolving telework policy. Caltrans supports telework, recognizing that in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksites with minimum notification if an urgent need arises. The selected candidate will be required to commute to the headquartered location as needed to meet operational needs. Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated headquartered location, primary residence, and may be subject to CalHR regulations or applicable bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the headquartered location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ASSISTANT TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENGINEER

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-530743

Position #(s): 913-640-3643-XXX

Working Title: Telecommunications Engineer - Special Projects

Classification: ASSISTANT TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENGINEER

$7,865.00 - $9,844.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions: Multiple

Work Location: Sacramento County

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Caltrans Mission: Improving lives and communities through transportation.

Caltrans Vision: A thriving and connected California.

The Caltrans workforce is made up of diverse and unique individuals who contribute to our organizational success.

Department Website: www.dot.ca.gov

Director’s EEO Policy: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Director’s EEO Policy Statement: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Special Requirements

• Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Failure to submit a Statement of Qualifications will disqualify candidates from the hiring process.

The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) serves as documentation of each applicant’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Please follow the instructions below; failure to include and complete the SOQ as instructed may result in the SOQ not being considered and in disqualification from the interview. Each question must be numbered and addressed in the same order as the questions below. The SOQ must be typed, no more than two pages in length, and 12-point Arial font.

1) What knowledge or experience do you have in Land Mobile Radio, Information Technology, and emergency communications to enhance and complement the Office of Radio Communications Special Projects unit?

2) What personal qualities do you possess to complement and enhance the teamwork and dynamic of the Office of Radio Communications Special Projects unit?

3) Select a technical term, or technical piece of information and provide a detailed explanation to a mixed audience of both technical and non-technical people?

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification. Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign coursework is equivalent. Please visit either of the following two websites for a list of evaluation agencies: https://www.naces.org/members or https://aice-eval.org. Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.

Desirable Qualifications

The incumbent must have thorough knowledge of engineering practices and principles, telecommunications systems and the California State Communications Law and the Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations. The incumbent must continually update his/her knowledge of emerging technologies, new regulations, and industry standards.

The incumbent must be knowledgeable of electronics theory, engineering mathematics, radio frequency allocations, electromagnetic wave propagation, radio field strength measurements, and traffic handling procedures.

Must be able to apply their knowledge to the design, construction, and the maintenance of radio communications system that will achieve the district’s goals and objectives.

The incumbent must be familiar with the processes and procedures required to implement a large-scale radio communications systems with diverse and varied terrain and conditions.

Benefits

Click HERE to view the Benefits Summary for Civil Service Employees in the State of California.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Human Resources Contact: Kevin Hoang
[phone]
[e-mail]

Hiring Unit Contact: Duc Hoang
[phone]
[e-mail]

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact: Caltrans EEO Office
[phone]
[e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.