Comms Specialist (Operations Specialist DPS) DEM

United Trading Group; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 41,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

Job summary

Division of Emergency Management (DEM) in Utah seeks an Operations Specialist to provide hands-on technical, operational, and logistics support for the DEM communications infrastructure and state and local stakeholders.

This role maintains tactical equipment assets, ensures readiness of facility radio rooms, conducts routine testing on critical warning circuits, and deploys to support field communications during state emergency activations.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Electronics, Telecommunications, IT, Public Safety (preferred).
• Two years hands-on technical experience in public safety radio communications or emergency field communications.
• Equivalent directly related experience may substitute for education.

Responsibilities

• Maintain DEM radio assets and ensure readiness of vehicle radios.
• Test and deploy communications equipment during activations.
• Support SEOC/ECC/Camp Williams radio room operations and field deployments.
• Coordinate maintenance, inventory, and vendor receipts.

Skills

LMR systems knowledge

P25 standards

Troubleshooting

Radio operations

Education

Associate degree in Electronics or related

Tools

CPS software

Starlink

Job description

Comms Specialist (Operations Specialist DPS) DEM

Full-Time
Benefits Eligibility – This position is eligible for a full benefits package.
Salary – $30.24 - $47.66 Hourly Wage
Remote Work / In-Office – In-Office / On-Site
Application Deadline – 10/25/2026*

Key Responsibilities

Operations Specialist, DPS

JOB SUMMARY

Under general supervision from the DEM Communications & Operations Manager, the Operations Specialist provides hands‑on technical, operational, and logistics support for the internal Division of Emergency Management (DEM) communications infrastructure and state and local stakeholders.

This position is directly responsible for maintaining DEM’s tactical equipment assets (radio cache, fleet radios, satellite arrays, command truck), ensuring operational readiness of facility radio rooms (SEOC, ECC, Camp Williams), conducting routine testing on critical state warning circuits (NAWAS, FNARS, SHARES), and deploying to support field communications during state emergency activations.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES (The following duties are representative and may vary depending on operational priorities and activation levels) Tactical Asset & Fleet Management:

• -Programs, installs, and troubleshoots mobile and portable Land Mobile Radio (LMR) equipment assigned to DEM division vehicles and operational staff using state Customer Programming Software (CPS) and channel templates.
• -Performs routine hardware checks, firmware updates, and operational testing on DEM satellite phones and mobile satellite arrays (e.g., Starlink).
• -Maintains operational readiness of the State Communications Command Truck, including onboard generator power systems, audio gateways, mast hardware, and satellite backhaul.
• -Emergency equipment maintenance, research, procurement, inventory, and distribution. Also includes the inspection and evaluation of used equipment for reuse.
• -Emergency two-way radio installation, repair, programming, and coordination. May also include more in-depth management of complex communications equipment with coordination between state and local agencies.
• -Troubleshoots and diagnoses problems, makes adjustments, repairs and/or performs preventative maintenance on computers, vehicles, equipment, or machinery, etc.
• -Provides technical/hands‑on assistance with agency radio communication systems, vehicle emergency equipment, etc.

Facility Radio Rooms & Critical Warning Circuits:

• -Performs routine operational checks, preventative maintenance, and console verification across state facility radio rooms, including the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC at the State Capitol), Emergency Coordination Center (ECC at Taylorsville), and Camp Williams.
• -Monitors and conducts scheduled testing on National Attack Warning System (NAWAS) landline circuits and FEMA -National Radio System (FNARS/SHARES) HF/ALE radio systems.
• -Coordinates, executes, and logs monthly statewide HF/LMR radio checks with county emergency managers, Public Safety -Answering Points (PSAPs), and dispatch centers across Utah.

Division Communications & Field Operations Support:

• -Assists DEM division staff with processing Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS) cards, provisioning Wireless Priority Service (WPS) on state cellular devices, and conducting user familiarization.
• -Deploys to serve as technical communications support inside the SEOC during emergency activations or dispatches to the field to support mobile command posts and tactical communications during major disasters, wildland fires, or state exercises.
• -Assists the Operational Readiness Manager and or SEOC Manager in tracking equipment repair logs, shipping/receiving, asset surplus processing, and vendor receipts for monthly recurring costs (MRC).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• -An Associate degree in Electronics, Telecommunications, Information Technology, Public Safety, or a closely related field; (preferred)
• -Two (2) years of hands‑on technical experience in public safety radio communications, LMR hardware maintenance, or emergency field communications.
• (Substitution: Directly related technical experience in public safety communications, military communications, or telecommunications hardware may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

Knowledge of:

• -Land Mobile Radio (LMR) systems, P25 digital standards, VHF/UHF/