COMMUNICATIONS ELECTRICIAN O 3686 (REVISED 01-23-26)

City of Los Angeles; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 128,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Los Angeles seeks a Communications Electrician to perform hands-on maintenance, repair, installation and programming of diverse communications systems and equipment. You will work with microwave radio, VoIP, CCTV, data networks and badge access systems while interpreting diagrams and cable records for efficient repair.

Requirements include four years of related experience or two years plus an electronics-related certificate or military course, with networking certifications accepted.

Qualifications

• Four years of full-time paid experience in maintenance, repair, and installation of electronics and communications systems.
• Two years of related experience plus one of: certificate/associate degree or military electronics course or networking certification.
• Certifications in Cisco or HP Networking with relevant data network experience are acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Perform maintenance, repair, installation, configuration and programming of communications systems and equipment.
• Work with microwave radio, VoIP telephony, CCTV, data networks and access systems.
• Interpret plans, schematics, and cable records to troubleshoot and repair equipment.

Skills

Electronics maintenance

Communication systems

RF/microwave knowledge

Network fundamentals

Public safety systems

Education

Electronics certificate/associate degree

Military electronics course (24 weeks)

Cisco/HP Networking certification

Tools

Cisco Networking

HP Networking

VoIP/SCADA equipment

Job description

ANNUAL SALARY

$116,760 (flat-rated)

The salary in the Department of Water and Power is $121,479 to $128,244 and $135,907 (flat-rated). A shift differential is paid for the positions requiring night work. Some positions with the Department of Water and Power may require permanent assignment outside the Southern California area.

NOTES

1. For information regarding reciprocity between City of Los Angeles departments and LADWP, go to: http://per.lacity.org/Reciprocity_CityDepts_and_DWP.pdf
2. Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.
3. Candidates from the eligible list are normally appointed to vacancies in the lower pay grade positions.

A Communications Electrician does skilled direct hands‑on work in the maintenance, repair, installation, configuration and programming of communications systems and equipment such as microwave radio, conventional and trunking two‑way radio, VoIP telephony, SONET, SCADA, data networks, radio communications transmitters/receivers and systems, multiplexing, audio and video, IP security cameras, badge access control systems, CCTV, and CAD.

1. Four years of full-time paid experience in maintenance, repair, and installation of any of a wide variety of electronics and communication systems including video, conventional and trunking two‑way radio, microwave radio, telephone systems, monitoring systems, public address, data networks, IP security camera systems, badge access control systems, video and access systems including programming, configuration or troubleshooting of communications systems; or
2. Two years of full‑time paid experience of the type specified in Requirement #1, and either one of the following:
   1. a. Completion of a certificate program or associate degree program in electronics technology, telecommunications, or computer science at an accredited college or trade school; or
   2. b. Successful completion of a U.S. military electronics technical course of 24 weeks or longer within the last 10 years; or
   3. c. A certification in Cisco or HP Networking (CCNA, CCDA, CCDE, CCDP, CCNP, CCIE, HP AIS, HP ASE, HP Master ASE), and two years of experience in the installation and configuration of data network switches, routers and addressable nodes.

PROCESS NOTES

1. As a condition of employment, a valid Class C driver’s license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is required. Applicants will be disqualified and candidates will not be eligible for hire if their DMV record within the last 36 months reflects three or more moving violations and/or at‑fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation such as DUI or DWI in any state or jurisdiction. Notice of disqualification or ineligibility for hire may be issued by the City of Los Angeles at any time before a final job offer is extended.
2. For Internal Use Only: Licensing verification for Class C licenses will occur at the time of appointment.
3. Please note that qualifying education must be from a college, university, or trade school accredited by a City of Los Angeles recognized agency. A list of approved accrediting agencies can be found at http://per.lacity.org/Accredited%20Institutions%2008-21-08.pdf
4. Candidates completing the examination process will be contacted by the Personnel Department to provide required proof of qualifying certificate program, associate degree, or coursework. Applicants who wish to expedite this process may attach a copy of their qualifying certificate, associate degree, or coursework to their on‑line application at the time of filing in the Attachments section.

SELECTIVE CERTIFICATION

In accordance with Charter Section 1010 (b) and Civil Service Rule 5.31, selective certification will be used for some positions that require special skills and/or training in one or more of the following areas. Only persons possessing the following may be considered for appointment to fill such positions:

1. Skills and/or training in radio, fiber‑optics and microwave; or
2. Certifications in public safety communications systems from Motorola, Harris, Nokia, or Aviat; or
3. CompTIA Network+ Certification; or
4. Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA‑I) Fiber Optics Technician (FOT) Certification; or
5. A valid General Radio Telephone Operator’s license issued by the Federal Communications Commission.

NOTES

1. Those individuals that desire to be considered for Selective Certification 1, as described above, must respond to the Selective Certification Questionnaire at the time of filing. The Selective Certification Questionnaire is located within the Supplemental Questions section of the City application. Applicants who fail to complete the Selective Certification Questionnaire will not be considered further in selective certification.
2. Selective certifications 2 through 5 require a Certificate of Completion or valid license. The certificate or license must be attached to the on‑line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If the certificate or license is attached AFTER the on‑line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and applicants WILL NOT be credited with having submitted the certificate or license. Applicants who fail to submit the certificate or license at the time of filing by attaching it to the on‑line application will not be considered for this part of selective certification.

Examination Weights:

Multiple‑Choice Test ................................... Qualifying

Interview ................................................................................... 100%

The examination will consist of a qualifying multiple‑choice test and interview. In the qualifying multiple‑choice test, the following competencies may be evaluated: Safety Focus; Customer Service; and Job Knowledge, including knowledge of: principles of electricity and electronic theory including DC/AC; common sources of trouble in communications systems and various communication systems problems; methods of installing, servicing, rebuilding, and repairing communications systems; electronic test equipment, tools, and materials used in the construction, servicing, installation, and repair of communications systems; radio communication systems; voice network systems sufficient to troubleshoot, install, and/or repair; subnet masks; safety precautions and hazards in working on or installing electronic and communications equipment including the proper safety use and care of hand and portable power tools; and the ability to understand, prepare, and work from communications plans, schematic, diagrams, sketches, drawings, and cable records; differentiate wire and cable colors; and other necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities.

Additional information can be obtained by going to https://per.lacity.org/jobs/job-analyses.cfm and clicking on Competencies under Communications Electrician.

The multiple‑choice test will be proctored and administered on‑line during a single session. Candidates invited to participate in the on‑line multiple‑choice test will be able to take the test as instructed from a remote location using a computer with a webcam and a reliable internet connection. Candidates will receive an e‑mail from the City of Los Angeles outlining the dates and specific steps on how to take the multiple‑choice test on‑line. Candidates who do not complete and submit the remote proctored multiple‑choice test on‑line using a computer by the specified date and time will not be considered further in this examination.

For candidates who apply during Filing Period 1, it is anticipated that the on‑line multiple‑choice test will be administered between TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2026 AND MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2026.

For candidates who apply during Filing Period 2, it is anticipated that the on‑line multiple‑choice test will be administered between TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 2027 AND MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2027.

FAQs for on‑line testing are available https://per.lacity.org/faqs/employment-testing-process.html. Candidates who do not have the required equipment may have the option to take the multiple‑choice test onsite at a City facility.

Passing Score for the Qualifying Multiple‑Choice Test:

The passing score for the qualifying multiple‑choice test will be determined by Personnel Department staff after the qualifying multiple‑choice test is administered. Consideration will be given to the number of candidates taking the test and the existing and anticipated number of vacancies, such that there are a sufficient number of eligible on the list to satisfy current and future vacancies for the next two years. Therefore, the passing score for the qualifying multiple‑choice test may be set either at, above or below 70%.

The examination score will be based entirely of an evaluation of professional and personal qualifications by interview. In the interview, the following competencies may be evaluated: Judgment and Decision Making; Safety Focus; Initiative; Conscientiousness, Customer Service; Teamwork; Oral Communication; and Job Knowledge, including knowledge of: principles of electricity and electronic theory including DC/AC; common sources of trouble in communications systems and various communication systems problems; methods of installing, servicing, rebuilding, and repairing communications systems; electronic test equipment, tools, and materials used in the construction, servicing, installation, and repair of communications systems; radio communication systems; voice network systems sufficient to troubleshoot, install, and/or repair; subnet masks; safety precautions and hazards in working on or installing electronic and communications equipment; and the ability to understand, prepare, and work from communications plans, schematic, diagrams, sketches, drawings, and cable records; configure, test, and evaluate hardware; mount equipment on towers and vehicles; test and adjust RF Microwave/base and mobile radio receivers and transmitters to system specifications and/or FCC rules and regulations; differentiate wire and cable colors; identify faults in data cabling; use computers to configure or process information on data network equipment; use and interpret network testers, software and cloud based testers, and protocol analyzers; and other necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities.

Candidates will be notified by e‑mail of the date, time, and location of the interview, which may be held in Los Angeles or on‑line.

NOTES

1. This examination is based on a validation study, and as provided by Civil Service Commission Rule 4.20, the multiple‑choice test will not be subject to candidate inspection.
2. You may take the Communications Electrician examination only once every 24 months under this bulletin. If you have taken the Communications Electrician multiple‑choice test during an open filing period in the Personnel Department within the last 24 months under this bulletin, you may not file for this examination at this time. Names may be removed from the open competitive eligible list after 6 months.
3. Based on City policy, you may be required to undergo mandatory drug and alcohol testing prior to and during the employment in this class.
4. As a covered entity under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. To request a disability accommodation, please complete the Disability Accommodation Form within 14 calendar days of the submittal of the City application. The Disability Accommodation Form can be obtained at http://per.lacity.org/exams/verify_disability.pdf.
5. Applications are accepted subject to review to ensure that minimum qualifications are met. Candidates may be disqualified at any time if it is determined that they do not possess the minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin.
6. A final average score of 70% on the interview portion of the examination is required to be placed on the eligible list.
7. Your rank on the eligible list may change as scores of candidates from other administrations of this examination are merged onto one list.

The City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, creed, color, ancestry, medical condition (cancer), or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

For additional information and FAQs regarding the City's hiring process, please go to https://per.lacity.org/faqs/employment-testing-process.html.