Electronic Services Technician - Apprentice

The Town of Ocean City, MD; Ocean City (MD); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Ocean City, MD seeks an entry-level Electronics Technician apprentice to develop technical skills in radio communications, electronics installation, diagnostics, and equipment maintenance for Public Safety and municipal operations.

You will receive structured on-the-job training and essential system education; after-hours recall may be required, with a government-provided cell, computer, and vehicle to support duties.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or GED; electronics coursework preferred.
• Willingness to learn programming, diagnostics, and repair of radio/wireless systems.
• Basic understanding of electrical theory and radio communications concepts.

Responsibilities

• Radio systems support: perform basic radio programming and functional checks.
• Bench work: conduct basic radio testing and inspect housings, connectors, cables.
• Shop work: prepare cables and hardware, assist with equipment removal and kit assembly.
• Field work: observe and assist senior technicians during installs and maintenance.
• System maintenance: update equipment databases and track repair tickets; assist preventive maintenance.
• Fire siren system support: organize inspections, maintenance records, and parts.
• ECC support: conduct basic equipment checks and log issues for the center.
• General division support: assist with vendor returns, inventory, and paperwork.

Skills

Programming

Diagnostics

Repair

Radio systems

Vehicle electrical

IP networking

Hand tools

Testing equipment

Education

High school diploma or GED

Electronics coursework

Tools

Soldering equipment

Testing equipment

Programming software

Job description

SUMMARY

This apprentice position within the Electronics Services Division is an entry-level role designed to develop technical capability within the Division. The position is designed to receive structured, on-the-job training and essential manufacture certified system education to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a fully qualified Electronics Technician. The position is intended for individuals who are learning the trade and provides structured, progressive training in radio communications, electronic systems installation, diagnostics, and equipment maintenance for Public Safety and municipal operations. Applicants, if hired, must be able to pass a drug screening.

24 HOUR CALL SCHEDULE & AFTER HOURS REPONSE

Employees of the Electronic Services Division will be subject to recall and emergency after-hours response. The on-call schedule will be managed by Electronic Services Manager and approved by the Emergency Services Director. Employee(s) will be available by phone, text or email at all times, and while actively serving on-call status be ready to answer questions and/or respond when necessary to confirm, manage, mitigate or restore to normal the public safety radio system infrastructure, including the Communications Center’s dispatching of Police, Fire and EMS calls. A government issued cell phone, computer and service vehicle are provided to support the function of this position including emergent after-hours response.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Radio Systems Support (Entry Level)

• Programs basic mobile and portable radios.
• Preforms initial functionality checks prior to deployment.
• Prepares equipment for installation, including antennas, cabling, and mounting hardware.

Bench Work

• Conducts basic radio testing using established checklists.
• Completes visual inspections of housings, connectors, and cables.
• Assists with firmware updates and software diagnostics.
• Records test results and maintains equipment service logs.

Shop Work (Vehicle & Equipment Preparation)

• Prepares cable runs and labels wiring for installation.
• Assists with removal of damaged or outdated equipment.
• Assembles accessory kits for emergency vehicle installations.

Field Work (Introductory)

• Observes and assists senior technicians during system installations and maintenance.
• Replaces microphones, verifies power connections, and inspects antenna mounts.
• Conducts field inventory and serial number verification.

System Maintenance & Inventory Support

• Updates and maintains equipment databases.
• Tracks repair requests and manages service tickets.
• Assists with preventive maintenance scheduling.
• Prepares summaries of completed repairs and outstanding issues.

Fire Siren System Support

• Assists with recordkeeping related to inspections and maintenance.
• Organizes parts, tools, and documentation for service tasks.

Emergency Communications Center Support

• Conducts basic equipment checks (e.g., headset tests).
• Logs equipment issues, updates repair status, and supports ECC staff.

General Division Support

• Assists with vendor returns, warranty processing, and parts shipments.
• Helps maintain shop organization and tool inventories.
• Performs basic research on communication technologies and components.

Duties and responsibilities will increase in complexity as skills and proficiency are demonstrated and training milestones are achieved.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Technical school coursework in electronics preferred.
• Familiarity with communication systems is desirable but not required.
• Ability to learn programming, diagnostics, and repair of radio and wireless systems.
• Ability to understand basic electrical theory and radio communications concepts.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid Class C driver's license with acceptable driving record required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety procedures, manuals rules, and technical documents. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Effective verbal communication skills with employees and partner organizations.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

Must have basic knowledge of vehicle electrical systems. Basic knowledge of electronic and mechanical testing equipment. Use of hand tools, programming computer software, IP networking, hardware as well as contact and hot air soldering equipment required. Must be able to respond to system failures during after-hours call-outs as assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; use hand to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit, climb or balance, and smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee base location is in a heated shop area of the Electronic Services Division. However, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions and is frequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, and extreme heat. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places; occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock, and risk of radiation, as well as vibrations near moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. All duties will normally be performed during a five day, 8-hour work shift per week with the understanding the schedule may vary based on need. Overtime will be paid in accordance with City policy. Position requires occasional travel for factory training, seminars and certifications. Technician will be required to keep work environment clean, organized and accurately process paperwork as requested by supervisor.