Electronics/Communications Technician

APCO International; Rock Hill, Northern (SC, KY); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

APCO International in Rock Hill, SC seeks a senior communications engineer to administer IP-based emergency networks and support public safety operations. You will troubleshoot, design, and implement radio, data, and telephony systems for internal and external customers.

Key requirements include a BS in IT/Networks or RF engineering and at least six years in emergency communications support. Candidates must hold FCC licenses and related certifications; on-call availability is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in IT/Network or RF engineering.
• Six years of technology support for emergency communications.
• Applicants with equivalent education/experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Administers IP based first responder radio and data networks, public safety computer networks, and IP telephony including troubleshooting and field support as well as network cybersecurity.
• Engineers computer systems, servers, network security, and network solutions to meet the needs of internal and external customers.
• Consult with customers to design systems based on needs, workflow, and applications with sound engineering practices.
• Installs, tests, troubleshoots, and maintains E-911, trunked and conventional radio systems, telephony equipment, wireless data networks, computer workstations, servers, mobile electronics, and other equipment and systems utilized for emergency communications.
• Manages technical projects for internal departments and external agencies.
• Utilizes computer software and electronic test equipment to perform system diagnostics, interpret results, and affect rapid repair of electronics and support equipment for the wide area network which controls the 800 MHz trunked radio system, associated microwave network, and other communications systems and equipment.
• Uses a combination of logic, analysis, experience, and wisdom to make sound, timely decisions to solve problems determining required systems support and repair action needed on mobile, portable, and base station radio equipment, microwave systems, multiplex terminals, digital paging system equipment, legacy VHF and UHF radio equipment, emergency power systems, CCTV, building access systems, computer workstations, servers, telephony, & RF site support equipment.
• Inspects, tests, and aligns communications equipment as part of preventative maintenance.
• Provides 24 hour/7 day on-call technical repair and support services for 800 MHz trunked radio network, dispatch consoles, digital alphanumeric paging system and supporting computer systems and networks.
• Maintains cache radio equipment in a state of readiness for deployment.
• Troubleshoots and analyzes equipment/system problems; makes repairs and adjustments as necessary to maintain efficient and effective emergency communications abilities; determines need for outside repair; directs maintenance and service contracts for communications and emergency/backup power equipment.
• Assists with ensuring the continual operation of the public safety communications radio systems and communications equipment, computer and networking systems and related technology, and the immediate readiness of the associated backup/redundant systems.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Skills

IP networking

Public safety networks

Field support

Network security

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in IT/Networks or RF Engineering

Six years of tech support for emergency comms

Tools

Electronic test equipment

Job description

Duties and Responsibilities:

Administers IP based first responder radio and data networks, public safety computer networks, and IP telephony including, troubleshooting and field support as well as network cybersecurity.

Engineer computer systems, servers, network security, and network solutions to meet the needs of internal and external customers.

Consult with customers to design systems based on needs, workflow, and applications with sound engineering practices.

Installs, tests, troubleshoots, and maintains E-911, trunked and conventional radio systems, telephony equipment, wireless data networks, computer workstations, servers, mobile electronics, and other equipment and systems utilized for emergency communications.

Manages technical projects for internal departments and external agencies.

Utilizes computer software and electronic test equipment to perform system diagnostics, interpret results, and affect rapid repair of electronics and support equipment for the wide area network which controls the 800 MHz trunked radio system, associated microwave network, and other communications systems and equipment.

Uses a combination of logic, analysis, experience, and wisdom to make sound, timely decisions to solve problems determining required systems support and repair action needed on mobile, portable, and base station radio equipment, microwave systems, multiplex terminals, digital paging system equipment, legacy VHF and UHF radio equipment, emergency power systems, CCTV, building access systems, computer workstations, servers, telephony, & RF site support equipment.

Inspects, tests, and aligns communications equipment as part of preventative maintenance.
Provides 24 hour/7 day on-call technical repair and support services for 800 MHz trunked radio network, dispatch consoles, digital alphanumeric paging system and supporting computer systems and networks.

Maintains cache radio equipment in a state of readiness for deployment.

Troubleshoots and analyzes equipment/system problems; makes repairs and adjustments as necessary to maintain efficient and effective emergency communications abilities; determines need for outside repair; directs maintenance and service contracts for communications and emergency/backup power equipment.

Assists with ensuring the continual operation of the public safety communications radio systems and communications equipment, computer and networking systems and related technology, and the immediate readiness of the associated backup/redundant systems.

Performs related work as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology Systems, Network Engineering, RF Engineering or related discipline.

Six (6) years of technology support for emergency communication systems or related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Certifications and Licenses:

Valid driver’s license is required.

Must possess Federal Communications Commission General Radio/Telephone Operator's License.

Federal Communications Commission Amateur Radio Operator's License.

Motorola Astro Integrated Voice and Data Professional Certification; Department of Homeland Security Office of Emergency Communications - Communications Unit Leader Certification.

Department of Homeland Security Office of Emergency Communications.

Communications Technician Certification.

A+ Certification.

Certified Electronics Technician.

Association of Public Safety Communications Officials Radio Technician Certification.

National Emergency Number Association Emergency Number Professional preferred.

Applicants with equivalent experience and/or education may be considered.