Electronics Technician

DC Government; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 58,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

DC Government seeks a Radio Technician to maintain and support District-wide two-way radio systems, including PSCC and UCC facilities. You will perform installations, upgrades, and preventive maintenance to ensure reliable public safety communications.

The role requires travel across the District, a valid driver’s license, and adherence to safety standards in varying environments, including emergency deployments.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience: at least 1 year at CS-09 level or equivalent.
• Experience with two-way land mobile radio systems and public safety networks.
• Valid driver's license required for travel to sites.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and troubleshoot radio equipment including repeaters and base stations.
• Install, upgrade, and repair radio communication equipment at multiple sites.
• Refresh encryption keys and ensure security standards are met.
• Monitor tickets and coordinate with partners to minimize network disruptions.

Skills

Radio maintenance

Troubleshooting

Equipment installation

Safety procedures

Tools

Spectrum analyzers

Subscriber radios alignment tools

Battery management systems

Job description

This position is located in the Office of Unified Communications (OUC), Information Technology Division. The mission of the Office of Unified Communications (OUC) is to provide accurate, professional, and expedited service to the citizens and visitors of the District of Columbia. This service is performed by a team that handles emergency and non-emergency calls that are received when individuals dial 911 and 311 in Washington, DC. OUC also provides centralized, District-wide coordination and management of public safety voice radio technology and other public safety communication systems and resources to District government agencies and several local, state, and federal partners.

The incumbent is responsible for maintaining complex two-way land mobile radio (LMR) communication systems, working with public safety, and public service agencies to ensure reliable radio communication networks, and the operation and support of the OUC's radio communication facilities to include the Public Safety Communications Center (PSCC) and Unified Communications Center (UCC).

Duties & Responsibilities

Completes subscriber radio programming tasks such as participating in radio hardware refreshes, programming subscriber radios, creating and updating code plugs, and subscriber radio battery maintenance. Maintains, monitors, aligns, troubleshoots, repairs, installs radio equipment, including repeaters, tuners, antennas, base stations, vehicle radios, handheld radios, digital vehicular repeater systems, and other ancillary components necessary for a functional radio network. Refreshes encryption keys on individual subscriber radios in accordance with security standards, minimizing user disruption. Travels to various locations to install, upgrade, and maintain radio communication equipment. Drives to job sites as needed to troubleshoot connectivity issues, perform repairs, and ensure optimal system performance. Provides support for radio site maintenance including escorting vendors to radio sites, ensuring compliance with agency protocols and security guidelines and conducts regular checks to ensure functionality and compliance with operational standards. Transports and handles specialized tools, test equipment, and replacement components while adhering to safety protocols and organizational travel policies.

Coordinates with team members, site personnel, and external partners to execute work at different locations while minimizing disruptions to communication networks. Operates equipment such as spectrum analyzers, battery management systems, and subscriber radio alignment tools to conduct preventive maintenance and ensure optimal performance of subscriber radios. Monitors, creates, and closes service tickets in ServiceNow or other ticketing systems toensure timely resolution of technical issues. Maintains and updates equipment inventory in the asset management system to track assets and ensures availability of necessary components. Supports the mobile data computer MDC program, performs mobile router configurations, MDC, docking stations, mobile router installations, and supporting MDC software. Ensures the functionality and reliability of electronic communication systems by performing maintenance on systems utilized on the 911 Operations Floor and within agency’s mobile 911 command center. Supports technical projects for internal departments and external agencies. Maintains cache radio equipment (a set of radio equipment for emergency deployment) in a state of readiness for deployment. Assists and supports continuity of emergency communications services as required.

Qualification & Education

Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least (1) year of specialized experience, one year of which must be equivalent to the CS-09 grade level in the District of Columbia government service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Licenses and Certifications

Valid driver's license is required for travel across the District to install, upgrade, and maintain radio communication equipment at public safety radio sites and agencies.

Working Conditions/Environment

Work is primarily in an office setting with some trips to operating facilities, which involves potential radiation or contamination exposure. The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts; the incumbent must wear protective clothing and follow standard safety procedures. Work is also performed outdoors in emergency mobile units during varying weather conditions. The technician might be required to lift up to 30lbs in equipment.

Other Significant Factors

Tour of Duty: Various Shifts

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: CS-0856-11

Promotion Potential: No known Promotion Potential

Duration of Appointment: Career Service (Permanent)

Collective Bargaining Unit (Union): This position is in the collective bargaining unit, and you may be required to pay an agency service fee through an automatic payroll deduction.

Residency Preference:When claiming residency preference, you are required, and must agree in writing, to maintain bona fide District residency for a period of seven (7) consecutive years from the effective date of employment. You will be required to present documents (proofs) to show District residency and failure to maintain bona-fide District residency for the seven-year (7-year) period will result in forfeiture of employment.

Position Designation: This position has been designated as Security Sensitive therefore the incumbent of this position will be subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC Personnel Regulations, Suitability and as such, incumbents of this position shall be subject to criminal background checks, background investigations, and mandatory drug and alcohol testing, as applicable.

Essential Designation: This position is designated as Essential pursuant to Chapter 12 of the D.C. personnel regulations, Hours of Work, Legal Holidays, and Leave. The incumbent may be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays to meet the needs of the agency. As an Essential employee, you will be required to report to work or stay at work during a declared emergency.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or other non-merit factor.