Emergency Communications Networks Lead

Chester-County-of-Pennsylvania; Westtown (Chester County); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chester County Department of Emergency Services seeks a Networks Manager to oversee the department’s critical infrastructure networks and lead system management, monitoring, and coordination with vendors. You will support CAD, P25 radio, Nokia microwave, and mobile data components to ensure uninterrupted emergency communications.

Ideal candidates bring a Bachelor’s degree in IT/CS/Networking and 5+ years of relevant experience, plus strong communication, project management, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Network Engineering, or related field or equivalent combination of training, education and experience.
• Five years of job-related experience.
• Relevant military experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Performs system management and oversight for the department’s critical infrastructure networks to ensure 99.999% uptime.
• Ensures the security, protection and reliable safe operation of the department’s critical infrastructure networks.
• Utilizes the available monitoring tools to monitor networks for performance and health, and to identify any potential problems.
• Ensures that all systems and networks interact and transfer data correctly between each other.
• Liaisons with 3rd party support vendors as necessary to accomplish tasks and projects.
• Assists the department’s CAD Specialist in maintaining the Computer Aided Dispatch system and software, focusing on the infrastructure and workstations that support the 24/7/365 operation of the overall system.
• Provides system management and statistical data reports from the department’s critical infrastructure networks as needed.
• Performs programing and updates to both infrastructure and field responder components of the systems as needed.
• Provides technical support, education, and training to telecommunicators, staff and field users in the use of the department’s systems and equipment.
• Provides technical support to ensure continuous communications connectivity in support of both fixed and mobile emergency operations.
• Participates in budget preparation of the Technical Division’s annual budgets.
• Supervises and verifies proper system operation of the P25 Radio system network. Communicates any issues or problems to the appropriate vendor staff.
• Verifies proper operations of the Nokia Microwave system network and external site systems.
• Collects and reports technical system data and metrics for various reporting tools.
• Attends and participates in meetings as necessary with the Deputy Director of Technical Services, Technology Manager, vendors, emergency response agencies, and outside service providers on system issues.
• Verifies and diagnoses proper system operation of the Mobile Data System including Mobile Data Computers, Broadband routers, and FirstNet cellular SIMS.
• Assists in updating the programming of P25 mobile and portable radios.
• Develops collaborative relationships with federal, state, regional, county, municipal, and private sector partners.
• Supports and maintains the development of good working relationships with emergency responders.
• Maintains the highest level of safety for all activities.
• Assists with Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations and drills.
• Serves in an On-Call capacity as part of the Technical division On-Call program rotation.
• Performs all other duties, tasks and special projects as assigned.

Skills

Verbal/written communication

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Analytical/problem solving

Presentation skills

Instructional skills

Project management

Prioritization/multi-tasking

Motivated/works independently

Detail oriented/confidentiality

Integrity and professionalism

Strong work ethic

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Network Engineering, or related field

Five years of job-related experience

Relevant military experience may be considered

Tools

P25/LMR networks

Ethernet networking hardware (switches/routers/firewalls)

TCP/IP fundamentals (IP addressing, subnetting, routing)

Network monitoring tools

Job description

The Chester County Department of Emergency Services seeks a Networks Manager to oversee the department’s critical infrastructure networks and lead system management, monitoring, and coordination with vendors. You will support CAD, P25 radio, Nokia microwave, and mobile data components to ensure uninterrupted emergency communications.

Ideal candidates bring a Bachelor’s degree in IT/CS/Networking and 5+ years of relevant experience, plus strong communication, project management, and