RADIO COMMUNICATIONS TECH 3 - 08252026-80523

State of Tennessee; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 49,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Tennessee is seeking a Lead Radio Communications Technician to maintain critical radio infrastructure across the state. The role requires leading in installation, maintenance, and repair of mobile radios, base stations, and transmitting towers to support a 24/7/365 operation.

Under supervision, you will handle scheduling, vendor coordination, and ensure compliance with FCC guidelines, while supporting emergency conditions and priority service needs.

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to one year of coursework at a vocational or technical school in communication equipment repair.
• Experience equivalent to four years of increasingly skilled full-time communications technical work; qualifying work may substitute education on a year-for-year basis.
• Education and Experience,100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Responsibilities

• Repairs, installs, and maintains radio transmitting equipment and systems.
• Performs preventative maintenance per FCC guidelines and manufacturer specs.
• Programs system parameters, talk groups, and frequencies using computer software.
• Assess daily problems and determine appropriate actions based on service priorities.
• Programs transceivers, IP routers, switches, and safety equipment using specialized software.

Skills

Active Learning

Complex Problem Solving

Repairing

Systems Evaluation

Troubleshooting

Education

Vocational/technical education (1 year)

Job description

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 08/25/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 08/25/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Closing Date/Time 09/14/2026 11:59PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly) $4,057.00 - $5,078.00

Salary (Annually) $48,684.00 - $60,936.00

Job Type Full-Time

City, State Location Nashville, Tennessee

Department Safety and Homeland Security

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY & HOMELAND SECURITY, DAVIDSON COUNTY

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

This is an on-site position.

For More Information, Visit The Link Below

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/safety/documents/MemoHiringProcessDuration.pdf

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Education equivalent to completion of one year of coursework at a vocational or technical school in communication equipment repair or other related field and experience equivalent to four years of increasingly and skilled responsible full-time communications technical work; qualifying full-time communications technical work may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Examination Method: Education and Experience,100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Overview

This position serves the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Communications Division and is responsible for maintaining critical communication infrastructure across the state to support the agency's mission to serve, secure, and protect the people of Tennessee.

This position will be required to work variable schedules, including nights, weekends, and holidays supporting a 24/7/365 operation to maintain critical radio systems, respond to emergency conditions, and priority service needs.

This is a non-commissioned position.

Under general supervision, is responsible for radio communications technical work of considerable difficulty and performs related work as required. This is the lead and/or advanced working level class in the Radio Communications Tech sub-series. An employee in this class leads in the installation, maintenance, and repair of a variety of communications equipment, including mobile radios, base stations, and transmitting towers. This class differs from Radio Communications Tech 2 in that an incumbent of the latter is not a lead worker and performs duties of lesser scope and complexity.

Responsibilities

• Repairs, installs, and maintains radio transmitting equipment and systems (including fixed, mobile, and portable devices, as well as ancillary equipment like lighting and sirens) using necessary test equipment and tools to ensure reliable communications.
• Performs preventative maintenance according to FCC guidelines and manufacturer's specifications to prevent system failure. Ensures compliance of State equipment with agency, state, and federal laws/guidelines, etc. through inspection and measurement.
• Programs system parameters, talk groups, and frequencies using computer software to maintain or set up radio transmitting equipment/systems (such as P25 - IP network, microwave point-to-point, and analog communications).
• Listens to radio systems and assesses daily problems and determines appropriate actions. Determines work priorities based on the division's service priorities, considering system interruptions, emergency conditions, and safety and health, as organized by the supervisor.
• Programs radio transceivers, IP routers, switches, and security/safety equipment (e.g., emergency lighting, cameras, sirens) using specialized software and interface equipment.
• Acts as the agency's on-site representative to oversee and coordinate vendor/contractor work, ensuring it meets specifications. Attend's necessary technical and safety training required by agency.
• Coordinates the scheduling and logistics for the installation, removal, and repair of radio systems. Facilitates data sharing to ensure seamless interoperability with local government officials and other agencies.
• Visually monitors fault management terminal and inspects equipment, environmental and physical aspects of a property to detect potential problems. Utilizes test equipment to detect possible failure and discrepancies.

Competencies (KSA's)

Competencies

• Manages Complexity
• Action Oriented
• Collaborates
• Nimble Learning
• Instills Trust

Knowledges

• Clerical
• Customer and Personal Service
• Mechanical
• Telecommunications

Skills

• Active Learning and Listening
• Complex Problem Solving
• Repairing
• Systems Evaluation
• Troubleshooting

Abilities

• Deductive Reasoning
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Number Facility
• Selective Attention
• Multilimb Strength

Tools & Equipment

• Computer, Telephones, Radios
• Copier, Scanner, Printer
• Drill, Crimping Tools
• Soldering Gun, Heating Gun, GDC Analyzer
• TIMS Test Set, Multi-Meter, Watt Meter

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver's license.
• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

• Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.