Radio System Manager

City of Alexandria, VA; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Alexandria seeks an experienced Radio Systems Manager to direct and maintain its mission-critical radio infrastructure. You will serve as the primary technical expert for P25 operations, interoperability, vendor relations, and FCC compliance, directing budgets, lifecycle planning, and modernization efforts.

Responsibilities include managing databases, ERCES coordination, and ensuring readiness for first responders and regional partners while collaborating with multiple departments

Qualifications

• Two-year degree in a related field with at least five years of coordinating operation and maintenance of a two-way public safety radio system.
• Four-year degree with extensive experience in digital radio systems and public safety radio operations; FCC applications/licensing.
• Strong knowledge of building codes affecting ERCES and radio infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Direct and maintain the City's mission-critical radio infrastructure and serve as technical expert for P25 system operations.
• Oversee interjurisdictional interoperability, vendor relations, and FCC compliance.
• Develop annual and long-range budgets for the radio system and related equipment.
• Plan lifecycle replacement and modernization of critical infrastructure; assist departments with budgets.
• Manage multiple databases, licenses, and city-wide interoperability templates.
• Ensure ERCES program operates without interfering with the larger radio system; monitor FCC updates.
• Provide proactive technical support for 911 operations and interface with vendors and carriers.
• Maintain system-wide radio inventory and coordinate equipment purchases for readiness.

Skills

Radio systems knowledge

FCC compliance

Budget planning

Vendor management

Interagency interoperability

Technical documentation

Education

Two-Year College Degree

Four-Year College Degree

Tools

FCC licensing

Job description

Radio System Manager

The City of Alexandria is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking Radio Systems Manager to direct and maintain the City's mission-critical radio infrastructure. Operating with considerable independence under the administrative direction of the Division Chief of Public Safety Communication Systems, the Radio System Manager serves as the primary technical expert and single point of contact for all P25 radio system operations, interjurisdictional interoperability, vendor relations, and FCC compliance. This pivotal role combines technical oversight, strategic planning, and vendor management to ensure Alexandria's multi-agency communications network remains resilient, secure, and prepared to support first responders and regional partners. In addition, this employee will be responsible for developing the budget for the radio system, planning the lifecycle replacement, and modernization of critical infrastructure as well as assisting departments in preparing their budgets for radio system expenditures and advising them on the acquisition of new system equipment.

What You Should Bring

The ideal candidate should have comprehensive knowledge of current and developing radio technology related to multi-channel, multi-agency, two-way radio systems, thorough knowledge of F.C.C. regulations governing multi-frequency operations, good knowledge of emergency and non-emergency public safety operations, and an understanding of municipal government functions. Furthermore, they should demonstrate the ability to analyze technical and contractual information, perceive user needs to develop fulfilling solutions, and interpret and report on complex problems. Strong candidates will excel at planning, monitoring, and evaluating long-term development projects, establish and maintain effective working relationships across departments, contractors, and outside government agencies, and communicating effectively both orally and in writing.

The Opportunity

• Performs overall system maintenance and repair on radio system database;


• Attends to software alarms and hardware failures;


• Develops the annual and long-range budgets for the radio system and subscribers, leases, and equipment updates as well as assisting other departments in preparing their budgets for the total radio system expenditures and advising them on the acquisition of new equipment;


• Develops, justifies, manages, and provides supplemental requests to the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) committee for technology advancements;


• Manages multiple databases;


• Alias's, ID's, templates for the city and outside jurisdictions and agencies to ensure complete interoperability;


• Manages, with the cooperation of other city departments, the Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES) program which includes verifying the proper operation of this system to ensure they do not interfere with the larger radio system.


• Stays abreast of current building code as the code affects the installation and maintenance of ERCES.


• Provides proactive technical support on 911 operations;


• Provides interface with vendors, telephone companies, total line count and adjustment, adding wireless or wireline trunk channels;


• Maintains voice recorder, as well as interfaces between 911, non-emergency and administrative lines, backup recordings and operation;


• Maintains system wide radio inventory - mobiles, portables, spares, and sites;


• Purchases equipment as necessary to maintain readiness;


• Coordinates fleet mapping and templates;


• InterCity, interjurisdictional, and interagency;


• Maintains, modifies, and renews FCC licenses;


• Ensures the City's compliance with the current rules established by the FCC;


• Monitors updates and changes from the FCC and develop solutions;


• Analyzes technical and contractual information from vendors, consultants and the FCC;


• Writes white papers, objections and recommendations as required;


• Attends local, state, and federal meetings monthly on communications, interoperability, special events;


• Establishes base communication plans, goals and objects;


• Performs related work as required.

About the Department

The Department of Emergency and Customer Communications (DECC) ensures the effective delivery of routine and emergency calls for service to the City of Alexandria public safety departments. Our highly trained staff of professionals always strives to provide the best service possible to the public. Our employees are the most dedicated you will find anywhere, going above and beyond the call of duty to serve. Alexandria's 9-1-1 center is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). Alexandria's 9-1-1 center is one of only eight in Virginia to hold such accreditation. If you would like to review more about our department, please click the following link Emergency and Customer Communications.

Two-Year College Degree; five years of experience in coordinating the operation and maintenance of a two-way public safety radio system, including at least five years managing the daily operations or use of a radio system or other communications system; and completion of courses in electrical engineering, electronics, data communications, radio engineering, or a closely-related field. Working knowledge of FCC rules and licensing.

Four-Year College Degree; extensive sound engineering experience in developing, implementing and operation of digital radio, two-way radio, public safety radio communications systems and commercial communications circuits, coordinating the operation and maintenance of a digital, IP-based, two-way radio system or other communications system(s), including at least five years managing the daily operations or use of a radio system; and an Electrical Engineering degree, cross work in IT, radio system management, RF propagation and radio management. Experience in FCC applications, licensing and propagation studies.

This position requires successful completion of pre-employment checks and medical testing including but not limited to a criminal history records check, fingerprinting, drug screening, vision and hearing exam.