Radio System Manager

City of Alexandria, Virginia; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Alexandria, Virginia seeks an experienced Radio Systems Manager to direct the City’s mission-critical radio infrastructure. This role serves as the primary technical expert for P25 radio operations, interoperability, vendor relations, and FCC compliance, while developing budgets and modernization plans for essential systems.

Ideal candidates will have strong planning skills, cross-department collaboration, and the ability to communicate complex technical information clearly.

Qualifications

• Two-year college degree and five years coordinating operation of a two-way public safety radio system.
• Experience managing daily operations of a radio or communications system.
• Coursework in electrical engineering, electronics, data communications, or related field.
• Working knowledge of FCC rules and licensing.

Responsibilities

• Maintain system and database; address alarms and hardware failures.
• Develop annual and long-range budgets for radio systems.
• Coordinate interjurisdictional interoperability and vendor relations.
• Ensure FCC licensing and compliance; review FCC updates.
• Provide technical support for 911 operations.
• Attend meetings and draft white papers and recommendations.

Skills

Radio technology

FCC regulations

Vendor management

Budget planning

Interagency coordination

Technical analysis

Written and verbal communication

Education

Two-Year College Degree

Electrical Engineering courses

Four-Year College Degree

Job description

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.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

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.

Preferred Qualifications

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.

Notes

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.

The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, military status, or disability.

We are proud to welcome you to explore the City of Alexandria's excellent benefits and programs!

The benefits referenced on this site, may be changed from time to time without notice. Temporary and some part‑time positions are not eligible for these benefits. For further information, please contact the Talent Acquisition Team of Human Resources at [e-mail].