TELECOMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST III - 42002757

Florida; Lakeland (FL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Uniform Allotment

Annual Boot Allotment

Job summary

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking a Telecommunications Specialist III to install and manage the statewide radio and data systems for the Florida Forest Service. You will maintain radios, base stations, repeaters, and related electronics, ensuring FCC compliance and reliable communications.

The role requires strong technical knowledge, eligible education or experience, and travel as needed to support field units; residency within Florida preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma with four years in telecommunications or related fields; two years in telecom.
• Bachelor's degree in computer sciences, MIS or electronic engineering.
• Colleges may substitute hours for non-telecommunications experience with conditions.
• Vendor programs of four+ weeks in telecommunications may substitute for one year.
• Requires a valid Class E Driver License.

Responsibilities

• Install, maintain, and manage Florida Forest Service's statewide comms system.
• Operate and repair radios, base stations, repeaters, and antennas to FCC rules.
• Install data cables, UPS units, and fiber where applicable; assist desktop support.
• Serve as telecommunications manager for Field Unit and liaison with partners.
• Stay current with tech advances and budget impact; perform related duties.

Skills

telecommunications

data processing

electronics

engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer sciences

MIS

electronic engineering

Job description

Requisition No: 882477

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: TELECOMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST III - 42002757

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42002757

Salary: $44,950.36 - $55,000.14

Posting Closing Date: 10/06/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

TELECOMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST III

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

Contact

Kristin Bennett, 863-940-6710 or Patrick Keogh, 863-940-6712

Minimum Requirements

• A high school diploma or its equivalent and four (4) years of experience in telecommunications, data processing (excluding data entry), electronics or engineering, two years of which must have been in telecommunications; or
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the computer sciences, management information systems or electronic engineering.
• College education from an accredited institution can substitute at the rate of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours for each year of the required non-telecommunications experience provided such education includes two courses in one of the areas described above.
• Vocational/technical training in one of the areas described above can substitute at the rate of 720 classroom hours per year for a maximum of two years of the required non-telecommunications experience. Completion of a vendor supplied program of study of four or more weeks in telecommunications can substitute for one year of the required experience.
• Requires possession of a valid Class E Driver License.

ATTENTION CANDIDATES

• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services values and supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Additional Requirements

Occasional to moderate travel required.

Position may respond to emergencies, including natural disasters or other type incidents requiring travel, as needed.

Notes

To maintain fairness and integrity, applicants are required to provide honest and authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and selection process. Applicants must rely on their own personal knowledge, thoughts, and impressions. A candidate’s use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews will be taken into consideration when determining qualification for the position.

Job Duties

The incumbent of this highly technical position is responsible for the installation, maintenance and management of a portion of the Florida Forest Service's statewide communication system. This system is comprised of mobile and portable radios, repeaters, base stations, combiners, duplexers, antenna and computer systems. Additional responsibilities include data circuits, telephone systems, and other sophisticated electronic devices. The employee evaluates system problems and effects necessary repairs to maintain fire ready response.

Installation of various types of radios. Maintain 2-way mobile and portable radios, duplexers, combiners, repeaters, base stations and antennas. Schedule and perform preventative maintenance on each piece of 2-way equipment within the assigned area. Operate a repair facility with elaborate electronic test equipment. Repair equipment to the component level. Install 2-way radios into all types of equipment. Establish accountability for the control of communication equipment, repair parts and supplies. Monitors and ensures that radio communications are handled in an efficient manner. This shall be accomplished in accordance with Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Rules and Regulations.

Install and/or replace UPS units/batteries, printer cables, data cables, modems, mice and keyboards. Install data/network, telephone cabling, and fiber optic cable into new or established locations, (not responsible for termination of fiber cable). Assist the Computer Desktop Support Technician with troubleshooting and diagnosis whenever needed. Assist users in moving computer equipment to new locations.

Serve as telecommunication manager for Field Unit. Instruct personnel in the proper procedures and use of equipment to ensure compliance with FCC rules and Regulations. Keep management informed of changing requirements that can affect the budget. Maintain liaison with Statewide Telecommunications Administrator, local telecommunications companies, forestry cooperators, fire departments, and other agencies associated with the unit's fire prevention and suppression programs. Stay abreast of technological advances and any pending changes that could affect the communication system.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Special Benefits for this Position Include

• Annual Uniform Allotment
• Annual Boot Allotment

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please visit www.myfrs.com ;)
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com .

For an estimate of the total compensation package for this position, please visit the "Total Compensation Estimator Tool" located above under the "Posting Closing Date."

Special Notes

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE.

Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans' Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here . All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.