Job Description

COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEER

JOB CODE 22130

Effective Date:	09/92A

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The fundamental reason this classification exists is to perform engineering work on major municipal communications systems projects. Work assignments include advising and assisting in the preparation of communications equipment specifications and operational procedures for communication systems, and advising and assisting with the selection, procurement, installation, testing, and acceptance of communication systems and equipment. Supervision is exercised over operating and maintenance personnel. Work is reviewed by a superintendent or administrator through discussion and inspection, principally for determining general progress and adherence to departmental policies and regulations. General technical or policy problems may be discussed with a higher level supervisor before taking action.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Designs and prepares plans and develops specifications for current and future City communication systems, including computer assisted command and control systems;
• Prepares preliminary and long-range plans, estimates, and budgets;
• Prepares and reviews detailed final construction plans for specifications, special conditions, agreements, and instructions;
• Conducts communication surveys and writes reports on projects as assigned;
• Reviews final plans, specifications, special conditions, agreements and coordinates and inspects the work of contractors and crews;
• Advises, assists, and instructs operating and maintenance personnel in matters pertaining to all phases of radio and landwire communications systems;
• Ascertains that Federal Communication Commission requirements regarding licensing, operating, and technical performance of radio equipment are met;
• Plans, assigns, and supervises the work of professional and sub-professional personnel;
• Works closely with vendors and contractors to ensure that equipment procured and installed meets requirements and specifications;
• Works with department representatives to develop cost effective solutions that meet operational requirements;
• Writes engineering reports;
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, methods, terminology, and trends in communications engineering, including the fields of radio frequency allocations, electromagnetic wave propagation and radio frequency field strength measurements and tolerances.
• Engineering mathematics, theory, and economics.
• Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations.

Ability to:

• Communicate orally with customers, clients, or the public in face-to-face one-to-one settings, in group settings, or using a telephone.
• Observe, compare, or monitor data to determine compliance with prescribed operating or safety standards.
• Comprehend and make inferences from material written in the English language.
• Produce written documents with clearly organized thoughts using proper English sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.
• Enter data or information into a terminal, PC or other keyboard device.
• Use standard CAD, work processing, and database software packages.
• Review or check the work products of others to ensure conformance to standards.
• Work cooperatively with others.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.

Additional Requirements:

• Some positions will require the performance of other essential and marginal functions depending upon work location, assignment or shift.
• Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• Appointment to positions in the Police Department are subject to meeting appropriate polygraph and background standards.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
Three years of professional electrical, electronic, or communications engineering experience involving the design, installation, and maintenance of electronic communications systems and equipment and a bachelor's degree in electrical, electronic, or communications engineering. Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.