Job Code Pay Scale Group Pay Scale Type Bargaining Unit Civil Service or Non-Civil Service Last Executive Board Change Executive Board Change History
01070 07 ST A3 N 641-01 10/24/2003
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10/24/2003 01070

RADIO SPECIALIST

DEFINITION: This is administrative and technical work coordinating the modification and maintenance of the Pennsylvania Public Safety Radio System.

An employee in this class is responsible for coordinating one or more segments of the integrated statewide radio/data telecommunications system that provides a standard framework for shared communication among state and local emergency management, law enforcement, and emergency medical services agencies. Work involves coordinating the design, maintenance and installation of wire line and microwave connectivity to sites, monitoring the maintenance and operation of equipment, and overseeing the deployment and installation of micro-cell sites. Work may also include administering the FCC application and licensing process for all tower sites, establishing electrical services to sites, enforcing regulatory requirements related to airspace constraints for towers, developing contractual agreements with state and non-state parties for contracts, leases, and right-of-ways, and coordinating training services provided to end-users. An important aspect of this work involves contact with state agencies, local government representatives, equipment and services vendors, utility companies, contractors, consultants, and others interested in providing or receiving public service radio support or services. Work is performed independently and is reviewed by an administrative or technical superior for adherence to established standards and for results obtained.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Monitors vendors responsible for the design, installation, implementation, operations and maintenance of radio equipment and infrastructure of radio sites.

Oversees vendors providing end-user training to system users.

Develops and implements standard operating procedures for the installation, maintenance and operation of radio equipment.

Administers utility services for the radio sites by establishing utility liaison, developing budget estimates for utilities, arranging for electrical connections, and coordinating payments for services provided by utilities.

Surveys organizational telecommunication needs and capabilities to evaluate cost effectiveness of equipment, systems, services, and methods being used and to determine shared-costs of participating organizations.

Reviews and processes all microwave and radio frequency licensing applications for the FCC.

Enforces all regulatory requirements related to airspace constraints for towers, such as painting and lighting, including the initiation of Notices to Airmen required by the FAA.

Establishes contractual arrangements with state and non-state parties for contracts, leases, rights-of-way, and terms of payment. Serves as the point of contact between the Radio System and vendors and outside agencies.

Creates and maintains the Radio System’s operational Remedy databases.

Drafts reports, makes written recommendations, and summarizes information on spreadsheets.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles and practices of radio/data telecommunications systems planning, design, development and compatibility.

Knowledge of Federal and state regulatory agencies, laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to radio/data telecommunications.

Knowledge of wired/wireless networking.

Ability to persuade organizations to become participants in the statewide radio system.

Ability to plan and evaluate the resources of participant organizations to implement the statewide radio/data telecommunications network.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with various governmental agencies, vendors, and private organizations.

Ability to monitor all aspects of vendor activity.

Ability to present technical information in a clear, concise manner, both orally and in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Four years of radio, microwave or related telecommunications experience which includes one year of system design or configuration and three years of general telecommunications experience that involved the installation, repair or maintenance of commercial and/or government systems or systems engineering analysis with a public utility, governmental agency or private company.

A bachelor’s degree or post high school training in telecommunications technology, radio communications or electronics with emphasis in radio or microwave telecommunications may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to two years of general telecommunications experience.