Communications Equipment Technician I/II - Grades 18/20
Apply NowCompany: Montgomery County, MD
Location: Derwood, MD 20855
Description:
Salary : $60,513.00 - $104,197.00 Annually
Location : 16647 Crabbs Branch Way Derwood MD 20855 USA
Job Type: Permanent
Job Number: 2024 - 00463
Department: Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions
Division: TBS 34 OPS Radio Communications Services
Opening Date: 01/09/2025
Closing Date: 4/28/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Non-Exempt
About the Position
The expected salary ranges on hire are:
Grade 18: $60,513 - $77,985
Grade 20: $65,701 - $104,197
WHO WE ARE
The mission of the Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions (TEBS) is to be responsive, collaborative, and innovative in providing technology solutions and services to facilitate the delivery of a wide range of services in all branches of government. The department strives to provide its solutions and consultative services in a cost-effective, timely, and high-quality fashion to reduce service times, avoid inflated costs, reduce information security risk, and improve the quality of County services through automation-assisted process improvement. The department facilitates business and reengineering processes to improve legacy workflow and streamline services to our customers.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The communications technician will provide a wide variety of maintenance and repair services on VHF, UHF, and 800 MHz mobile, portable, and base station equipment and microwave equipment in support of Countywide radio systems. Additionally, this technician will help maintain mobile data equipment that will be used by various County agencies, specifically for Public Safety personnel. The employee must participate in a 24 X 7 program of on-call emergency services during non-scheduled work hours. The employee will work directly with County customers in support of their repair/trouble needs and will coordinate with contract vendors for installation and repair services as required. Good people skills are a must.
This position may be underfilled at a Communications Technician I, Grade 18.
What You'll Be Doing
The Communications Technician:
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum qualifications for a Communications Technician II:
Experience: Thorough (5 years) technical experience in the installation, testing, maintenance and repair of radio communications equipment, specifically with experience in 700/800 MHz radio, emergency/public safety communications systems, IP based radio systems, microwave equipment; and parts and supply inventory and records maintenance, two (2) years of which must have been equivalent in level to the work of a Communications Technician I.
Education: Possession of an Associate of Arts degree in electrical, electronics or communications engineering/technology; or graduation from a two (2) year electrical, electronics or communications technical training school. Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
License: Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class "C" (or equivalent) driver's license from the applicant's state of residence.
Minimum Qualifications for a Communications Technician I:
Experience: Considerable (3 years) technical experience (i.e., at the journey level) in the installation, testing, maintenance and repair of radio communications equipment, specifically with experience in VHF and UHF FM mobile radio systems.
Education: Possession of an Associate of Arts degree in electrical, electronics or communications engineering/technology; or graduation from a two (2) year electrical, electronics or communications technical training school.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
License: Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class "C" (or equivalent) driver's license from the applicant's state of residence.
Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences
All applicants will be reviewed by OHR for minimum qualifications. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be rated "Qualified," placed on the Referred List, and may be considered for interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are same grade or higher will be placed on Referred List as a "Transfer" candidate and may be considered for interview.
The applications of those individuals meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed to determine the extent, relevancy of training, and experience in the following areas:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position.
Montgomery County Government(MCG) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should email OHR at OHR@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.
MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.
All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.
This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies.
If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.
Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.
Leave Benefits
Our generous leave package starts with non-MLS permanent and term employees earning 15 days of sick leave and 15 days of annual leave in their first year, as well as up to three additional personal days each calendar year. Positions in MLS earn 35 days of paid time off each year. In addition, we offer all employees 10 paid holidays. Our leave policies adhere to the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, and we provide six weeks of paid parental leave for new parents.
Retirement Benefits
All permanent and term positions are eligible for robust retirement plans. Public safety positions are eligible for a defined benefit pension plan in which they are vested after only five years. Employees in non-public safety positions can participate in retirement plans that contribute up to 12 percent of their annual salary. All employees can also participate in a supplemental retirement plan, the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, to contribute even more to their retirement goals.
Tuition Assistance & Student Loan Forgiveness
Montgomery County employees are eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Participants who meet all requirements may qualify for forgiveness on the remaining balance on their Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time in a qualifying public service position. To learn more about PSLF, please visit the Student Loan Repayment Benefits page. Our tuition assistance program allows you to receive up to $2,130 annually in tuition assistance to help you achieve a degree that supports your career path.
Free Mass Transit Benefit
County employees are entitled to use the RideOn Bus service for free with a valid County-employee ID. This benefit can be used any time of the day or evening, including weekends. We also offer a pre-tax flexible spending account to reduce the cost of other mass-transit options such as MARC trains and Metro.
Reduced Child and Health Care Costs
Working for Montgomery County also entitles permanent and term employees to participate in healthcare and childcare Flexible Spending Accounts. These plans allow eligible employees to save on a pretax basis for healthcare and dependent care costs incurred during the plan year.
Employee Wellbeing
We deeply care about your holistic wellness. Our award-winning wellness program, LiveWell, will support you in improving and maintaining your physical, mental, financial, social, and intellectual well-being.
Learn more about our wonderful benefits available to you once you join our team. Montgomery County Benefits
01
MQ Question COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN I (003424)
Do you possess and currently maintain a VALID driver's license from your state of residence?
02
MQ Question COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN I (003424)
What is your highest level of completed education?
03
MQ Question COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN I (003424)
How many years do you have of technical experience (i.e., at the journey level) in the installation, testing, maintenance and repair of radio communications equipment, specifically with experience in VHF and UHF FM mobile radio systems?
04
MQ Question COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN I (003424)
Do you have a degree in electrical, electronics or communications engineering/technology; or graduation from a two (2) year electrical, electronics or communications technical training school?
Required Question
Location : 16647 Crabbs Branch Way Derwood MD 20855 USA
Job Type: Permanent
Job Number: 2024 - 00463
Department: Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions
Division: TBS 34 OPS Radio Communications Services
Opening Date: 01/09/2025
Closing Date: 4/28/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Non-Exempt
About the Position
The expected salary ranges on hire are:
Grade 18: $60,513 - $77,985
Grade 20: $65,701 - $104,197
WHO WE ARE
The mission of the Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions (TEBS) is to be responsive, collaborative, and innovative in providing technology solutions and services to facilitate the delivery of a wide range of services in all branches of government. The department strives to provide its solutions and consultative services in a cost-effective, timely, and high-quality fashion to reduce service times, avoid inflated costs, reduce information security risk, and improve the quality of County services through automation-assisted process improvement. The department facilitates business and reengineering processes to improve legacy workflow and streamline services to our customers.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The communications technician will provide a wide variety of maintenance and repair services on VHF, UHF, and 800 MHz mobile, portable, and base station equipment and microwave equipment in support of Countywide radio systems. Additionally, this technician will help maintain mobile data equipment that will be used by various County agencies, specifically for Public Safety personnel. The employee must participate in a 24 X 7 program of on-call emergency services during non-scheduled work hours. The employee will work directly with County customers in support of their repair/trouble needs and will coordinate with contract vendors for installation and repair services as required. Good people skills are a must.
This position may be underfilled at a Communications Technician I, Grade 18.
What You'll Be Doing
The Communications Technician:
- Installs, tests, adjusts, diagnoses, analyzes, repairs and maintains VHF and UHF FM radios, state-of-the-art computer-controlled radio equipment including transmitter and receiver controllers, communications and data switching systems, microwave communications systems, base stations, repeater networks, audio systems, and emergency power generating equipment.
- Perform installation, maintenance, and repair of various communications system equipment when workload exceeds available staffing, ensures that work is performed within specified time frame, meets user departments' needs and contract terms, and conforms to applicable standards.
- Advises Radio Communications Manager regarding Technician I assisting the II on assigned projects and provides guidance and training to the Technician I on systems and equipment not yet familiar to the lower-level Technician.
- Prepares and maintains records documenting work performed on County-owned communication equipment including materials and labor expended; supplies and system component inventory control; and system configuration.
- Provides technical and engineering information/data and recommends design changes or system modifications based on technical knowledge, evaluation of user comments, and periodic review of equipment history records.
- Purchases components for communication systems' maintenance, repair, and improvement; and ensures that adequate supplies of spare/replacement parts and installation materials are available in advance of scheduled work.
- Conducts classes, briefings, and other training sessions on communications topics to keep unit staff abreast of new technology, and to instruct user agency staff in the proper operation of communication systems equipment.
- Services, maintains and repairs diesel, natural, or propane powered electrical generators, and electrical and electronic battery backup system.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum qualifications for a Communications Technician II:
Experience: Thorough (5 years) technical experience in the installation, testing, maintenance and repair of radio communications equipment, specifically with experience in 700/800 MHz radio, emergency/public safety communications systems, IP based radio systems, microwave equipment; and parts and supply inventory and records maintenance, two (2) years of which must have been equivalent in level to the work of a Communications Technician I.
Education: Possession of an Associate of Arts degree in electrical, electronics or communications engineering/technology; or graduation from a two (2) year electrical, electronics or communications technical training school. Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
License: Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class "C" (or equivalent) driver's license from the applicant's state of residence.
Minimum Qualifications for a Communications Technician I:
Experience: Considerable (3 years) technical experience (i.e., at the journey level) in the installation, testing, maintenance and repair of radio communications equipment, specifically with experience in VHF and UHF FM mobile radio systems.
Education: Possession of an Associate of Arts degree in electrical, electronics or communications engineering/technology; or graduation from a two (2) year electrical, electronics or communications technical training school.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
License: Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class "C" (or equivalent) driver's license from the applicant's state of residence.
Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences
All applicants will be reviewed by OHR for minimum qualifications. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be rated "Qualified," placed on the Referred List, and may be considered for interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are same grade or higher will be placed on Referred List as a "Transfer" candidate and may be considered for interview.
The applications of those individuals meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed to determine the extent, relevancy of training, and experience in the following areas:
- Certification by manufacturer for maintenance of Motorola trunked 700/800 MHz radio equipment
- Demonstrated experience in providing radio services support to Public Safety (Police, Fire Rescue, Corrections, and Sheriffs) customers
- Demonstrated experience as a field technician involved in the installation, testing, repair, and maintenance of voice and data systems and equipment.
- Demonstrated knowledge of IP-based technologies and Windows operating systems along with computer networking principles and practices.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position.
Montgomery County Government(MCG) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should email OHR at OHR@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.
MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.
All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.
This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies.
If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.
Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.
Leave Benefits
Our generous leave package starts with non-MLS permanent and term employees earning 15 days of sick leave and 15 days of annual leave in their first year, as well as up to three additional personal days each calendar year. Positions in MLS earn 35 days of paid time off each year. In addition, we offer all employees 10 paid holidays. Our leave policies adhere to the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, and we provide six weeks of paid parental leave for new parents.
Retirement Benefits
All permanent and term positions are eligible for robust retirement plans. Public safety positions are eligible for a defined benefit pension plan in which they are vested after only five years. Employees in non-public safety positions can participate in retirement plans that contribute up to 12 percent of their annual salary. All employees can also participate in a supplemental retirement plan, the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, to contribute even more to their retirement goals.
Tuition Assistance & Student Loan Forgiveness
Montgomery County employees are eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Participants who meet all requirements may qualify for forgiveness on the remaining balance on their Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time in a qualifying public service position. To learn more about PSLF, please visit the Student Loan Repayment Benefits page. Our tuition assistance program allows you to receive up to $2,130 annually in tuition assistance to help you achieve a degree that supports your career path.
Free Mass Transit Benefit
County employees are entitled to use the RideOn Bus service for free with a valid County-employee ID. This benefit can be used any time of the day or evening, including weekends. We also offer a pre-tax flexible spending account to reduce the cost of other mass-transit options such as MARC trains and Metro.
Reduced Child and Health Care Costs
Working for Montgomery County also entitles permanent and term employees to participate in healthcare and childcare Flexible Spending Accounts. These plans allow eligible employees to save on a pretax basis for healthcare and dependent care costs incurred during the plan year.
Employee Wellbeing
We deeply care about your holistic wellness. Our award-winning wellness program, LiveWell, will support you in improving and maintaining your physical, mental, financial, social, and intellectual well-being.
Learn more about our wonderful benefits available to you once you join our team. Montgomery County Benefits
01
MQ Question COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN I (003424)
Do you possess and currently maintain a VALID driver's license from your state of residence?
- Yes
- No
02
MQ Question COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN I (003424)
What is your highest level of completed education?
- N/A
- High School/GED
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree
- Juris Doctor
- Doctorate
03
MQ Question COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN I (003424)
How many years do you have of technical experience (i.e., at the journey level) in the installation, testing, maintenance and repair of radio communications equipment, specifically with experience in VHF and UHF FM mobile radio systems?
- Less than 1 year or No Experience
- 1 Year Experience
- 2 Years Experience
- 3 Years Experience
- 4 Years of Experience
- 5 Years of Experience
- 6 Years of Experience
- 7 Years of Experience
- 8 Years of Experience
04
MQ Question COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN I (003424)
Do you have a degree in electrical, electronics or communications engineering/technology; or graduation from a two (2) year electrical, electronics or communications technical training school?
- Yes
- No
Required Question