Communications Systems Specialist

Jerritt Canyon•Elko, NV

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Communications Systems Specialist is responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of mission-critical communications systems that support mining operations. This role helps ensure the reliability, availability, and performance of two-way radio networks, dispatch systems, private LTE infrastructure, microwave and wireless backhaul, and related communications equipment used across surface and underground mining environments. Working closely with Mine Operations, IT, Maintenance, Safety, Security, and Engineering teams, the Communications Systems Specialist provides technical support and leadership for communications infrastructure, supports operational technology (OT) initiatives, and helps ensure communications systems meet operational, safety, and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

Associate's or bachelor's degree in Electronics Technology, Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering Technology, Information Technology, or a related technical field; equivalent experience may be considered.
Two to five years of experience supporting industrial communications systems.
Experience maintaining two-way radio systems in mining, industrial, utility, oil and gas, or heavy manufacturing environments.
Experience with Motorola, Kenwood, or similar enterprise radio platforms.
Experience programming and maintaining portable, mobile, base-station, repeater, and dispatch radio systems.
Experience with RF troubleshooting, antenna systems, coaxial cabling, propagation concepts, and radio coverage analysis.
Experience supporting IP-based communications networks, wireless backhaul, fiber, Ethernet, and field communications infrastructure.
Effective communication and customer service skills, with the ability to support users at all levels of the organization.
Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, document technical work clearly, and support field operations in a dynamic environment.

Nice To Haves

Motorola Solutions Radio System Certification
Motorola Solutions Subscriber Programming Certification
Private LTE Certification
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
CompTIA Network+
ETA International Electronics Technician Certification
Fiber Optic Association (FOA) Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT)
FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL)
First Aid/CPR Certification
MSHA Part 46 or Part 48 training, or ability to obtain

Responsibilities

Install, configure, program, maintain, and troubleshoot portable, mobile, base-station, digital, analog, and LTE-enabled radio systems.
Maintain repeaters, duplexers, multicouplers, combiners, antennas, feedlines, RF distribution equipment, grounding systems, and related radio infrastructure.
Perform radio fleet management, firmware updates, codeplug maintenance, talkgroup/channel configuration, and subscriber provisioning.
Conduct RF coverage testing, drive/walk testing, signal-strength validation, and coverage gap analysis across surface and underground work areas.
Troubleshoot interference, signal degradation, poor audio quality, failed equipment, antenna issues, cabling faults, and network connectivity problems.
Support dispatch radio consoles, recording systems, emergency communication channels, paging/alerting systems, and radio interoperability requirements.
Manage daily operations of the communications/radio shop, including work prioritization, service requests, repairs, and field support coordination.
Maintain inventory of radios, batteries, chargers, antennas, accessories, spare parts, programming cables, test equipment, and critical communications supplies.
Calibrate, repair, bench test, and document communications equipment using approved test equipment and standard operating procedures.
Maintain accurate documentation, including radio asset records, codeplug versions, frequency/talkgroup assignments, repair history, maintenance schedules, wiring diagrams, and site configuration records.
Coordinate vendor support, warranty repairs, contractor activities, licensing support, and equipment lifecycle planning for communication systems.
Support deployment, optimization, and maintenance of private LTE infrastructure supporting mining operations and operational technology applications.
Configure and support LTE base stations, EPC/core components, SIM management, subscriber provisioning, and device onboarding processes.
Monitor LTE and radio network performance, analyze alarms, review system logs, and resolve connectivity or performance issues.
Coordinate LTE and radio integration with dispatch, fleet management, telemetry, safety systems, security systems, and other operational technologies.
Perform communications network performance analysis, capacity planning, and reliability improvement recommendations.
Assist with migration planning from legacy radio systems to LTE-enabled or hybrid communication solutions.
Support microwave, wireless backhaul, fiber optic, Ethernet, and IP-based communications infrastructure associated with site communications reliability.
Monitor system health using network management, radio management, and monitoring tools; escalate issues as needed to ensure timely resolution.
Develop and maintain preventive maintenance routines for radio sites, antenna systems, subscriber equipment, batteries, shelters, cabinets, and tower-related infrastructure.
Support emergency response readiness by testing critical radio channels, backup power, failover paths, and communications procedures.
Follow applicable safety procedures when working at heights, near energized equipment, in remote field locations, and in underground mining environments.