ENGINEERING SPECIALIST III - 72001886

State of Florida

1d

About The Position

This is a professional engineering and technical position responsible for the technical operation and enhancement of the Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System (SLERS) and Florida Interoperability Network (FIN) within the state of Florida. Additionally, this position is responsible for SLERS evaluation and recommendation, equipment system component list maintenance and agency equipment purchase approval, special projects, system and performance metric modeling and reporting. Specific duties and responsibilities include: Perform SLERS audits on radio system contractors' performance in operating and maintaining the system and supporting participating user agencies. Review weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports to identify communications failure trends and corrective actions.  Perform field engineering and troubleshooting to pinpoint operational problems, system and/or equipment failures, and to recommend corrective actions. These duties require the use of electronic test equipment and analytical skills.  In addition, perform FIN/Mutual Aid Build-Out (MAB) Dashboard Reports, testing and weekly matrix. Provide technical review of the SLERS system upgrade plan, oversight of the upgrade, coordination with agencies and partners, design review of towers, tower relocation technical aspects, tower change including a coverage analysis and interference analysis, customer design review system wide, a customer design review for each of the four super regions, ongoing radio user training (programming and technical), radio system loading analysis and emergency response. Evaluate equipment proposals and provide technical and economic analysis to management. These services consist of cost analyses of various alternative approaches such as 'lease or buy" and various technical approaches such as cooperative dispatching. Functions include Operational requirements, cut-over plans, utilization plans, funding programs, scheduling and procurement activities. Review and participate in proposals, cutovers, and methods of procedures, procurement specifications, and bid evaluations by comparing technical literature and equipment test results with the published specifications.  Perform equipment performance verification to include specification evaluation and field testing, such as witness and certify that system and equipment "performs to specification" and that terms and conditions of the contract are satisfied. Receive and process purchase requests from the State Agency user community to review their purchase requests and advise affects of future migrations on purchases. Assist state agencies and political subdivisions in the identification and documentation of their SLERS telecommunications requirements. Identify and recommend alternate concepts, products, or systems that can satisfy the agency's stated communications requirements. Maintain system component list of equipment.  Track purchases in Radio Orders file. Track purchase credits with vendor and reconcile on recurrent basis. Serve as liaison between the Division and other governmental entities for SLERS. Attend board and committee meetings and provide status reports as required. Develop a thorough understanding of the operational practices and procedures of the different user and SLERS Partner agencies and their communications needs and requirements. Receive, review and prepare SLERS partner applications to be presented for SOP, Technical committee, and Board review.

Requirements

• Equipment Usage - Ability to use a spectrum analyzer and a telecommunications test set with training.
• Engineering Design and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying land mobile radio (LMR) principles, techniques, and equipment to system and product design and frequency planning and licensing methods. Knowledge of traffic loading analysis for large radio systems.
• Customer Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Complex Problem Solving - Investigation of complex radio system performance and licensing issues, designing evaluating tests, test data assessment and developing and evaluating options through successful solution implementation.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches.
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when there is a problem in the radio system that requires correction or immediate addressing.
• Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to hypothesize and reach conclusion through testing of a system or equipment performance issue/question.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Knowledge and experience with Land Mobile Radio networks and equipment.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate technical data, create reports that explain data utilizing layman terms and concepts, and the ability to diagnose and recommend repairs or improvements to existing public safety communications networks.
• Ability to respond to communications systems failures or events requiring the activation of mobile radio site equipment and vehicles including natural and man-made disasters.
• A bachelor's degree in engineering or four years of professional experience in public safety radio systems.
• Ability to be on-call and respond to emergency events as required.
• Possession of a valid Florida driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Perform SLERS audits on radio system contractors' performance in operating and maintaining the system and supporting participating user agencies.
• Review weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports to identify communications failure trends and corrective actions.
• Perform field engineering and troubleshooting to pinpoint operational problems, system and/or equipment failures, and to recommend corrective actions.
• Evaluate equipment proposals and provide technical and economic analysis to management.
• Review and participate in proposals, cutovers, and methods of procedures, procurement specifications, and bid evaluations by comparing technical literature and equipment test results with the published specifications.
• Receive and process purchase requests from the State Agency user community to review their purchase requests and advise affects of future migrations on purchases.
• Serve as liaison between the Division and other governmental entities for SLERS.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees