Radio System Manager

City of Alexandria•Alexandria, VA

About The Position

The City of Alexandria is seeking an experienced Radio System Manager to direct and maintain the City’s mission-critical radio infrastructure. Working with considerable independence under the administrative direction of the Division Chief of Public Safety Communication Systems, the manager is the primary technical expert and point of contact for P25 radio system operations, interjurisdictional interoperability, vendor relations, and FCC compliance. The role combines technical oversight, strategic planning, and vendor management to support a resilient and secure communications network for first responders and regional partners. The manager develops the radio system budget, plans infrastructure lifecycle replacement and modernization, and assists departments with budgeting for radio system expenditures and acquiring new equipment. The position also oversees system maintenance, subscriber and equipment updates, interoperability databases, emergency responder communication enhancement systems, 911-related technical support, radio inventory, FCC licensing, and communications planning. The position is within the Department of Emergency and Customer Communications, which delivers routine and emergency call services to the City of Alexandria’s public safety departments. The City’s 9-1-1 center is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA).

Requirements

Two-year college degree.
Five years of experience coordinating the operation and maintenance of a two-way public safety radio system, including at least five years managing the daily operations or use of a radio system or other communications system.
Completion of courses in electrical engineering, electronics, data communications, radio engineering, or a closely related field.
Working knowledge of FCC rules and licensing.
Comprehensive knowledge of current and developing radio technology related to multichannel, multi-agency, two-way radio systems.
Thorough knowledge of FCC regulations governing multi-frequency operations.
Good knowledge of emergency and non-emergency public safety operations and an understanding of municipal government functions.
Ability to analyze technical and contractual information, identify user needs and develop solutions, and interpret and report on complex problems.
Ability to plan, monitor, and evaluate long-term development projects; build and maintain effective working relationships across departments, contractors, and outside government agencies; and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Successful completion of required pre-employment checks and medical testing, including criminal history records check, fingerprinting, drug screening, and vision and hearing exams.

Nice To Haves

Four-year college degree.
Extensive sound engineering experience developing, implementing, and operating digital radio, two-way radio, public safety radio communications systems, and commercial communications circuits.
Experience coordinating the operation and maintenance of a digital, IP-based, two-way radio system or other communications systems, including at least five years managing daily operations or use of a radio system.
Electrical Engineering degree, cross-disciplinary work in IT, radio system management, RF propagation, and radio management.
Experience with FCC applications, licensing, and propagation studies.

Responsibilities

Perform overall system maintenance and repair on the radio system database; respond to software alarms and hardware failures.
Develop annual and long-range budgets for the radio system, subscribers, leases, and equipment updates; assist other departments with radio-system expenditure budgets and equipment acquisition advice.
Develop, justify, manage, and submit supplemental requests to the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) committee for technology advancements.
Manage databases, aliases, IDs, and templates for the City and outside jurisdictions and agencies to ensure interoperability.
Manage the Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES) program with other City departments, verify proper operation, and ensure ERCES does not interfere with the larger radio system.
Stay current on building codes affecting ERCES installation and maintenance.
Provide proactive technical support for 911 operations.
Coordinate with vendors and telephone companies regarding total line counts and adjustments, and additions of wireless or wireline trunk channels.
Maintain the voice recorder and interfaces among 911, non-emergency, and administrative lines, including backup recordings and operation.
Maintain system-wide inventory of mobile radios, portable radios, spares, and sites; purchase equipment as needed to maintain readiness.
Coordinate fleet mapping and templates for intercity, interjurisdictional, and interagency communications.
Maintain, modify, and renew FCC licenses; ensure compliance with current FCC rules; monitor FCC updates and changes and develop solutions.
Analyze technical and contractual information from vendors, consultants, and the FCC.
Write white papers, objections, and recommendations as required.
Attend local, state, and federal meetings monthly concerning communications, interoperability, and special events.
Establish baseline communication plans, goals, and objectives.
Perform related work as required.