Senior Office of Public Safety Field Communications Specialist

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

12d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located within the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM). The division is a dynamic and diverse team that is committed to developing, administering and coordinating comprehensive and integrated statewide emergency management and homeland security programs. The Division’s work ensures the safety and security of Colorado and its infrastructure through unity of effort with local, tribal, state, federal, private, and nongovernmental partners. The Office of Public Safety Communications (OPSC) provides critical and essential public safety two way radio communications to over 1,000 local, state, tribal and federal public safety and governmental agencies across the state. On average the system supports 8 – 9M calls per month and is one of the largest communications systems in the United States. It is currently the largest system in Colorado providing interoperability across a vast array of independent communications systems in every county jurisdiction and region of the state. Over 136,000 Colorado first responders use the system for routine operations, emergency operations, interoperability, mutual aid, for both naturally occurring and man caused large scale events. The OPSC represents the State of Colorado, in all matters related to public safety communications, in partnership with political subdivisions, elected officials, state departments, local, regional, tribal and federal government. The OPSC team is made up of system engineers, network monitoring, program management, project management, transmitter site facility operations and maintenance. We are responsible for system design - expansion and architecture, establishment and enforcement public safety communications policy, procedures, standards, technological advancement, system security – system upgrade management, Federal Communications Commission licensing and compliance, radio programing and talk group assignment, transmitter site and tower construction, everything associated with what may directly impact the performance and reliability of the OPSC. Our teams are geographically and strategically stationed at 13 regional technical service centers throughout the state to ensure an immediate response and accelerated restoration of communications continuity of operations. This includes, but is not limited to knowledge and proficiency of all computer software programs operating various components of the system, installation, service and maintenance of all backup power generators, environmental conditioning units, UHF – VHF – Microwave, transmitters – receivers, coaxial waveguide - antenna systems and communications tower structures in excess of 400 feet. All engineering and technical specialist are trained in winter survival and safe snow-cat operations in effort to safely access high altitude mountain communications sites in Colorado’s ever changing and extreme weather conditions and have been called upon in the event of emergencies and extreme weather events to assist in first responder search and rescue missions. This support unit responds to 24-hour system monitored alarm notifications indicating component trouble or failures, routine and preventive maintenance ensuring the highest level of system performance and preventing interruptions in service and loss of availability. This position is that of a working technical expert supporting federal, state, Tribal and local government agencies by maintaining microwave, telephone, two-way radio, digital trunked radio (DTR), data and video communications equipment and systems. This position has the responsibility to provide technical expertise in the installation and maintenance of the aforementioned equipment. This position offers technical support to other Telecommunication Specialists through demonstration of tasks, quality review and instruction, to include the installation, modification, fabrication and calibration of new equipment and systems. This position will follow established procedures to provide on-going preventive and failure maintenance of systems and support equipment, creating and updating circuit and equipment records to fill public safety needs and inter-government requirements and tracing and repairing circuits that may be intermittent. The technical experts in this position are required potentially for call-back and available to respond to call out assignments 24 hours a day on rotation with other employees.

Requirements

Three (3) years of hands-on technical experience with land mobile radio (LMR), microwave, two-way radio, or related RF technologies.
A combination of related formalized apprenticeship program or higher level course work from an accredited, non-correspondence, vocational or trades school and hands-technical experience with land mobile radio (LMR), microwave, two-way radio, or related RF technologies equal to three (3) years.
Requires successful completion of a background investigation that includes a polygraph exam, a fingerprint based criminal history search, reference checking, driving history.
Must be a Colorado resident at the time of application
Must have a valid Colorado Driver's License
Must be on on call
Must be able to work with chemicals such as engine coolants, fuels, battery acid, grease, ATF hydraulic fluid, and lead.
Must possess physical strength and agility to climb communication towers to 350 feet, climb across tower arms and perform required work while suspended.
Must be able to obtain and maintain the following trainings and certifications within 6 months of hire: FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL), Tower rescue training and tower climbing certification, Sno-Cat certification, Winter Survival training, Avalanche Awareness training, First Aid and CPR
Must be able to be able to work in all weather conditions

Nice To Haves

Strong working knowledge of RF Microwave Communication
Hands on technical experience
Technical Instruction experience
Current Tower Certification
Current FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL)

Responsibilities

Assist in establishing installation, maintenance and operating processes and procedures.
Provide field modifications, develop and construct circuits, systems and peripheral communication assemblies using the manufacturer’s instructions, best practices and industry standards.
Install and repair equipment and systems where little or no documentation is available.
Support supervisors and regional engineer(s) with estimates of manpower resources, time, and costs for materials and equipment to upgrade and maintain communications systems.
Update instruction manuals and schematics involving various types of equipment serviced by the division.
Conduct remote monitoring of microwave and statewide wireless networks daily to ensure availability and reliability.
Perform required repairs and/or calibration activities when faults or issues regarding levels of service are detected.
Participate in maintenance and installation of microwave systems, base/repeater station systems, two-way mobile radio, and auxiliary equipment.
Perform maintenance and repairs of transmitter site buildings, grounds, fences, antennas, and towers.
Climb towers to install, repair, remove, and assess the condition of structures and equipment.
Assist in the design and fabrication of new and untried electronic equipment.
Maintain proficiency in TDM circuits, -48 VDC power systems, and related telecommunication standards.
Stay current on all training and certification requirements and act in a Work Lead capacity as needed.
Maintain a professional representation of Communications Services through high standards of written and verbal communication, as well as personal appearance, suitable for the role.
Consult with supervisors regarding intergovernmental and service level agreements relevant to remote site access, responsibilities, and client locations.
Identify and suggest necessary modifications to existing documented procedures.
Represent Communications Services professionally in all verbal and written correspondence.
Attend customer meetings and deliver presentations on system operations.
Update instruction manuals, schematics, and equipment records for the division.
Consult on inter-governmental and service level agreements (SLAs) for site responsibilities.
Respond to emergency outages and facilitate service restoration through 24/7 on-call and call-back availability.
Perform installation, maintenance, and comprehensive repairs to ensure the full functionality of public safety communications networks.
Utilize specialized transport, including four-wheel drive vehicles or all-terrain snow-cats, to access isolated transmitter sites during extreme weather events.
Support search, rescue, and recovery missions as required via vehicle operation.
Evaluate the unique demands of remote site environments and deploy with appropriate equipment, protective gear, and technical tools.
Coordinate and perform normal maintenance and repair of assigned snow-cat (all-terrain vehicle).
Ensure access to remote sites and other service locations by coordinating and performing the repair of service roads.
Provide preventative maintenance to emergency power plants, batteries and environmental control systems.

Benefits

Medical and dental options are available for permanent employees and their dependents.
Short and long-term disability coverage
Life insurance that includes legal resources and discounts.
Basic Life and AD&D insurance equal to their annual earnings subject to a minimum benefit of $50,000 and a maximum of $250,000.
Basic Life and AD&D are provided by the State of Colorado at no cost to employees.
The State of Colorado's Wellness Program, State of Health, is a no-cost, year-long program that supports an employee’s health and wellness goals.
Participants can earn a $20 per month health insurance premium discount.
Through BenefitHub, State of Colorado employees have access to discounts, promotions and special programs from hundreds of retailers, restaurants, travel and entertainment venues throughout Colorado and across the country.
State contribution into a Health Savings Account when enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan.
Eligible employees have access to medical leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the State of Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI).
Eligibility for hybrid or other flexible work arrangements based on the nature of the role.
Excellent retirement benefits including mandatory PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans.
Generous time off including 11 paid holidays annually and accrued annual and sick leave and four annual wellness days.
The Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP) is available in every region of the state.
Tuition reimbursement and reduced college tuition at CSU Global and DeVry University.
Credit Union of Colorado membership eligibility.