Wireless Communications Systems Technician 3 (In-Training)

State of Washington•King County – Renton, WA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a skilled Wireless Communications Systems Technician 3 to provide technical expertise in wireless systems infrastructure, networking, and connectivity supporting the Northwest Region’s Land Mobile Radio (LMR) and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) equipment and field offices in King, Snohomish, Island, San Juan, Skagit, Whatcom, and Pierce counties. This role will resolve complex issues in IP-based LMR, microwave, and network systems; perform inspection, maintenance, repair, and preventative care of wireless telecommunications equipment; and support reliable communications for highway operations through field-based troubleshooting, emergency response, and collaboration with engineers and fellow technicians. This position will be required to perform hands-on work while exposed to hazardous conditions or materials including field sites, roadways, construction sites or right of way activity. This position will also perform manual labor and operate machinery or equipment.

Requirements

P25 Communications Systems: Extensive experience designing, staging, and commissioning conventional and trunked Project 25 (P25) wireless communication systems, ensuring interoperability, reliability, and compliance with applicable standards.
IP Networking & MPLS: Working knowledge of IP-based networking systems, including Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), with the ability to design, configure, and integrate network infrastructure supporting wireless communications systems.
Technical Troubleshooting & Support: Experience and skill in diagnosing and resolving system issues across wireless communication, microwave, and networking environments, including hardware, software, and connectivity components.
Wireless Communications Operations: Working knowledge of wireless communications system operations and maintenance practices, including experience supporting and enhancing system performance in operational environments.
Technical Document Interpretation: Ability to interpret and apply information from technical documents, engineering drawings, manuals, and schematics to support system design, installation, and maintenance activities.
Technical Analysis: Skill in analyzing technical manuals, schematics, and diagrams to diagnose issues, inform decision-making, and ensure accurate execution of work tasks.
Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
Service-Oriented: Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others.
Ability to pass and maintain a Washington State Patrol background check.
Ability to pass and maintain a General Radiotelephone Operator Licensed issued by the FCC within the first six (6) months of hire or within the in-training plan.
Ability to obtain and maintain a tower climbing safety and rescue certificate.
Access remote equipment sites in extreme weather conditions, operating such equipment as a 4-wheel drive vehicle and snowcat, clear slide areas, and remove downed trees by winch or chainsaw.
Maintain a valid driver’s license and the ability to operate state-owned vehicles.
Ability to maneuver and transport various materials and/or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
Ability to work at heights up to 300 feet.
Ability to perform work effectively in extreme or adverse weather conditions while maintaining safety, situational awareness, and operational effectiveness.
Ability to perform physical duties necessary to service equipment in confined, or awkward positions, including bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, climbing, and working above shoulder level, below waist level, or while lying on the back.
Ability to perform work safely using appropriate personal protective equipment for assigned tasks and environments.
Ability to respond to emergency callouts, including after-hours situations, to restore or maintain critical communications infrastructure.

Nice To Haves

Advanced Networking & Radio Systems Knowledge: Demonstrates additional technical knowledge obtained through formal education and/or professional experience in Ethernet networking, radio propagation, L3Harris Land Mobile Radio systems or Nokia Microwave systems.

Responsibilities

Serve as a technical expert, applying expert-level knowledge in wireless networking for WSDOT area offices and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) devices impacting statewide operations.
Travel regularly between different locations throughout the Northwest Region; perform emergency repairs.
Maintain enhanced IP communications systems.
Install, configure, manage, maintain, and repair digital IP-based microwave systems; manage and maintain Ethernet switches and routers.
Create and maintain secure (IPsec) VLAN networks; install, configure, manage, maintain, and repair IP networking systems.
Maintain inventory records, install, repair, and program IP-based P25 700 MHz/800 MHz digital trunked repeaters, base stations, and control systems.
Interface and coordinate with other regional staff to ensure the seamless statewide operations of the wireless P25 Land Mobile Radio system.
Provide service for conventional radio control stations, base stations for other government entities.
Initiate and maintain relationships with other agencies and partners.
Develop, manage, and maintain a live inventory of coordinated IP lists and network programming parameters.
Install, configure, and maintain legacy systems; install, configure, maintain, and assist in the development of interoperability solutions and equipment.
Climb, maneuver, install, repair and maintain equipment on communications towers; maintain agency certification to conduct rescues on communications towers; operate a technician repair vehicle and snowcat for the purpose of repairing the radio system and infrastructure on location, possibly during inclement weather.