Telecommunications Engineer - APCO

Title: Telecommunications Engineer - APCO DSP03036

State Role Title: Information Technology Specialist II

Hiring Range: Negotiable and Commensurate with Experience

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of State Police

Location: North Chesterfield, Midlo.Tpke

Agency Website: vsp.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia State Police is seeking to hire a Telecommunication Engineer at the State Police Headquarters in North Chesterfield, Virginia. This position is responsible for continuously developing and maintaining the Virginia Statewide Agencies Radio System (STARS). This P25 trunked radio system includes an integrated voice and data land mobile radio (LMR) network with a microwave network backbone. As the Telecommunication Engineer, you will be primarily responsible for obtaining/maintaining spectrum authorization and performing radio frequency engineering using sustainable engineering practices compliant with the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) rules and regulations. In addition, this position shall also serve as the Virginia APCO Radio Frequency coordinator, coordinating radio frequency applications and all the Commonwealth’s state and local public safety organizations.

We are seeking to expand our diverse team of change makers and innovators. As a member of the Virginia State Police family, you would make a difference by serving every city, county, town, resident, and visitor of the Commonwealth through supporting our vast public safety mission. Challenge yourself to make a difference today by applying for a career with the Virginia State Police!

Established in 1932, the Virginia State Police has grown to be the largest police department in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As the mission of the Department has continued to expand, our workforce continues to grow. We embrace our tradition of professionalism and excellence, and we are excited for our future as we continue our journey to become best in class. We are firmly committed to our family-like culture and are seeking to expand our diverse team. We provide an outstanding benefits package, including excellent health insurance, membership in the Virginia Retirement System, deferred compensation, paid leave starting on day one, and other benefits available to Commonwealth of Virginia Employees.

In addition, the Virginia State Police supports its personnel through a comprehensive, holistic Wellness Program. From our Therapy Dog, Piper, to full-time peer support, our wellness staff teaches and coaches “cognitive fitness” for all employees every step of the way. Our Wellness Program fosters a welcoming, peer-oriented, inclusive environment with the resources to support our employees throughout their entire VSP career. We are committed to providing the best so you can be at your best!

Contact Human Resources for additional details.

•Serves as a member of the STARS Project Management Team.
•Provides sustaining engineering and new designs with associated documentation for the land mobile radio, microwave radio, and tower equipment.
•Performs radio frequency engineering and obtains/maintains spectrum authorizations.
•Coordinates radio frequency applications and serves as the Virginia Chapter of the Association of Public-Safety Officials International (APCO) Radio Frequency Coordinator in accordance with 47 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and APCO policies.
•Resolves radio frequency interference issues.
•Provides development and sustaining engineering support.

Minimum Qualifications

•Demonstrated experience of electrical engineering theory as applied to wireless communication systems and technology; of communication system architecture design; and of signal processing, statistics, optimization, networking, and radio frequency design.
•Demonstrated ability to interpret technical materials and diagrams; to develop technical solutions to complex problems; to conduct studies and prepare reports that recommend solutions to include project timeline, sketches, and cost; and to communicate complex project solutions effectively in English.
•Demonstrate a firm understanding of radio frequency coordination.
•Demonstrated ability to present findings and recommendations.
•FCC General Radio Operator License (GROL) is required within 6 months of employment.
•High school graduate or equivalent.

Additional Considerations

•Skill in the operation of computers to include Microsoft Office Professional suite and RF modeling preferred.
•Preferred experience coordinating radio frequency applications accordance with 47 CFR and APCO policies.

Special Instructions

A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION SHALL BE REQUIRED OF EACH SELECTED APPLICANT

Elements of the selection process include the screening of application(s); the interviewing of qualified candidate(s), to include pre-employment testing, a presentation and/or a work sample, if applicable; salary negotiation(s) if applicable; a background investigation; and a medical evaluation, if applicable. The anticipated duration of the pre-employment process is determined by the successful completion of the above items.

Applications, cover letters and/or resumes shall only be accepted on-line through the PageUp recruitment management system at https://jobs.virginia.gov. This position is open until filled. Please limit resumes to four pages and cover letters to one page. Any additional attachments received in excess of this will not be considered.

PageUp provides a confirmation of receipt of your application, resume and/or cover letter submitted successfully. Please refer to your PageUp account to check the status of your application for this position. For questions, please contact the Employment Unit of the Human Resources Division at civilianemployment@vsp.virginia.gov.

The Department of State Police is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual’s race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, parental status, political affiliation, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

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