Telecommunications Technician Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established October 17, 1973

Scope
This series specification describes six Technician classes used by the Department of General Services which perform or
supervise maintenance, repair, modification, installation, and testing of various types of telecommunications equipment.
Schem Code

Class Code

Class

QO95

6912

Telecommunications Technician Trainee

QO90

6911

Telecommunications Technician

QO80

6910

Senior Telecommunications Technician

QO70

6909

Telecommunications Maintenance Supervisor I

QO60

6906

Telecommunications Maintenance Supervisor II

QO50

6923

Telecommunications Maintenance Supervisor III

Telecommunications Technician Series Specification - Class Titles and Codes

Definition of Series
The performance of duties of positions in this series requires technical but nonprofessional engineering knowledge of electronics
and ability to apply this knowledge to the construction, installation, maintenance, modification, and repair of analog and digital
telecommunications equipment such as VHF and UHF radio equipment (mobile units, base stations, relay stations, portable and
hand carried units), microwave, lightwave, information switching and carrier systems, closed circuit television systems, telemetry
systems, intercom systems, radio control equipment, power supplies, antennas, masts, and related equipment and various
electronic measuring and testing devices.

Entry and First Journeyperson Levels

Entry into the series is typically through the classes of Telecommunications Technician Trainee or Telecommunications
Technician.

Definition of Levels
Telecommunications Technician Trainee
This is a subjourneyperson level for employees who have knowledge of and familiarity with electronic communications theory.
Under close supervision, incumbents repair or identify the more obvious malfunctions of telecommunication equipment including
VHF and UHF. The Department will provide training to prepare Trainees for the journeyperson class.

Telecommunications Technician
This is the full journeyperson level. Incumbents interpret the laws, rules and regulations of the Federal Communications
Commission relating to radio and microwave; they use precision instruments for measuring radio frequencies, power, deviation,
modulation and other data required by the Federal Communications Commission and diagnose and repair the most complex
problems connected with a wide range of electronic equipment; they may instruct others in operating, repairing, maintaining,
constructing and installing telecommunications systems.

Senior Telecommunications Technician

Incumbents are responsible for telecommunications equipment and networks within an assigned geographic shop area or
microwave area including lead responsibility over one or more technicians when assigned, and may also act for the area
supervisor in his/her absence in scheduling the work requirements of the shop, coordinating the activities with client agencies,
leading the work of subordinate technicians when assigned, and providing technical instruction to lower level technicians.

Telecommunications Maintenance Supervisor I

Incumbents either (1) supervise an office staff and at least eight journeyperson and/or Senior level technicians within an
assigned geographic area which may include several shop areas and are responsible for the total telecommunications networks
served by these technicians, or (2) exercise functional supervision and coordinate field activities and assist telecommunications
engineers in the overall operation of a statewide telecommunications system; they may assist in the design, construction, and
installation of complex telecommunications equipment and networks.

Telecommunications Maintenance Supervisor II

Under general direction, incumbents perform second level supervisory and first level administrative duties and are responsible
for the planning, organizing and supervision of the operation of a regional radio and microwave network involving more than a
single State agency. This level supervises a minimum of 50 subordinates in lower level telecommunications maintenance
classes and supporting occupations.

Telecommunications Maintenance Supervisor III

Under general direction of the Assistant Chief, the Telecommunications Manager III has program management responsibility for
telecommunications maintenance, including planning, organizing, and directing the work of an extensive statewide
communications maintenance program. This level is responsible for all State two-way radio, microwave, and private telephone
and data network installation, modification and maintenance. This level supervises a minimum of 150 subordinates in lower level
telecommunications maintenance classes and supporting occupations.

Minimum Qualifications
All Levels:
All levels require possession of at least ONE valid certificate or license certified by the Department of General Services,
Telecommunications Division, and industry accepted, qualifying the person to perform transmitter installation, operation,
maintenance, and repair duties. Those certificates and licenses currently certified by the Telecommunications Division for
meeting this qualification are:
1. FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License.
2. FCC 1st Class or 2nd Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate.
3. NABER Two-Way Radio Technician Certificate.
4. APCO Two-Way Radio Technician Certificate.
5. NARTE Technician or Engineer Certificate with Applicable Job Specifications Endorsement(s).
6. DGS, Telecommunications Division, Technician Certification Program.

AND
Education: Completion of a two-year technical curriculum in electronic technology at the community college level or equivalent.
(Work experience in the field of electronic technology may be substituted for the required education on the basis of one year of
experience being equivalent to one year of college.)

AND
Possession of a valid California driver's license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Applicants
who do not possess the license will be admitted to the examination, but must secure the license prior to appointment.

Telecommunications Technician Trainee

Meets "Minimum Qualifications" for "ALL LEVELS".

Telecommunications Technician
EITHER I
One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Telecommunications Technician Trainee.

OR II
Two years of experience within the last five years in maintaining, repairing, modifying or testing electronic telecommunications
equipment, one year of which must have been with VHF, UHF or microwave lightwave telecommunications equipment.
(Experience in California state service applied toward this pattern must include one year of experience performing the duties of a
class comparable in level of responsibility to that of Telecommunications Technician Trainee.)

Senior Telecommunications Technician

EITHER I
One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Telecommunications Technician.

OR II
Three years of experience within the last five years in maintaining, repairing, modifying, and testing electronic
telecommunications equipment, at least two years of which shall have been with VHF, UHF or microwave lightwave
telecommunications equipment. (Experience in California state service applied toward this pattern must include one year
experience performing the duties of a class comparable in level of responsibility to that of Telecommunications Technician.)

Telecommunications Maintenance Supervisor I

EITHER I
Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of Senior Telecommunications Technician or three
years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Telecommunications Technician.

OR II
Five years of experience within the last ten years in modifying, repairing, maintaining, testing or constructing and installing
electronic telecommunications equipment, two years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity, and three years of
which must have been with VHF, UHF or microwave lightwave telecommunications equipment. (Experience in California state
service applied toward this pattern must include two years of experience performing the duties of a class comparable in level of
responsibility to that of Senior Telecommunications Technician or three years of experience performing the duties of a class
comparable in level of responsibility to that of Telecommunications Technician.)

Telecommunications Maintenance Supervisor II

EITHER I
One year of experience performing the duties of a Telecommunications Maintenance Supervisor I.

OR II
Broad and extensive experience, (more than five years within the last ten years) in the field of telecommunications maintenance,
five years of which must have included supervisory and administrative responsibilities over a group of technicians involved with
VHF, UHF and microwave lightwave telecommunications equipment repair, installation, modification and maintenance.
(Experience in California state service applied towards this pattern must include one year of experience performing the duties of
a class comparable in level of responsibility to that of Telecommunications Maintenance Supervisor I.)

Telecommunications Maintenance Supervisor III

EITHER I
Two years of experience performing the duties of Telecommunications Maintenance Supervisor II or three years of experience
performing the duties of Telecommunications Maintenance Supervisor I.

OR II

Broad and extensive experience (more than five years within the last ten years) in the field of telecommunications maintenance
management, at least five years of which shall have included management and administrative responsibilities over a group of
technicians involved in VHF, UHF microwave, or lightwave telecommunications equipment repair, installation, modification and
maintenance. (Experience in California state service applied towards this pattern must include two years of experience
performing the duties of a class comparable in level of responsibility to that of Telecommunications Maintenance Supervisor II or
three years of experience performing the duties of a class comparable in level of responsibility to that of Telecommunications
Maintenance Supervisor I.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Telecommunications Technician Trainee
Knowledge of: Basic theory of radio communications and electronics; communications mathematics; safety procedures
applicable to handling electrical energy and electromagnetic wave propagation.
Ability to: Learn and develop the knowledge and abilities required for the journeyperson class.

Telecommunications Technician
Knowledge of: All of the above, and laws, rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission relating to radio
and microwave in the public safety service; microwave and complex multiplex carrier equipment, lightwave, information
switching and carrier systems, telephone, automatic switchboards, radio control equipment, and closed circuit television
systems.
Ability to: All of the above, and interpret the laws, rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission relating to
radio and microwave in the public safety service; use precision instruments for measuring radio frequencies, deviation,
modulation, and other data required by Federal Communications Commission; perform tests on equipment and complex
electronic circuitry; instruct others in operating, repairing, maintaining, constructing, and installing telecommunications
equipment; speak clearly and concisely; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; carry out written and oral
directions; demonstrate skill in modifying, maintaining, repairing, constructing and installing various types of telecommunications
equipment.

Senior Telecommunications Technician

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles of training.
Ability to: All of the above, and lead and train technicians; keep records or schematics and make reports of work proposed, in
process, or completed; read plans, clarify work requests and any unusual work needs; work cooperatively with persons
contacted in the course of the work.

Telecommunications Maintenance Supervisor I

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles of supervision and personnel management; the Department's Affirmative Action
Program objectives; a manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action
objectives.
Ability to: All of the above, and utilize appropriate supervision and personnel management practices related to directing the work
of others; and effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives.

Telecommunications Maintenance Supervisor II

Knowledge of: All of the above, and State administrative, personnel and budget procedures and practices.
Ability to: All of the above, and prepare and present the telecommunications maintenance budget for a region; to maintain
cooperative relations with client agencies and other governmental jurisdictions; to act as a focal point in resolving labor relation
matters affecting telecommunications maintenance employees; to plan a regional telecommunications program which includes
development of recruiting methods for minorities, women and disabled persons.

Telecommunications Maintenance Supervisor III

Knowledge of: All of the above.
Ability to: All of the above, and plan, organize and direct a complex statewide telecommunications maintenance program.

Special Personal Characteristics

All Levels:

Willingness to relocate for purposes of training and permanent assignment.

Willingness to work at night or on weekends and to be available in case of emergency; willingness to stay abreast of current
technological changes in the field of telecommunications and electronics.
Willingness to perform work, after safety training, on antenna structures and towers for purposes of maintenance, construction,
installation and modification of VHF, UHF and SHF (microwave) antenna systems and their components.
Ability to frequently lift and carry by hand, unassisted, items of equipment weighing up to fifty pounds. With appropriate physical
and mechanical aid, assist others in lifting and carrying objects weighing more than fifty pounds.

Class History
Class

Date Established

Date Revised

Title Changed

Telecommunications Technician Trainee

10/17/1973

12/04/1990

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Telecommunications Technician

09/20/1937

12/04/1990

10/17/1973

Senior Telecommunications Technician

12/03/1964

12/04/1990

10/17/1973

Telecommunications Maintenance Supervisor I

03/20/1942

12/04/1990

12/04/1990

Telecommunications Maintenance Supervisor II

10/16/1984

12/04/1990

12/04/1990

Telecommunications Maintenance Supervisor III

12/04/1990

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Telecommunications Technician Series History - Dates Established, Revised, and Title Changed
Updated 7/5/2013