Radio Systems Manager

Minimum Qualifications

Associate degree and five (5) years of responsibility as related to trunked radio system planning, development, implementation, and operation; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience. Applicants within six months of meeting the minimum education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status.  

A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment.   If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.   

Successful completion of pre-employment drug screen and successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.

Acceptable experience:

Seven (7) years of progressive management experience which includes five (5) years of responsibility as related to trunked radio system planning, development, implementation, and operation.

Position Summary

This is responsible management, professional, technical, and administrative work managing all aspects of the Alachua County Intergovernmental Radio Communications System in the Fire Rescue Department. 

An employee assigned to this classification will be responsible for the radio system that provides integrated radio communications for most public safety agencies throughout Alachua County, including several municipalities within the County. The system also provides radio communications for many of the Administrative Departments within the County and Constitutional Officers, as well as other State and Federal Agencies.   

Work is performed under the direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained. 

Examples of Duties

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.

Exudes a positive customer service focus.

Advocates  building  organizational  culture  through  aligning  decisions  with  core  values including: integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, innovation, accountability and communication.

Directs and manages the 800 MHz Intergovernmental Radio Communications System. Serves as the primary point of contact for the system to include any public safety paging system equipment and services. 

Performs a variety of tasks necessary to ensure the 24/7 operations of the system which may include through various means the locating, diagnosing, and correction of malfunctions occurring in radio base stations, repeaters, microwaves, etc., necessary in operating the system. 

Prepares scope of work, requests for proposal, etc., for the purchase of radio system equipment, maintenance and repair of equipment and for other services required to provide reliable radio services. 

Prepares contract review documentation and supervises the day-to-day execution of these contracts. 

Protects the County from risk through knowledge of ethical, legal, financial, technical, and operational aspects of contracts and contract management to ensure expected County benefits and financial returns, supplier responsiveness to county needs, timely delivery of quality services and products, and tracking of maintenance and other obligations.

Remains abreast of evolving communications system technologies.

Maintains adequate supplies of user equipment and accessories to include but not limited to microphones, antennae, batteries, and carrying cases.

Develops short and long term plans and strategies for communications requirements for Alachua County, which includes preparations of annual operating and capital improvement budget, the preparation of contractual documents and, through the purchasing process, evaluates proposals which lead to the award of contracts. 

Develops plans and strategies for maintenance and upgrades of the 800MHz radio system potentially involving a number of phases and interrelated contracts spanning several years. 

May administer the application of any funding mechanisms applicable to the 800MHz radio system.

Reviews all purchases of radio equipment by county administrative departments. Coordinates with all users the purchasing of equipment to ensure compatibility and effectiveness. 

Occasionally installs, programs, and performs maintenance and repair of radio equipment components that support the countywide radio system. 

Schedules radio system support needs with local, regional, state, and national service providers as needed.

Maintains Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licenses; coordinates as needed, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and FCC.

Works closely with all radio system clients within the County and municipalities such as but not limited to Sheriff’s Office, Gainesville Police, Gainesville Fire Rescue, Alachua County Fire Rescue, Animal Services, municipal and county public works, and GRU.

Manages County owned and leased tower sites.

Develops emergency action procedures to ensure the availability of radio communications.

Prepares, maintains, and makes available to all subscribers, users, and clients standing operating procedures (SOP’s).

Prepares and submits grant requests for emergency radio equipment to support the system or for disaster preparedness.

Coordinates user group committee assigned for the purpose of 800MHz system management, scheduling and conducting meetings and ensuring stakeholder participation. 

Drives a County and/or personal vehicle to perform duties as required.

Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.

NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Working knowledge of radio systems including conventional, trunked, simulcast, and microwave. The principles of analog and digital electronics and microprocessor technology, as they apply to radio communications systems. 

Working knowledge of radio communications industry standards, trends in technology, technical specifications and practices and familiarity with radio site management.

Knowledge of local, state, and federal rules, regulations, and standards pertaining to radio communications installation and operation, licensing and construction of radio sites and towers. 

Knowledge of the ethical, legal, financial, technical, and operational aspects of contracts and contract management in order to protect the County from risk in order to ensure expected County benefits and financial returns, supplier responsiveness to county needs, timely delivery of quality services and products, and tracking of maintenance and other obligations.

Knowledge of County geography.

Strong computer skills using applicable software related to communications engineering and technical system programming.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Ability to keep records and prepare reports.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees, citizens, and outside agencies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and sit; stoop, kneel or crouch; use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, and smell.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds; occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include color vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed  to  outdoor weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to wet, humid conditions (non-weather); fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme cold and heat (non-weather); risk of electrical shock and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.BoCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance  
• Employee Life Insurance  
• Florida Retirement System  
• Employee Assistance Program

• Dental Insurance  
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Computer Purchase Program

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits. 

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement.  A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows: 

1. New Years Day  
2. Martin Luther King Day  
3. Memorial Day  
4. Juneteenth
5. Independence Day  
6. Labor Day  
7. Veterans' Day  
8. Thanksgiving Day  
9. Friday following Thanksgiving  
10. Christmas Eve (IAFF*)  
11. Christmas Day  
12. Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)  
13. 2 Floating Holidays  (All non- IAFF employees)

*IAFF – International Association of FirefightersPay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays.

Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.