Telecommunications Engineer 1 (40 Hour)(Hybrid)

Introduction

Are you seeking career growth within the State of Connecticut? If so, consider this new and exciting opportunity!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) is currently recruiting for a Telecommunications Engineer 1 in the Division of Statewide Emergency Telecommunications located in Middletown, CT.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Visit our NEWState Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Work at a Forbes-recognized company! Connecticut is proud to be featured on both America's Best Employers by State and Best Employers for New Grads in 2024. With our dynamic job market and commitment to fostering a thriving workforce, Connecticut stands out as a top destination for both seasoned professionals and fresh graduates seeking to launch their careers.
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees
• The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• This position is full-time, following a first shift schedule, 40 hours per week, 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday, with the potential for telework.
• This position will assist new users migrate to the Connecticut Land Mobile Radio Network (CLMRN) and support all network users.
• This position will support Connecticut's Next Generation 911 network.

ABOUT US

The DESPP is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing a broad range of public safety services, training, regulatory guidance, and scientific services utilizing enforcement, prevention, education and state of the art science and technology. DESPP is structured on three key Strategic Pillars created by Commissioner Ronnell Higgins.

1. Operational Efficiency, Efficacy and Excellence

• Making decisions through the thoughtful and informed use of data
• Challenging the "that's the way it's always been done" construct—i.e., thinking outside the box as to how we can improve
• Constantly seeking better results

2. Shared Fiscal Responsibility

• Recognizing our collective responsibility to steward the agency's resources
• Realigning planned budgetary actions to ensure that they are in taxpayers' interests
• Preparing together for potential budget stresses and fiscal challenges

3. Ethics and Accountability

• Critically and constantly measuring our practices against our policies
• Performing quarterly performance evaluations agency-wide to measure success and flag areas needing improvement
• Regularly engaging external partners for feedback and assessments
• Opening our doors to Connecticut students and workers for apprenticeships, internships, and career pathways

For an inside look at what it's like to work as an employee for the State of Connecticut, please watch the video below!

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
• Prepare For An Interview:Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION:

Candidates selected for an interview must provide the following at the time of interview:

State Employees:

• Two (2) most recent performance evaluations
• Completed CT-HR-13

Non-State Employees:

• Two (2) professional references contact information including name, email and phone number (at least one being a current and/or previous supervisor)
• Completed CT-HR-13

Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history record check along with reference checks. Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation. Any pending disciplinary history within the past 2 years and review of attendance records are also considered in this selection process.

Click here to complete the Criminal Convictions addendum (CT-HR-13). The CT-HR-13 can also be found on the DAS website by typing in "CT-HR-13" into the "Search Department of Administrative Services" search field.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Alejandro G. Dávila-Hurtado at Alejandro.Davila-Hurtado@CT.Gov.

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in planning, maintenance, coordination and implementation of statewide telecommunications systems.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Designs, engineers and reviews plans for implementation of telecommunications systems to be used in various agencies;
• Develops and reviews specifications for radio telecommunications equipment to be purchased and utilized by various state agencies;
• Conducts surveys to validate accuracy of existing systems;
• Evaluates technical capability of equipment such as mobile radios, base station radios, microwave, telemetry packages and pagers;
• Evaluates performance of vendors and contractors to determine if they have met contractual agreements;
• Writes specifications for Emergency Medical System, police, fire, civil preparedness and data telecommunications equipment and may incorporate them into grant applications;
• Coordinates statewide use of radio telemetry equipment and systems;
• Maintains liaison with Federal Communications Commission concerning regulations, decisions and licensing requirements;
• May represent agency in meetings with other agencies or parties involved in telecommunications;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of Federal Communications Commission rules, regulations and licensing procedures;
• Knowledge of
  • use of radio communications systems in public safety and/or civil preparedness operations;
  • design technology of telecommunications equipment;
• Skills
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
  • plan and coordinate use of telecommunications systems;
  • write contracts and specifications for telecommunications equipment procurement, installation and service;
  • utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Seven (7) years of technical experience in the design, implementation and evaluation of telecommunications equipment and systems.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in the area of public safety communications systems.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College training in electronic or electrical engineering may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree in electronic or electrical engineering may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in provisioning, operating, maintaining and managing more than one manufacturers’ subscriber units on a P25 compliant land mobile radio network;
• Experience providing emergency telecommunications to first responders, including police, fire, emergency medical services (EMS), or emergency management;
• Experience with more than one manufacturers’ subscriber template and codeplug design and implementation;
• Experience in working with Emergency Communications Centers (ECCs);
• Experience in managing a P25 trunked land mobile radio network; and
• Experience as a public safety provider, including police, fire, emergency medical services (EMS), or telecommunicator.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class may be required to be on twenty-four (24) hour call.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
• Incumbents in this class may be required by the appointing authority to possess and retain appropriate current licenses, permits and/or certifications.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some risk of injury or physical harm from on-site environments and a moderate degree of discomfort from exposure to year-round weather conditions

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.