This is supervisory communications work directing city-wide communications engineering services. The employee in this class supervises technical employees engaged in the preparation of plans, designs, and specifications for a wide range of communication equipment and systems for City departments and agencies, and supervises, through subordinate supervisors, employees engaged in fire circuit testing and city-wide telephone maintenance activities. Ensuring that plans and specifications prepared by contractors and subordinate staff conform to established standards and codes and coordinating the maintenance and installation of communications equipment and systems are significant aspects of the work. Work is performed under the direction of the Director, Communications and Engineering.

• Supervises technical employees engaged in the preparation of designs, plans and specifications for a wide range of communication equipment and systems such as CATV and CCTV systems, fire and security alarms, public safety radio, and public address systems; directs the review of plans and specifications submitted by contractors and consultants; directs the inspection of communication equipment and systems; determines work priorities and advises subordinates on technical engineering matters.
• Receives and reviews requests from City departments and agencies for the alteration and maintenance of existing systems or installation of new communications systems; determines the feasibility of requests; meets with departmental officials to discuss communication needs and make alternative recommendations if necessary; assigns requested projects to appropriate subordinate staff.
• Directs, through subordinate supervisors, employees engaged in fire circuit testing activities and the installation and maintenance of telephones, telephone switching equipment, and other communications equipment.
• Provides capital and operating cost estimates for departmental budgets; evaluates bid proposals submitted by consultants and contractors; recommends the acceptance or rejection of bids; reviews contracts to ensure adherence to departmental standards.
• Confers with contractors and consultants to explain City standards and contract requirements and to coordinate the installation of communication equipment and systems; visits work sites and performs or directs the performance of testing procedures to ensure conformance to specification requirements.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• the principles, practices and theories of engineering as they apply to communications.
• the principles, practices, and theories of electrical engineering.
• the engineering methods and techniques involved in the design, installation and operation of a wide range of communications equipment.
• the methods used to test and inspect communications equipment for conformance to prescribed performance standards.
• the principles, practices and theories of engineering required to prepare and review plans, designs, and specifications for communication systems.
• the current developments in the field of engineering as they apply to communications.

ABILITY TO:

• plan and supervise the work of technical personnel engaged in preparing plans and specifications.
• resolve communications design and specification interpretation problems.
• plan and supervise through a subordinate supervisor the repair and maintenance of communications equipment.
• interpret and apply applicable regulations.
• analyze and evaluate engineering designs and specifications for technical and economic feasibility, and to make sound judgments.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, consultants and others.

• Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in electrical engineering.
• Four years of electrical engineering work, two years of which have been at the full performance level preparing plans and specifications for communications systems and equipment.

Or any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department which has included completion of a bachelor's degree program as specified above as an educational minimum.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

PAY RANGE: EP24
Class Established: 1/1990

CO/sb/deb