7K71
COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION DIRECTOR

This is administrative and technical work directing and coordinating diverse and comprehensive city-wide communications, cable television services and special events programs. The employee in this class ensures advancement of the City's telecommunications networks and fiber-optic systems, oversees and directs city-wide delivery of voice and data services to all City departments and agencies. The employee in this class also performs the function of the City regulatory authority for cable television franchises and radio systems for all emergency functions including Police and Fire, and public safety coordination. Of considerable significance to the work is direction of a large staff of professional, technical trades and support personnel and interaction with consultants, contractors and representatives of City departments and agencies, and of utility agencies, to coordinate communications projects and to provide efficient communication and special events services.

Work is performed under the general supervision of either the Commissioner or designated Deputy Commissioner.

1. The position must direct and coordinate diverse and comprehensive city-wide communications services and special events programs.
2. Only one position may be allocated to each assignment of this class.
3. The position must be located in the Department of Public Property.

• Plans and directs, through subordinate technical supervisors, large diverse groups of communications personnel engaged in the installation, maintenance, design, layout, procurement and inspection of a wide range of city-wide communications and systems; oversees and regulates the installation of private, city-wide television and fiber-optic cable systems; directs the operation through subordinate managers, of a municipal communications call center system, directs through subordinate managers repair, maintenance and installation of mobile and fixed radios, cable systems, and radio communications networks; directs through subordinate manager the communications activities necessary to the performance of City special events.
• Screens incoming requests for the alteration and maintenance of existing communication facilities or the installation of new requests; assigns such requests to the appropriate units for execution or investigation; makes recommendations and determinations on the appropriateness of the more difficult or sensitive requests; authorizes engineering plans and specifications for communications projects.
• Oversees major projects directly or through subordinate inspectional staff, both in progress and upon completion for conformance to local and industry standards, and City, state and federal laws, regulations and guidelines; Interprets agreements as needed; ensures understanding of, inclusion in agreement language of, and compliance with affirmative action goals, minority and women-owned business subcontracting requirements, consumer service goals and related requirements; ensures understanding of compliance requirements for meeting construction and installation schedules and operational standards.
• Represents the department or the City to the public news media other governmental agencies, utility companies, elective officials, civic, business or neighborhood groups and organizations for the purpose of explaining projects and programs, and receiving information about and finding solutions to problems related to cable television services and cable television installation.
• Serves as a Project Manager for the installation of new and improved communications and systems, reviewing and approving plans and specifications, working with and negotiating with vendors, tracking budget and project deadlines, directs consultants; Evaluates, or directs the evaluation, of plans and proposals for proposed fiber-optic network and similar city-wide communications systems; develop strategies for and implements, where feasible, integration of city-owned communications systems with available networks, and investigates and develops utilization of current and future technologies.
• May oversee and direct a staff of production and technical personnel in the operation of a cable television studio providing public service broadcasting and intra-governmental communications.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
• management principles, practices and procedures
• current communications equipment and systems particularly as they apply to major cities
• operating procedures for communications systems
ABILITY TO:
• evaluate the city's current communication system and to make technically sound and cost effective recommendations for improvement
• present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, contractors, high profile elected and appointed City officials, and representatives of utilities

EDUCATION
• Completion of a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited college or university with major course work in communications, telecommunications, business administration, information systems or a closely related field.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE
• Five years of experience in communications design, construction, installation, maintenance, operation and/or repair work.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE
• Three years of administrative and technical experience directing, through subordinate supervisors, the day-to-day operations of a citywide communications operations program involving various systems such as voice, telephone, data, radio, video, or wireless communications operations, with responsibility for reviewing consultant and contractor plans, designs and specifications.

OR

Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department that has included completion of a bachelor's degree program as specified above and the specific experience.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

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

• Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Communications Division Director.