Communications Technician I

SALARY: $4,937- $5,999 / month

FILING DEADLINE:  July 23, 2024

THE POSITION 

Come and join the City of Fresno in achieving our mission of Building a Better Fresno!

The City of Fresno is seeking a dynamic and skilled Communications Technician I to join our team. Under supervision, you'll play a pivotal role in preparing the City’s fleet vehicles for service. From installing telematic systems to light bars and everything in between, you'll be instrumental in ensuring the City of Fresno’s fleet is ready to hit the road and serve the public. If you're passionate about vehicles, thrive in a hands-on environment, and are ready to contribute your expertise, apply today and embark on a rewarding career where your work will help the City of Fresno thrive. 

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Prepare new vehicles and equipment for service including installation of emergency lighting, sirens, in-vehicle video systems, gun locks, prisoner partitions, communication radios, tracking systems, mobile computer, communication antennas, warning lights, and vehicle markings.

- Design, fabricate, and install mounting fixtures and compartments for specialized fleet vehicles; modify existing equipment as needed. 

- Employ tools and testing devices such as analog and digital multi-meters.

- Maintain accurate digital records.

- Assists with the design and fabrication of simple electronic circuits.

- Read and comprehend plans, blueprints, and schematics of electronic equipment.

- Remove equipment from out-of-service vehicles; prepare out-of-service vehicles for auction. 

- Performs other related duties as assigned.

Full job specification may be viewed at:

https://www.fresno.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Communications-Technician-I.pdf

View “We Work For You” video to get an inside look at how rewarding it is to work for the City of Fresno: https://youtu.be/RjOUf52KPrk?si=NmkwtgYbTxdKcKOz 

The current vacancy exists in the General Services Department. Immediate and future vacancies will be filled from this eligible list for a period of three (3) months from the date the eligible list is created, with the option of extending that period at the City's discretion. If the examination process is suspended for this recruitment, the eligible list may be limited to three (3) months.

THE REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications on or before the posted filing deadline in order to qualify for the examination and does not assure a place on the eligibility list. 

OPTION 1:
Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent GED completion 

AND

One (1) year of experience in the installation maintenance and repair of radio and/or telecommunications transmitting and receiving equipment which required mechanical aptitude and knowledge of electrical wiring.

OPTION 2:

Completion of twenty-four (24) units of electronics, communications, telecommunications or closely related course work from an accredited college, university, or training program as approved by the appointing authority. 

Applicants qualifying with OPTION 2, MUST ATTACH A COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS for education verification (instructions below on how to attach documents). Applications lacking the attachment may be rejected.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The work experience section MUST be completed with detailed duties, dates and weekly hours worked for each title held. Please SPECIFY EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS with which you have experience within your duties. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed employment application and will not be used to evaluate minimum requirements. Applications lacking a completed work experience section may be rejected.

The selected eligible candidates certified will be required to successfully pass a Department interview and a Department of Justice fingerprint prior to employment with the City of Fresno. 

Possession of a valid California Driver's License is required at time of appointment and during the entire term of employment in the job class. Candidates considered for hire will be required to provide proof of a valid driver's license and current copy of their driving record.

Recruitment may be limited to a specific area of expertise as required by operational needs. The specific areas of expertise are listed below: 

1. Telecommunications 

2. Radio systems

PAY, BENEFITS, & WORK SCHEDULE

BENEFITS: UNIT 1 Classification - International Union of Operating Engineers, Stationary Engineers- IUOE (Local 39)

2% Salary Increase, effective December 30, 2024

HEALTH INSURANCE: The City contributes toward monthly premiums for PPO medical, dental and vision for employee and dependents.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT: IRS 125 Plan for health and dependent care expenses.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary 457 plan with Fidelity Investments to increase your retirement savings.

VACATION LEAVE: Accrue 8-15 hours per month.

SICK LEAVE: Eight (8) hours per month, available after 90 days.

SUPPLEMENTAL SICK- 40 hours per fiscal year. 80 hours lifetime maximum

HOLIDAYS: Ten (10) City-observed annual holidays plus birthday and two (2) personal days.

SHORT TERM DISABILITY: Provided through California SDI program.

BILINGUAL PREMIUM: PAY: $100 per month

HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENT: Eligible retirees can use remaining Sick Leave balance at 80% of hourly rate and other leave balances, if applicable, to reimburse medical insurance and qualified medical expenses, tax free.

RETIREMENT: City of Fresno Retirement Systems, one of the best funded public systems in the state.  Reciprocity with other public California systems. Vested in Retirement benefits after 5 years of service. City employees do not participate in Social Security. 

DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program): an optional, voluntary program that allows an employee to deposit retirement benefits in a special savings account within the Retirement System while continuing to work for the City of Fresno for up to 10 years.  Participation minimum is age 50 and vested.  Benefits includes ownership of accumulated funds, compound interest earnings, and alternative distribution options.

Additional information regarding the City of Fresno benefits is available at 

https://www.fresno.gov/personnel/human-resources-support/#tab-1

THE SELECTION PROCESS

The examination process may consist of the following:  

WRITTEN EXAMINATION: 100%:  A job-related written examination will be administered which may test a candidate in telecommunication tools and equipment, general safety, record management, working relations, communication, and other job-related items.

Candidates must achieve a passing score to qualify for the eligible list. 

The Written Examination has been tentatively scheduled of the week of August 12, 2024.

HOW TO APPLY

APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE AN ON-LINE APPLICATION.  PLEASE VISIT www.fresno.gov/jobs TO APPLY.  For information on how to complete an on-line application, please view "Instruction Guide" on the City's website, Personnel Services Career Opportunities page, or call (559) 621-6950 for assistance. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed employment application.

  
ALL CORRESPONDENCE regarding this recruitment and exam process will be sent via e-mail.  All applicants will acknowledge such understanding when they complete their on-line application.  Verify we have your correct e-mail address before you submit your application. It is an applicant's responsibility to check their email frequently to ensure they receive all pertinent communication from the Personnel Services Department on a timely basis.  Applicants will receive an automatically generated confirmation e-mail upon a successful application submittal. The e-mail is the only proof of submittal. 

It is an applicant's responsibility to check their email account and to ensure it is set up to accept emails from the City of Fresno. Dependent upon your settings, notices from the City of Fresno may be directed to the "junk mail" or "spam" folders. It is the applicant's responsibility to check these folders.

Applications must be submitted by midnight on the filing deadline, or they will not be accepted for any reason. FOR THIS RECRUITMENT, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PERMANENT FRESNO CITY EMPLOYEES APPLY THROUGH PEOPLESOFT SELF SERVICE.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

HOW TO ATTACH DOCUMENTS TO OUR ONLINE APPLICATION: 

1. Your document must first be scanned and saved to a computer or thumb drive (save as the “document name.”) 

2. Then go to www.fresno.gov/jobs > City of Fresno Jobs > Apply On-Line. 

3. Enter the same Login Information (Username & Password) that is going to be used for the job you are applying to. 

4. Under the section “My Career Tools” (located towards the top of the page), Select “Cover Letters & Attachments”, and then “Add Attachments” towards the bottom. 

5. For Attachment Type, choose the most appropriate option (i.e. “DIPLOMA/TRANSCRIPTS or DD214.”) 

*If you do not see an appropriate choice, you may use “Reference Attachments.” Under Attachment Purpose, you can TYPE a description. 

6. Then Select “Add Attachment” and hit the “Browse” button to locate your attachment. 

7. Once you have selected your attachment, select “Open”, hit “Upload” and then “Save & Return.” 

8. After you confirm your attachment has been uploaded, then proceed to fill out your online application.

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE

Candidates applying for veteran's preference are required to submit a copy of their DD214 with their application during the specified filing period.  Evidence must be presented to indicate that the candidate was discharged honorably from the military service.  Veterans, including City employees, must resubmit proof of honorable service for every examination for which veteran's preference credit is requested. Qualified veterans who pass the examination will have five (5) points added to their final score.

EOE

The City of Fresno is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Should you need a special accommodation due to a qualifying disability, please contact the Personnel Service Department at (559) 621-6950 in advance of the examination.