Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Systems Technician

Overview
As a member of the military, Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Systems Technicians perform, supervise and direct the repair and maintenance of all types of Air Force & Joint telecommunications and information systems. They also manage and maintain mobile and fixed satellite communications systems, microwave systems, switchboards, cable plants, and all forms of command and control computer systems and networks.

Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Systems Technicians perform preventive and corrective maintenance, system restoration, special inspections, modifications, installations and acceptance checks, as well as the repair and overhaul of all types of telecommunications, navigation and cryptographic systems.

Primary responsibilities

Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on all types of radios, radar and data processing, cryptographic, terminal, audio and video equipment

Perform inspections, performance tests and adjustments on strategic and tactical fixed and mobile telecommunications equipment

Perform repairs, overhaul and support maintenance on telecommunications equipment

Perform installations and acceptance tests

Liaise with all levels of command and functional groups, including base level personnel

Maintain and/or advise other occupations on the maintenance of the electromechanical and refrigeration requirements of telecommunications equipment

Deploy as part of the Air Force Support Capability as part of 8 Air Communications and Control Squadron, as part of a Tactical Control Radar Squadron, as part of the Canadian Forces Joint Signals Regiment, or as part of all CANSOFCOM Units

Manage the life-cycle of material related to various telecommunications and information systems

Work environment
The duties of an Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Systems Technician are performed in operation centres, in static and mobile workshops, or outdoors. They may work at bases within Canada and the USA, including the Arctic, to locations throughout the world.

Career paths
If you choose a career in the Regular Force, you will be assigned to your first base after completing required training. Postings may require relocation. If you join the Primary Reserve, you will work part time with a Reserve unit and may have opportunities for deployment at or outside Canada.

Entry requirements
The minimum education to apply is the completion of provincial Grade 10 or equivalent (Secondary 4 in Quebec) with Grade 10 applied Math (Math 416 / CST 4 in Quebec). Foreign education may be accepted. A college diploma may be favored, and the CAF may place you directly into the required on-the-job training following basic training.

Training
The first stage is the Basic Military Qualification course (Basic Training) at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training establishes core skills and maintains CAF physical fitness standards.

Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Systems Technicians then attend the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics in Kingston, Ontario to complete the Performance Oriented Electronics Training, including topics such as circuits theory, electro-mechanical and solid-state devices, power sources, amplifiers and digital circuits, cables and conductors, AM/FM theory, audio/video equipment, and computers and peripherals. This is followed by 20 weeks of training specific to duties, covering technical administration, automated information systems, switchboards and terminal equipment, cable distribution, data and audio/video systems, airfield navigational aids and meteorological systems, and crypto/radar systems.

Specialized training opportunities
Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Systems Technicians may access specialized courses and on-the-job training, including:

Airport Secondary/Surveillance Radar

Communications Control Systems

Precision Approach Landing Aids

E3A AWACS Airborne Equipment

Microwave Radio Systems and Associated Equipment

Instructional Techniques

Communications/Information Security

Meteorological Systems

Cryptographic Equipment Maintenance

As they progress, personnel may be offered advanced training with courses such as Fibre Optics, Network Design for Communications, Computer System Management, Advanced Radar Maintenance, Advanced Communications Operations, Management and Leadership Training, and Deployed Communications Systems.

Part-time options
This position is available for part-time employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada. Reserve Force members usually serve part time at an Air Force wing in their community and are not posted or required to relocate; however, relocation and deployment options may be available.

Related careers
Avionics Systems Technician
Priority Application Processing
Communication and Electronics Engineering Officer
Electronic-Optronic Technician (Land)

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