Radio Communications Technician III

Job Overview

The County of Riverside seeks candidates to fill positions throughout Riverside County. A list of eligible candidates will be established to fill current and future vacancies.

The County of Riverside’s Fire Department has an opportunity for a Radio Communications Technician III (IT Communications Technician III) who will be assigned to the Fire Protection – Forest division in Perris.

The Radio Communications Technician III (IT Communications Technician III) will be tasked with repairing communication repeaters, dispatch radio systems, mobile and handheld radios, and the department’s keyless security door system. Additionally, the role will involve repairing headsets, emergency warning lights in/on apparatus, and providing repairs to telephone network systems and infrastructure.

Competitive candidates will possess four years, within the last five years, of experience in vehicle outfitting, 12‑volt circuitry and wiring, installing, maintaining, and repairing two‑way radios, and leading teams. Project Management experience is highly desired.

This position follows a 9/80 schedule; extended hours, standby shifts, and travel throughout the county are required.

The Riverside County Fire Department is one of California’s largest integrated, cooperative, regional fire protection organizations. The Department, a unique partnership between the State of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the County of Riverside, serves 19 partner agencies and 1 community service district. The Department has five core values:
Leadership, Competence, Integrity, Safety, and Customer Service.

• Install communication equipment (e.g., VHF radio, microwave radio, mobile data computer) in vehicles; install communication and infrastructure equipment (e.g., cabling) in offices, buildings, and remote microwave/radio tower sites; perform preventative maintenance on communication networks and components.
• Install and configure network hardware and software; update system documentation; coordinate system/component upgrades and repairs with vendors and users; monitor vendor work to ensure compliance with enterprise standards; provide user training regarding equipment and network utilization.
• Diagnose, locate, and repair malfunctioning equipment and devices (e.g., computers, radio repeaters, VHF/microwave radios, telephone systems, cabling); troubleshoot and resolve network malfunctions.
• Use test equipment to check VHF antenna/radio systems for sensitivity and interference, ensuring optimal safety and performance.
• Repair, program, and resolve malfunctions of Code 3 emergency alerting systems within county emergency response vehicles/vessels (e.g., lights, sirens, PA, low‑level power sources).
• Utilize and administer enterprise network applications such as domain name services, network modeling, trend analysis, IP address management, and network configuration management.
• Research, evaluate, and test proposed products, versions, and solutions.
• Coordinate all telephone and data services for county departments; install and operate the county private telephone system, 911 emergency telephone system, and all microwave and radio systems with counties, cities, and telephone companies.
• Coordinate with county staff and vendors to determine requirements and services, ensuring inter‑agency communication capability.
• Plan new and revised communication systems; estimate installation and recurring costs; coordinate modification and installation of systems and leased data and transmission facilities; review and verify billings for accuracy before payment; prepare recommendations and reports.

Graduation from high school, possession of a certificate of proficiency issued by the California State Board of Education, or attainment of a satisfactory score on a GED test. IT job‑related coursework from an accredited college, university, or trade school in computer science, computer information systems, data processing, information management, or a related field is preferred.

Four years of successful VHF radio or microwave job‑related experience, including one year with lead‑level duties or…