Telecommunications Engineer III

TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENGINEER III

In addition to performance-based merit increases, this position is scheduled to receive salary range increases on the following dates:

Effective June 27, 2025 – 4.00% increase

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59 p.m. (PST) on the day the Sheriff-Coroner Department's needs have been met. It is recommended that interested candidates apply immediately.

This recruitment is being conducted to establish an Open Eligible List to fill vacancies in this class until the next recruitment. This list may also be utilized to fill similar and/or lower level classifications.

The Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Technology Division manages Department Information Technology systems and infrastructure, Department security electronics, and the operation of the 800 MHz Countywide Coordinated Communications System (CCCS) for all local public safety agencies (law enforcement, fire, paramedic, and lifeguard) and for general government on a 24-hour basis. Other services include installation, maintenance, and programming of communications and electronic equipment (microwave equipment, 9-1-1 dispatch equipment, mobile and portable radios, surveillance, alarm, sound, video and control systems);

engineering and frequency management.

Sheriff-Coroner Technology Division consists of over 130 personnel organized in seven areas that specialize in specific technical services, including IT Applications, Infrastructure, and Security, the Emergency Communications Unit, Radio Microwave Unit, Security Electronics Unit, and the Technical Services Unit. These technical units are supported by the Operations and Financial Units. Each unit maintains a staff of engineers, technicians, and support personnel to provide a high level of technical expertise to various information technology functions within the Department, and public safety functions, including city and county law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical services, lifeguard operations, park rangers, public works agencies, local government, courts, jails and Probation facilities.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department is seeking qualified Telecommunications Engineer III applicants. A Telecommunications Engineer III is a journeyman level position that is responsible for the design, installation and maintenance of complex electronic components and systems. This position may act as a lead worker and may provide technical oversight on the work of contractors and County technical staff. Assistance with annual budget and other administrative duties may be required.

This position performs professional telecommunications engineering work including planning, designing, evaluating, modifying and maintaining complex analog and digital voice, data, and video telecommunications networks. The incumbent serves as a journey-level engineer responsible for complex telecommunications systems supporting public safety and government operations, including dispatch centers, radio systems, and security systems.

This position requires working in remote areas and in high security areas such as jails, courthouses field locations throughout Orange County, and dispatch centers. This position may require working various shifts including nights, weekends and holidays and be available on a 24/7 basis when covering on-call shifts.

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Bachelor's degree in electronic/electrical engineering or equivalent experience
• Registration as a professional Electrical Engineer in the state of California
• Possession of a valid General Radiotelephone Operator License issued by the Federal Communications Commission
• Extensive knowledge of public safety communications systems
• Strong background in radio frequency and microwave systems
• Experience with dispatch center technologies
• Proven project management skills
• Knowledg…