This is responsible management, professional and technical work managing all aspects of the Miami-Dade County 800 MHz Radio Communications System which provides integrated radio communications for law enforcement agencies in the County and municipalities. The system also provides radio communications for all of the County Administrative Departments, the Dade County School Board, Miami-Dade Transit System, and other State and Federal agencies operating in Miami-Dade County.

An employee in this class is responsible for activities associated with the management, maintenance, repair and uninterrupted operation of telecommunication systems, including radio, video and microwave infrastructures essential to the safety and welfare of the citizens and employees of Miami-Dade County as well as a variety of stationary and mobile electronic systems and ensuring RF licenses granted by the FCC to the County are maintained and managed properly..

Responsibilities include coordinating activities with federal and local government agencies, manufacturing representatives and engineers involved in telecommunication systems installation and modifications. The incumbent exercises considerable independent judgment, action, and initiative in making complex technical decisions.

Additional duties involve consultation with representatives of industry and professional organizations, management and technical personnel of local governments and direct contact with vendors providing maintenance and technical support to the County Radio Systems.

Supervision is exercised over a group of supervisory, professional, technical and clerical staff whose work is reviewed for professional quality and compliance with professional standards. Supervision is received from a professional superior who reviews work for conformity with departmental policies, practices and regulations for the attainment of desired objectives. Work is reviewed through conferences, observations of results obtained, programs, reports and recommendations.

Illustrative Tasks

Plans, assigns and reviews the work of subordinate professional supervisors and coordinates the work with RF and operational engineers and technicians engaged in operating, maintaining, modifying, and installing telecommunication systems; assists in the preparation of cost comparison studies, specifications for purchase or lease of telecommunications equipment and scheduling of installations to assure efficient operations and minimal impact to customers.

Reviews applicable reports to ascertain the status of the Enhanced Digital Access Control System (EDACS) and identifies maintenance requirements.

Reviews data to insure optimum performance and utilization of the EDACS trunked system and reviews trunked contingency plans to insure they are correct and functional.

Serves as primary liaison for Miami-Dade County on state, regional and local coordinating boards and other bodies. Communicates decisions, and other information related to radio systems operations to Miami-Dade County officials and managers, local jurisdictions, and vendors that have an impact on their services or operations.

Prepares Scopes of Work and Requests for Proposal for the purchase of radio system equipment, maintenance and repair of equipment and for other services required to provide reliable radio services; prepares contract review documentation and supervises the day to day execution of these contracts.

Prepares programs; schedules training of communications personnel responsible for operation and maintenance of the systems.

Keeps abreast of developments in the rapidly changing field of telecommunications systems to assist upper management in strategic decision support for new technology implementation.

Develops plans and strategies for the upgrade of the 800MHz radio system to a state of the art system involving a number of phases and interrelated contracts spanning several years.

Inspects and approves completed work for compliance with plans, specifications, regulations and instructions.

Leads software and network system development teams responsible for maintaining system related databases and computer control equipment.

Provides considerable insight into network performance and interoperability considerations.

Reviews all purchases of radio equipment by county administrative departments.

Prepares and submits grant requests for emergency radio equipment to support disasters preparedness and interoperability initiatives.

Develops schedules and evaluates the performance of a preventative maintenance program for a variety of communications equipment, such as 800 MHz-UHF-VHF radio transmitters, receivers, microwave, audio/video equipment as supervised by subordinate personnel.

Manages the installation and testing of new communication systems. development and implementation of software applications related to radio communication and data required to maintain the system.

Manages the creation and modification of AUTOCAD drawings and specifications of the Radio system infrastructure.

Reviews manufacturer's schematic diagrams and technical drawings for accuracy in the installation and modification of communication systems.

Supervises the management of frequency licenses and ensures authorized frequencies are operating in accordance with applicable regulations to avoid interference.

Supervises and participates in the design and preparation of schematic diagrams for modification, installation and documentation of technical specifications for specialized communications systems.

Maintains and operates computer controlled management information system for the 800 MHz trunked radio system (EDACS), that includes load balance analysis, control of unit assignments, group structures, user account maintenance and research related to unauthorized usage.

Ensures that appropriate operational parameters and options are assigned to each user of the radio system.

Coordinates communications systems maintenance, repair, modification, and operation with other county agencies.

Develops and implements ad-hoc procedures as related to the trunked EDACS system.

Serves as primary interface to County agencies, municipalities, state, federal, and other radio communications entities during special event planning sessions.

Makes recommendations regarding hiring, discipline and promotion of subordinates; authorizes leave and overtime; evaluates and rates employee performance.

Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of microwave, video, UHF, VHF and 800 MHz trunked simulcast radio systems, computer based management and control systems and associated subsystems.

Thorough knowledge of public safety and emergency response communications systems procedures, practices and terminology.

Thorough knowledge of Federal Communications Commission Rules and regulations as well as state and local laws governing the operations of radio equipment, frequency licensing, and services.

Thorough knowledge of telecommunications planning, implementation and maintenance.

Thorough knowledge of electronics theory and principles.

Thorough knowledge of the principles of management and public administration.

Thorough knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.

Thorough knowledge of Trunked Simulcast EDACS Radio system.

Thorough knowledge of general radio telephone operations.

Thorough knowledge of and direct experience with LAN/WAN network systems, TCP/IP, Internet and network design

Ability to detect, determine and eliminate malfunctions in electronic systems.

Ability to review manufacturer's schematic diagrams and technical drawings for accuracy in installation and modification of communications systems; ability to design and prepare schematic diagrams for modification, installation and documentation of technical specifications for specialized communications systems.

Ability to coordinate interoperability program efforts with federal, state, regional and local jurisdictions.

Ability to prepare cost comparison studies, specifications for purchase or lease of telecommunications equipment and schedule installations to assure efficient operations and minimal impact to customers.

Ability to develop schedules and evaluate the performance of a preventative maintenance program for a variety of telecommunications equipment.

Ability to maintain complete records and prepare comprehensive technical reports.

Ability to fully utilize personal computer productivity office tools.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, superiors and a variety of other public and private officials.

Ability to supervise subordinates in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale.

Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.

NEW 10/19/2006