This is advance professional telecommunications work in the planning, design and implementation of telecommunications and computer networking systems and facilities. Employees in this class are responsible for planning and designing complex and diversified projects, including but not limited to telephone switching and multiplexing systems, radio transmission systems, computer network systems including local and wide area networks. Responsibilities include performing technical work in the research or design of complex telecommunications and computer networking systems, coordinating the work of field crews in the installation of systems, and participating in economic studies for telecommunications and computer networking systems and facilities. Incumbents apply advanced knowledge to complex telecommunication and computer networking systems and are responsible for finalizing major projects. Supervision may be exercised over technical employees engaged in the installation of telecommunications and computer networking systems. Supervision is received from a professional superior who reviews general progress of work and assists with difficult problems or issues of policy.

ILLUSTRATIVE TASKS

Plans and designs medium sized telecommunications and computer networking systems.

Performs economic studies and detailed cost estimates and of proposed telecommunications projects.

Reviews building construction plans for compliance with county telecommunications and computer networking systems criteria and master plan; proposes designs compliant with federal, state and local regulations and mandates.

Schedules and coordinates the work of field crews performing installation of telecommunications and computer networking systems to ensure compliance with contracts, design criteria, County, industry and national code standards.

Prepares specifications for the purchase of equipment to be used in the implementation of medium-sized telecommunications and computer network systems.

Writes technical specifications for bids or Requests for Proposals for medium-sized telecommunications and computer networking systems.

Investigates areas of operation to which new or existing technologies may be applied to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

Analyzes and performs traffic studies on existing medium-sized telecommunication and computer networking systems; implements software and hardware changes accordingly for efficient and cost effective operation.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of telecommunications and practices of telecommunications and/or computer network systems.

Considerable knowledge of the design, implementation and operation of public telecommunications systems and computer networks, including radio, video, data and telephone.

Considerable knowledge of applicable federal, state and local laws pertaining to telecommunications and computer networking and any applicable County and industry standards and national codes pertaining to the design, implementation and operation of telecommunication and/or computer networking systems.

Knowledge of standard practices, methods, tools and materials used in the installation of telecommunications and computer networking systems and facilities.

Ability to use PC-based project management systems in the development of PET networks/GANTT charts, critical path and other project management tools such as spreadsheets and database programs.

Ability to perform economic studies and detailed cost estimates and make recommendations on moderately-difficult telecommunications and computer networking projects.

Ability to design and implement moderately-difficult telecommunications and/or computer networking systems.

Ability to express highly technical ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.

Ability to prepare reports to be utilized in decision-making process by senior management.

Ability to schedule and manage moderately difficult telecommunications and computer network projects to ensure adherence to contract terms, designs and specifications, and to secure compliance by private contracts with contracts in a tactful, firm and impartial manner.

Ability to plan assign, supervise and audit the work of others in a manner conducive to high performance and high morale.

Skill in the use of applicable electronic instruments and equipment.

8/2002