Title:  Telecommunications Engineer Journey

Purpose

Under general supervision, performs minor to moderately complex telecommunication engineering core responsibilities, including problem resolution/project assignments, in the most efficient, safe and cost-effective manner, and that comply with regulatory requirements and restrictions.

Nature and Scope

There are four (4) levels in this job classification series that have similar job content but with progressively more challenging degrees and levels of skill, responsibility, knowledge, experience and qualification requirements:

Flex Classifications (that permit progression from lower-level classes to higher level classes without examination based upon assessment of an individual's experience and performance) within the series: 

• Entry: Incumbent acquires knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the tasks associated within the series but are not yet demonstrating these at the Journey level. 
• Journey: Incumbent is demonstrating the required skills and knowledge to independently perform the full scope of the job. 
   

Non-Flex Classifications (that promote from lower-level classes to higher level classes and require an examination, such as an interview, based upon individual experience and performance) within the series. 

• Senior: Advanced journey level resource who is responsible for advanced assignments, as dictated by the work needing to be performed; may serve in a lead/supervisory capacity. 
• Principal: Subject matter expert/lead/supervisory level and is responsible for leading the most advanced work, as dictated by the work needing to be performed. 

Entry to Journey: Incumbents at the entry level are required to successfully “progress” to the journey level within 60 months of appointment to remain within the job series.

Seniors and Principals must be hired through a promotional process and do not automatically progress from lower levels in the series.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Plans, designs, develops, and maintains telecommunication networks and systems by offering technical and engineering support; defines functional and system requirements; develops design criteria to meet current and future needs; supports installation, operation and maintenance of networks and systems; develops testing criteria; provides technical and engineering consultation and solutions.
• Assesses the need for new telecommunication systems, upgrades, expansions, and modifications by evaluating the effectiveness of the current systems; conducts feasibility studies; determines current and long-range capability by assessing loadings, performance levels, and responsiveness to operational and transient conditions; evaluates current technologies; conducts cost analysis; defines system requirements; designs modifications; supports installations; develops testing scenarios; conducts post-implementation reviews.
• Supports SMUD’s telecommunication goals and direction while continually enhancing the reliability and productivity of the telecommunication systems and networks.
• Supports the overall effectiveness of the use of telecommunication networks and systems by its users by offering technical and engineering support and user training on telecommunication systems; provides technical consultation to business units; troubleshoots user obstacles; establishes training needs; conducts training; responds to user need requests; provides emergency support to operating systems.
• Plans, coordinates, prioritizes, and monitors work activities with work-unit employees to meet established task objectives and deadlines by following established policies and precedents; participates as a team member in accomplishing objectives; refers problems to supervision where solutions are not readily achievable.
• Complies with work unit’s schedule, quality, quantity, safety, and performance standards.
• Assists in administering the department budget by participating in planning, monitoring and revising schedules, work plans, expenditures, and assignments.
• Performs other related duties as needed; schedules, hours and locations may fluctuate based on business needs.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree with major course work in electrical engineering or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Required Experience Qualifications

• At least three (3+) years of relevant work experience in planning, designing, installing, and supporting telecommunication networks and systems for an electric utility company.

Knowledge Of

• Basic:
  
  • Theory and engineering design fundamentals;
  • Telecommunications operating procedures and equipment requirements;
  • Data processing systems and communications;
  • Fundamentals and concepts of data management
• Operational characteristics of a variety of telecommunications systems and specialized technology;
• Computer programming concepts and techniques;
• Computer and network operating systems
• Computer based control and data acquisition systems
• Office procedures, methods and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases;
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Skills To

• Perform routine engineering design and testing tasks;
• Learn:
  • Electrical standards, codes, and ordinances;
  • Maintenance practices and testing methods;
  • Electrical safety;
  • SMUD policies and procedures;
  • To read, understand and develop documents and drawings covering telecommunication systems
• Prepare reports on specialized telecommunications subjects;
• Maintain good public relations with manufacturers, contractors, and government agencies;
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications;
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing internally/externally;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work internally/externally.

Desirable Qualifications

• Four or more (4+) years of related experience in an electric utility company.
• Knowledge and experience with land mobile radio and voice dispatch systems.
• Knowledge and experience with physical security, cameras, and access control systems.
• Knowledge and experience in ordering circuits from service providers (AT&T, Verizon).
• Knowledge and experience with point-to-point microwave radio data systems.
• Knowledge and experience with link budgets, radio propagation, and the FCC licensing process.
• Knowledge and experience with planning, constructing, and managing outside pant (OSP) fiber optic cable systems.
• Knowledge of electronics, DC power systems, IP-networks (switching, routing, security), SCADA systems, physical security systems, video surveillance systems, operating test equipment, testing and troubleshooting of communication systems.
• Knowledge of drafting software (AutoCAD), drawing control systems, project management, writing technical specifications, procurement processes, and how to write clear and unambiguous work instructions.
• Registration as a Professional Electrical Engineer is desired.

Physical Requirements