Radio Technician I - SR-19 Salary $59,196.00 Annually
Location: Future vacancies with immediate vacancy in Hilo, HI Job Type: Permanent & Temporary Positions Job Number: 2025-00196 Department: Police Division Technical Services Opening Date: 12/21/2025 Closing Date: 12/30/2025 11:59 PM Hawaii
Description: Benefits Questions Duties Summary
Adjusts, tests, services, maintains, and installs radio transmitters, receivers, and other communications equipment in vehicles and permanent locations island-wide; designs, constructs, and modifies communications equipment and performs other related duties as required.
There is one (1) immediate permanent full-time vacancy with the Hawaii Police Department - Technical Services Division in Hilo.
Special Working Conditions: Lift tools and equipment up to 70 lbs. alone and up to 170 lbs. with assistance; walk on rough terrain and slopes carrying load; climb ladders and perform work at height up to 250 ft. high, and work outdoors and in inclement weather conditions.
The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.
Examples of Duties • Adjusts, tests, services, maintains, and installs radio transmitters, receivers, and other communications equipment in vehicles and permanent locations. • Takes periodic frequency, power, and modulation measurements of transmitters to ascertain compliance with FCC requirements. • Maintains records, per FCC requirements, of work performed on transmitters. • Takes field strength measurements to determine operational coverage. • Inspects radio equipment for defects and makes necessary repairs. • Performs periodic inspections and adjusts and repairs as necessary transmitting and receiving equipment. • Designs, installs, maintains, and repairs inter-communication and public address systems. • Modifies existing telecommunications equipment for specific use such as by changing radio frequencies, antenna directivity patterns and characteristics, remote control consoles and accessories to be compatible with system design changes, fabricating unusual installation hardware for equipment, and modifying existing electronic circuits to adapt to newer requirements and maintain maximum utilization. • Designs and constructs new equipment for specific uses such as unique controls, switches, circuits, and amplifiers for radio, audio, recorders, and other equipment. • Monitors radio message between stations or vehicles to ascertain the efficiency and clarity of the messages. • Instructs and informs departmental personnel concerned in the proper use, care, and operation of radio-telephone communications equipment according to FCC rules and regulations. • Checks operational procedures and records for compliance with FCC requirement. • Studies departmental rules and regulations, and other technical material. • Maintains off-site equipment by performing periodic preventive maintenance checks; • Upkeeps surrounding grounds to ensure access to equipment and to prevent obstructions and interference with the functionality of equipment.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Training and Experience: A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to: • Graduation from high school, • Supplemented by technical training in electronics and radio communications, • Three (3) years of technical work experience involving the installation, maintenance, repair, and modification of radio communications or related equipment (examples are: two-way mobile radio repair and installation, troubleshooting and maintenance of microwave equipment such as cables, dishes, transmission lines, and microwave terminals), • Possession of a valid State of Hawai`i drivers license (Class 3) or any other valid comparable drivers license at the time of filing.
Examination: All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points. An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicants training, education, and experience as presented in the application. Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully. Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score. It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week. Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application.
Note: In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawaii County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process.
Knowledge of: • Principles of radio communications and electronics; • Characteristics, functions, operations, and capabilities of a variety of types of radio and electronic equipment; • Testing equipment and tools used in adjusting and repairing radio equipment; • FCC rules and regulations governing public safety radio service; • And safety rules, practices, and procedures, including use of chemicals and hazardous materials.
Ability to: • Diagnose defects in communications equipment in the field or in the shop; • Diagnose system malfunctions; • Identify radio interference problems; • Apply appropriate electronic theories and formulas involved in testing, trouble-shooting, designing modifications, calibrating, installing, maintaining, and repairing radio and electronic equipment; • Interpret electronic specifications and schematic diagrams; • Explain FCC requirements governing public safety radio services; • Learn the rules and regulations of the assigned department; • Lift tools and equipment up to 70 lbs. alone and up to 170 lbs. with assistance; • Walk on rough terrain and slopes carrying load; • Climb ladders and perform work at heights up to 250 ft. high; • Work outdoors and in inclement weather conditions; • Work well with others and understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Physical Requirements: Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
Physical Effort Grouping: Heavy
Benefits of County employment: The County of Hawai'i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.
Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
Vacation: Employees start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with a maximum accumulation of 90 working days.
Sick Leave: Employees start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with no limitation on the amount of sick leave that may be accumulated.
Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
Training and Development: The County provides a variety of training and development opportunities for employees. County Tuition Reimbursement Program: Scholarship program for employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning, subject to eligibility requirements and reimbursement limits.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: A federal program forgiving the balance of federal student loans for individuals working in public service. For program requirements and additional information, please visit https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
Retirement Plan: The Employees' Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan covered under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. It provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries. For more information visit https://ers.ehawaii.gov
Deferred Compensation: Eligible employees may participate in the Island Savings Plan (a deferred compensation plan as provided under Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code.) This is a voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan that allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions into a variety of investment options.
Flexible Spending Plan: Eligible employees can use pre-tax dollars to pay for their portion of insurance premiums, qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses.
Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai'i offers the following health benefit plans for eligible employees:
• Medical Plan (HMO or PPO) • Vision Plan • Dental Plan • Prescription Drug Plan
These benefits are administered by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund. For more information about current employee contribution rates and plans see the EUTF website (https://eutf.hawaii.gov)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The County offers a voluntary assistance program which provides its employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
Group Life Insurance: The County provides a free life insurance policy for active employees. Credit Union Membership
Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, such as:
• Family Leave • Funeral Leave • Leave Sharing • Military Leave • Victims Protection Leave • Parent-Teacher Conferences • Disaster Relief • Blood Bank Donations • Donor Leave • and Jury Duty.
All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and to legislative and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining.
01 REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS
The information provided to these Supplemental Questions may be used in combination with your application to determine whether you meet the minimum qualification requirements and/or your final score. Failure to provide detailed and complete information may result in your application being rejected or you receiving a lower score. Please do not submit a resume in place of completing the Supplemental Questions. Any information you submit may be verified.
When applying for this position, I understand that I must thoroughly complete the Education and Work Experience Sections of my application and the Supplemental Questions. This includes a detailed description of each position that I feel qualifies me for the job I am seeking. I have read the above statement and understand that failure to provide sufficient detailed information may result in my application being rejected or my receiving a lower examination score. I also understand that I