Senior Communications Equipment Technician

Senior Communications Equipment Technician

Salary

$89,134.63 - $107,111.00 Annually

Location

Santa Barbara, CA

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

26-0028-01 (O)

Department

Information Technology

Opening Date

09/09/2026

Closing Date

9/16/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

This is an excellent opportunity to begin a rewarding and reliable career with the Information Technology Department at the County of Santa Barbara. Come and be a part of a team of talented individuals who are passionate about fostering a culture of teamwork, learning and respect!

In the IT Department our success is powered by people and technology. Our culture is what makes IT a fun and rewarding place to work! We establish, develop and nurture partnerships and open communication within our communities. We embrace a willingness to learn and accept new ideas, to actively listen and to be receptive to change. We strive to grow our talents and do our best in the service of others while taking pride in our work. We explore and deliver new and creative ways to pair technology with business needs.

The Position

The County of Santa Barbara's Information Technology Department has one (1) full-time vacancy, located in Santa Barbara, CA.

This role serves as a technical lead in the installation, maintenance, and repair of complex communications systems and equipment, including trunked and conventional two-way radios, microwave networks, and telecommunications infrastructure; leads projects and provides guidance to lower-level technicians; performs system-level troubleshooting and network analysis; and performs related duties as required

Highlighted Benefits:

• Health Plan: County contributes towards premium; HSA offered
• Pension Retirement
• Reciprocity with other public sector retirement systems (like CalPERS)
• 13 holidays, 12 sick leave days (unlimited accumulation), and 12 to 25 days of vacation (based on length of service) per year
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate for previous public service.
• For more information on County benefits, please click here.

Examples of Duties

• Leads the planning, installation, testing, and maintenance of complex Countywide communications systems, including simulcast, trunked, and microwave systems.
• Serves as a subject matter expert (SME) in RF communications, microwave transmission, antenna systems, and digital transport technologies.
• Provides technical leadership and mentorship to lower-level technicians; reviews and inspects work for quality, compliance, and safety.
• Troubleshoots and resolves the most complex system faults involving RF performance, interference, microwave alignment, or digital transmission.
• Analyzes system performance and generates technical reports, trend analysis, and recommendations for upgrades or repairs.
• Coordinates and oversees vendor and contractor activities to ensure conformance with County specifications, safety standards, and regulatory compliance.
• Provides input on system design, equipment specifications, and technology selection for new or upgraded communications systems.
• Leads or participates in the design and construction of new radio sites, microwave paths, and networked communications infrastructure.
• Supports frequency coordination, licensing, and compliance activities with the FCC and other agencies.
• Represents the County in inter-agency meetings, project planning groups, or public safety communications coordination efforts.
• Develops and updates standard operating procedures, installation practices, and training materials for technical staff.
• Responds to system outages and emergencies, serving as a technical escalation point for field response.
• Participates in strategic planning for communications infrastructure, including budgeting and lifecycle replacement.
• Maintains detailed and accurate documentation, schematics, system diagrams, and records.
• May assist with the planning and design of radio communication systems.
• May provide functional and technical supervision to staff as assigned.
• Performs related duties as assigned

Employment Standards

• Four years of experience in the maintenance and repair of microwave communication systems and/or 2-way radio systems; OR,
• One year of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Communications Equipment Technician II with Santa Barbara County; OR,
• A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Knowledge of: 2-way radio and electronics theory; troubleshooting techniques for electronic communications systems; the construction, assembly, repair, and operation of modern solid-state microwave and 2-way transmitting and receiving equipment, microwave systems; safe climbing procedures; Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations pertaining to microwave and radio communications.

Ability to: use specialized test and calibration equipment to diagnose and repair defects and causes of interference in microwave and 2-way radio systems; interpret schematic diagrams; use personal computers to program and diagnose communications equipment; work independently; perform complex system level diagnoses and adjustments; climb poles and towers in excess of 100 feet in height; maintain records; communicate effectively with other employees and equipment suppliers.

Additional Qualifications: Possession of a valid California Class C Drivers License.

Performing the essential functions of this job requires the incumbent to: lift objects weighing up to 75 pounds; work on towers at heights in excess of 100 feet; work in confined spaces; perform full range of body motions involving reaching, bending, grasping, and climbing; and possess color vision.

Additional Requirements:

• This role also requires the ability to participate in scheduled after hours work and/or standby support.
• This position requires a successful completion of an in-depth background investigation (details below) that includes a Live Scan fingerprint check.

Supplemental Information

Selection Process

• Review Application to determine applicants that meet the employment standards.
• Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking: Applicants who meet the employment standard will have their responses to the supplemental questionnaires evaluated and scored. Candidates final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by the scored supplemental questions. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive written notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.

Completion of a 12-month probationary period is required.

Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check and Live Scan fingerprinting.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Current or excessive use of drugs, sale of drugs, serious criminal history, or deception relating to employment history may bar employment.

The following process will be used as part of the background investigation process after the candidate is extended a conditional offer of employment:

• Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ): The selected individual will receive a notice regarding completion of a Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ). Failure to submit a PHQ by the deadline will result in disqualification from the hiring process for the Information Technology Department.
• Background Investigation: The selected individual will be required to complete a Personal History Statement (PHS) and undergo an extensive background investigation that includes an evaluation of references, prior employment, drug history, residence history, and neighborhood check. This process may take 4-6 weeks.
• Live Scan: Electronic fingerprint scanning that is certified by the State Department of Justice.

Appointee may be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS:

The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 4:59 p.m. PST, postmarks not accepted. You can view job postings and apply online 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

Recruiters will correspond with applicants by email during each step of the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Selection Process steps to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

For any questions, please contact Sabina Netto, ITD Human Resources Manager at snetto@countyofsb.org

Retirement Plans

• Generous County Defined Benefit Plan
• Eligible to participate in 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
• Retirement Reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, and 1937 Act plans
• For more information on our retirement plans, please visit: https://www.sbcers.org/ and http://www.santabarbara457.com

Health Benefits

• Choice of dental, vision and medical plans. In addition to the Benefit Allowance noted above, the County contributes toward medical premiums and dental premiums
• On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria which provide ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential assistance with personal and workplace problems to employees and their immediate family members
• Healthcare Advocacy Program to help employees navigate the complexities of health plan benefits
• Available Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account (HSA), Supplemental Term or Whole Life Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance and more!
• For more information on our health benefits, please visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/4012/Health-Benefits

Paid Time Off

• Vacation Leave 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment
• Sick Leave 12 days annually with unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement
• Paid Holidays based on bargaining unit (view the compensation summary for this bargaining unit, link below)
• Alternative Transportation Benefit (TDM) up to 2 days of additional vacation for using alternative methods of commuting
• For more information on Paid Time Off please view the Compensation Summary for this bargaining unit (available below)

Miscellaneous Benefits

• County Paid Term Life Insurance
• County Paid Long Term Disability Insurance
• Childcare and Employee Discounts
• Relocation Assistance may apply
• Flexible work schedule may apply
• For more information on all of these benefits, please visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/4013/24636/WorkLife-Benefits

Compensation Summary

• To view the Compensation Summary specific to the bargaining unit for this position (link to full Memorandum of Understanding also available at bottom of the summary), please visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/3085/SEIU-Local-620
• This benefits list is for convenience only; please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for complete details of terms and conditions. Amounts are generally prorated for part-time employment.

01

Are you willing to lift objects weighing up to 75 pounds?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you willing to work on towers in with heights in excess of 100 feet?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you willing to work in confined spaces?

• Yes
• No

04

After a period of training, Communications Equipment Technicians are required to work after hours on-call shifts. Please indicate whether you are willing to work after hours on-call shifts as required (typically one week per month).

• Yes
• No

05

Assigned work may occasionally include working at a County of Santa Barbara jail and/or a 24-hour locked facility. Would you be willing to work at these facilities?

• Yes
• No

06

I understand the Civil Service Examination for this recruitment is a Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking. I understand my responses to the following supplemental questions will be used as a weighed, scored selection device that will determine my ranking on the employment list for this position. For information on protest procedures for the Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking, please see Civil Service Rules 612 and 613: https://www.countyofsb.org/1444/Civil-Service-Rules

• I understand the following is an examination that will be used to determine my rank on the Eligible List.

07

For each of the following, please select the response that best aligns with the highest level of complexity that you have experience performing. Please note that responses may be validated during the interview process.

• I understand

08

Trunked and Conventional Two-Way Radio Systems: Select the option that best describes your most complex hands-on experience installing, programming, maintaining, and troubleshooting trunked and conventional analog/digital two-way radio systems, including simulcast networks.

• Install conventional/analog radio equipment
• Program, maintain, and troubleshoot conventional and trunked radio systems, including both subscriber and infrastructure equipment
• Serve as a subject-matter expert on trunked and/or simulcast systems; lead system-level installations, upgrades, or fault resolution; provide technical guidance to lower-level technicians
• No experience in this area

09

Microwave Radio and Digital Transport Systems: Select the option that best describes your most complex experience with microwave radio systems, path/link work, multiplexing, and digital transport over RF and/or fiber

• Responsible for microwave equipment installation
• Align, maintain, and troubleshoot licensed microwave links and associated multiplexing/transport equipment
• Lead microwave path design and construction, resolve the most complex transport faults; serve as a subject-matter expert
• No experience in this area

10

System-Level Troubleshooting and RF/Microwave Test Equipment: Select the option that best describes your most complex experience using advanced diagnostic and test equipment (e.g., spectrum analyzers, service monitors, protocol/link analyzers) to perform system-level troubleshooting.

• Use basic test equipment (e.g., multimeters, watt meters) for component-level checks
• Operate spectrum analyzers and service monitors to diagnose RF performance, interference, and link issues
• Lead complex, multi-system fault isolation across RF, microwave, and digital transport; interpret results to recommend performance improvements; serve as the technical escalation point
• No experience in this area

11

Antenna Systems, Tower Work, and Radio Site Infrastructure: Select the option that best describes your most complex experience with antenna systems, transmission lines, and radio site infrastructure (grounding, DC/power plant, lightning protection, and physical site standards).

• Responsible for antenna/transmission-line installation work
• Maintain antenna systems, transmission lines, grounding, and site power/backup systems
• Lead radio site design or construction; ensure conformance with grounding, lightning-protection, and safety standards; oversee site build projects
• No experience in this area

Required Question

Employer County of Santa Barbara

Address 1226 Anacapa Street

Santa Barbara, California, 93101

Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sbcounty