HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.145 TELECOMMUNICATIONS OFFICER 20250616PART I DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
COUNTY OF KAUAI 5.145
Class Specifications for the Class:
TELECOMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
SR-26, BU-13
Duties Summary:
Manages the County’s island-wide 800 MHz public safety radio communications
system, a digital trunked Private Land Mobile Radio (PLMR) network supporting law
enforcement, fire, EMS, emergency management, and other critical government functions;
oversees the design, operation, maintenance, and long-range planning of all system
infrastructure, including the network core, repeater sites, transmission towers, leased
facilities, and a fleet of subscriber radios; leads integration efforts with emerging
communications technologies such as FirstNet, deployable satellite systems (e.g., Compact
Rapid Deployables - CRDs), portable repeaters, and evolving interoperability platforms;
ensures system reliability and continuity of operations and performs professional and
administrative work in support of the County’s critical telecommunications capabilities; and
performs other related duties as required.
Distinguishing Characteristics:
This class is distinguished by its countywide responsibility for the planning,
management, and advancement of the County’s mission-critical public safety radio system
and supporting telecommunications infrastructure. The position oversees a multi-site, 800
MHz digital trunked radio network with infrastructure located at the County Emergency
Operations Center (EOC) and numerous remote repeater sites. Responsibilities include
managing system hardware/software, subscriber devices, FCC licensing, and site leases.
The position requires both technical expertise and program management skill, with a future-
oriented role in integrating emerging technologies—such as FirstNet broadband, satellite-
based communications (e.g., CRD units), portable repeater systems (e.g., Daniels), and other
platforms as standards and technologies evolve. Coordination with public safety users, IT,
government agencies, and vendors is critical.
Examples of Duties: (The following are examples of duties and are not necessarily
descriptive of any one position in this class. The omission of specific duties statements does
not preclude management from assigning such duties if such duties are a logical
assignment for the position).
• Manages the County’s 800 MHz digital trunked public safety radio system, including
the system core, server infrastructure, repeater sites, communications shelters, and
leased towers;
• Plans and oversees the installation, configuration, monitoring, and maintenance of
all radio system hardware, software, and networking components;
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• Oversees the County’s fleet of subscriber radios, including radio programming,
inventory control, encryption key management, and repairs;
• Maintains licensing and lease agreements related to telecommunications
infrastructure and ensures compliance with FCC rules and industry standards;
• Develops and implements plans for system upgrades, capacity enhancements, and
future integration of emerging technologies;
• Leads or supports phased integration of supplementary communications platforms,
including: - FirstNet broadband services and interoperability gateways - Satellite-
based systems (e.g., Compact Rapid Deployables – CRDs) - Deployable portable
repeaters (e.g., Daniels systems) - Temporary or mobile tower solutions for incident
response;
• Coordinates with internal County departments, first responder agencies, and
federal/state partners on operational needs and interoperability;
• Manages vendor contracts, procurement, and equipment deployments;
• Develops and administers program budgets and long-range strategic plans;
• Prepares documentation including system diagrams, reports, procedures, and
compliance materials;
• May supervise technical and support staff; participates in hiring, training, and
evaluations as needed;
• Supports emergency operations and ensures rapid recovery or failover capacity
during incidents or outages;
• Stays current on public safety communications trends, regulations, and technological
advancements; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of RF engineering and digital trunked radio systems (e.g.,
800 MHz PLMR); operation, maintenance, and design of land mobile radio systems,
including core, repeater, and subscriber components; telecommunications infrastructure:
towers, shelters, power and cooling systems, site security, and redundant systems; FCC
rules and licensing processes applicable to public safety systems; emerging communications
platforms: FirstNet, satellite deployables (e.g., CRD), portable repeaters, LTE and IP-based
integration; program and project management, budgeting, and vendor oversight;
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interoperability standards (e.g., P25), encryption, and public safety cyber hygiene; principles
of supervision, procurement, and administrative reporting.
Ability to:
Plan, manage, and evaluate a mission-critical telecommunications system and
associated projects; integrate and phase in new technologies while maintaining core system
stability; troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues in Radio Frequency (RF),
Internet Protocol (IP), and hybrid environments; prepare and justify budgets, technical
proposals, and grant applications; interpret FCC and industry regulations, licensing, and
compliance standards; communicate effectively with stakeholders, including public safety
personnel, IT professionals, contractors, and vendors; supervise and develop personnel and
manage contracted services; respond during emergencies and coordinate
telecommunications continuity under adverse conditions.
This is a re-establishment and amendment for the specification for the class,
TELECOMMUNICATIONS OFFICER, which was approved on October 22, 1993, and is to be
substituted for that specification.
Approved: June 16, 2025
(date) ANNETTE L. ANDERSON
Director of Human Resources
PART II DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
COUNTY OF KAUAI 5.145
Minimum Qualification Specifications
for the Class:
TELECOMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
SR-26, BU-13
Training & Experience:
A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to graduation from
an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree in electrical engineering,
electronic engineering, telecommunications, or a related field; and
• five (5) years of specialized work experience.
Qualifying Specialized Work Experience:
Professional work experience in managing land mobile radio systems, including
digital trunked systems, repeater site operations, and subscriber fleet management.
Substitutions Allowed:
The following may be substituted for education:
General professional work experience or education credits can be substituted for up to two
(2) years of the Bachelor’s degree such as:
A. Full-time progressively responsible professional, technical, or substantive work
experience demonstrating the scope, level, and quality of work comparable to a
curriculum leading to an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree.
B. Successful completion of semester credits in a curriculum leading to a degree or
diploma at an accredited community college, trades school, college, or university (15
semester credits = 6 months).
Specialized professional work experience in electrical engineering, electronic engineering,
telecommunications, or a related field or education credits in electrical engineering,
electronic engineering, telecommunications, or a related field can be substituted for up to
four (4) years of the bachelor’s degree such as:
A. Full-time progressively responsible professional, technical, or substantive work
experience demonstrating the scope, level, and quality of work comparable to a
curriculum leading to an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree.
B. Successful completion of semester credits specific to electrical engineering,
electronic engineering, telecommunications, or a related field leading to a degree or
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diploma from an accredited community college, trades school, college, or university
(15 semester credits = 6 months).
A Master’s or PhD degree in electrical engineering, electronic engineering,
telecommunications, or a related field may be substituted for the education requirement.
The following may be substituted for experience:
A. Successful completion of semester credits specific in electrical engineering,
electronic engineering, telecommunications, or a related field leading towards a
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, may be substituted for up
to two (2) years of the specialized work experience requirement (15 semester credits
= 6 months).
B. Successful completion of semester credits specific in electrical engineering,
electronic engineering, telecommunications, or a related field leading towards a
Master’s or PhD degree from an accredited college or university, may be substituted
for up to one (1) year of the specialized work experience requirement (15 semester
credits = 6 months).
C. A Master’s degree in electrical engineering, electronic engineering,
telecommunications, or a related field from an accredited college or university may
be substituted for one (1) year of the specialized work experience requirement.
D. A Doctorate’s degree in electrical engineering, electronic engineering,
telecommunications, or a related field from an accredited college or university may
be substituted for one (1) year of the specialized work experience requirement.
If a degree is used to substitute for the education requirement, it may not be used
again towards the experience requirement. If work experience is used to substitute for
education, it may not be used again to meet the experience requirement. If the applicant
holds more than one degree, transcripts must be provided, and a thorough review will be
conducted by the human resources staff in order for more than one degree to be credited
towards the minimum qualification requirements. Additional degrees can be considered if
obtained independently through mutually exclusive classes from another degree being
considered. Substitutions will be used to the advantage of the applicant.
Quality of Experience:
Possession of the required number of years of experience will not in itself be
accepted as proof of qualification for a position. The applicant's overall experience must
have been of such scope and level of responsibility as to conclusively demonstrate that they
have the ability to perform the duties of the position for which they are being considered.
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License Requirement:
Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator’s license (Hawai‘i Type 3 or equivalent)
and the appropriate licenses or certificates as required of the position.
Selective Certification:
Specialized knowledge, skills and abilities may be required to perform the duties of
some positions. For such positions, Selective Certification Requirements may be
established, and certification may be restricted to eligibles who possess the pertinent
experience and/or training required to perform the duties of the position.
Departments/Agencies requesting Selective Certification must show the connection
between the kind of training and/or experience on which they wish to base selective
certification and the duties of the position to be filled.
Tests:
Applicants may be required to qualify on an appropriate examination.
Health and Physical Condition 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: Light
This is a re-establishment and amendment for the specification for the class,
TELECOMMUNICATIONS OFFICER, which was approved on October 22, 1993, and is to be
substituted for that specification.
Approved: June 16, 2025
(date) ANNETTE L. ANDERSON
Director of Human Resources