Communications Equipment Technician I/II, Grade 18/20

Montgomery County, MD

• $67K — $107K *
Telecommunications & Hardware
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of technical experience with Land Mobile Radio communications equipment, specifically 700/800 MHz systems.
  • 2+ years at the Communications Technician I level required for Communications Technician II applicants.
  • Associate's degree in electrical, electronic, or communications engineering/technology, or equivalent technical training.
  • Valid Class 'C' driver's license from the state of residence required.
  • Experience with IP-based radio systems and microwave equipment is beneficial.

Responsibilities

  • Install, test, adjust, and maintain various radio communications equipment and systems.
  • Ensure 100% availability of the Radio System by performing timely repairs and maintenance.
  • Provide on-the-job training and guidance to fellow technicians on complex systems.
  • Maintain detailed records of equipment maintenance including inventory and configurations.
  • Offer technical recommendations for system improvements based on user feedback and historical data.
  • Procure necessary components for repairs and maintain inventory of spare parts.
  • Conduct training sessions on new technologies for team members and users.

Benefits

  • 15 days of sick leave and 15 days of annual leave in the first year, plus 10 paid holidays.
  • Generous retirement plans including a defined benefit pension plan after 5 years for public safety employees.
  • Tuition assistance of up to $2,130 annually and eligibility for federal loan forgiveness programs.
  • Free access to local public transport with RideOn bus service for County employees.
  • Participate in flexible spending accounts for healthcare and childcare costs.
Full Job Description
Salary : $67,672.00 - $107,323.00 Annually
Location : 16647 Crabbs Branch Way Derwood MD 20855 USA
Job Type: Permanent
Job Number:
Department: Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions
Division: TBS 34 OPS Radio Communications Services
Opening Date: 09/15/2026
Closing Date: 9/22/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Non-Exempt

About the Position
The salary range above represents this position's earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be per year, based on the candidate's qualifications and experience:

: $62,328.00 to $83,136.00

: $67,672.00 to $97,410.00

What You'll Be Doing
The Communications Equipment Technician (both levels):
  • Installs, tests, adjusts, diagnoses, repairs, and maintains a wide range of communications equipment, including 800 MHz, VHF, and UHF radios, computer-controlled radio systems, transmitter and receiver controllers, communications and data switching systems, microwave systems, base stations, repeater networks, audio systems, and emergency power generation equipment.
  • Performs installation, maintenance, and repair of communications system equipment as required to ensure 100% availability of the Radio System. Ensures all work is completed within established timeframes, meets departmental needs and contract requirements, and complies with applicable technical standards.
  • Offers guidance and on-the-job training to other Radio Communications staff on unfamiliar systems and equipment.
  • Prepares and maintains detailed records of work performed on County-owned communications equipment, including labor and materials used, inventory of supplies and components, and system configurations. Updates the asset management system appropriately and promptly.
  • Provides technical and engineering data to support system design improvements. Recommends modifications based on technical expertise, user feedback, and analysis of equipment history.
  • Procures components for system maintenance, repair, and upgrades. Ensures adequate inventory of spare parts and installation materials is maintained in advance of scheduled work.
  • Conducts training sessions, briefings, and workshops to keep team members and stakeholders informed of new technologies or emergent issues and to instruct user agency personnel on the proper operation of communications equipment.
  • Services, maintains, and repairs diesel, natural gas, or propane-powered generators, as well as electrical and electronic UPS battery backup systems.

Work Schedule: This position may require occasional evening and weekend hours based on program needs.

This position requires the ability to attend meetings or perform work at locations outside the office

This position is primarily onsite and does not include telework options at this time.

Minimum Qualifications
Communications Equipment Technician II:

Experience: Thorough (5 years) technical experience in the installation, testing, maintenance and repair of Land Mobile Radio communications equipment, specifically with experience in 700/800 MHz radio, emergency/public safety communications systems, IP based radio systems, microwave equipment; and parts and supply inventory and records maintenance, two (2) years of which must have been equivalent in level to the work of a Communications Technician I.

Education: Possession of an Associate of Arts degree in electrical, electronic or communications engineering/technology; or graduation from a two (2) year electrical, electronic or communications technical training school.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

License: Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class "C" (or equivalent) driver's license from the applicant's state of residence.

Communication Equipment Technician I:

Experience: Considerable (3 years) technical experience (i.e., at the journey level) in the installation, testing, maintenance and repair of radio communications equipment, specifically with experience in VHF and UHF FM mobile radio systems.

Education: Possession of an Associate of Arts degree in electrical, electronic or communications. engineering/technology; or graduation from a two (2) year electrical, electronic or communications technical training school.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

License: Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class "C" (or equivalent) driver's license from the applicant's state of residence.
Both positions:

Probationary Period: Individuals appointed to a position in this class will be required to serve a probationary period of six (6) months, during which time performance will be carefully evaluated. Continuation in this class will be contingent upon successful completion of the probationary period.

Medical Protocol:T his position requires successful completion of a pre-employment medical evaluation, which includes a physical examination and drug screening.
Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences
All Applicants will be reviewed by the Office of Human Resources (OHR) for minimum qualifications. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be rated "Qualified," placed on the Referred List, and may be considered for an interview. Preference for interviews will be given to applicants with experience in the following:
  • Certification by manufacturer for maintenance of Motorola trunked 700/800 MHz radio equipment
  • Demonstrated experience in providing radio services support to Public Safety (Police, Fire Rescue, Corrections, and Sheriffs) customers
  • Demonstrated experience as a field technician involved in the installation, testing, repair, and maintenance of voice and data systems andequipment.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of IP-based technologies and Windows operating systems along with computer networking principles and practices.


IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position.

All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.

This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Leave Benefits

Our generous leave package starts with non-MLS permanent and term employees earning 15 days of sick leave and 15 days of annual leave in their first year, as well as up to three additional personal days each calendar year. Positions in MLS earn 35 days of paid time off each year. In addition, we offer all employees 10 paid holidays. Our leave policies adhere to the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, and we provide six weeks of paid parental leave for new parents.

Retirement Benefits

All permanent and term positions are eligible for robust retirement plans. Public safety positions are eligible for a defined benefit pension plan in which they are vested after only five years. Employees in non-public safety positions can participate in retirement plans that contribute up to 12 percent of their annual salary. All employees can also participate in a supplemental retirement plan, the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, to contribute even more to their retirement goals.

Tuition Assistance & Student Loan Forgiveness

Montgomery County employees are eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Participants who meet all requirements may qualify for forgiveness on the remaining balance on their Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time in a qualifying public service position. To learn more about PSLF, please visit the Student Loan Repayment Benefits page. Our tuition assistance program allows you to receive up to $2,130 annually in tuition assistance to help you achieve a degree that supports your career path.

Free Mass Transit Benefit

County employees are entitled to use the RideOn Bus service for free with a valid County-employee ID. This benefit can be used any time of the day or evening, including weekends. We also offer a pre-tax flexible spending account to reduce the cost of other mass-transit options such as MARC trains and Metro.

Reduced Child and Health Care Costs

Working for Montgomery County also entitles permanent and term employees to participate in healthcare and childcare Flexible Spending Accounts. These plans allow eligible employees to save on a pretax basis for healthcare and dependent care costs incurred during the plan year.

Employee Wellbeing

We deeply care about your holistic wellness. Our award-winning wellness program, LiveWell, will support you in improving and maintaining your physical, mental, financial, social, and intellectual well-being.

Learn more about our wonderful benefits available to you once you join our team. Montgomery County Benefits
01

Do you possess and currently maintain a VALID driver's license from your state of residence?
  • Yes
  • No

02

What is your highest level of completed education?
  • N/A
  • High School/GED
  • Associate's Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree
  • Juris Doctor
  • Doctorate

03

Do you have a degree in electrical, electronic or communications engineering/technology; or graduation from a two (2) year electrical, electronic or communications technical training school?
  • Yes
  • No

04

How many years do you have of technic

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