Salary: $48.99 - $59.55 Hourly
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Classified
Job Number: 4122-26
Department: City of Tacoma - CITY WIDE LIST
Opening Date: 09/15/2026
Closing Date: 9/29/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Position Description
Do you find personal satisfaction from working on communications infrastructure that will bring real value to a community well into the future? Are you the type who enjoys solving complex puzzles? Do you like the idea of being a part of a team focused on your personal success and professional growth, as well as of those we serve? If any of this resonates with you, this job and the City of Tacoma might be the place for you.

The City of Tacoma is creating a new civil service list for Communications Systems Technician I. The Communications Tech I's perform first level skilled duties in the installation, repair, and maintenance of Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) and Tacoma General Government communications infrastructure including: Two-way radio communications equipment; Telecommunications Systems; Microwave Radio Systems; Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems (SCADA); Telephony and Data Networks; Security Systems; Closed Circuit Television; Access Control; Tele-protection Systems; Synchronous Optical Network (SONET), Multiple Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) and Cable Plant.

Responsibilities Include:

• Installing and maintaining a variety of Network and Communications infrastructure and end user devices to industry standards
• Properly route wire and/or cables through crawl spaces, work spaces and other City facilities/plants
• Performing communications cable terminations and testing
• Installing radios and antennas in City vehicles
• Train with and assist higher level Communication Systems Technicians
• Ensure established standards and specifications are followed for the installation of communications infrastructure in buildings, remote facilities, in the rights-of way and on private property

In this role you will be joining a team that is truly focused on your success and professional development. This is a cornerstone of our team culture. You will have an opportunity to learn and develop from some of the most capable and passionate professional in our field.
Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or equivalent AND
• Two (2) years of work experience in the installation, maintenance and repair of electronic communications equipment and infrastructure, RF technology or computer networking, physical security, Telephony or automation controls

OR

• Graduation from high school or equivalent AND
• Two years of related Trade School education

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Depending on position:

• Valid Washington State Driver's License at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter
• First-aid/CPR certification by completion of probation with maintenance thereafter
• For positions requiring work in the vicinity of energized equipment, completion and maintenance training required by WAC 296-45, following hire
• Must be able to pass background screening for applicable security access and maintain security clearance

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year education
Knowledge & Skills

• Safe operation of specialized tools, test equipment, man lift trucks, underground construction equipment and other devices commonly operated in the trade for the installation of communications cabling, related infrastructure and security equipment
• Methods, materials and terminology used in the installation, repair and maintenance of communication and security equipment
• Electronic theory and standard electrical wiring procedures
• Test communication cabling to ensure required standards are being met
• Interpret and apply related laws, rules, codes, policies and procedures
• Read and interpret schematic, wiring and digital drawings
• Maintain records and prepare reports
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Safely work at heights from antenna towers, platforms or man lift trucks
• Observe adequate safety precautions against occupational hazards

Selection Process & Supplemental Information
Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Annual Salary: $101,899.20- $123,864.00

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
01

Have you graduated from high school or earned an equivalent credential and completed one of the following?

• Two (2) years of work experience in the installation, maintenance, and repair of electronic communications equipment and infrastructure, RF technology, computer networking, physical security, telephony, or automation controls;
• Two (2) years of related trade school education.
• High School/ High School Equivalent Only
• None of the Above

02

Responses to supplemental questions must be original content created by the applicant using their own words. The use of online tools or resources to create responses, such as Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT, etc.), Google, Bing, etc., or plagiarism in any form, is considered cheating and falsification of the application.I understand that any form of cheating or falsification will disqualify my application for further consideration.

• Yes
• No

03

Please describe your work experience in the installation, maintenance and repair of infrastructure related electronic communications equipment, RF technology or computer networking.
04

What interests you in this position?
05

What technical skills or competencies make you a good candidate for this position?
06

Describe a time when you had to communicate something important to a customer who did not understand your industry or functions/technical language well.
07

Describe a specific time when you built strong relationships where none previously existed.
08

One of the City's Principles that guides us is Equity. Describe what equity means to you and describe any experience you have working with diverse groups of people.
Required Question