Salary: $78,146.90 - $137,521.28 Annually
Location : Alexandria, VA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:Department: Department of Emergency Communications
Division: OPERA
Opening Date: 10/21/2026
Closing Date: 11/20/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit: N/A
Radio System ManagerThe City of Alexandria is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking Radio Systems Manager to direct and maintain the City's mission-critical radio infrastructure. Operating with considerable independence under the administrative direction of the Division Chief of Public Safety Communication Systems, the Radio System Manager serves as the primary technical expert and single point of contact for all P25 radio system operations, interjurisdictional interoperability, vendor relations, and FCC compliance. This pivotal role combines technical oversight, strategic planning, and vendor management to ensure Alexandria's multi-agency communications network remains resilient, secure, and prepared to support first responders and regional partners. In addition, this employee will be responsible for developing the budget for the radio system, planning the lifecycle replacement, and modernization of critical infrastructure as well as assisting departments in preparing their budgets for radio system expenditures and advising them on the acquisition of new system equipment.
What You Should Bring The ideal candidate should have comprehensive knowledge of current and developing radio technology related to multi-channel, multi-agency, two-way radio systems, thorough knowledge of F.C.C. regulations governing multi-frequency operations, good knowledge of emergency and non-emergency public safety operations, and an understanding of municipal government functions. Furthermore, they should demonstrate the ability to analyze technical and contractual information, perceive user needs to develop fulfilling solutions, and interpret and report on complex problems. Strong candidates will excel at planning, monitoring, and evaluating long-term development projects, establish and maintain effective working relationships across departments, contractors, and outside government agencies, and communicating effectively both orally and in writing.
The Opportunity - Performs overall system maintenance and repair on radio system database;
- Attends to software alarms and hardware failures;
- Develops the annual and long-range budgets for the radio system and subscribers, leases, and equipment updates as well as assisting other departments in preparing their budgets for the total radio system expenditures and advising them on the acquisition of new equipment;
- Develops, justifies, manages, and provides supplemental requests to the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) committee for technology advancements;
- Manages multiple databases;
- Alias's, ID's, templates for the city and outside jurisdictions and agencies to ensure complete interoperability;
- Manages, with the cooperation of other city departments, the Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES) program which includes verifying the proper operation of this system to ensure they do not interfere with the larger radio system.
- Stays abreast of current building code as the code affects the installation and maintenance of ERCES.
- Provides proactive technical support on 911 operations;
- Provides interface with vendors, telephone companies, total line count and adjustment, adding wireless or wireline trunk channels;
- Maintains voice recorder, as well as interfaces between 911, non-emergency and administrative lines, backup recordings and operation;
- Maintains system wide radio inventory - mobiles, portables, spares, and sites;
- Purchases equipment as necessary to maintain readiness;
- Coordinates fleet mapping and templates;
- InterCity, interjurisdictional, and interagency;
- Maintains, modifies, and renews FCC licenses;
- Ensures the City's compliance with the current rules established by the FCC;
- Monitors updates and changes from the FCC and develop solutions;
- Analyzes technical and contractual information from vendors, consultants and the FCC;
- Writes white papers, objections and recommendations as required;
- Attends local, state, and federal meetings monthly on communications, interoperability, special events;
- Establishes base communication plans, goals and objects;
- Performs related work as required.
Minimum & Additional Requirements Two-Year College Degree; five years of experience in coordinating the operation and maintenance of a two-way public safety radio system, including at least five years managing the daily operations or use of a radio system or other communications system; and completion of courses in electrical engineering, electronics, data communications, radio engineering, or a closely-related field. Working knowledge of FCC rules and licensing.
Preferred QualificationsFour-Year College Degree; extensive sound engineering experience in developing, implementing and operation of digital radio, two-way radio, public safety radio communications systems and commercial communications circuits, coordinating the operation and maintenance of a digital, IP-based, two-way radio system or other communications system(s), including at least five years managing the daily operations or use of a radio system; and an Electrical Engineering degree, cross work in IT, radio system management, RF propagation and radio management. Experience in FCC applications, licensing and propagation studies.
NotesThis position requires successful completion of pre-employment checks and medical testing including but not limited to a criminal history records check, fingerprinting, drug screening, vision and hearing exam.
We are proud to welcome you to explore the City of Alexandria's excellent benefits and programs!
The benefits referenced on this site, may be changed from time to time without notice. Temporary and some part-time positions are not eligible for these benefits. For further information, please contact the Talent Acquisition Team of Human Resources at
01
I understand that failure to thoroughly and accurately complete the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections on my application and the "Supplemental Questionnaire" will result in my application being rejected.
02
Do you have a two-year college degree (or higher-level degree) AND completion of courses in electrical engineering, electronics, data communications, radio engineering, or a closely-related field?
03
The preferred candidate will have a four-year college degree (ideally an Electrical Engineering degree), in addition to cross work in IT, radio system management, RF propagation and radio management. Do you meet this preferred qualification?
04
Do you have at least five years of experience in coordinating the operation and maintenance of a two-way public safety radio system, to including at least five years managing the daily operations or use of a radio system or other communications system?
05
Please describe your hands-on experience managing and maintaining a Project 25 (P25) public safety radio system. In your response, specifically address, system architecture, fleet mapping, template design, database administration, subscriber ID/alias management, and experience responding to software alarms, hardware failures, and system outages under high-pressure public safety conditions. If you do not have this experience, please answer N/A
06
Briefly highlight a major capital project or system modernization project you planned and managed from proposal to completion. Include details on how you managed budget, timeline, and vendor deliverables. If you do not have this experience, please answer N/A.
07
Describe your experience with Federal Communications Commission (F.C.C.) licensing, compliance, and regulatory monitoring. Please mention any experience conducting RF propagation studies, writing technical white papers, or filing formal comments/objections with regulatory bodies. If you do not have this experience, please answer N/A.
08
Interagency collaboration is a critical component of this role. Describe a scenario where you coordinated fleet maps, templates, or talkgroups across multiple outside jurisdictions or regional public safety partners. What challenges arose, and how did you ensure seamless interoperability? If you do not have this experience, please answer N/A.
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