Electronics Specialist

About the Department

The City of Richmond's Department of Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response is seeking a dedicated and technologically savvy Electronics Specialist to repair, install and maintain electronic equipment.  The successful incumbent will have demonstrated skill in troubleshooting problems and recommending appropriate solutions.  

Position Duties

• Installing, testing, maintaining, and removing equipment such as computers, routers, keyboards, monitors; mobile radios, data and electronic equipment, back-up equipment, traffic radar equipment, dog kennel cages, emergency lights, etc.; handling service calls by performing unscheduled repairs on service vehicles as assigned;
• Testing equipment such as lights, sirens, computers, routers, keyboards, monitors, etc.;
• Performing installations and removals of equipment in tight quarters such as in trunks of vehicles, under dashboards, and under the vehicle;
• Removing electronic equipment from retired vehicles such as mobile radios, computer equipment, lights, sirens, cages, radar equipment, and consoles.  

This position is considered essential personnel and is subject to work on-call, weekend and holiday hours as scheduled and during natural disasters and emergencies.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED
• Completion of one year of college or specialized vocational training
• Two (2) years of related electronics maintenance and repair experience
• Hands-on experience performing vehicle equipment installation, electronics repair, automotive accessory installation, or related mechanical/electrical work
• Experience using hand tools, power tools, and troubleshooting equipment issues
• Ability to learn and perform installation, testing, maintenance, and removal of electronic and vehicle equipment
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered

• Experience installing vehicle electronics, radios, lights, sirens, cameras, alarms, or related equipment
• Experience working with automotive electrical systems
• Vocational training, military experience, trade school training, or certifications related to electronics, automotive repair, or installation work
• Experience working in a public safety or fleet environment is a plus

• A valid Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record and a valid Commonwealth of Virginia Driver's License within 30 days of hire
• Some positions may require FCC Electronics License and Certified Electronics Technician

• Basic direct and alternating current (DC/AC) electronic theory
• Basic radio frequency theory
• Electrical component theory
• Two-way radio systems
• Vehicle makes and models
• Mechanical systems and soldering
• Safe use of hand and power tools

• Computer Proficiency, including Microsoft Office Suite and database management systems
• Soldering
• Troubleshooting electronics

• Understand and use testing equipment
• Follow safety procedures

Other Qualifications

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach extending hands and arms in any direction, stand, walk, finger (picking, pinching, or otherwise working primarily with fingers), grasp applying pressure to an object with fingers or palms, talk, see, hear, and use substantial repetitive motions of the wrists, hands and fingers. The employee is frequently required to stoop, crouch, feel, pull, push, and lift and occasionally required to climb, balance, kneel, and crawl. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties, this classification is considered to be medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.