Communications Program Specialist

Job Title Communications Program Specialist Agency Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service Department Texas Task Force 1 Proposed Minimum Salary $26.
04 hourly Job Location College Station, Texas Job Type Temporary/Casual Staff (Fixed Term) Job Description General Summary: The Communications Program Specialist is responsible for providing technical support and performing maintenance related to the task force emergency response communications and computer network equipment caches at the Texas Task Force 1 facility in College Station, TX and Texas Task Force 2 facility in Dallas, TX.
Serves as a subject matter expert and performs maintenance, utilization, installation, and purchasing of communications and computer network equipment.
Approximately 20% of position duties may be performed remotely via telework.
This position reports to the Logistics Director.
Required Qualifications: High School Diploma or GED.
Three years of experience performing network and communications support in state or federal emergency response operations.
Required Licenses/Certifications: Must have a valid motor vehicle operator’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment.
FEMA Communications Specialist certification.
Must have or complete the following training within 60 days of employment: Forklift Operator Training ICS 100 ICS 200 ICS 700 ICS 800 Preferred Qualifications: Ten years of experience performing network and communications support in state or federal emergency response operations.
Five years deployment experience as a FEMA US&R Communications Specialist during a federally declared disaster.
Five years deployment experience supporting the FEMA US&R Incident Support Team during a federally declared disaster.
Knowledge of the Texas Division of Emergency Management ESF9 operations.
Knowledge of municipal trunked 700/800MHZ radio networks within the state of Texas.
Physical Requirements: Ability to manipulate small hand tools and electronic components.
Ability to work outdoors exposed to various weather conditions, potential allergens, elevated noise levels, heat and cold.
Ability to perform duties in austere conditions where local public infrastructure has been degraded by a disaster.
Ability to adapt to irregular schedules, supporting equipment cache workdays, day/night deployment operations and training deliveries.
Physical conditioning consistent with logistics operations to include organizing and movement of light, moderate, and/or heavy supplies, tools, and emergency response equipment.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to program and network electronic communications and computer network equipment.
Ability to diagnose, repair, and maintain electronic communications and computer network equipment.
Knowledge of procedures for proper integration and installation of electronic components in 12v and 24v DC vehicle power systems.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to ensure understanding.
Ability to interact with staff positively and professionally, task force members, and other state or federal agency personnel.
Ability to remain flexible and adapt to evolving circumstances during disaster response.
Knowledge of FEMA US&R System procedures and guidelines.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
Technical knowledge of Ku-band and MSAT satellite communications systems.
Detailed knowledge of computer networking systems to include satellite internet, voice-over-IP (VOIP) and Wifi systems.
Detailed knowledge of radio programming processes to include writing radio frequency code plugs, over-the-air encryption key loading, and flash-coding.
Equipment: Regular use of pallet jack to move heavy pallets & skids.
Occasional use of forklift.
Occasional operation of UTVs (Gator or Mule).
Radios and communications equipment.
Hand/power tools.
Frequent use of TEEX motor vehicles with trailers.
Notifications: This position is security sensitive.
This position may require work beyond normal office hours and/or work on weekends.
This position requires compliance with state and federal laws/codes and Texas A&M University System/TEEX regulations and procedures.
All tasks and job responsibilities must be performed safely without injury to self or others in compliance with System and Agency safety requirements.
As part of TEEX’s mission of providing training, developing practical solutions, and saving lives; this position could be required, if called upon, to deploy within the State of Texas as directed by this position’s Division Director/HQ Department Head.
Ability to travel independently to other and/or remote locations by driving a personal or TEEX vehicle and/or flying on commercial airlines.
This position allows telecommuting per TEEX guidelines.
This is a wage position established to accommodate a temporary organizational need.
As such, TEEX does not guarantee any set number of hours or length of employment in this role.
Essential Duties, Tasks, and Percentages: Maintain Response Equipment Cache - 80% Performs programming and networking of electronic communications and computer network equipment.
Diagnoses, repairs, and maintains electronic communications and computer network equipment.
Installs radio and other communication components in vehicles and facilities.
Maintains detailed and accurate maintenance and accountability records for all FEMA or state-owned communications or computer network equipment.
Forecasts replacement/recapitalization needs and make recommendations for purchasing and disposal of excess, obsolete, or damaged communications and electronic equipment according to federal, state, and agency requirements.
Assists Logistics Director with developing maintenance schedules and training plans for Communications and Logistics personnel during Logistics Workdays.
Ensures accountability and security for communications equipment cache items in accordance with state and federal requirements.
Travels to participating agencies to conduct maintenance and accountability inspections of prepositioned task force communications equipment and provide updates to leadership regarding condition and status of equipment.
Task Force Training Support – 10% Travels to various locations in and out of state to support task force training events as assigned by supervisor.
Transports equipment and supplies to training location by truck and trailer.
Ensures security and accountability of all task force equipment at training site.
State and Federal Deployment Support - 10% Provides equipment status updates and makes recommendations to task force leadership regarding equipment resource availability for disaster response.
Responds as a Communications or Support Specialist for periods up to 14 days at the direction of Texas Division of Emergency Management or FEMA Urban Search & Rescue System.
Provides maintenance and procurement support to task force communications resources in the field.
Other Duties: Performs additional work duties as assigned.
All positions are security-sensitive.
Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.