Review Vacancy
TitleState EMS Communications and Interoperability Unit Manager (Radio Engineer) - 52416
Occupational CategoryI.T. Engineering, Sciences
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $91298 to $115252 Annually
Duties Description The Communications and Interoperability Unit Manager serves as the Division of State Emergency Medical Services’ lead engineer and technical program manager for public safety voice and data communications systems. Assigned to the Communications and Interoperability Unit within the Communications and Data Integration Branch of the Bureau of EMS Administration, the position engineers, evaluates, implements, configures, operates, and maintains land mobile radio, microwave, satellite, cellular push-to-talk, telephony, call-routing and recording systems, mobile networking, dispatch, interoperability gateway, and deployable communications systems supporting the State Medical Operations Coordination Center, State EMS Task Force, Division field operations, planned events, exercises, and emergency incidents.
The position performs highly complex technical and analytical work involving radio frequency engineering, telecommunications infrastructure, IP networking, mobile communications, system integration, spectrum use, public safety interoperability, and emergency communications continuity. Assignments frequently involve multiple technologies, system owners, manufacturers, frequency bands, system types, network environments, security controls, and jurisdictional requirements. The incumbent independently evaluates technical information, identifies system dependencies and failure points, develops original engineering solutions, establishes configurations and standards, and determines the appropriate balance among coverage, capacity, reliability, interoperability, cybersecurity, operational usability, cost, and maintainability.
Work may occur during system outages, planned events, exercises, or rapidly evolving emergencies when information is incomplete, conditions are changing, and communications capabilities must be restored or adapted under significant time constraints. Errors in system design, configuration, maintenance, frequency coordination, access control, or technical recommendations may cause loss of communications, interference with partner systems, delayed emergency response, impaired situational awareness, exposure of protected communications, avoidable equipment costs, or risks to responder and public safety. The incumbent works under general direction and exercises substantial judgment in determining technical methods, priorities, corrective actions, escalation requirements, and recommendations to Division leadership.
The incumbent establishes technical, configuration, maintenance, security, and operational-readiness standards; analyzes complex system failures and interoperability gaps; develops solutions that integrate Division assets with state, regional, and local public safety systems; manages communications equipment throughout its lifecycle; coordinates vendors, service providers, contractors, and partner agencies; and advises Division leadership on communications capabilities, risks, investments, and modernization priorities. The incumbent may supervise technical or administrative staff assigned to the unit as staffing resources evolve, while the position’s primary focus remains independent radio engineering, communications systems management, technical planning, and operational support.
Major Functions & Associated Duties:
Communications Systems Engineering and Technical Assurance — 35%
Engineers, evaluates, configures, and supports fixed, mobile, and deployable land mobile radio, microwave, satellite, cellular push-to-talk, voice-over-IP and other telephony systems, call-routing and recording platforms, dispatch, mobile networking, interoperability gateway, and IP-based communications systems used by the Division; Develops system architectures, technical requirements, equipment configurations, performance standards, acceptance criteria, and engineering recommendations to ensure communications systems meet operational, interoperability, reliability, cybersecurity, and continuity requirements; Conducts radio coverage, propagation, interference, capacity, connectivity, and system-performance analyses to identify deficiencies and determine appropriate corrective actions; Programs portable and mobile radios and develops code plugs, frequency and channel plans, talk group configurations, radio identifiers, templates, encryption and access configurations, and device profiles based on approved communications plans and operational requirements; Analyzes hardware, software, radio frequency, network, power, and configuration failures to identify root causes and implement or direct corrective actions; Reviews frequency use, system licensing, channel assignments, talk group access, device settings, and system configurations for compliance with applicable technical requirements, operational plans, and spectrum-management practices; Tests system components, interfaces, redundancy measures, software or firmware updates, and communications pathways before implementation or operational use; Analyzes call routing, trucking, session initiation protocol configurations, automatic call distribution, failover, recording, number management, and voice-quality issues to maintain reliable telephony services supporting operational and emergency communications; Evaluates emerging technologies, proposed upgrades, and system-integration options and recommends solutions based on operational need, technical feasibility, interoperability, resilience, security, lifecycle cost, scalability, and compatibility with existing infrastructure.
Operational Readiness, Deployment, and Incident Communications Support — 25%
Maintains the operational readiness of communications systems and deployable assets supporting the State Medical Operations Coordination Center, State EMS Task Force, planned events, exercises, continuity operations, and emergency incidents; Establishes and conducts inspection, diagnostic testing, preventive maintenance, firmware and software update, battery-maintenance, spare-equipment, and replacement procedures to ensure communications assets remain available for immediate use; Configures and integrates radios, dispatch interfaces, telephone handsets, softphones, voice-over-IP gateways, call-routing and recording systems, cellular push-to-talk devices, mobile routers, satellite equipment, interoperability gateways, antennas, power systems, network equipment, and associated peripherals for use at fixed facilities, command posts, mobilization bases, staging areas, alternate operating locations, and field sites; Assesses communications requirements for incidents and planned events and develops technical solutions addressing coverage limitations, infrastructure failure, network congestion, system incompatibility, damaged equipment, loss of commercial service, or other operational barriers; Develops deployable communications packages and system configurations appropriate to the mission, operating environment, participating agencies, anticipated system demand, and available infrastructure; Deploys to operational locations to install, operate, monitor, troubleshoot, repair, replace, or reconfigure communications systems under changing and time-sensitive conditions; Coordinates service restoration, equipment repair, replacement equipment, technical support, and escalation activities with vendors, service providers, system owners, state agencies, and other partners; Documents system failures, communications limitations, corrective actions, and lessons learned and incorporates findings into equipment configurations, maintenance procedures, readiness standards, and future operational plans.
Interoperability Planning and Interagency Coordination — 15%
Develops and updates interoperable communications plans supporting Division operations involving Department programs, state agencies, local governments, public safety organizations, healthcare facilities, EMS agencies, regional partners, and other response organizations; Prepares frequency and talk group matrices, communications resource inventories, technical diagrams, interoperability procedures, communications assignments, equipment plans, and contingency communications strategies for incidents, exercises, special events, and continuity operations; Analyzes interagency communications capabilities to identify technical, coverage, capacity, compatibility, governance, security, policy, or procedural gaps that could impede operational coordination; Recommends communications pathways, equipment configurations, gateway solutions, shared resources, mutual-aid capabilities, or procedural measures that enable participating organizations to communicate while preserving system security, authorized access, and operational control; Coordinates technical planning with Department of Health offices, state communications programs, regional communications organizations, public safety agencies, system operators, healthcare partners, and other stakeholders to align Division capabilities with statewide and regional systems; Participates in statewide and regional communications governance bodies, technical committees, planning groups, exercises, and improvement initiatives; Applies applicable objectives of the Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan and other recognized interoperability frameworks to Division planning, system development, equipment investments, training, and operating procedures; Represents the Division in technical discussions concerning public safety communications, spectrum use, emergency communications resilience, system integration, and interoperability.
Communications Program Management, User Support, Training, and Documentation — 15%
Manages the technical and administrative activities of the Communications and Interoperability Unit by establishing work priorities, organizing projects, scheduling maintenance and implementation activities, and adjusting work to address incidents, outages, operational deadlines, and emerging Division needs; Supervises technical or administrative staff assigned to the unit, as applicable, by establishing priorities, assigning and reviewing work, providing technical direction and training, evaluating performance, and completing supervisory actions in accordance with Department requirements; Coordinates the work of vendors, contractors, service providers, and partner agencies and evaluates deliverables for compliance with technical specifications, engineering standards, security requirements, documentation requirements, schedules, and operational objectives; Provides technical consultation, troubleshooting assistance, and problem resolution to Division personnel who operate, administer, or rely upon communications systems and equipment; Develops and delivers training on radio procedures, equipment operation, system configuration, communications plans, deployment practices, diagnostic procedures, cybersecurity precautions, and incident communications practices; Develops and maintains standard operating procedures, technical manuals, system diagrams, configuration records, code plug documentation, programming templates, user guides, training materials, testing protocols, inspection forms, maintenance records, service histories, and after-action documentation; Administers user, device, radio identifier, talk group, frequency, encryption, and system-access records to maintain accurate configuration control and operational accountability; Prepares technical analyses, status reports, briefing materials, risk assessments, corrective-action recommendations, and other documentation for Division leadership concerning communications readiness, system performance, operational limitations, technical risks, and program needs.
Asset Lifecycle Management, Procurement, and Strategic Modernization — 10%
Administers the inventory, assignment, storage, maintenance history, warranty status, software and firmware status, configuration, and operational condition of Division communications equipment, infrastructure, and related accessories; Conducts lifecycle, condition, capacity, failure-trend, and obsolescence assessments to identify equipment or systems requiring repair, upgrade, replacement, redistribution, consolidation, or retirement; Develops technical specifications, cost estimates, procurement documentation, evaluation criteria, budget recommendations, and implementation plans for communications equipment, infrastructure, system services, software, subscriptions, maintenance agreements, and professional services; Evaluates vendor proposals, equipment demonstrations, system designs, and completed deliverables for compliance with technical requirements, interoperability standards, cybersecurity controls, and Division operating needs; Monitors maintenance agreements, system licenses, subscriptions, warranties, support services, and vendor obligations to prevent interruptions in communications capability; Plans system capacity, redundancy, resilience, scalability, and continuity to support expansion of the State Medical Operations Coordination Center, State EMS Task Force, and other Division programs; Develops multiyear recommendations for communications infrastructure, technology modernization, equipment replacement, system consolidation, and integration of emerging technologies; Coordinates the secure transfer, decommissioning, disposal, or retirement of obsolete equipment in accordance with applicable Department asset-control, information-security, and records-management requirements.
Minimum Qualifications *Six years of experience as a radio systems engineer involving the development, deployment, operation, and maintenance, of wireless land mobile radio or other wireless communications systems.
Substitutions: *College degree in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, applied engineering, physics, or a related field may substitute for general experience as follows: associate's two years, bachelor's four years, and master's five years.
Preferred Qualifications: (Certifications / Licenses): Federal Communications Commission General Radiotelephone Operator License or comparable radio technician certification; Completion of Communications Unit Technician, Communications Unit Leader, or comparable public safety communications training; Completion of Incident Command System courses ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300, IS-700, and IS-800, or willingness to complete assigned courses within a timeframe established by the Division; Manufacturer, industry, or professional training in Project 25 systems, radio frequency engineering, microwave or satellite communications, IP networking, cybersecurity, dispatch systems, or related communications technologies.
Preferred Qualifications (Experience): At least two years of the qualifying experience in a public safety, emergency management, healthcare, governmental, or other mission-critical communications environment; Experience engineering, configuring, testing, troubleshooting, or maintaining Project 25 conventional and trunked radio systems, dispatch consoles, interoperability gateways, microwave or satellite links, cellular push-to-talk platforms, mobile routers, and IP-based communications networks; Experience programming portable and mobile radios and developing code plugs, channel plans, talk group configurations, radio identifiers, device templates, and user profiles; Experience conducting radio coverage, interference, capacity, or system-performance analyses; Experience configuring, troubleshooting, or supporting enterprise or public safety telephony systems, including voice-over-IP, call routing, automatic call distribution, call recording, failover, or dispatch-integrated telephone systems; Experience providing technical communications support during emergency incidents, exercises, planned events, or field deployments; Experience coordinating technical projects, vendors, contractors, maintenance agreements, procurements, or system replacements; Experience developing interoperable communications plans or participating in multi-agency communications governance and planning.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge / Skills / Abilities): Advanced knowledge of radio frequency principles, propagation, spectrum use, frequency coordination, licensing requirements, conventional and trunked land mobile radio systems, Project 25 standards, dispatch infrastructure, microwave and satellite communications, cellular communications, mobile data systems, IP networking, system integration, redundancy, and cybersecurity; Knowledge of public safety communications interoperability principles, incident communications structures, communications governance, and the Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan; Ability to analyze system architecture, technical specifications, coverage information, diagnostic results, failure patterns, and vendor documentation and develop practical and defensible engineering solutions; Ability to troubleshoot complex hardware, software, radio frequency, network, and configuration problems under operational time constraints; Knowledge of voice-over-IP architecture, session initiation protocol, call routing, telephone number management, automatic call distribution, call recording, survivability, redundancy, and integration of telephony with dispatch and emergency communications systems; Ability to prepare system designs, technical specifications, procurement requirements, standard operating procedures, communications plans, diagrams, code plug documentation, user guides, reports, and executive recommendations; Ability to manage concurrent projects, establish priorities, coordinate vendors and partners, and communicate complex technical concepts to technical and nontechnical audiences; Ability to deliver effective training and technical assistance; Ability to travel, work outside normal business hours, and support emergency operations as assigned.
Additional Comments Health Emergency Management Statement: All Division of State Emergency Medical Services staff are expected to participate in emergency management activities as part of their roles. While not all positions require regular deployment to disaster sites, all employees may be subject to 24/7 recall for emergency operations. This may involve irregular work hours, duties outside of the official position description, and assignments at locations other than the designated duty station. Travel in support of emergency operations may be extensive (lasting from days to weeks), with little advance notice, and may involve relocation to sites with physically demanding and challenging operational conditions.
When reviewing qualifications, omissions and vagueness cannot be interpreted in the candidate’s favor. Candidates are responsible for providing accurate and clear descriptions of their experience demonstrating how they meet the minimum qualifications.
The NYS Department of Health is committed to making New York a safer, healthier, and more equitable place to live. Understanding health equity, social determinants of health and health disparities is critical to accomplish our goal of eliminating health disparities. For more information on the NYS Department of Health’s Mission, Vision, Values and Strategic Plan, please visit: https://health.ny.gov/commissioner/index.htm
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Name Human Resources Management Group, SM/RE/52416
Email Address resume@health.ny.gov
Address
Street Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza, Room 2217
Notes on ApplyingPlease submit your resume and cover letter through the online portal using the link below:
https://apps.health.ny.gov/pubpal/builder/survey/EMS061.2613
Alternatively, resumes and cover letters may also be submitted by:
Email to: Resumes@health.ny.gov using the subject line of LD/RE/52416
Mail to: Human Resources Management Group, SM/RE/52416, Rm 2217, Corning Tower Building, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237-0012
Fax to: (518) 473-3395