Microwave Radio Communications Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $83,221.76 - $122,947.96 Annually
Location : Perris
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: 26-86131-02
Department: Fire
Division: Fire Protection - Forest
Opening Date: 08/14/2026
Closing Date: 8/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
For questions regarding this position, please contact the Recruiter listed in the Supplemental Information section.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The County of Riverside seeks candidates to fill positions throughout Riverside County. A list of eligible candidates will be established to fill current and future vacancies.
The County of Riverside's Fire Department has an opportunity for a Radio Communications Technician III (IT Communications Technician III) who will be assigned to the Fire Protection - Forest division in Perris.
The Radio Communications Technician III (IT Communications Technician III) will be tasked with performing repairs of communication repeaters and dispatch radio systems, repairs of mobile and handheld radios, and the department's keyless security door system. Additionally, the Radio Communications Technician III (IT Communications Technician III) will repair headsets and emergency warning lights in/on apparatus and provide repairs to telephone network systems and infrastructure.
Competitive candidates will possess four years, within the last five years, of experience in vehicle outfitting, 12-volt circuitry and wiring, installing, maintaining and repairing two-way radios and lead experience with team members. Project Management experience is highly desired.
This position follows a 9/80 schedule; please note that extended hours, standby shifts and travel throughout the county are required.
Meet the Team!
The Riverside County Fire Department is one of California's largest integrated, cooperative, regional fire protection organizations. The Department, a unique partnership between State of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the County of Riverside, serves 19 partner agencies and 1 community service district. The Department has five core values: Leadership, Competence, Integrity, Safety, and Customer Service.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
• Install communication (e.g., VHF radio, microwave radio, mobile data computer) and other equipment in or on vehicles; install communication (e.g., VHF radio, microwave radio, computer, telephone) and other equipment (e.g., infrastructure equipment, cabling) in offices and other buildings (e.g., remote microwave/radio tower sites); perform preventative maintenance on communication network and/or components.
• Install and configure network hardware and software; update system documentation; coordinate system/component upgrades and repairs with vendors and users; monitor the work of vendors to ensure compliance of enterprise standards for products and services; provide user training regarding equipment and network utilization.
• Troubleshoot, repair, and resolve malfunction of equipment and devices (e.g., computer, radio repeaters, vhf/microwave radios, telephone systems, and cabling); diagnose, locate and repair network malfunctions.
• Be able to use test equipment to check a vhf antenna/radio systems for sensitivity and/or interference to ensure optimal safety and performance.
• Troubleshoot, repair, program and resolve malfunctions of Code 3 emergency alerting systems within County emergency response vehicles/vessels (e.g. lights, sirens, PA, low level power sources).
• Utilize and administer enterprise network applications such as domain name services, network modeling, trend analysis, IP address management and network configuration management.
• Research, evaluate and test proposed products, product versions and systems solutions.
• Coordinate all telephone and data services for County departments; coordinate the installation and operation of the County private telephone system, 911 emergency telephone system and all microwave and radio systems with County departments, cities and telephone companies.
• Confer with County staff and vendors to determine requirements and services and coordinate activities to ensure capability exists for inter-agency communication.
• Plan new and revised communications systems; estimate installation and recurring costs; coordinate the modification and installation of systems and leased data and transmission facilities; review and verify billings for completeness and accuracy prior to submission for payment; prepare recommendations and reports.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Graduation from high school, possession of a certificate of proficiency issued by the California State Board of Education, or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. test. IT job-related coursework from an accredited college, university or trade school in computer science, computer information systems, data processing, information management or a related field to the assignment is preferred.
Experience
Four years of successful VHF radio or microwave job-related experience, one year of which included either lead level duties or technically advanced RF job-related work. (One year as a Radio Communications Technician II (IT Communications Technician II) will satisfy the one year of lead or technically advanced experience requirement.)
Other RequirementValid California Driver License: Class C
Required SkillsThe installation and coordination of the installation of communication systems including voice, videoconferencing, VHF radio, microwave and data in vehicles, remote sites and buildings; use of test equipment to isolate, repair and resolve problems; problem isolation techniques; coordination, planning or designing of modern and computer based business telephone systems to include planning, development and evaluation of computer telephony integration (CTI) systems involving extensive communication with telephone service user.
Knowledge Of
The principles, methods, and techniques used in the course of work for the IT Communications Technician series; principles and techniques applied to IT devices, applications and systems; principles of organization and administration; principles of documentation and recordkeeping, storage and retrieval.
Ability ToGather and analyze data, reason logically, draw valid conclusions and make appropriate recommendations; resolve technical problems and innovate more efficient use of IT resources; perform systems analysis work and problem solving; interpret and follow written and oral instructions; prepare concise reports and documents; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, customers, other employees, and the public; communicate effectively with people at all organizational levels.
Preferred Skills
Assessing customer repair needs based on description of problems; installation and configuration of network hardware and software; use of systems level maintenance and management tools; troubleshooting and repairing/resolution of equipment malfunction in a multi-user, single platform environment; interpreting of customer technology needs.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Application Status
How to confirm your application was received or check on the status of your application, log-in to , click on your name in the upper right corner and click on "Applications & Status".
Sign Up for Job Alerts
Go to , click on "Careers," click on "County Job Openings" and click on the "Subscribe to Job Alerts" icon.
For questions regarding this recruitment:
Contact Richard Griego at (951) 955-5162 or Please allow 1-2 business days for a response to general inquiries.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Veteran's Preference
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, attach the required documents to your job application. Documents include a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service. For spousal preference, and as applicable, the following documents: a copy of your marriage certificate, spouse's death certificate, a letter of spouse's disability and/or letter of service-related death (if available) from the U.S. Veteran's Administration. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. For complete details and documentation requirements, please review the Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 here:
Reasonable Accommodations
The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at:
Proof of Education
If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.
If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services () or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. ().
Work Authorization Requirement
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. The County of Riverside does not participate in visa sponsorship programs, including H1-B visas, and will not provide sponsorship for any employment-based visas.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.
Pre-Employment
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.
Probationary Period
As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.
General Information
Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies.
Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.
Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site,
If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the governmentjobs.com applicant support desk Monday through Friday, 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at support@governmentjobs.com or toll-free 1-855-524-5627.
BENEFIT PROGRAM: UPE
MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable LIUNA Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.
Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).

• Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.
• Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.
• Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. Effective July 1, 2023 employee contributions