Communications Technician

Overview

RESIDENCE: Residence is a requirement for all positions. In the absence of clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, an applicant shall be deemed a non-resident if he/she cannot show ninety (90) days of continuous and uninterrupted residence in the City of Buffalo prior to filing application.
THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO ANYONE APPLYING FOR THE BUFFALO POLICE ENTRY LEVEL EXAMINATION. Please take notice that the ordinances of the City of Buffalo mandate continuous residency in the City during employment, except for positions specifically exempt under state law.

FEE: Where indicated, a non-refundable application processing fee must accompany your application via check, cash or money order. (If using check for payment, your check must clear to complete processing.) Check with Civil Service office for fee waiver info.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

Communications Technician # (Open Competitive)

Exam Date:
March 28, 2026
Final Filing Date:
March 12, 2026

An incumbent to a position in this class constructs, installs and repairs all electronic equipment used in the alarm, communications, two-way radio, fax and computer systems of the city including installation, maintenance, repair and splicing of all fire alarm, communication and data cables, underground, overhead and in-house. This is technical electronic work requiring the incumbent to perform skilled work in the construction, installation and repair of all electronic equipment used in the City s fire alarm, two-way radio, communications systems and cable and wire plant.

General assignments and instructions are received from the Superintendent of Communications Operations or a designee, with some leeway for the exercise of responsible independent judgment in carrying out assigned tasks. Supervision may be exercised over personnel assigned.

Examples of work (Illustration Only)

• Constructs, installs and repairs electronic equipment including meters, telephone and telegraph systems, switching equipment, relays, rectifiers, batteries, equipment power supplies, audio and voice alarm systems, etc.
• Installs, troubleshoots and repairs all types of digital electronic equipment as it relates to the central office alarm equipment
• Installs and maintains fiber optic cable and related equipment including pulling, splicing and terminating
• Tests and troubleshoots fiber optic cable and related equipment
• Troubleshoots all overhead and underground circuits, cable and wire, for grounds, crosses, opens, shorts and insulation
• Installs, troubleshoots and repairs City portable, mobile and base station radio equipment and their associated cabling, control lines and antennas
• Installs, troubleshoots and repairs both analog and digital telephones and switching equipment and their associated wire and cable
• Installs, troubleshoots and repairs audio amplification systems and public address equipment and their associated cabling and wire
• Performs skilled work in the installation, maintenance, splicing and repair of all communications and data cables
• May be required to be on 24-hour call to perform emergency repairs as necessary
• May be required to operate a motor vehicle in the performance of daily duties
• Performs related work as required

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate s Degree from an accredited college, university or technical institute in Electrical Engineering Technology, Electrical Construction and Maintenance or a closely related field and one year of full-time experience in the field of electronic communications maintenance work, including the installing and maintaining of two-way radios

NOTE: Experience in the installing and maintaining of telephone and audio equipment and systems, car radios, or any other related equipment will be used to meet six months of the above required experience;

OR

• Graduation from High School, GED or Equivalency Diploma in Electronic or Communications Technician curriculum or a closely related field and two years of full-time experience in the field of electronic communications maintenance work, including the installing and maintaining of two-way radios

NOTE: Experience in the installing and maintaining of telephone and audio equipment and systems,…