State Radio Network Engineer

Job Description

Job ID: 35055
Agency: Bureau of Information and Technology
Location:Pierre, SDSalary: $73,063.30-$91,329.12 Annual Salary, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: 07
Closing Date: 4/2/26

This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position with the Bureau of Information and Technology - Technology Operations and Communications. For more information on the Bureau of Information and Technology, please visit https://www.sd.gov/bit .

This position focuses on the design, optimization, engineering, and improvements of connectivity, applications, and related systems supporting our statewide public safety land-mobile radio network. This position works with our Enterprise Architecture team, radio technicians, Service Delivery, and leadership to research, design, and deploy technologies and services across a broad base of technologies with a focus on public safety communications. Technologies in use include Motorola P25 radios, radio towers and RF equipment, Motorola Smart Connect, Motorola Critical Connect, Motorola Inter RF Subsystem Interface (ISSI), Push-to-Talk systems, radio system recording, radio monitoring, and public safety communications and situational awareness applications. Other desired skillsets include project management, radio frequency planning, studies, and administration, remote system management, and understanding of layer 2 and 3 networking. The State Radio Network Engineer will demonstrate strategic leadership, influence, and expertise that drive the improvement of the state's use of technology. Incumbents are responsible for the most complex, statewide infrastructure systems, as well as planning for and evaluating large-scale core information technology and communications equipment, systems, and software.

The incumbent will be a salaried position, and primary duties will include:

• Operation, design, and maintenance of Motorola radio and IT system technologies, including Windows and Linux servers, CCGW convention gateways, radio system site gateways, frequency combiners;
• Operation, design, and maintenance of Motorola Critical Connect, Smart Connect, Digital Vehicle Repeater Systems (DVRS), and Inter-RF Subsystem Interface (ISSI);
• Design and effective implementation of Radio over Internet Protocol (RoIP) devices;
• Review and design of integrated Push-to-Talk systems within a public safety environment;
• Monitoring of radio towers, equipment, and usage via SDM3000 devices, CirrusCentral, and Genesis toolsets;
• Design and maintenance and MCC7500/MCC7500e/AXS dispatch consoles integrated within a Motorola P.25 system;
• Operation, design, and maintenance of multimedia radio system recording;
• Operation and maintenance of public safety communications/situation awareness tools;
• Review professional radio tower inspection documents and provide prioritized recommendations for changes and repairs;
• Operation and maintenance of remote radio management toolsets;
• Operation, design, and maintenance of Motorola AES256 encryption schemes, keyloader devices, and related technologies;
• Design and maintenance of over-the-air radio rekeying (OTAR) and over-the-air radio programming (OTAP) systems;
• IT asset management activities;
• Coordination and updates of federal oversight agencies, including FCC ASR regulations, FCC frequency analysis and coordination, FAA OE/AAA coordination, and more;
• Participation in outreach and coordination meetings with public safety stakeholders and technology engineers/architects;
• Work with networking staff and telecom providers to order, repair, and decommission networking equipment and circuits.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• a degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Electrical Engineering, Technology Engineering, or related field preferred but not required;
• experience working with public safety organizations and their communications needs;
• a deep understanding of Motorola radio equipment, P25 standards, and related equipment/technologies;
• an understanding of IT Service Management and ITIL concepts;
• excellent customer facing skills, comfortable working with different levels of staff;
• ability to stay organized in a mission-critical environment;
• a drive to learn and a eagerness to research and improve technologies;
• robust critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills;
• ability to network with and coordinate communications activities and services with agencies, states, and the federal government;
• a passion for service to public safety.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• p ublic safety communications, radios, and integration, including TDMA and FDMA P25 trunked systems, ASR and Simulcast sites;
• d eep understanding of radio tower infrastructure, buildings, VHF and microwave antennae, and related structures;
• t rends and best practices in radio and technology systems;
• r adio tower inspection requirements and review;
• F ederal Communications Commission licensing, processes and rules;
• Federal Aviation Administration processes and rules regarding radio towers, NOTAMs, etc.;
• r adio programming and codeplug development, including Over-the-Air radio rekeying (OTAR), Over-the-Air radio programming (OTAP), and AES 256 multikey encryption;
• Infrastructure technologies, including backup power/uninterrupted power supplies, generators, IP networking, telecommunications services, Radio over Internet Protocol (RoIP), mobile broadband (4G LTE and 5G), and smartphones;
• a dvanced Motorola technology systems, including digital vehicle repeater systems and Inter-RF Subsystem Interface;
• d iverse radio and infrastructure standards, including R56 grounding, grade of service, and radio paging/admin tone paging;
• s ystem monitoring using SNMP, SDM3000, MOSCAD, and Edge technologies;
• r adio tower loading analysis and optimization;
• d ispatch console (Motorola MCC7500/MCC7500e, Zetron, etc.) systems administration and patching;
• IT asset management and system management practices including Linux and Windows Server platforms.

Ability to:

• work with state agencies, neighboring states, and the federal government to collaborate on public safety communications opportunities and challenges;
• engage in long-term strategic planning regarding systems development and integration;
• review contracts, policies, and procedures for technical accuracy and completeness;
• manage projects;
• train and mentor staff, customers, and vendors;
• review radio programming codeplugs including cataloging and approval;
• review radio tower inspections and prioritize necessary repairs;
• perform tower site inspections and develop standards for site conditions and maintenance;
• conceptualize and implement systems and improvements within broad technical or structural frameworks;
• partner with leadership, the Enterprise Architecture team, and State Radio Communications teams to analyze, redesign, and modernize technology and drive efficiencies;
• think in a technically creative manner with an open mind;
• establish standards for radio and radio-adjacent technologies and equipment;
• research, evaluate, and implement new technologies with enthusiasm;
• coordinate activities and communicate effectively with clients, peers, and contractors;
• act as a liaison with other technology teams to ensure any issues are resolved;
• diagnose and resolve system problems;
• develop and maintain tower site maintenance and environmental alarm standards;
• create and maintain documentation on standard operating procedures and system designs;
• design, implement, and maintain system security strategies, policies, and procedures;
• perform and oversee investigations in site frequency availability, interference, and RSSI measurements;
• provision, program, patch, and integrate dispatch consoles into a Motorola P25 radio system;
• perform radio and antenna propagation mapping studies and coverage analysis;
• generate daily/weekly/monthly system reports and mitigation plans using Genesis GenWatch and/or Motorola Cirrus Central;
• work with multiple vendors across multiple systems;
• lead and work on large / complex system deployment projects in a team environment;
• work closely with system users in the identification and resolution of user problems and concerns for complex projects;
• work alone and as a member of a team.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=3MG
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"

#LI-Onsite