Vehicle Upfitting Technician na City of Tuscaloosa, AL

About the Department

The purpose of this classification is to perform technical and specialized work functions associated with installing, maintaining, and repairing communications/electronic systems and mobile equipment utilized throughout the City of Tuscaloosa.

Position Duties

The following duties are normal for this classification.  The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.   Other duties may be required and assigned.  Specific duties listed may not be required for all positions within this classification, but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

Installs, maintains, and/or repairs mobile communications and electronic equipment, specifically: cellular telephones, vehicle mounted radios, public address systems, mobile data units, Cradlepoint mobile routers or like devices, in-car video systems, and other electronic systems.

Installs, repairs, and/or maintains an assortment of lighting and warning devices/systems including alarms, sirens,

emergency lighting and controls, K-9 overheating alarms/cooling devices and other related equipment.

Programs vehicle mounted public safety radio equipment, light controllers, in-car videos systems, K-9 overheating/cooling systems.

Checks functioning of newly installed equipment to evaluate system performance under actual operating conditions.

Converses with equipment end-user to ascertain problems with equipment before and after malfunction to determine if malfunction is due to human error or mechanical problems.

Troubleshoots equipment failures; reads work orders, test manuals, performance specifications, wiring diagrams, and schematics to determine testing procedure and equipment to be used.

Connects unit to be tested to test equipment; analyzes and interprets test data/results on defective units to determine

cause of failure; compares results with specifications and records test data.

Confers with manufacturers' engineers/technicians regarding testing procedures, results, and problem resolution.

Makes repairs by replacing defective components and wiring and adjusting mechanical parts; records defects and sends unit to manufacturer for repair.

Using the available ticket system, maintains records of equipment in need of repair, installations, removals, maintenance, and repairs.

Repairs tools and test equipment; aligns, adjusts, and calibrates test instruments and equipment according to specifications.

Fabricates brackets, plates, and other parts required to install equipment; designs and builds special equipment for training personnel.

Maintains inventory of most frequently used parts to repair equipment; prepares and places orders for parts, supplies, and equipment; prepares parcels for shipment and receives deliveries; issues equipment to authorized personnel.

Maintains current technical library of manuals, schematics, blueprints, and technical updates, policies and procedures, and employee handbooks for reference and/or review.

Evaluates current technology; researches equipment and procedures to meet particular needs.

Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws/regulations; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; attends meetings, workshops, and training sessions.

Completes, prepares, and /or processes forms, logs, requests, records, reports, correspondence, and documents associated with daily responsibilities of this position; maintains files and administrative records.

Performs regular maintenance on city vehicles, specifically: checking fluid levels and fueling.

Maintains a neat and orderly work area.

Substitutes for co-workers in temporary absence of same; performs the following administrative tasks: answering the telephone, taking messages, running errands and shipping packages.

May be required to regularly work on various shifts, weekends, and/or holidays.

Recommends policies and procedures that guide and support the provision of quality services by the Department.

Incorporates continuous quality improvement principles in day-to-day activities.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, and managers.

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or GED and vocational/technical school diploma in electronics, vehicle upfitting, or a related field required. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Other Qualifications

The following requirements are normal for this classification.  Specific requirements may not apply to all positions within this classification, but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  Must be able to operate a variety of automated office equipment including computer, printer, typewriter, calculator, copy and facsimile machines, telephone communications system and associated equipment, communication radios, various electronic test equipment such as oscilloscope, various meters, frequency counter, power supplies, and other tools and equipment including programmers, soldering gun, drill, grinder, drill press, saws, ladder, hand tools, and motor vehicles.  Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for moderate to heavy work.

DATA COMPREHENSION:  Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things which may include manuals, charts, schematics, blueprints, technical updates, procedures, regulations, handbooks, and guidelines.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION:  Requires the ability to speak with and/or signal people to convey or exchange technical, electronic, mechanical, and communications related information, including giving/receiving assignments and/or directions to/from co-workers, assistants, managers, or supervisors as well as communicating with vendors, law enforcement personnel, elected officials, and the general public.

LANGUAGE ABILITY:  Requires ability to read a variety of technical, mechanical, electronic, informational, and communications related documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures.  Requires the ability to write job related documentation and reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech.  Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice.

INTELLIGENCE:   Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex technical, mechanical, communications, electronics, and computer related principles and techniques, to understand departmental policies and procedures, to make independent judgments in absence of supervision, and to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.

VERBAL APTITUDE:   Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow verbal and written instructions.

NUMERICAL APTITUDE:  Requires the ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, calculate decimals and percentages, determine time and weight, interpret graphs and charts, perform complex algebraic calculations, and utilize basic geometry.

FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE:  Requires the ability to visually inspect items for proper length, width, and shape using job related equipment which may include oscilloscope, various meters, frequency counter, power supplies and other electronic test equipment and standard measuring/recording devices.

MOTOR COORDINATION:  Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using automated office equipment, electronic equipment, testing equipment, and telephone communications system and to operate motor vehicles.

MANUAL DEXTERITY:  Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, telephone communications system, office equipment including computer, printer, typewriter, calculator, copy and facsimile machines, communications radios, telephone communications system and associated equipment, various electronic test equipment such as oscilloscope, various meters, frequency counter, power supplies, and other tools and equipment including programmers, soldering gun, drill, grinder, drill press, saws, ladder, hand tools, motor vehicles, control knobs, switches, etc.   Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting motion or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities.  Must have average levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

COLOR DIFFERENTIATION:  Requires the ability to discern color.

INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT:  Requires the ability to deal with and relate to people beyond giving and receiving instructions.  Must be able to adapt to and perform under considerable stress when confronted with an emergency.

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION:  Requires the ability to talk, express, or exchange ideas by means of spoken words and/or hear and perceive nature of sounds by ear.