Batboard

Just saw the other day

The United States Capitol Police are hiring top qualified radio technicians to work in DC at one of their locations.

Looks like there are a few positions

Thought I'd spread the word to the real radio guys out there needing a job near DC.

http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx? ... %3a09%3a00

From the words I hear other places, this may be the new people to work on what could be a new Motorola Astro Trunk system, don't know.


CoM

I don't think I have ever seen required qualifications listed like this for any job:

"Applicants will be evaluated on their ability to perform the duties of the position rather than length of experience. Eligibility will be determined by the relevance, scope and quality of all experience and training, regardless of where or how acquired. Applicants will be ranked and rated based on their knowledge of the job elements identified in this announcement. Applicants will be evaluated on experience working in a radio shop performing repair work on land mobile radio equipment."

They don't care how long you've worked somewhere, your ass better be able to do the job we want you to do...

First government tech job I've ever seen that didn't require a GROL...

The US Capitol Police, and the Administrative Agencies involved in running the Capitol in Washington make their own rules in many ways, so the wording of the announcement really is not a surprise. In other words, it's Congress, and they do whatever the hell they want in whatever way they want. Do some reading on the subject and you'll see what I mean.

KB1JHU wrote:They don't care how long you've worked somewhere, your ass better be able to do the job we want you to do...

And frankly, that's how it should be.

Not that I'm against getting a formal education post-HS, but sometimes experience and knowledge trumps the formal "here is your $200 textbook, go use it" attitude.

It could also be because most everybody comming out of high school or college thinks radio is dead. Trying to find anyone with radio experience is getting tougher ever day. As a result my job has 3 openings, an 3 more soon. My job doesn't require a GROL either, you can have an HAM Extra, most applicants go for the computer skills jobs. Not to belittle HAMS but we had over 20 apply for my job, and none could pass a simple electronics test.

In talking with one of the higher up persons in this group, the position for the DC area has been filled, but there are other locations around the country still open as a couple of weeks ago.

Jim

RADIOMAN2002 wrote:It could also be because most everybody comming out of high school or college thinks radio is dead. Trying to find anyone with radio experience is getting tougher ever day. As a result my job has 3 openings, an 3 more soon. My job doesn't require a GROL either, you can have an HAM Extra, most applicants go for the computer skills jobs. Not to belittle HAMS but we had over 20 apply for my job, and none could pass a simple electronics test.

Not to mention the fact that a GROL has not meant anything in years for land mobile radio. Its sole purpose is for maritime and high power >1000 watt stations. The only certifications that are meaningful these days are either an amateur license proving you have two way radio knowledge and the ETA tests.

The basic electrical theory elements of the GROL are still quite applicable today. The rules are pretty important too. Although it's funny-- a buddy of mine is after the GROL, and he was told by the COLEM that he had to pass the Radar Endorsement first before taking the GROL... which is a little weird since you usually need to have something to endorse before you can get an endorsement...

I've got a GROL, ETA, assoc. degree, and 25 year experience... all I'm missing is someone offering me the right position for the right money

when I took the GROL we had the option of taking radar endorsment, which was taken AFTER the GROL.

If you are on the market for a radio tech position in the N.Y.C. area, the MTA Metro North Railroad has 3 openings. They are even 8-4 Mon to Fri. Google Metro North and then look for jobs. Apply online sit back, and wait for letters from the H.R department for a testing date. Depending on your experince starting is 54K to 62K year. Good Luck.