Public Safety Communications Systems Specialist (20678171)

San Mateo County Public Safety Communications is seeking an outstanding professional to join the Department’s System Management Unit as a Public Safety Communications Systems Specialist.

San Mateo County Public Safety Communications (PSC) is San Mateo County’s largest dispatch center and the only Tri-Community (Police, Fire, Medical) Center in the County. Our state-of-the-art dispatch facility, located in Redwood City, provides all the tools and infrastructure for the organization to be successful.

The Position:

• Lead the design, implementation, and support of departmental information systems and applications within the Public Safety Communications environment, including NG9-1-1 systems and CAD.
• Analyze end-user needs and develop specifications for software enhancements or new applications with emphasis on AI-driven analytics and automation.
• Oversee deployment and support of server infrastructure (Windows Server, Linux), virtualization platforms (VMware, Hyper-V), and hybrid cloud environments (AWS, Azure).
• Administer and troubleshoot enterprise network environments involving IP/MPLS, BGP routing, microwave, LawNet, wireless networks, and WAN/LAN connectivity.
• Implement and support cybersecurity tools and processes, including Extended Detection and Response (XDR), Tenable Nessus, and VM agents to safeguard critical PSC systems.
• Lead the integration of AI and machine learning technologies for enhanced situational awareness, predictive dispatch, and operational efficiency in the PSC environment.
• Coordinate with vendors, contractors, and departmental stakeholders to ensure timely delivery, system reliability, and user satisfaction.
• Provide technical guidance and leadership to Information Technology Analysts and Technicians as assigned.
• Monitor system performance, troubleshoot, recommend upgrades, and assist in design and capacity planning for departmental systems.
• Document system configurations, operational procedures, and prepare reports for management.
• Participate in County-wide IT planning and public safety technology initiatives to align systems with strategic goals.

The Ideal Candidate will have knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of computer science, information systems, and telecommunications as they apply to PSC environments.
• Operating systems, including Windows Server, Linux, virtualization (VMware, Hyper-V), and hybrid cloud environments (AWS, Azure).
• AI/ML platforms, tools, and their application in public safety communications, including NLP, video/audio analytics, and predictive modeling.
• Network infrastructure, including IP/MPLS, BGP routing, microwave links, WAN/LAN, wireless technologies, and LawNet.
• Public safety systems such as CAD, RMS, Message Switching Systems, MDTs, and NextGen IP Telephony.
• Security frameworks, vulnerability assessment scanning tools (Tenable), endpoint detection (XDR), and compliance with CJIS/NIST standards.
• Programming and scripting languages (PowerShell, Python, Bash) for automation and application support.

The Ideal Candidate will have experience with:

• Project management, leadership, and end-user training.
• Leading and coordinating IT projects from planning through implementation and support phases.
• Working independently and exercising sound judgment within policy guidelines.
• Training and mentoring less experienced IT staff.
• Experience with cloud computing (AWS, Azure), virtualization, AI/ML technologies, and PSC systems is highly desirable.
• Performing physical tasks related to hardware installation, maintenance, and cabling.
• Using visual and auditory acuity for effective communication and system monitoring.

The Ideal Candidate will have:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in computer science, engineering or Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, or a closely related field, or equivalent technical education.
• Two (2) years of increasingly responsible full-time experience performing advanced technical and analytical duties supporting mission-critical IT systems in public safety or related environments.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serve as lead over some or all aspects of assigned information systems implementation and/or applications development or enhancement projects.
• Assign, oversee, and guide the work of other information technology and analytical support staff in a lead capacity.
• Perform a variety of complex analytical duties in the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of department information systems and applications.
• Analyze end-user technical requirements and recommend specific hardware, operating system, and/or software application solutions to meet identified needs.
• Organize and staff application user groups to provide training on application use, identify future needs, and provide information to software vendors on application requirements.
• Prepare specifications for software enhancement or a new application.
• Develop applications, including interactive WEB pages to meet identified specifications.
• Provide technical oversight in the design and maintenance of departmental websites and lead the design and implementation of web-based applications.
• Determine short and long-range departmental system application needs for County services; plan software enhancements and changes to meet the needs of system users.
• Participate in departmental and County-wide systems planning activities; serve as liaison with Information Services to ensure departmental needs are adequately addressed.
• Develop GIS applications, integrate data, and maintain related databases.
• Perform geo-spatial database modeling and development, GIS data automation and validation, topological modeling, and quality control activities to assure the accuracy and integrity of geo-spatial data.
• Administer County policies and procedures to ensure security and integrity of all departmental databases; develop and recommend departmental GIS policies and procedures in accordance with industry standards and best practices.
• Review and evaluate the design of programs and databases to ensure the storage, security, selection, and retrieval of information is logical, orderly, and user-friendly; create, update, and modify production and other reports utilizing specific combinations of database information.
• Evaluate specialized database software systems, tools, and vendor packages to determine the most effective product for departmental needs and priorities; consult with and oversee software and hardware vendors to solve product problems and/or customize packages.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Technology Support Duties:

Due to variances in departmental size and staffing structures, incumbents in this classification may also perform technical support activities that include, but are not limited to, the following:

• May monitor database system performance and resource consumption for capacity and budget planning purposes; provide technical information, advisory assistance, and troubleshooting resources.
• May design and deploy system utilities and monitoring software to configure hosts/servers and develop and/or modify native operating system scripts to ensure robust system and application performance.
• May evaluate and test system upgrades, install, configure, maintain, troubleshoot, and upgrade department software applications and troubleshoot hardware and software-related problems.
• May evaluate new hardware and software products for use by department staff, and provide expert advice to users on software applications.
• May install and replace internal computer components such as memory, hard drives, sound devices, optical drives, disk or CD-ROM drives, and communications cards.
• May engineer and/or install new equipment or guide vendors doing the same; act as liaison between department users and vendors to ensure that appropriate planning, scheduling, and acceptance testing activities are performed; coordinate maintenance of departmental equipment with external vendors.
• May install, configure, troubleshoot, maintain, and upgrade mid-range computers and related equipment; and replace internal servers and mid-range computer components.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

Final Filing Date: Friday, November 14, 2025, 11:59 PM PST

Application Screening: December 1 - 5, 2025

Civil Service Panel Interview: December 18 and/or 19, 2025