Electronic Systems Specialist - Limited Term (Open) (20743014)

The Department of Public Works is seeking highly-qualified candidates for the position of Electronic Systems Specialist. 

Under general supervision, the Electronic Systems Specialist analyzes client needs and performs professional-level work installing, maintaining, testing, and repairing a wide variety of electronic safety, warning, and security equipment. This role supports county departments by ensuring the effective operation and integrity of access control systems, security alarms, video surveillance, and related electronic access control and protective devices.
 

The Electronic Systems Specialist is a journey-level classification. Incumbents are fully competent and possess considerable technical skills and knowledge to independently plan, install, maintain, and repair electronic safety and security systems, including security alarms, access control, and video systems at county facilities.

The Department 
The Department of Public Works is unique by being one of the few departments in San Mateo County to have its own internal, full-service IT unit, Business Systems Section. BSS is a small group of dedicated IT staff who are responsible for a wide range of roles in Information Technology: from handling core IT functions to providing GIS support to handling access control.

 

Working in BSS, staff have the opportunity to learn and work with many different aspects of technology including desktop support, enterprise application support, design/ implement/ maintain server, and network infrastructure, creating GIS maps and spatial applications, internet/ intranet web design and support, databases, and even some programming opportunities.

 

This is a limited term, at-will position. Limited Term Employees are assigned to assignments not to exceed three years. They receive medical and dental benefits, similar to regular employees, and a defined contribution retirement plan. The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.

 

 

Examples Of Duties

 

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

• Assess client department needs and provide technical support in the design of electronic access control, security and protective systems.
• Install, maintain and repair electrified locking hardware, including electromagnetic locks (mag-locks), electric strikes, solenoid-driven locks, and delayed egress systems.
• Ability to wire, test, and troubleshoot low-voltage circuits (DC/AC), power supplies, and access control panels.
• Install, test, maintain, and repair electronic access control, security and protective systems and their components, including, but not limited to, access control, audio, and video surveillance systems.
• Installs, repairs and makes modifications on a variety of card readers, access control boards, scramble pads, card-swipe stations, panic alarm devices, door alarms, electric and mechanic locks and other supportive devices.
• Program, analyze, and resolve malfunctions in panic alarms and devices, keypads, and security alarm systems.
• Review and develop technical building drawings and schematics for installation, replacement, or expansion of access control, security and protective systems, including transmitters, receivers, antenna systems, Personal Computer (PC) based access control, cabling, and network equipment.
• Configure and support IP-based security systems, including network-connected cameras, access control controllers, and monitoring systems.
• Utilize test equipment such as ohmmeters, voltmeters, amp meters, telephone test sets, and various hand and power tools to troubleshoot, install, and monitor equipment.
• Meet with client staff to assess service needs, provide cost estimates, and train users on the operation of electronic access control, security and protective equipment.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation related to safety codes, system configurations, equipment locations, and cost analyses.
• Work safely in limited access and secure areas as required.
• Respond to emergency service calls and provide after-hours support as needed.
• Operate a vehicle to travel throughout San Mateo County to inspect, diagnose, and troubleshoot access control system issues, and maintain basic vehicle records such as mileage logs.

 

Qualifications

 

Knowledge of:

• Basic alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) electrical fundamentals, equipment, systems, and practices used in installation, maintenance, and repair of electronic safety and security systems. 
• Basic tools and electronic test equipment utilized in troubleshooting and servicing a variety of electronic control systems and devices.
• Traditional door hardware, including mortise locks, cylindrical locks, rim cylinders, and panic bars.
• Computer software and management platforms used to configure and maintain security, alarm, video surveillance, and access control systems, including associated encrypted cardkey issuance and security protocols.
• Safe work practices to ensure personal and workplace safety when handling electronic equipment.
• Basic knowledge of local fire, life safety, and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) regulations regarding door hardware

 

Skill/Ability to:

• Follow all safety regulations and procedures precisely.
• Interpret electrical schematics and wiring diagrams needed for installation and maintenance of electronic access control, security and protective devices.
• Use electronic test instruments such as ohmmeters, voltmeters, ammeters, and telephone test sets effectively.
• Design and troubleshoot electronic circuits related to security and safety systems.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot issues with failed lock releases, malfunctioning readers, or communication errors between access control/security hardware and software.
• Research and apply relevant local and state building codes governing the installation of electronic access control, security and protective systems.
• Understand and carry out written and oral instructions accurately.
• Prepare detailed written reports documenting completed tasks and system status.
• Train end users and client personnel on the proper use and operation of security equipment.
• Work cooperatively and communicate effectively with all levels of staff and the public.
• Safely operate a vehicle for travel throughout San Mateo County and maintain accurate vehicle records, including mileage logs.

 

Training and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

Successful completion of at least one year of technical or trade school training in electronics, or completion of a low-voltage apprenticeship program; and two years of full-time work experience in the design, installation, testing, maintenance, and repair of electronic safety and security systems.

 

Licensure/Certification:

• Possession of a Class C California driver license or equivalent. 

 

Application/Examination

 

If you are interested in being considered for this limited term position the following items must be submitted via e-mail:

• Cover letter with responses to Supplemental Questions (maximum of 2 pages)
• Resume

Supplemental Questions:

1. Describe how your work experience has prepared you for this position, including any experience on installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting electronic access control, safety and security systems. Include specific enterprise level access control software and systems you have worked on and/or utilized.
2. Describe a time you had diagnosed and fixed a complex issue with an electronic access control or security system. What was your approach?
3. Explain a time you had to explain a technical issue to someone without a technical background.
4.  

Please include the words "Electronic Systems Specialist – Limited Term Position" in the subject line of email submission. All submitted materials must be in a Word or PDF format.
  
 Please submit the above listed materials via email to:

Wilson Wong, Information Technology Manager

dpw_ESS_applications@smcgov.org

Application materials will be reviewed as they are received, and well-qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Recruitment Timeline:
Closes: Thursday, June 11, 2026

NOTE: Application materials are only accepted via e-mail. Materials sent via regular mail and/or fax will not be accepted. Submittals that do not include all required elements (resume and cover letter with complete responses to supplemental questions) will not be considered.
 

About the County 
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities. 
  
The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

 

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community.