Career and Education

Performs inspections of cable communications system construction facilities and worksites located in public rights-of-way, sidewalks, gutters, utility and private easements, conduit facilities; uses knowledge of FCC, NEC, NESC, VDOT, VA USBC, and VOSHA codes and exercises discretion to issue warnings, violations, and/or stop work orders relating to cable system construction work, citing appropriate code references; reinspects construction to determine code compliance; investigates cable construction complaints; meets directly with cable service providers, construction subcontractors, engineers, residents, and representatives of county agencies and the Board of Supervisors to resolve construction and complaint issues; provides construction inspection and signal testing expertise; assists Department of Information Technology (DIT) staff in the installation, testing, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of the county’s video Institutional Network inside wiring and end user equipment; maintains daily inspection log and deficiency list, and prepares an electronic daily and weekly inspection report; reviews daily inspection and reinspection assignments and maps an efficient daily inspection route; shares inspection findings and code knowledge with other members of division; performs other duties as may be required or assigned. 

Salary: The starting salary offer will be in the minimum to midpoint range ($47,617.02 to $63,488.88) of the advertised compensation range.  Promotional rules apply for current Fairfax County Government and Fairfax County Public Schools employees.  

Illustrative Duties:

• Inspects aerial and underground cable and utility plant, including minimum aerial height requirements, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, paved rights-of-way, landscaped parkways and yards, Miss Utility markings (water, sewer, gas, electrical, communications, and proposed path), underground handholes and aboveground cable and utility boxes, utility poles, network interface devices, optical network terminals, and grounding wires where cable system construction and installation work is performed.
• Measures depth of underground facility placement, ground-to-cable clearance, location and width of easements, location of facility placement within easements, height of utility boxes on poles, and proper placement of Miss Utility markings.
• Conducts field meetings with cable service providers, construction subcontractors, and engineers to address inspection issues.
• Ensures that cable service providers’ construction and installation practices comply with applicable federal, state, and County construction and safety requirements, using physical inspections and knowledge of FCC, NEC, NESC, VDOT, VA USBC, and VOSHA Codes and regulations.
• Issues warnings, violations, and/or stop work orders citing appropriate code references.
• Reviews daily inspection and reinspection assignments and maps an efficient daily inspection route.
• Investigates homeowner complaints by performing field inspections, signal testing, and troubleshooting relating to cable system construction, property restoration and the use of privately granted easements.
• Provides informal review of whether cable system facilities are properly located within easements, including use of field strength meters, cable depth locators, tone generators, signal analysis meters, spectrum analyzers, and leak detectors.
• Investigates construction damage and reviews VDOT and Miss Utility records to determine which gas, water, utility or cable provider is likely responsible for damage.
• Provides on-site facilitation of joint meetings between homeowners and cable service providers to determine appropriate restoration of property damage.
• Meets directly with affected parties to review results of signal testing and creates a comprehensive plan for cable replacement, if necessary.
• Reinspects all remedial work to ensure resolution of homeowner complaints; keeps records up to date for ongoing complaints and other matters.
• Maintains daily inspection log and deficiency list and prepares weekly summary report.
• Shares inspection findings and code knowledge with other members of division.
• Performs analog and digital signal testing.
• Assists Department of Information Technology staff in installation, testing, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of the County’s video Institutional Network inside wiring and end user equipment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of electronics or electronic engineering.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of communications system construction.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations applicable to County communications systems.
• Skill in the use of equipment used to locate and test TV lines, such as utility depth locators, signal analysis meters, tone generators, spectrum analyzers, and cable converters.
• Ability to collect and interpret data.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with the public and County personnel.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: high school graduation or GED issued by a state department of education, plus two years of experience as a field inspector for cable communications construction or installation.
 
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:  
Possession of a valid motor vehicle driver's license.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field such as electronic engineering, electrical engineering, construction engineering, mechanical engineering, or architectural engineering, plus at least two years of progressively responsible experience in a related field.
• Experience and working knowledge of cable system construction and video installation design standards, guidelines, policies and procedures. 
• Knowledge of the materials and methods used in cable transmission and terminal equipment repair work. 
• Experience in the use of computer applications and software, including basic Microsoft Office applications (i.e., Word, Excel, and Outlook).

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs may be subject to a weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.
• The appointee to the position must satisfactorily complete a criminal background check and driving record check.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Requires driving county vehicle; carrying testing equipment weighing up to 30 pounds; lifting up to 50 pounds; lifting and removing utility covers and lids weighing up to 30 pounds; frequent bending and walking; occasional work on 6-foot ladders. Must be able to visually distinguish between different-colored Miss Utility markings. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

This position is listed as "open continuous." Interested applicants are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed and qualified applicants referred on a continuous basis. Interviews will be conducted on a regular basis throughout the recruitment with candidates whose qualifications best fit our needs. If your application is received later in the recruitment process, it may not be reviewed or considered. The application process will close when the position(s) have been filled or when a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.  

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.