IT Field Communications Specialist III / Senior | Cottonwood

Summary

IT Field Communications Specialist III / Senior | Cottonwood

Are you a hands-on problem solver who thrives in the field and takes pride in keeping critical communication systems running? As an IT Field Communications Specialist (III / Senior), you’ll play a vital role in maintaining and supporting the communication and network infrastructure that enables reliable, secure energy delivery across Arizona.

You’ll ensure the proper installation, maintenance, and optimization of enterprise communication assets, address design challenges in real time, and lead restoration efforts during outages or disaster recovery events. This role is ideal for a technical professional who enjoys autonomy, collaboration, and making an impact every day.

What your day would be like:

• Install, test, and maintain communication and networking equipment to ensure reliable system performance.
• Identify and correct design deficiencies in the field—revising or redesigning proposed solutions when needed.
• Support disaster recovery efforts by designing and implementing temporary routing or reconfigurations to restore service.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on enterprise communication systems.
• Collaborate with engineers, project managers, and 3rd-party vendors to ensure timely issue resolution and system updates.
• Monitor system health, perform diagnostics, and document maintenance and technical findings.
• Provide on-site technical support and escalation management for communication infrastructure issues.

Who we’re looking for:

• Experienced Field Technician: Proven background in communication systems installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Technical Problem Solver: Skilled at diagnosing and resolving design or performance issues under pressure.
• Collaborative Partner: Works effectively with engineering teams, field personnel, and external vendors.
• Adaptable & Resourceful: Able to think on your feet and design solutions that restore service quickly in critical situations.
• Detail-Oriented Professional: Committed to safety, documentation accuracy, and maintaining high operational standards.
• Preferred: Experience in utility or industrial communication networks, with knowledge of disaster recovery or failover design.

Minimum Requirements

IT Field Communications Specialist III  | Cottonwood

• Equivalent to a high school diploma
• PLUS five (5) years related experience troubleshooting and repairing metering and control systems. 
• Ability to travel statewide, work outdoors, and work overtime.  

IT Field Communications Specialist, Senior | Cottonwood

• Equivalent to a high school diploma
• PLUS seven (7) years related experience troubleshooting and repairing metering and control systems.
• Ability to travel statewide, work outdoors, and work overtime.  
  
  
  Preferred Special Skills, Knowledge or Qualifications:
  
  
• Technical degree in telecommunication, data communications or equivalent.
• Ability to interpret schematic diagrams and troubleshoot to component level.
• Knowledge to transition to legacy communication to Next Generation Network and Radion equipment.
• Specific knowledge of TCP/IP, network design, network security, propagation, and point to point radio operation using ethernet over microwave.
• Knowledge of building IP networks using MPLS or other network convergence technologies.
• Familiarity with FCC regulations and standards for licensing microwave paths.
• Understand basic electronics, electrical power systems, the basics of the 7 layers of the OSI model and in-depth knowledge and experience in RF.
• Ability to coordinate and provide direct oversite to Vendor and 3rd part support and other activities within their area of responsibility (AOR).
• Ability to train and mentor junior level staff and perform as SME of all equipment that resides within their AOR.
• Ability to work 24/7 in support of Enterprise Network systems and Public Safety Communication Systems, including nights, weekends and holidays. 

Major Accountabilities

1)         Install, assemble, design repairs, adjust, test, and maintain telecommunications equipment such as wired and wireless telecommunications systems devices, microwave, IP Networks, Radio Frequency (RF) Communications systems, Voice & Data communications, VoIP, Cameras, Wi-Fi, fiber optics, WAN/FAN/LAN technologies, all of which make up the Next Generation Network.
2)         Troubleshoots and design repairs on a wide variety of computer aided telecommunications devices such as Portable/Mobile and Radio Repeaters, radio dispatch consoles, electronic and electro-mechanical equipment, SCADA systems, Fiber, DWDM, telemetry and GPS systems, wired and wireless network equipment.
3)         Regularly use diagnostic software for localizing equipment and system problems, specialized testing equipment such as communications analyzers, digital oscilloscopes, Radio Service Monitors, digital multimeters, cable verifier, spectrum analyzers, frequency counters and RF power meters.
4)         Performs remote/Centralized management of systems through Management software.
5)         Install, repair and maintain Carrier Class Digital Microwave (MW), and Radio Frequency (RF) Data Link equipment.
6)         Must be able to coordinate and provide direct oversite to Vendor and 3rd part support and other activities within their area of responsibility (AOR).
7)         Is expected to train and mentor junior level staffing, they must be the SME of all equipment that resides within their AOR.
8)         Ability to work 24/7 in support of Enterprise Network systems and Public Safety Communication Systems, including nights, weekends and holidays.
9)         Must display a mastery of knowledge of AC/DC Power/Amperage and understand the safety aspects of working in high voltage environments.
10)       This position requires ability to work alone and with team members as well as customer departments to design highly reliable and timely solutions. The type of work will include working on ladders, and lift platforms. Installing microwave radios, network switches, routers, and the use of power and hand tools.  

Export Compliance / EEO Statement

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates ('Pinnacle West') maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of nondiscrimination shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting, hiring, promoting, compensating, reassigning, demoting, transferring, laying off, recalling, terminating employment, and training for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other classification or characteristic protected by law.

For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to EEO is the Law poster. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every person hired to work in the United States, refer to E-Verify poster. View the employee rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

In compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, the Company is committed to a work environment that is free from the effects of alcohol and controlled substances, and free from the abuse or inappropriate use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications. The Company requires employees to be subject to drug and alcohol testing that is job-related and consistent with business necessity, regulatory requirements and applicable laws.