Aerospace Telecommunication And Information Systems Technician

Overview

Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Systems Technicians perform, supervise and direct the repair and maintenance of all types of Air Force & Joint telecommunications and information systems. They also manage and maintain mobile and fixed satellite communications systems, microwave systems, switchboards, cable plants, and all forms of command and control computer systems and networks.

Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Systems Technicians perform preventive and corrective maintenance, system restoration, special inspections, modifications, installations and acceptance checks, as well as the repair and overhaul of all types of telecommunications, navigation and cryptographic systems.

Their primary responsibilities are to:

• Perform repairs, overhaul and support maintenance on telecommunications equipment
• Deploy as part of the Air Force Support Capability as part of 8 Air Communications and Control Squadron, as part of a Tactical Control Radar Squadron, as part of the Canadian Forces Joint Signals Regiment, or as part of all CANSOFCOM Units
• Maintain and/or advise other occupations on the maintenance of the electromechanical and refrigeration requirements of telecommunications equipment
• Manage the life-cycle of material related to various telecommunications and information systems
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on all types of radios, radar and data processing, cryptographic, terminal, audio and video equipment
• Perform inspections, performance tests and adjustments on strategic and tactical fixed and mobile telecommunications equipment
• Liaise with all levels of command and functional groups, including base level personnel
• Perform installations and acceptance tests

Work environment

The duties of an Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Systems Technician are performed in operation centres, in static and mobile workshops, or outdoors. Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Systems Technicians may work at bases within Canada and the USA, including the Arctic, to locations throughout the world.

Entry plans

• Direct Entry Options

The minimum required education for this occupation is :

The minimum required education to apply for this occupation is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 10 or equivalent (Secondary 4 in Quebec) with Grade 10 applied Math (Math 416 / CST 4 in Quebec).

The ideal candidate will already have a college diploma, the CAF will decide if your academic program matches the training criteria for this job and may place you directly into the required on-the-job training program following basic training.

Foreign education may be accepted.

Training

The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training, held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. A goal of this course is to ensure that all recruits maintain the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.

Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Systems Technicians attend the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics in Kingston, Ontario, to complete the Performance Oriented Electronics Training course which includes the following topics:

• Circuits Theory
• Electro-Mechanical and Solid State devices
• Amplifier, Oscillator and Digital circuits
• Power sources
• Conductors and cables
• AM/FM Theory
• Audio/Video equipment
• Multistage electronic circuits
• Computers and peripherals

They continue with 20 weeks of training specific to their duties:

• Cable distribution systems
• Radar systems
• Switchboards and terminal equipment
• Audio and video systems
• Automated information systems
• Technical administration
• Communications and crypto systems
• Airfield navigational aids and meteorological systems
• Data communication systems

Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Systems Technicians may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training, including:

• Microwave Radio Systems and Associated Equipment
• Communications Control Systems
• Meteorological Systems
• Airport Secondary/Surveillance Radar
• Precision Approach Landing Aids
• Cryptographic Equipment Maintenance
• Instructional Techniques
• E3A AWACS Airborne Equipment
• Communications/Information Security

As they progress in their career, Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Systems Technicians who demonstrate the required ability and potential will be offered advanced training. Available courses include:

• Fibre Optics Communications Systems
• Advanced Radar Maintenance
• Management and Leadership Training
• Advanced Communications Operations
• Design Building Network for Communication Systems
• Computer System Management
• Deployed Communications Systems

Part time options

This position is available for part-time employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada. Reserve Force members usually serve part time at an Air Force wing in their community. They are not posted or required to do a military move. However, they can volunteer to move to another base. They may also volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.

Aerospace Telecommunication and Information Systems Technicians serve with the Royal Canadian Air Force. When employed on a part-time or casual full-time basis they usually serve at CAF locations within Canada, including the Arctic.

Find a Recruiting Centre

Reserve Force members usually begin training with their home unit to ensure that they meet the required basic professional military standards. Following basic military training, occupational training for the Aerospace Telecommunication and Information Systems Technician qualification requires about a year and is conducted at the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics in Kingston, Ontario.

Air Reserve members are trained to the same level as their Regular Force counterparts and are employed in the same unit and perform the same job. Air Reserve members usually serve up to 12 days per month in a regular work day, with opportunities to serve full time for short durations as needed. Reserve Force members are paid 92.8% of Regular Force rates of pay, receive a reasonable benefits package and may qualify to contribute to a pension plan.

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