Aerospace Telecommunications and Information Systems Technician

Overview

As a member of the military, 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 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
• Perform repairs, overhaul and support maintenance on telecommunications equipment
• Perform installations and acceptance tests
• Liaise with all levels of command and functional groups, including base level personnel
• Maintain and/or advise other occupations on the maintenance of the electromechanical and refrigeration requirements of 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
• Manage the life-cycle of material related to various telecommunications and information systems

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.

If you chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

Entry plans

• Direct Entry Options
• Paid Education Options

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.

Non-commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Plan (NCMSTEP).

Because this position requires specialty training, the CAF will pay successful recruits to attend the diploma program at an approved Canadian college. NCMSTEP students attend basic training and on-the-job training during the summer months. They receive full-time salary including medical and dental care, as well as vacation time with full pay in exchange for working with the CAF for a period of time. If you choose to apply to this program, you must apply both to the CAF and the appropriate college.

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
• Power sources
• Amplifier, Oscillator and Digital circuits
• Multistage electronic circuits
• Conductors and cables
• AM/FM Theory
• Audio/Video equipment
• Computers and peripherals

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

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

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

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