First Radio Electronics Technician

The First Radio Electronics Technician is a Civil Service Mariner (CIVMAR) employed by the U.S. Navy, onboard Naval auxiliaries and hybrid-manned merchant ships worldwide, in peace and war. MSC exists to support the joint warfighter across the full spectrum of military operations. MSC provides on-time logistics, strategic sealift, as well as specialized missions anywhere in the world, in contested or uncontested environments.

The RET1 is a watch stander and functions as a watch partner, supervised by the Chief Radio Electronics Technician, and carries out the daily operational functions within the communications department.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Execute shipboard communications procedures to include but not limited to communications equipment operations, message handling procedures, security and safeguarding of material/information and COMSEC handling.

• Maintain and utilize Communications Department's publication inventory of communications manuals and instructions, such as: Allied Communications Publications (ACPs); Navy Telecommunications Publications (NTPs); Naval Warfare Publications (NWPs); Fleet Telecommunications Publications (FTPs); SECNAV and OPNAV instructions; Communications Information Bulletins (CIBs); Communications Information Advisories (CIAs); and Current General Message Files (GMFs).

• Interpret Navy, Joint, Allied and Operational instructions in drafting all forms of Operational and Administrative naval messages.

• Set up, maintain and troubleshoot operational and tactical communication systems/circuits.

• Execute operations of the underway Communications watch.

• Conduct RF Communication Operations ensuring appropriate information transfer using tactical or commercial satellites on a global basis to include: CUDIXS, MDU, MOS, FSM, NAVMACS II SYSTEMS, NGW, CBSP, NIPRNET/SIPRNET. Operations are routinely performed within a strike group with specific circuits and protocol that must be utilized.

• Diagnoses of minor system faults to isolate failures between hardware, system software and application programs.

• Perform assigned organizational level troubleshooting, maintenance and minor repair of Command, Control, Communications, and Computers Systems (C4) ensuring a minimum of systems to be kept fully operational to support two or more secure Fleet Broadcast Satellite Communications (FLTBROADCAST) channels for classified traffic; CUDIXS which allows sending and receiving of message traffic; as well as tactical voice circuits to report or relay operational and administrative information.

• Comply with the Electrical Safety Program and safety requirements and take appropriate precautions to ensure personal Safety of co-workers.

• Work aloft and over the side while maintaining antennas and other topside equipment/systems.

• Comply with COMSEC policy and procedures for the handling and safeguarding of material and is skilled in operating radio cryptographic equipment.

• Assist the Watch Supervisor (CRET) in troubleshooting LAN outages and/or computer systems in lieu of not having a CRET (IAT)/RET1 (IAT) assigned to the command.

• Execute shipboard emergency drills, performing all duties as assigned.

• Assist SCO and/or CRET in the training of assigned personnel.

• Knowledge of shipboard communications procedures to include but not limited to communications equipment operations, message handling procedures, security and safeguarding of material/information and COMSEC handling.

• Knowledge of Allied Communications Publications (ACPs), Navy Telecommunications Publications (NTPs), Naval Warfare Publications (NWPs), Fleet Telecommunications Publications (FTPs), SECNAV and OPNAV instructions, Communications Information Bulletins (CIBs), Communications Information Advisories (CIAs), and Current General Message Files (GMFs). All other communications manuals and instructions not listed, retained inside the Communications Department's publication inventory.

• Knowledgeable in the use of the Radio Frequency (RF) Spectrum and the capabilities and limitations of onboard equipment working within the RF Spectrum.

• Knowledge and ability in the proper handling of COMSEC material/equipment IAW COMSEC Policy and Procedures for Local Element (LE) users.

• Proficient in diagnoses of minor system faults to isolate failures between hardware, system software and application programs.

• Proficient in operating, monitoring, and controls information systems in support of worldwide telecommunications systems, to include, CUDIXS, MDU, MOS, FSM, NAVMACS II SYSTEMS, NGW, CBSP, NIPRNET/SIPRNET.

• Ability to perform assigned organizational level troubleshooting, maintenance and minor repair of Command, Control, Communications, and Computers Systems (C4). Systems to be kept fully operational include ship's capability to handle two or more secure Fleet Broadcast Satellite Communications (FLTBROADCAST) channels for classified traffic, CUDIXS to send and receive message traffic and tactical voice circuits to report or relay operational and administrative information.

• Possess knowledge of electronic theory and competent to perform MSC required equipment troubleshooting, and limited repair to shipboard communications systems.

• Knowledgeable of the Electrical Safety Program and safety requirements.

• Skilled in observing all safety rules and takes appropriate precautions to ensure personal safety of co-workers.

• Ability to work aloft and over the side while maintaining antennas and other topside equipment/systems. Knowledgeable in working aloft emergency procedures and duties as a safety observer.

• Ensure continued application and compliance with EEO laws, regulations and policies.

• May be required, by the SCO/SCO (IAM) to perform other duties outside of the positions assigned, based on the operational nature of those duties.

• Everything in this Position Description is considered an essential function of this position.

• Performs other duties as assigned