CCTV Engineer at AVI Limited

Job Specification:

Key Performance Areas:

Design and plan CCTV systems based on business requirements, site surveys, and technical specifications.

• Business Requirements: Gather information about the business security needs, objectives, and budget constraints. Understand the desired level of coverage, monitoring capabilities, and any specific features or functionalities required
• Site Surveys: Conduct thorough surveys of the physical location where the CCTV system will be installed. Assess the layout, architecture, lighting conditions, potential blind spots, and areas of interest that need surveillance coverage
• Technical Specifications: Determine the technical aspects of the CCTV system, including camera types (e.g., dome, bullet, PTZ), resolution requirements, field of view, focal lengths, storage capacity, recording methods, and network connectivity options
• Integration Considerations: Evaluate how the CCTV system will integrate with existing security infrastructure, access control systems, and other relevant technologies to ensure a cohesive and effective security ecosystem 

Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to CCTV systems, including camera failures, network connectivity, recording issues and software malfunctions.

• Issue Identification: Receive reports or alerts indicating technical problems within the CCTV system, such as malfunctioning cameras, disrupted network connections, recording errors, or software glitches
• Diagnostic Tools: Utilize specialized diagnostic tools and equipment to analyse and identify the root causes of the issues. This might involve examining camera configurations, network logs, software settings, and hardware components
• Collaboration: Collaborate with colleagues, IT teams, or vendors as needed to gather insights and expertise in resolving complex technical challenges that may involve both hardware and software components
• Troubleshooting Procedures: Apply systematic troubleshooting procedures to isolate and rectify the identified issues. This could include checking cabling, testing camera functionality, configuring network settings, updating firmware, or reinstalling software components 

Perform routine maintenance tasks, such as system updates, camera adjustments, and equipment replacements

• Maintenance Schedule: Establish a predetermined schedule for routine maintenance activities, outlining when system updates, camera adjustments, and equipment replacements should occur
• Maintenance Checklist: Develop a comprehensive checklist detailing specific tasks to be performed during routine maintenance, including updating software/firmware, inspecting camera angles, cleaning lenses, checking cables, and identifying aging or malfunctioning equipment
• Maintenance Records: Maintain accurate and organized records of previous maintenance activities, including dates, tasks performed, any issues encountered, and solutions applied. These records serve as a valuable reference for future maintenance and troubleshooting
• Spare Parts and Tools: Ensure availability of necessary spare parts, tools, and equipment required for maintenance tasks. This might include replacement cameras, cables, connectors, lens cleaning supplies, and any specialized tools needed for adjustments or replacements 

Compliance with all legal and industry standards, regulations, and protocols related to CCTV and security systems.

• Regulatory Knowledge: Stay informed about local, national, and international laws, regulations, and standards that pertain to surveillance systems, data privacy, and security. This includes understanding GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), and other relevant legislation
• Industry Guidelines: Familiarize yourself with industry best practices and guidelines provided by organizations such as ASIS International, International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC), and relevant national security associations
• Policy Development: Collaborate with legal experts and management to develop comprehensive security and privacy policies that align with applicable regulations and standards. These policies should address data handling, access controls, retention periods, and other pertinent aspects
• Regular Review: Continuously monitor changes in laws, regulations, and industry standards to ensure that the CCTV and security systems remain compliant. Regularly review and update policies and procedures to reflect any new requirements 

Responsible for collecting evidence for security related incidents, manage chain of custody of evidence and present CCTV expert testimony in hearings.

• Incident Documentation: Documenting security-related incidents, recording details such as the date, time, location, involved parties, and a brief description of the incident. This documentation serves as a foundation for the subsequent evidence collection process
• Evidence Collection Protocol: Follow established protocols for collecting and preserving evidence from the CCTV system, ensuring that the footage is obtained in an unaltered and forensically sound manner. This might involve making copies of relevant video footage and associated metadata
• Chain of Custody Records: Maintain detailed records of the evidence's chain of custody, including who handled the evidence, when it was collected, transferred, and stored, and any changes in custody. This documentation establishes the integrity and admissibility of the evidence in legal proceedings
• Expert Witness Preparation: Familiarize themself with the specific incident, relevant surveillance footage, and technical details. Prepare to present expert testimony in a clear, concise, and credible manner during legal hearings 

Minimum Requirements:

Experience:                                                                   

• 3 years proven experience as a CCTV Engineer or a similar role
• 3 years in-depth knowledge of CCTV system architecture, components, wiring, and installation methodologies
• 3 years proven experience in CCTV incident investigations, evidence handling and expert witness testimony
• 3 years proficient in the use of CCTV software, analytics platforms, and video management systems 

Qualifications:

• Matric/Grade 12
• Technical Degree/Diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field would be highly advantageous 

Additional Requirements:

• Camera Systems Configuration and Installation
• Network Connectivity and Integration
• Troubleshooting and Diagnostics
• Video Analytics and Data Interpretation
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Good understanding of:

• LAN and WAN technologies
• Wi-Fi technologies and infrastructure
• Protocols such as HTTP, DNS, SMTP, SNMP and other web-based protocols
• Networking principles – TCP, UDP, FTP
• CCTV Video standards - compression and encoding and decoding technologies 

Certifications:

Essential:

• HCSA-CCTV
• HCSA-Software 

Nice-to-have:

• HCSA-Alarm
• HCSA-VMS
• HCSA-Access Control
• HCSA-Maintenance 

Competencies:

• Articulating Information
• Planning and Organising
• Documenting Facts
• Building Relationships
• Minimising Risk
• Influencing Others
• Thinking Analytically
• Thinking Conceptually
• Challenging Views