Shane Harper
Live Oak
Summary
Versatile and results-driven IT Specialist with extensive experience supporting wildfire operations through innovative IT hardware solutions and full lifecycle systems management. Adept at analyzing and optimizing hardware and software configurations to meet the demanding needs of emergency response environments. Proven ability to develop technical requirements, troubleshoot complex issues, and lead the implementation of mission-critical applications that enhance field communications, situational awareness, and operational effectiveness in wildfire scenarios. Skilled in translating program requirements into practical IT strategies, advising executive leadership, and coordinating cross-agency technical efforts. Known for pioneering new methods and solutions that improve system resilience and performance in high-stakes, high-tempo environments.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Information Technology Specialist
US Forest Service, Department Of Agriculture
10.2023 - Current
- Enhanced system performance by implementing and maintaining hardware and software upgrades.
- Led IT initiatives supporting wildfire operations by developing technical requirements and recommending optimized hardware/software configurations to ensure rapid deployment and operational reliability in high-risk environments.
- Conducted in-depth analyses of IT hardware solutions to support field operations, ensuring interoperability and durability under extreme conditions.
- Served as a technical liaison between wildfire program managers and IT teams to translate functional requirements into scalable, field-ready solutions.
- Conducted research on emerging IT hardware and mobile communication technologies to enhance situational awareness and decision-making during wildfire events.
Electronics Technician - LMR
US Forest Service
10.2015 - 10.2023
- Program, test, maintain, and repair more than 1300 VHF and UHF handheld and mobile (vehicle mounted) radios to support recreation personnel as well as emergency services such as Wildland Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers
- Troubleshoot and maintain 10 on and off-grid mountain top repeater sites responsible for providing VHF radio coverage to approximately 900,000 acres of National Forest Land in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range
- Design, procure materials, and build new and replacement LMR mountain top repeater sites, including, but not limited to, designing off-grid solar arrays, designing and constructing 12V, 24V, or 48V power supplies with distribution systems, and installing tower mounted antennas and feedlines
- Assist with major IT network upgrades, installation of new routers and switches to ensure over 99% network reliability and security
- Design, program, and install new Radio over Internet Protocol network to provide secondary radio communications to fire stations and ranger stations
- Install and maintain mobile radios in cars, trucks, and fire engines, ensuring 100% reliable communications during emergency and nonemergency conditions
Electronics Technician
US Navy
10.2013 - 10.2015
- Managed and maintained inventory on over 1100 Controlled Cryptographic equipment
- Provide user training to over 300 sailors on the proper operation and required security measures to ensure 100% accountability of sensitive radio equipment
- Tasked with maintaining up-to-date calibration on test equipment responsible for preventative maintenance checks on over 5000 pieces of communications equipment, ensuring 100% of the required actions were performed
- Installed VHF/UHF/HF radios, antennas, and feedlines on over 40 Landing Craft Units, Utility Boats, Maritime Prepositioning Force ships, and High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV)
SATCOM Supervisor
US Navy
08.2011 - 10.2013
- Managed 7 subordinate personnel in 24/7 support operations for Non-secure and Secure Internet Protocol Routing (NIPRNET, SIPRNET), Video Teleconferencing, Defense Red Switch Network, Defense Switch Network and Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System for 30K+ military users
- Direct systems support to senior government officials and multinational customers, through reference design reviews, testing, and integration of C4i system solutions for both HCI and embedded modules
- Test, troubleshoot, rebuild, recover, and tune satellite telecommunications equipment and ancillary systems using standard checks and mock-ups to determine functionality
- Provided hands-on assistance involving troubleshooting, functionality, feature, and diagnostic support for all related systems, equipment failures, and/or service issues
- Verified customer requests, assess requirements, and correctly perform requested actions or rectify problems
- Ensure customer satisfaction of repair and/or actions requested
- Performed disaster recovery exercises to demonstrate the capability of establishing telecommunications in the event of an outage
Education
MBA - General Studies
Colorado Technical University
07-2025
Bachelor of Science - Information Technology
Colorado Technical University
02-2024
Skills
- Training & Development
- Electronics Systems QA
- Systems Installations & Upgrades
- Deadline Management
- Safety Oriented
- Project Management
- Excellent Communicator
- Problem Solving
- Attention to Detail
- Adaptability
- Team Oriented
- Self-motivated
Timeline
Information Technology Specialist
US Forest Service, Department Of Agriculture
10.2023 - Current
Electronics Technician - LMR
US Forest Service
10.2015 - 10.2023
Electronics Technician
US Navy
10.2013 - 10.2015
SATCOM Supervisor
US Navy
08.2011 - 10.2013
MBA - General Studies
Colorado Technical University
Bachelor of Science - Information Technology
Colorado Technical University
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