Field Service Technician - Network

Job Locations

US-MS-Calhoun City

Overview

The Field Service Technician-Network installs, troubleshoots, repairs, and maintains telecommunications products and equipment that TDS sells and leases (Key Systems, PBX, Centrex Systems, and/or other business systems). This position performs work associated with splicing and maintaining outside plant facilities and equipment. This position installs, splices, repairs, and maintains aerial, buried, and/or underground fiber optic and copper cable. The FST-Network has knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures within the field of telecommunications.

The FST-Network has direct, face-to-face contact with our customers and is expected to be proactive with the sales of TDS services and products. Services include, but are not limited to, Telephony, Video/CATV/DBS, Internet, and/or high-speed networks. This position exceeds customer expectations by performing extraordinary customer service, identifying customer needs, and providing them with communications solutions. This position also understands how to use and demonstrate TDS products and seeks sales opportunities while educating the customer. Products & services include (but are not limited to): Local Service, Central Office Services, Structured Cabling, MAC (Moves, Adds and Changes), Voice Mail, Audio and/or Video Conferencing and Non-regulated CPE.

The FST-Network may be responsible for performing varied or additional duties to meet demands of TDS which may include duties of other Field Services Technician positions.

Responsibilities

Installs, troubleshoots, tests, splices, repairs, and maintains telephone equipment and general network equipment, customer premise equipment, Video/CATV/DBS, fiber optic/copper facilities and/or other TDS products & services for new and existing customers.  Installs, configures, maintains, and repairs Key Systems, PBX, Centrex Systems, and other business systems such as fiber terminals, ISPs, ISDN, DSL, T-1s, and/or DS3s (carriers, paging, and wireless).  Identifies location of defective cable using various test equipment and repairs buried, aerial, underground and/or customer cable.  Locates cable and fiber in response to customer requests and/or construction needs.  Pole climbing and operating construction equipment is required. Locates, identifies
and marks company underground and buried facilities to prevent facilities from being damaged.  Keeps orderly log of all locate requests in our exchange area. Performs cable fault acceptance tests on newly constructed facilities.

Provides troubleshooting support techniques and corrections.  Responds to “trouble” dispatches. 

Provides high level support for enhancing and maintaining record systems (cross connects, line groups, network elements, etc.). 

Provides excellent customer service.  Proactively educates and sells TDS products and services to customers. 

Performs project management of the installation of systems and performs related functions as requested by supervisor.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Associate degree (or higher) with 2+ years basic technical telecommunications experience -OR- 4+ years technical experience with telecommunications products and/or services -OR- current military service, or prior military service with honorable discharge.
• 6+ months of basic fiber optic and/or copper cable splicing and repair, installation and repair or switch training.


• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license.  Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) may be required.

Other Qualifications

• Upon hire, must successfully complete customer-specific requirements, which may include a background check administered by the customer.


• Requires on-call/standby responsibilities. On-call requires carrying a pager and/or cell phone, being available to report to work (24 hours a day) and remain in a limited geographic area.


• Strong technical understanding of fiber and copper plant installation and troubleshooting.


• Understanding of telecommunication products and services: Inside Wiring/Cable, Internet/Intranet, Bonding & Grounding, Data & Computers/Transmission Concepts, Fiber Optic Transmission, Static Sensitive Equipment, Color Codes, Structured Wiring, Video/CATV/DBS Installation, Inventory Systems, Cable Locating, Battery Maintenance, Key Systems/PBX, Centrex, Switch Maintenance, Voicemail, Special Circuits, Fiber Terminals, Subscriber CXR Terminals, T-1s, ISPs, DSL, ISDN Voice & Data, Testing & Certifying Loops To Support Data, Voice, and/or Video.


• Practical knowledge/experience with computer applications including (but not limited to):  Databases, Trouble/Repair/Dispatch Systems, Plant Record Systems, MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Explorer, and CD-ROMs. 


• Ability to work and make decisions independently with little or no supervision. 


• Demonstrated customer service and sales skills, as well as effective communications skills (verbal and written) for interaction with internal and external customers.


• Proven organizational skills and ability to multi-task.


• Physical requirements may vary based on company needs:  Operation of heavy construction machinery, such as bucket truck, drop plow, and backhoe.  Ability to dig, lift and climb. 


• Requires being available for on-call/standby responsibilities and may require occasional travel.


• Must be willing to work overtime as needed. May be required to work various/swing shifts as business needs dictate.


• Must be able to operate vehicles with manual transmissions. 

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, write and operate a computer keyboard, standard office equipment and telephone. The employee regularly communicates with customers. The employee is frequently required to move about and reach for items.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must also be able to climb poles and ladders. The employee is occasionally required to sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions and may have to work in attics and crawl spaces, or high risk areas such as high voltage electrical, trenches, and manholes. The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and heavy equipment; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is at times loud.

At TDS, we embrace Equal Employment Opportunity by valuing our differences and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by law. To learn about our diversity & inclusion philosophy and culture, click here!