Fiber Maintenance Technician

East Central Energy•Braham, MN

6d•$37 - $42•Onsite

About The Position

East Central Energy is hiring a Fiber Maintenance Technician to install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair its fiber network and member services. The role covers fiber splicing and testing, outage repairs, aerial and underground construction, and service installation at homes and businesses. The technician identifies network problems, restores service, supports construction quality, and completes work safely and correctly. The position is based at the Superior Operations Center in Superior, Wisconsin, and is onsite and field-based. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; hybrid work is not available. Training includes travel to other ECE locations within its service territory. A work truck is provided for business use and must be returned to an ECE location at the end of each workday. The starting wage is $37.20 to $41.86 per hour, based on qualifications, education, and experience. ECE describes its culture as guided by Respect, Integrity, Courage, and Humility. It is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace.

Requirements

Two-year technical degree and seven years of experience; or a minimum of ten years of fiber-optic construction experience that includes single-mode and multimode fiber splicing, construction, repair, bucket truck operation, and fiber-optic network maintenance; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Valid driver’s license.
DOT Medical Card or ability to obtain one within the first month of employment.
Ability to understand GPON and XGS-PON fiber-to-the-home infrastructure, including optical power behavior and loss.
Ability to identify and maintain minimum approach distances when working around aerial fiber-optic cables.
Ability to read and interpret construction prints and manufacturer specifications.
Knowledge of Rural Utilities Service codes, rights-of-way, and building construction.
Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations to resolve optical loss problems and locate faults.
Ability to communicate clearly with members, coworkers, contractors, and other audiences.
Ability to use standard office technology and work-management systems.
Ability to follow safety procedures and report unsafe conditions and near misses.
Ability to obtain qualifications aligned with OSHA 1910.268 for telecommunications work in the Power Supply Space.
Ability to safely perform telecommunications work, recognize hazards, follow established procedures, and maintain required distances from energized electrical equipment.

Responsibilities

Splice single-mode loose tube and ribbon fiber, replace fiber-optic connectors, and install or repair splice closures, trays, terminals, drops, and related equipment.
Use an optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) and other methods to troubleshoot no-light and low-light issues, locate damaged underground fiber, and help restore service after outages.
Read and interpret construction prints, assist with designs and redlines, and complete aerial and underground fiber construction, including conduit, handhole, and Multiport Service Terminal placements.
Install, route, inspect, maintain, and repair aerial and underground fiber-optic cables and equipment, including work within the Power Supply Space while maintaining required safe working distances.
Install, terminate, test, troubleshoot, and repair fiber, Cat 5/6 cabling, ONTs, gateways, and Voice over Internet Protocol telephone service at homes and businesses.
Meet with members before installation or repair work, explain the planned approach, and provide information about internet services and equipment.
Request emergency locates, document outage-related incidents, isolate damaged fiber, and help oversee contractor restoration efforts.
Inspect vehicles, tools, personal protective equipment, and company-provided equipment, and follow established safety procedures.
Coordinate with the Broadband department and provide oversight and quality control for contract installation technicians.
Maintain inventory and work-order records and manage field progress using an iPad or laptop.

Benefits

100% employer-paid medical insurance.
Employer contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA).
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Short-Term Disability (STD).
Long-Term Disability (LTD).
Tuition reimbursement.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
401(k) plan with up to a 10% employer contribution.
40 hours of PTO after the first eight-hour workday, with additional PTO accrued weekly based on years of service.
Ten paid holidays.