Layer One Network Engineer (Outside Plant)

Avista•Spokane, WA

6d•$42 - $78•Hybrid

About The Position

Avista's Network Engineering department is looking for the right candidate to join our team as a Layer 1 Outside Plant (OSP) Engineer. As an OSP Engineer, you will play a critical role in designing and supervising fiber optic cabling installation and splicing to ensure successful and timely completion of our network infrastructure. This position requires field visits to Avista sites that include substations, mountain tops, generation plants, offices, and other locations across our service territory for site surveys and information gathering necessary for design work. The successful candidate will be a person who thrives in a structured environment that encourages collaboration and coordination with our internal teams, and adherence to company design standards to deliver communications services to our gas and electric business partners.

Requirements

BA/BS degree in Computer Science, Information Science, Engineering or related field and 2 years of relevant experience
Technology management skills with success in a balanced value driven customer relationship and productivity model
Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences
Demonstrated technology leadership abilities and proven analytical problem-solving skills
Strong process orientation and a clear understanding of the value delivered by developing and validating engineering models with customer requirements
6 years of relevant experience in an enterprise-size company (500 or more employees)
Knowledge of operations and delivery concepts, principles, standards, tools, techniques, system testing best practices and methodologies
Ability to communicate effectively with teammates/in a team environment and across the organization
Ability to provide guidance and pass on knowledge, experience, and lessons learned to team members

Nice To Haves

3+ years of OSP engineering/planning in telecom, broadband, or fiber optic communications experience
Knowledge of NESC, NEC, and RUS codes and practices
Experience with fiber optic-based data communications equipment and testing equipment
Solid understanding of fiber optic principles including mechanical design criteria for aerial and underground fiber optic cabling
Ability to read fiber traces and fiber characterization reports generated from OTDR testing
Ability to understand fiber splicing designs and schematics
Proficiency with Microsoft office products (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)
Proficiency with AutoCAD
Experience with ESRI based GIS systems
Willingness and ability to learn new skills as required

Responsibilities

Research and engineer project estimates for Layer 1 outside plant network and communication solutions.
Engages with engineering teams throughout Avista as well as Avista’s telecommunication shop, electrical shop, and contracted crews to carry out implementation and installation of communications projects. This may also involve working with external construction and engineering resources.
Designing construction prints and providing construction support for aerial and underground fiber optic communications builds.
Obtaining bids from outside contractors as required.
Working with civil and governmental agencies to obtain permits.
Creation of material requisitions for parts needed to complete communications builds.
Review and documentation of construction changes to provide final construction drawings and ensure that all work matches Avista standards and engineering specifications.
Reading and interpretation of ODTR test results to verify fiber installation and fiber integrity.