Network Maintenance & Construction Technician Trainee

GCI Communication Corp•Anchorage, AK

3d•Onsite

About The Position

GCI's Network Maintenance & Construction Technician Trainee will represent the company by providing outstanding customer service to current and prospective clients exploring our products and services, including those interested in upgrades or expansions. Perform professional and efficient installations and servicing of telecommunications solutions, including video, high-speed data, and voice products, in both residential and commercial settings. Oversee system-wide maintenance and quality control of network signal processing, proactively troubleshooting and resolving issues such as transmission discrepancies, signal loss, interference, and equipment malfunctions. Conduct comprehensive network analysis and maintain headend systems to ensure optimal performance. Safeguard the integrity of outside plant infrastructure, ensuring reliability and efficiency in service delivery. This is a trainee-level position within the telecommunications field, specifically focused on outside network maintenance. The role is designed for individuals to gain job knowledge and competency through the company’s certification programs, education, and hands-on training alongside experienced technicians. The trainee will support senior technicians by developing a foundational understanding of routine preventative and corrective network maintenance, as well as repairs to field and network facilities that deliver video, voice, data, and wireless services. Detailed instructions and guidance will be provided for both routine tasks and new assignments. Work will be closely supervised, with regular reviews by senior staff to ensure timeliness, accuracy, and adherence to established procedures. This position may be assigned to any of the following areas as needed to support network repairs: Outside Plant Network Maintenance and Repair. Inside Plant Network Maintenance and Repair. Outside Plant Construction. Facilities Maintenance and Repair. Core Network Maintenance and Repair.

Requirements

Candidates must reside within 50 miles of Anchorage, Alaska
High School diploma or equivalent.
Minimum of six (6) months of experience in a telecommunications or related technical field background.
A combination of relevant work experience and/or education sufficient to perform the duties of the job may substitute to meet the total years required on a year-for-year basis
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, a satisfactory driving record, and successfully complete Defensive Driving course.
Familiarity with cable modem systems, OTN interfaces, troubleshooting methods, and monitoring processes.
Skilled at analyzing system designs and city street maps for effective implementation and planning.
Proficient in operating and interpreting data from test equipment for installation, troubleshooting, and repairs.
Demonstrates strong computer skills and proficiency with MS Office tools (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel), and utilizes industry-specific programs for tracking signal leakage, outages, system monitoring, and more.
Ability to accurately communicate information and ideas to others effectively.
Physical agility and effort sufficient to perform job duties safely and effectively.
Ability to make valid judgments and decisions.

Nice To Haves

Telecommunications experience.
Other relevant telecom industry or job specific certifications.
May require to boarding vessels to act as GCI on-site operations observer.
May be required to obtain a commercial driver’s license within six (6) months of employment.
Employees may be contacted outside of the core business hours to respond to the immediate emergency. As such, you will be requested to provide emergency after hours contact numbers, to include your home and cell phone numbers if you have those services.

Responsibilities

Perform basic construction, installation, routine preventative maintenance, corrective maintenance, testing, and repairs of facilities providing video, voice, and data services.
Assess field conditions conduct tests and measurements to evaluate signal quality.
Manage semi-routine maintenance tasks, identifying deviations from accepted practices and confirming appropriate next steps with senior staff.
Collaborate closely with technicians on routine tasks and follow detailed instructions for new assignments, with work closely supervised to ensure timeliness, accuracy, and adherence to procedures.
Organize daily workloads effectively, utilizing industry standard test equipment, hand tools, and heavy machinery for the installation, maintenance, and repair of services and facilities.
Execute basic preventative and corrective maintenance tasks, including underground cable locating, outage response, rewiring or upgrading facilities, cabling, impairment mitigation, system drive off, and repairs.
Communicate with SMC or Dispatch to update and complete repair or trouble tickets efficiently.
Assist with new installations and address trouble tickets promptly to ensure timely service delivery.
Verify accuracy of written work orders, discrepancies, collect payments and customer signatures, and ensure all documentation is updated in a timely manner.
Escalate complex issues to the appropriate department, or management team as necessary.
Collaborate with senior technicians to address outages and perform other necessary duties as required.
Execute and support a variety of aerial and underground projects, including cable installation, relocation, and maintenance of telecommunications infrastructure, while strictly adhering to safety protocols and construction standards.
Operate heavy machinery such as backhoes, trenchers, and excavators for excavation, foundation laying, and construction tasks.
Lead quality control initiatives during construction and repair phases, ensuring that all work aligns with operational standards for signal processing and infrastructure integrity.
Oversee and perform excavation work to facilitate cable installations and ensure restoration of sites to their original condition with minimal disruption.
Perform precise splicing of copper, fiber optic, and coaxial cables for both new construction and repair efforts, upholding the highest standards of workmanship in telecommunications networks.
Provide comprehensive support for submarine cable systems, performing Power Safety Assurance in accordance with optical safety standards, including North American Zone (NAZ) requirements.
Conduct OTDR testing to identify faults, assess splice loss, and re-establish connections, documenting results throughout the repair process.
Perform routine maintenance and repairs on AC/DC power supplies, including battery replacements.
Install power supply equipment and cabling for new deployments and respond to power outages and deploy generators when necessary.
Safely trim trees and remove wooden poles to prevent interference with aerial lines and maintain network integrity.
Implement effective traffic control measures during construction, excavation, or road-based operations to ensure the safety of workers and the public.
Operate heavy vehicles to transport materials and equipment to various job sites, ensuring compliance with commercial driving regulations and performing routine vehicle maintenance.
Assist in sourcing equipment and materials essential for construction and repair, with a focus on Harmonic Fiber Transport systems for signal transmission.
Perform field engineering tasks, including troubleshooting system issues, responding to alarms, and replacing failed equipment such as cards and chassis.
Conduct light repairs to maintain core network infrastructure while collaborating with vendors and remote support staff.
Ensure the uninterrupted operation of RF, microwave, fiber optic, AC/DC, and HFC networks through regular maintenance, testing, and monitoring.
Execute balancing, sweeping, and aligning tasks to maintain proof of performance.
Install, service, and troubleshoot telecommunications equipment, addressing both analog and digital systems for video, voice, and data from tap or demarcation points to customer premises.
Takes responsibility for actions, decisions, and outcomes; actively seeks feedback and shows a commitment to improvement.
Maintains accountability for vehicles, inventory (e.g., test equipment), documentation, and safety protocols to minimize claims.
Engages with others in a way that fosters trust, respect, and confidence; follows the company's Code of Conduct and upholds core ethical principles.
Works well with others to achieve shared objectives; sustains positive relationships, even in challenging situations.
Effectively conveys thoughts and ideas in a professional manner.
Articulate technical information clearly and concisely in written and electronic reports, work orders, and route sheets, particularly during system outages or damage assessments.
Confidently convey technical concepts to customers, contractors, utility workers, colleagues, and the public, ensuring clarity and understanding for audiences at all levels.
Adheres to internal controls and safeguards company and customer confidentiality; follows the company's Code of Business Conduct & Ethics.
Accurately applies relevant codes, regulations, policies, and procedures in daily tasks.
Prioritizes delivering excellent service and places a high value on customer satisfaction.
Cultivates strong rapport with customers while ensuring fair and equitable treatment for both clients and colleagues.
Consistently follows through on assigned tasks and responsibilities; attends meetings, training sessions, and other work commitments on time.
Combines job knowledge, initiative, sound judgment, and problem-solving skills to deliver results.
Organizes assignments, tools, and routes to maximize efficiency and productivity.
Maintains knowledge of company products, services, and features related to video, voice, and data services.
Supports a safe working environment by adhering to safety guidelines and complying with security protocols.
Demonstrates strong computer skills and proficiency with MS Office tools (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel), and utilizes industry-specific programs for tracking signal leakage, outages, system monitoring, and more.
Must work well in a team environment and be able to work with a diverse group of people and customers.
Must be able and willing to work flexible hours including, but not limited to, overtime, on-call, and/or additional time on weekends, holidays, evenings, before or after normal shift hours.
Travel may be required to perform work in other systems throughout the state.