OSP Fiber - Field Operations Technician

NextLink•Brenham, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The OSP Fiber - Field Operations Technician supports the reliability and performance of Nextlink’s fiber optic network through splicing, testing, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and service restoration. The technician maintains aerial and underground backbone, feeder, distribution, and access facilities, including splice closures, fiber and splitter cabinets, network electronics, and associated power equipment. The role coordinates planned maintenance and outage response with management and network operations, directs field crews during assigned maintenance events, and documents completed work to keep network records accurate. This is a full-time, non-exempt, in-person and field-based position. Work takes place outdoors, in splice trailers, at headend and network facilities, and around aerial and underground plant. The position requires a minimum of 40 hours per week, mainly at night, with overtime as needed. Daytime, weekend, holiday, on-call, and emergency restoration assignments may be required. Travel is approximately 75–90%, including overnight stays and assignments across the company’s service areas. The technician prepares, fusion splices, terminates, tests, and troubleshoots fiber optic cable and live optical networks; maintains network equipment and associated power systems; coordinates maintenance and outage response; and completes accurate work orders, test reports, splice records, and field updates. The work includes operating a bucket truck and mini excavator when trained and authorized, accessing aerial and underground facilities, and following applicable safety procedures. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Hands-on experience preparing, splicing, terminating, and testing fiber optic cable using fusion splicers, OTDRs, and optical power meters.
Previous experience maintaining live optical networks and troubleshooting outages, including work on aerial and underground OSP facilities.
Practical knowledge of fiber cable construction, color codes, loose-tube and ribbon configurations, connector types, splice enclosures, and cable management.
Ability to prepare, splice, terminate, and test fiber optic cable; interpret test results; and distinguish splicer loss estimates from measured network performance.
Understanding of live optical networks, FTTx architecture, PON/GPON operation, and AC/DC power principles relevant to assigned network equipment.
Ability to interpret prints, splice documents, and wiring diagrams and perform systematic troubleshooting to meet plant performance requirements.
Ability to safely operate a bucket truck and mini excavator; task-specific training and authorization must be completed before operation.
Valid driver’s license and driving record meeting company requirements; working knowledge of DOT requirements applicable to assigned vehicles and equipment.
Clear in-person, telephone, and written communication; strong organization, time management, attention to workmanship, and documentation.
Ability to work independently, collaborate with other departments, lead assigned field crews, and manage changing priorities and multiple work orders.
Computer and mobile-device proficiency for work orders, maps, test-file uploads, equipment verification, and company communication.
Dependable attendance and availability for overnight maintenance, emergency response, overtime, and substantial travel.
Must pass the company’s required drug screening and criminal background check.
Ability to perform the stated physical duties, including prolonged seated work during splicing; standing, walking, ladder climbing, working at varying heights, bending, crouching, balancing, kneeling, stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, grasping, fine hand movements, distinguishing fiber color codes, inspecting small components, and reading test displays. Lifting aids or team assistance may be used as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

Experience with controlled cutovers, emergency restoration, high-fiber-count cable, and field crew coordination.
FOA CFOT or comparable fiber splicing/testing credentials.
OSHA 10 and applicable aerial lift, traffic control, confined-space, and first aid/CPR training; required training must be completed before covered assignments.

Responsibilities

Read construction prints, splice diagrams, fiber assignments, route maps, and wiring diagrams; verify field conditions and resolve discrepancies before changing network connections.
Prepare and fusion splice loose-tube and ribbon fiber optic cables using appropriate single-fiber or mass-fusion methods; identify, clean, strip, cleave, protect, and organize fibers.
Install, repair, and maintain splice closures, trays, pigtails, connectors, patch panels, splitter cabinets, and related hardware; maintain bend radius, strain relief, slack storage, sealing, labeling, grounding, and bonding as required.
Perform mid-span access, express fiber routing, and assigned work on high-fiber-count cables while protecting unassigned fibers and existing live services.
Inspect aerial and underground plant, including rights-of-way, cable routes, cabinets, vaults, and attachment hardware; identify and repair or coordinate repairs for conditions affecting reliability.
Operate fiber-optic testing and inspection equipment; inspect and clean connector end faces before connection and testing.
Configure and interpret OTDR tests; locate faults and evaluate splice events, reflections, excessive loss, bends, and cable damage.
Measure end-to-end optical loss, perform bidirectional OTDR testing when specified, compare results with approved budgets and acceptance criteria, correct deficiencies, and retest.
Troubleshoot live optical networks and loss-of-signal conditions across backbone, feeder, distribution, and access points, applying knowledge of FTTx, PON, and GPON to restore service.
Inspect, troubleshoot, and maintain headend electronics, cabinet equipment, and other critical network infrastructure within assigned training and authorization.
Apply knowledge of AC-to-DC rectification, power supplies, connections, alarms, and backup power components; use appropriate meters to verify operating conditions.
Use company-approved computer programs to support equipment installation, activation, status checks, and service verification; coordinate configuration changes and unresolved equipment issues with network operations or engineering.
Coordinate assigned crews during maintenance, cutovers, and emergency restoration; communicate work sequence, assignments, safety requirements, and progress.
Arrange service-affecting maintenance through approval and communication channels; confirm affected fibers and services, maintenance windows, restoration plans, and required support before work begins.
Respond to outages, assess field conditions, identify failure locations, and coordinate repairs with operations, construction crews, contractors, and support teams; provide status updates and escalate restoration barriers.
Verify optical performance, equipment status, and service recovery with network operations before returning facilities to normal service.
Complete production reports, time records, work order notes, outage findings, splice records, fiber assignments, OTDR files, and optical test reports; submit field redlines, map updates, and as-built information.
Safely operate bucket trucks and mini excavators for assigned maintenance after required training and authorization; complete vehicle and equipment inspections and follow applicable DOT requirements and company procedures.
Access aerial facilities from approved ladders or aerial lifts and underground facilities using applicable procedures; coordinate utility locating and follow excavation requirements before disturbing the ground.
Maintain clean and organized work areas and care for tools, test equipment, vehicles, and supplies; promptly report equipment defects, material shortages, and unexpected field conditions.
Follow required PPE and applicable ladder, fall protection, aerial lift, traffic control, excavation, electrical, optical-source, and weather-related safety procedures; report hazards and incidents and pause unsafe work.
Participate in scheduled on-call coverage, overnight maintenance, overtime, and emergency restoration assignments as needed.