OSP Fiber - Maintenance Technician

NextLink•Waco, TX

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The OSP Fiber - Network Maintenance Technician is responsible for maintaining network reliability, responding to outages at fiber cabinets, fiber splitter cabinets, and fiber developments, and maintaining the existing network backbone across right-of-way and aerial builds. The technician repairs issues that negatively affect the network and performs maintenance on headend electronics and critical infrastructure as needed. The role has high travel requirements, is primarily night work, and requires at least 40 hours per week, with overtime as needed. The technician must be able to splice fiber optic cable in varied conditions; safely operate bucket trucks and mini excavators; maintain live optical and line-of-sight networks; troubleshoot PON and GPON outages; and understand AC-to-DC rectification and FTTX backbone, feeder, and AP principles. The position also involves leading a crew during maintenance events, coordinating controlled outages and repairs, interpreting blueprints, wire diagrams, construction prints, and splice documents, conducting tests and troubleshooting, and completing production reports and as-built maps. Work is performed in person and outdoors, including around aerial plant, heavy machinery, moving vehicles, and power transformers. The technician may work at heights in a bucket truck and at ground level in underground vaults, and must be able to work in all weather conditions. The position requires frequent travel, primarily night work, a valid driver’s license, and passing drug screening and a criminal background check. A high school diploma or GED is required.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Experience with fiber tools.
Ability to splice any type of fiber optic cable in any type of condition.
Ability to safely operate a bucket truck and a mini excavator.
Previous experience maintaining live optical and line-of-sight networks.
Understanding of AC-to-DC rectifying principles.
Understanding of PON and GPON technologies and ability to troubleshoot outages.
Understanding of backbone, feeder, and AP principles in FTTX practices.
Ability to receive direction from management and lead a crew during maintenance events.
Ability to orchestrate controlled outages and repairs with appropriate channels.
Experience with DOT regulations.
Ability to communicate in person and by telephone.
Ability to read and repair from blueprints and wire diagrams; understand construction prints and splice documents.
Ability to perform mechanical tasks such as fiber splicing, reading voltage, RF, and fiber meters, conducting tests, and troubleshooting.
Ability to use computer-based programs for activation and verification of electronic equipment installations.
Good communication, organizational, time-management, and multitasking skills.
Ability to work independently and in a team, and within a fast-paced, high-change environment.
Must pass a drug screening test and criminal background check.
Required driver's license.
Willingness to travel; the posting states 75–90% travel required and lists 75% as preferred.
Ability to work at varying heights from a bucket truck and at ground level in underground vaults.
Ability to reach, push, pull, hold, grasp, and perform fine manipulation tasks on cable and electronic equipment.
Ability to work outdoors and in all weather conditions, around aerial plant, heavy machinery, moving vehicles, and power transformers.
Ability to sit stationary for extended periods while splicing, climb ladders, crouch, balance, kneel, and stoop.

Responsibilities

Maintain network reliability and respond to outages at fiber cabinets, fiber splitter cabinets, and fiber developments.
Maintain the existing network backbone across right-of-way and aerial builds, and repair issues negatively affecting the network.
Splice fiber optic cable in varied conditions and maintain live optical and line-of-sight networks.
Safely operate bucket trucks and mini excavators to complete maintenance assignments.
Troubleshoot PON and GPON outages and perform tests and troubleshooting to meet plant-level requirements.
Lead a crew during maintenance events and coordinate controlled outages and repairs through appropriate channels.
Perform as-needed repair and maintenance of headend electronics and critical infrastructure equipment.
Read and repair from blueprints, wire diagrams, construction prints, and splice documents.
Complete daily production reports, mark up maps, track work hours, and create as-built maps for areas worked.
Use computer-based programs to support activation and verification of electronic equipment installations.
Communicate in person and by telephone, take direction from management, and manage multiple project assignments.
Work primarily night shifts, at least 40 hours per week, with overtime as needed, and travel 75–90% of the time.