Senior Outside Plant (OSP) Technician

Scientific Research Corporation • North Charleston, SC

2d • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Senior Outside Plant (OSP) Technician to lead the installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of fiber optic and copper telecommunications infrastructure. The ideal candidate brings deep hands-on expertise in outside plant construction and network cabling systems, and holds—or is actively pursuing—a Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD) credential from BICSI. This role serves as a technical lead on complex projects and a mentor to junior technicians.

Requirements

• 10 or more years of hands-on outside plant experience in telecommunications, electric utility, or related field
• Proficiency with fiber optic splicing (fusion and mechanical), OTDR testing, and end-to-end acceptance testing
• Demonstrated experience with direct-buried, and conduit/duct-bank OSP construction
• Ability to read and work from engineering drawings, plats, and GIS maps
• Competency operating aerial lift equipment (bucket truck)
• Must hold or obtain required certifications
• Strong understanding of OSHA, NEC, NESC, and relevant local safety codes
• Excellent communication skills and ability to interface with customers, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and terrain
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs regularly
• Working at heights in aerial lift equipment
• Ability to work in confined spaces, trenches, and vaults (may require permit-required confined space entry)
• Travel within the service territory required
• Occasional overnight travel possible
• U.S. CITIZENSHIP
• U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITY CLEARANCE AT THE TOP SECRET / SCI LEVEL

Nice To Haves

• BICSI Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD) credential is strongly preferred
• BICSI OSP Installer 2 or Technician certification
• Experience with GPON, DWDM, or other active fiber network technologies
• Familiarity with GIS/network documentation platforms (e.g., Esri, Maximo, ServiceNow)
• Background in telecommunications, municipal broadband, or utility OSP environments
• Prior experience in a field lead or crew supervisor role
• Valid driver’s license with clean MVR
• CDL preferred

Responsibilities

• Designing, installing, splicing, and testing fiber optic (single-mode and multi-mode) and copper cabling systems in aerial, buried, and conduit environments
• Reading and interpreting engineering drawings, OSP design plans, and permit documents and ensuring work complies with applicable codes and standards (BICSI, NEC, NESC, local/state regulations)
• Operating and maintaining OSP equipment including fusion splicers, OTDRs, power meters, cable locators, and aerial lift equipment
• Leading field crews on major outside plant projects
• Coordinating with general contractors, utilities, municipalities, and customers
• Performing fault isolation and emergency restoration on fiber and copper networks, including after-hours as required
• Conducting OSP site surveys and providing technical input for project scoping, materials estimation, and bid preparation
• Maintaining accurate as-built documentation, splice records, and work order closeouts in company systems
• Enforcing and modeling safety procedures including traffic control, confined space entry, trenching/excavation, and PPE compliance
• Mentoring and providing on-the-job training to junior and mid-level technicians
• Collaborating with engineering and project management teams to ensure on-time, on-budget project delivery

Benefits

• medical
• dental
• vision plans
• 401(k) with a company match
• life insurance
• vacation and sick paid time off accruals with amounts increasing based on role and years of service
• 11 paid holidays
• tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed