Telecommunications Technician Advanced Apprentice

SMUD•Sacramento, CA

7d•$43 - $63•Onsite

About The Position

SMUD is seeking an individual with a telecommunications background to join its Telecom Operations and Maintenance team as an Advanced Apprentice. Under close supervision, the apprentice assists with and learns to construct, modify, install, test, repair, adjust, and operate telecommunications, control, and monitoring systems and equipment. The role develops detailed knowledge of SMUD's telecommunications systems and subsystems to help analyze problems and take prompt remedial action while minimizing service disruption. Telecommunications Technicians support SMUD's smart grid by installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting communication, control, and monitoring systems used for reliable power delivery. The apprentice learns critical tasks and theories involving legacy telecom circuits, modern networks, electrical systems, physical security, and electrical-grid monitoring and automation. The position combines in-office system administration with extensive field work in varying environments, including mountainous terrain, substations, power lines, and remote locations year-round. The position reports to a Senior Telecommunications Technician or the Manager, Telecommunications Operations and Maintenance. This is a regular full-time, on-site position requiring daily in-person work at an SMUD campus. The listed pay range is $43.07 to $62.95 per hour. The posting is intended to fill one position and may create an eligibility list for permanent vacancies for two years.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Two years of formal schooling in electronics or equivalent demonstrable experience.
Possess and maintain a valid California driver's license CDL and a satisfactory driving record, with no more than two moving violations in the previous two years.
Possess and maintain a current FCC General Class Radiotelephone license or equivalent certificate, or acquire it within one year of hire.
Ability to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Certifications such as Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), CompTIA Network+, Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT), NERC CIP training, or SCADA system certification.
Current or past experience related to the telecommunications field.
Experience as a Telecommunications Technician or Telecommunications Technician Apprentice.

Responsibilities

Under supervision and instruction, construct and install telecommunications systems and equipment, secure authorization before working on vital equipment, and verify factory specifications.
Operate, monitor, investigate, test, and ensure proper performance of telecommunications systems and equipment, including test equipment.
Perform preventive and repair maintenance on telecommunications systems and equipment, document work thoroughly, and properly handle hazardous materials such as lead solder, paint, and cleaning fluids.
Provide technical support to users of telecommunications systems and equipment.
Inform superiors about work progress, schedule or project-scope changes, and other issues affecting assigned task outcomes or costs.
Recommend system refinements to improve reliability.
Participate in evaluating existing and prospective telecommunications systems and test equipment for safety, reliability, operability, and maintainability.
Drive SMUD vehicles and maintain a satisfactory driving record in accordance with SMUD policy.
Learn to configure, operate, monitor, troubleshoot, and maintain telecommunications equipment and systems, including radio, fiber-optic, telemetry, control, security, load-management, and telephone systems.
Learn to install telephone equipment, compile accurate test data and installation notes, investigate outages, locate and isolate faults, and perform appropriate repairs using test equipment.
Learn to assist with apprentice training and progression, make appropriate decisions, and manage daily workload with minimal supervision.
Learn to communicate effectively, prepare complex operating and testing procedures, interpret technical information, apply mathematics, solder using accepted techniques, and follow instructions and safety practices.
Learn to climb communications towers and install, adjust, and maintain antenna/transmission systems, weather-monitoring equipment, video cameras, and tower lights.