Telecommunications Technician I

Muscatine Power and Water•Muscatine, IA

22h

About The Position

The Telecommunications Technician I installs utility-provided telecommunications equipment and services at customer premises, including set-top boxes, optical network terminals (ONTs), routers, computers, and related equipment. The role also involves routing, installing, terminating, and testing communications cabling; configuring routers; troubleshooting customer services and some field equipment; and collecting equipment when required. The technician performs construction work such as placing aerial and underground fiber drops and splicing fiber drops at the Network Interface Device. The position is part of an apprenticeship: the technician must complete each required training step, including NCTI Tech I or relevant courses and on-the-job training, to advance toward Journeyman status. The technician is responsible for educating customers about installed products and completing service documentation. Additional duties include maintaining a safe and continuously improving work environment, supporting Telecommunications Technicians II and III, and keeping an owner-provided vehicle stocked and maintained. Work takes place primarily at customer locations and outdoor community job sites, with some time in an office. Fieldwork occurs in all weather conditions and may involve extended ladder or elevated-platform and bucket-truck work.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent.
At least one year of communications-system coursework or equivalent work experience.
At least one year of customer service experience.
Working knowledge of computer software and hardware, mobile devices, and other networked devices.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with customers and other audiences.
Strong interpersonal and listening skills, with the ability to build professional relationships and promote teamwork.
Proficiency with PCs and relevant business software, including Microsoft Office and electronic mapping software.
Problem identification, analysis, and solving skills.
Work-planning skills.
Ability to work as part of a team or independently, prioritize and manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and adjust priorities to meet organizational objectives.
Ability to ensure work is completed properly, safely, and on time.
Mechanical aptitude and comfort working with power equipment and tools of all sizes.
Ability to read and interpret drawings, schematics, specifications, and technical manuals.
Ability to distinguish colors.
Valid driver's license.
Must comply with the Utility's Residency Policy.
Must attend work regularly, work overtime as needed, and participate in a rotating stand-by schedule.
Must maintain a means of communication for contact by MPW outside normal work hours.
Must successfully complete each step of the apprenticeship training program to advance toward Journeyman status.

Responsibilities

Install, upgrade, and downgrade owner-provided communications services at customer premises.
Install and configure communications equipment, including set-top boxes, ONTs, routers, PCs, other computing devices, and customer-owned equipment.
Route communications lines, including CAT6, fiber-optic, twisted-pair, and coaxial cabling, on exteriors, interiors, and within walls.
Install outlets and other cable termination points; terminate and test installed cabling.
Configure routers to support coverage and performance.
Troubleshoot customer services, generally from the fiber demarcation point to customer equipment.
Perform basic troubleshooting of service-impacting issues using diagnostic equipment on drops between premises and splice cases.
Educate customers about installed products and complete and update documentation.
Collect communications equipment as required.
Place underground and aerial fiber drops in accordance with approved construction standards for burial depth and aerial-line clearance.
Splice fiber drops at the Network Interface Device (NiD) and perform basic fiber splicing.
Keep vehicles organized and stocked with tools, materials, inventory, and required equipment; maintain the owner-provided vehicle.
Maintain a culture of safety, complete position-appropriate training, and follow safe working practices and site rules.
Use lean principles and continuous-improvement tools to improve departmental efficiency.
Assist Telecommunications Technicians II and III with troubleshooting and construction projects.
Complete the apprenticeship training program, including required coursework and on-the-job training.
Perform other duties as assigned.