Wireless RF Technician IV (Fairbanks, AK)

GCI Communication Corp•Fairbanks, AK

2d•Onsite

About The Position

GCI's Wireless RF Technician IV will be r esponsible for performing advanced troubleshooting, optimization, upgrades, commissioning, maintenance and repair of Wireless RF transmission lines, antennas, and cell site or transport related equipment for the Wireless GSM/CDMA/UMTS/LTE Radio Access Network (RAN) and Microwave network. Contributes to all aspects of delivering quality service to the company’s customers and supports other departments’ efforts to improve customer experience. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AT ALL LEVELS: Technician Levels: Trainee, Associate, I, II Complete basic equipment installations, testing, and Operational Site Acceptance. Perform installation, adjustment, advanced troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance of Wireless RF transmission lines, antennas, and other cell site or transport related equipment throughout urban and rural wireless markets, including but not limited to: Microwave, tower mounted radios, cellular antennas, TMA’s, fiber cabling, DC power, FAA warning beacons, and tower lighting systems. Provide technical support for technicians in remote locations, including phone, command line interface, Cherwell ticket maintenance, and workflow. Use and operate multiple types of test equipment and Software Tools. Operate test equipment to perform corrective tasks related to the transmission tower, antennas, coaxial cabling, grounding, and other systems. Provide support to Engineers in field-related aspects for network optimization projects by working and interacting with RF Engineering and optimization support team for pre and post optimization adjustments and statistical analysis. Perform site audits of cell sites and towers to ensure existing and new installations are within specifications. Update and maintain daily work & safety logs. Assist with updating and maintaining cell site and tower information including but not limited to inspections, FAA and FCC documentation, lighting systems, access, and risk assessment information database. Coordinate with Management and Regulatory parties to ensure the company’s tower network meets all federal FAA and FCC guidelines and requirements. Perform daily operational checks on cell site RF and associated equipment. Maintain compliance by ensuring adherence to documentation standards, company policies, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements. Complete required training comprised of written, online, in person, vendor, and on-the-job training. Technician Levels: III, IV, Senior Mentor and train junior technicians Troubleshoot and repairs all cell site equipment, including replacement of electronics parts, RF connectors and works closely with transport technicians to expedite circuit repairs. Perform installation, adjustment, advanced troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance of Wireless RF transmission lines, antennas, and other cell site or transport related equipment throughout urban and rural wireless markets, including but not limited to: Microwave, tower mounted radios, cellular antennas, TMA’s, fiber cabling, DC power, FAA warning beacons, and tower lighting systems. Work closely with RF Engineering and RAN Operations departments to support network optimization projects. Perform site redlines to verify contractor quality of work and standards compliance. Perform corrective and preventative maintenance of cell sites, microwave, and power systems, which involves the emergency generator, batteries, AC units, towers, locks fences, coax cabling/connectors, etc. Work effectively with other technicians, engineers, and vendors to resolve system problems and customer complaints. Provide technical support for technicians in remote locations, to include phone, command line interface, Cherwell ticket maintenance, and workflow. Perform daily operational checks on all cell site RF and associated equipment. Perform KPI analysis to determine the existence of possible external and/or internal interference and perform corrective maintenance. Collaborate with RF engineering to develop design changes when necessary. Update daily logs with site-specific information and maintain system documentation. Inspect and maintain building grounding systems. Support SMC staff by interfacing regularly to report on network outages, and any work being performed. Provide field support for new cell construction, equipment installation, cell turn up, and cell optimization as needed. Complete required training comprised of written, online, in person, vendor, and on-the-job training.

Requirements

A combination of relevant work experience and/or education sufficient to perform the duties of the job may substitute to meet the total years required on a year-for-year basis
High School diploma or equivalent.
Associates Degree in electronics, telecommunications trade school, or equivalent training.
Minimum of nine (9) years of experience in a field operations telecommunications industry.
Including a minimum of six (6) years in wireless telecommunications, wireless site construction, or related field.
Upon hire will be required to obtain and maintain tower climber certification.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, a satisfactory driving record, and successfully complete Defensive Driving course.
Demonstrated knowledge and ability to act as the subject matter expert (SME) on site.
Advanced understanding of telecommunications technology, network systems, installation, modifications, and test procedures.
Advanced knowledge and understanding of HVAC, generators, batteries, light carpentry, and AC & DC power systems including installation, modifications, and test procedures.
Ability to execute complex equipment installation, replacement, test, and turn up.
Demonstrated knowledge of RF safety regulations and requirements for working in and around RF hazardous areas.
Advanced knowledge of: Electrical theory. RF theory. Theory of T1 IP, Fiber, Microwave, and related test equipment. Antenna line sweep and PIM theory, interpretation, and related test equipment. CLI to include Linux and other Vendor software. RF interference mitigation. Telcordia. HVAC Maintenance. Commercial power and current NEC.
Ability to operate and interpret the results of PIM testers, FDR, OTDR, BERT, IP Network testers, multi-meters, and power analyzers.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated computer skills with Linux, Unix, Cisco IOS, command line interface, Secure Shell, and File Transfer Protocol.
Knowledge of RF propagation principles and concepts such as UMTS/HSPA, CDMA/EVDO, LTE, and microwave.
Prior certification as a tower climber.
Relevant telecom industry or job specific certifications.

Responsibilities

Performing advanced troubleshooting, optimization, upgrades, commissioning, maintenance and repair of Wireless RF transmission lines, antennas, and cell site or transport related equipment for the Wireless GSM/CDMA/UMTS/LTE Radio Access Network (RAN) and Microwave network.
Complete basic equipment installations, testing, and Operational Site Acceptance.
Perform installation, adjustment, advanced troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance of Wireless RF transmission lines, antennas, and other cell site or transport related equipment throughout urban and rural wireless markets, including but not limited to: Microwave, tower mounted radios, cellular antennas, TMA’s, fiber cabling, DC power, FAA warning beacons, and tower lighting systems.
Provide technical support for technicians in remote locations, including phone, command line interface, Cherwell ticket maintenance, and workflow.
Use and operate multiple types of test equipment and Software Tools.
Operate test equipment to perform corrective tasks related to the transmission tower, antennas, coaxial cabling, grounding, and other systems.
Provide support to Engineers in field-related aspects for network optimization projects by working and interacting with RF Engineering and optimization support team for pre and post optimization adjustments and statistical analysis.
Perform site audits of cell sites and towers to ensure existing and new installations are within specifications.
Update and maintain daily work & safety logs.
Assist with updating and maintaining cell site and tower information including but not limited to inspections, FAA and FCC documentation, lighting systems, access, and risk assessment information database.
Coordinate with Management and Regulatory parties to ensure the company’s tower network meets all federal FAA and FCC guidelines and requirements.
Perform daily operational checks on cell site RF and associated equipment.
Maintain compliance by ensuring adherence to documentation standards, company policies, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements.
Complete required training comprised of written, online, in person, vendor, and on-the-job training.
Mentor and train junior technicians
Troubleshoot and repairs all cell site equipment, including replacement of electronics parts, RF connectors and works closely with transport technicians to expedite circuit repairs.
Work closely with RF Engineering and RAN Operations departments to support network optimization projects.
Perform site redlines to verify contractor quality of work and standards compliance.
Perform corrective and preventative maintenance of cell sites, microwave, and power systems, which involves the emergency generator, batteries, AC units, towers, locks fences, coax cabling/connectors, etc.
Work effectively with other technicians, engineers, and vendors to resolve system problems and customer complaints.
Perform KPI analysis to determine the existence of possible external and/or internal interference and perform corrective maintenance.
Collaborate with RF engineering to develop design changes when necessary.
Inspect and maintain building grounding systems.
Support SMC staff by interfacing regularly to report on network outages, and any work being performed.
Provide field support for new cell construction, equipment installation, cell turn up, and cell optimization as needed.