Fiber Splicer

Ritter Communications is the largest privately held telecommunications provider serving exclusively the Mid-South, offering world-class broadband fiber, telecom, video, and data center services. The company has grown rapidly, investing millions in technology infrastructure, and serves 197 communities and over 60,000 customers across Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas, Missouri, Kentucky, and Louisiana. Headquartered in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Ritter invests in its communities by deploying best-in-class infrastructure and delivering a world-class customer experience.

About the role

The Fiber Splicer plays a vital role in ensuring quality and timely delivery of telecommunications services to customers. This position is responsible for reading and interpreting schematics and diagrams to splice, terminate, and test fiber-optic, coaxial, and copper for new construction and service installations. The role also maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs damaged cable and related issues in the outside plant network.

Responsibilities

• Works with Project Managers and/or OSP Engineers to perform splicing as directed.
• Provides detailed reports of field splicing activity.
• Preps cable and performs fusion splices for aerial and underground applications.
• Ensures all splice closures and termination points are airtight and free of moisture.
• Installs protectors and demarcation equipment at customer premises.
• Inspects and maintains vaults, mini-vaults, and manholes.
• Installs actives and passives (nodes, amplifiers, taps, splitters, power inserts).
• Demonstrates strong customer service skills, especially collaborating with landowners and utility service providers.
• Performs manual excavations, including utility exposure, transition, and termination.
• Ensures proper bonding and grounding of aerial and underground plant.
• Performs all work in accordance with industry and company standards and government regulations (OSHA, DOT, FCC, etc.).
• Tracks and enters time for projects as required.
• Participates in on-call rotation and occasionally performs work during scheduled maintenance windows at non-peak hours.
• Travels to customer sites, project areas, business-related events, and other Ritter Communications locations.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned by management.

Requirements

• Thorough understanding of telecommunication construction practices, including:
  • Fiber and cable installation practices and procedures.
  • Identifying individual fiber cables at splice and node locations.
  • Fiber optic splice enclosure handling and maintenance practices.
  • Depth/distance requirements, marking, and identifying cable routes/types.
  • Work area restoration and easement/right-of-way management.
  • 90-volt HFC network operations and parameters.
  • Emergency service restoration procedures and practices.
• Up-to-date on RUS and NEC Standards and FCC, OSHA, and DOT regulations.
• Knowledge of company products, services, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to use RF meters, optical meters, spectrum analyzers, TDR, OTDR, volt/ohm/amp meters, and monitoring software.
• Basic PC software skills (Outlook, Excel, Word, AutoCAD Map Viewer).
• Skill in reading cable schematics, fiber count reports, and verification reports.
• Ability to communicate professionally and courteously with coworkers and business contacts.
• Ability to follow detailed instructions for complex tasks.
• Ability to read and interpret maps, staking sheets, cable schematics, fiber count reports, and verification reports.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and make sound technical decisions.
• Ability to function effectively as a collaborator.
• Must pass DOT certification.
• Must possess a valid Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record.
• Ability to travel for business requirements.

Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent plus 5 years of experience in telecommunications construction or maintenance operations required. Minimum of 3 years of experience splicing fiber preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Health, dental, vision, cancer, accident, and life insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Free gym membership.
• Company discounts.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Paid training.
• Paid leave.