Field Service Technician II

At TDS Telecom, connecting people is at the heart of everything we do. We are forward thinkers who leverage cutting-edge fiber internet technology to strengthen communities. We are dedicated to excellence, which drives us to succeed together, creating a better world through meaningful connections.

About the role

As a Field Service Technician-Network, you will install, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain telecommunications products and equipment that TDS sells and leases (Key Systems, PBX, Centrex Systems, and/or other business systems). You will perform work associated with splicing and maintaining outside plant facilities and equipment, including aerial, buried, and/or underground fiber optic and copper cable. This role involves direct, face-to-face customer interaction, proactive sales of TDS services and products, and exceeding customer expectations through extraordinary service. You may also perform varied or additional duties to meet TDS demands, including those of other Field Services Technician positions.

Due to in-field support and on-call requirements, you must reside within a 60-minute driving distance from the Waunakee, Wisconsin warehouse located at: 2627 Truax Blvd, Eau Claire, WI 54703.

Responsibilities

• Installs, troubleshoots, tests, splices, repairs, and maintains telephone equipment, general network equipment, customer premise equipment, Video/CATV/DBS, fiber optic/copper facilities, and other TDS products & services for new and existing customers.
• Installs, configures, maintains, and repairs Key Systems, PBX, Centrex Systems, and other business systems such as fiber terminals, ISPs, ISDN, DSL, T-1s, and/or DS3s (carriers, paging, and wireless).
• Identifies location of defective cable using various test equipment and repairs buried, aerial, underground, and/or customer cable.
• Locates cable and fiber in response to customer requests and/or construction needs; pole climbing and operating construction equipment is required.
• Locates, identifies, and marks company underground and buried facilities to prevent damage.
• Keeps an orderly log of all locate requests in the exchange area.
• Performs cable fault acceptance tests on newly constructed facilities.
• Provides troubleshooting support techniques and corrections; responds to “trouble” dispatches.
• Provides high-level support for enhancing and maintaining record systems (cross connects, line groups, network elements, etc.).
• Delivers excellent customer service; proactively educates and sells TDS products and services to customers.
• Performs project management of system installations and related functions as requested by supervisor.

Requirements

• 1+ year of basic technical telecommunications experience OR current/prior military service with honorable discharge.
• 6+ months of basic fiber optic and/or copper cable splicing and repair, installation and repair, or switch training.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Must follow TDS attendance guidelines to meet business and customer obligations.
• Upon hire, must successfully complete customer-specific requirements, which may include a background check.
• Requires availability for on-call/standby responsibilities and occasional travel.
• Must be willing to work overtime as needed.
• Upon hire, must successfully pass all components of the Safety Course curriculum.
• Ability to maintain DOT (Department of Transportation) requirements for operating vehicles with a combined GVRW (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of >10,000 lbs.
• Strong technical understanding of fiber and copper plant installation and troubleshooting.
• Understanding of telecommunication products and services, including but not limited to: Inside Wiring/Cable, Internet/Intranet, Bonding & Grounding, Data & Computers/Transmission Concepts, Fiber Optic Transmission, Static Sensitive Equipment, Color Codes, Structured Wiring, Video/CATV/DBS Installation, Inventory Systems, Cable Locating, Battery Maintenance, Key Systems/PBX, Centrex, Switch Maintenance, Voicemail, Special Circuits, Fiber Terminals, Subscriber CXR Terminals, T-1s, ISPs, DSL, ISDN Voice & Data, Testing & Certifying Loops to support Data, Voice, and/or Video.
• Practical knowledge/experience with computer applications including databases, trouble/repair/dispatch systems, plant record systems, MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Explorer, and CD-ROMs.
• Ability to work and make decisions independently with little or no supervision.
• Demonstrated customer service and sales skills, as well as effective communications skills (verbal and written) for interaction with internal and external customers.
• Proven organizational skills and ability to multi-task.
• Ability to operate vehicles with manual transmissions.

If you meet the required qualifications but are unsure if your experience aligns with other qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Research shows many candidates hesitate to apply unless they meet 100% of qualifications, even when they possess the skills and experience needed to succeed.

Benefits

Associates scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week have access to:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Life insurance
• 401(k) plan
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Seven paid national holidays and one floating holiday
• Paid parental leave (6 weeks after 12 months of employment)
• Adoption & surrogacy assistance
• Employee assistance and wellness programs

Associates working 30 or more hours per week additionally have access to:

• Short-term and long-term disability
• TDS service discounts
• Education assistance
• Paid volunteer time

All associates may participate in Associate Resource Groups designed to encourage community and professional development.

Pay

The listed pay range reflects the minimum and maximum base salary. Actual offers will be based on factors such as skills, qualifications, experience, location, and role-specific competencies. Some positions may also offer additional compensation, such as bonuses or equity awards.

Pay Range: $25.13/Hr. - $37.69/Hr.