Field Service Technician-Network Specialist

About the role

TDS Telecom is seeking a Field Service Technician-Network Specialist to join our team. This position is responsible for installing, troubleshooting, and maintaining a wide range of telecommunications equipment and networks. The ideal candidate will have 2+ years of technical telecommunications experience or equivalent military service, along with experience in fiber optic and/or copper cable splicing and repair.

Responsibilities

• Install, troubleshoot, test, splice, repair, and maintain telephone equipment and general network equipment, customer premise equipment, Video/CATV/DBS, fiber optic/copper facilities, and/or other TDS products for new and existing customers.
• Install, configure, maintain, and repair PBX, Key Systems, Centrex Systems, business systems, fiber terminals, POTS, ISDN, DSL, T-1s, and/or DS3s (carriers, paging & wireless).
• Identify location of defective cable using various test equipment and repairs buried, aerial, and/or customer cable.
• Locate cable and fiber in response to customer requests and/or construction needs.
• Pole climbing and operating construction equipment is required.
• Locate, identify, and mark company underground and buried facilities to prevent facilities from being damaged.
• Keep orderly log of all locate requests in our exchange area.
• Perform cable fault acceptance tests on newly constructed facilities.
• Install, troubleshoot, test, repair, and maintain central office equipment including switch, operating software, and/or other auxiliary equipment.
• Maintain back-ups to the switch, voicemail, fiber optic terminals, etc.
• Update manuals and provide functional support, answering questions about features and functions.
• Provide advanced troubleshooting support techniques and corrections.
• Respond to “trouble” dispatches.
• Provide high level support for enhancing and maintaining record systems (cross connects, line groups, network elements, etc).
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Proactively educate and sell TDS products and services to customers.
• Participate in project management for the installation of systems and perform related functions as requested by the supervisor.

Qualifications

• 2+ years technical telecommunications experience -OR- current/prior military service with honorable discharge.
• 1+ year of basic fiber optic and/or copper cable splicing and repair, installation and repair, or switch training.
• Valid driver's license.
• Follows TDS attendance guidelines.
• Successfully completes customer-specific requirements, which may include a background check administered by the customer.
• Available for on-call/standby responsibilities and may require occasional travel.
• Passes all components of the Safety Course curriculum.
• Maintains DOT requirements in relation to operating vehicles with a combined GVRW of >10,000 lbs.
• Understands telecommunication products and services: 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, IP Telephony Systems/Applications, DSA, DSLAM/RAM, Connecting company testing, WAN/LAN/Data Networks, Switch Installations & Additions and/or ATM Switches and Networks.
• Practical knowledge/experience with computer applications including (but not limited to): 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.

Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Generous Vacation & Paid Sick Leave
• Seven Paid National Holidays & One Floating Holiday
• Paid Parental Leave (6 weeks after 12 months of employment)
• Adoption & Surrogacy Assistance
• Employee Assistance & Wellness Programs
• TDS Service Discounts
• Education Assistance
• Paid Volunteer Time