DEPARTMENT:  ECOLINK FIBER

POSITION:  Field Technician Supervisor

DESCRIPTION: 

The Field Technician Supervisor is responsible for fiber optic maintenance and installation of service for the fiber to the premises (FTTP) subsidiary.  This includes splicing, troubleshooting, and interacting with members.  He/she also supervises and performs quality control on some FTTP contractors.  This position works closely with the Fiber Team, Engineering, Member Services, and Operations Departments. 

 

REPORTS TO:

Reports to the Field Operations Manager. 

 

SUPERVISES:

Fiber Optic Technicians and others as assigned.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. Education/ Experience/ Credentials
    1. Candidates for the position should meet the education and experience prerequisites listed below.  Education should be in a related field.  Experience should be of a progressively increasing responsibility in telecommunications and fiber optics construction, maintenance, and splicing. 
      1. Associates degree and 1 year experience OR
      2. Minimum of 5 years’ experience.
    2. Proficient experience working from bucket or climbing poles preferred. 
    3. Home construction / remodeling experience preferred.
  2. Knowledge Base
    1. Advanced knowledge of fiber splicing, construction, and fiber drop construction
    2. Working knowledge of related safety practices.
    3. Ability to read electronic and paper maps, drawings, and other technical documents.
    4. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
    5. Basic computer and tablet knowledge.
  3. Fundamental Traits

Along with the preferred departmental traits and qualities, employees in the Field Technician Supervisor position should demonstrate the following characteristics:

    1. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, and asking questions as appropriate.
    2. Determine causes of errors and decide what to do about it.
    3. Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusion, or approaches to problems.
    4. Conducting tests and inspections to evaluate quality and /or performance.
    5. Determine how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and environment will affect outcomes.

 

    1. Effectively managing one’s time.
    2. Actively looking for ways to help others.
  2. Ability to:
    1. Know when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
    2. Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions.
    3. Visualize how something will look after it’s moved or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
    4. Communicate information and ideas verbally and in writing so others will understand.
    5. Listen and understand information and ideas presented verbally.
    6. Read and understand information and ideas presented.
    7. Being reliable, responsible, and fulfilling obligations.
    8. Being honest and ethical.
    9. Being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
    10. Being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
    11. Being open to change and to considerable variety.
    12. Dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
    13. Guiding oneself with little or no supervision and depending on oneself to get things done.
    14. Establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort towards mastering tasks. 

 

REQUIREMENTS:

Normal work schedule includes emergency days/times outside of regular Cooperative business hours (i.e. extended hours, nights, weekends, holidays). 

 

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Cooperative required personal protective equipment (PPE), tablet, phone, splicing tools, OTDR light meter, various fiber optic tools and equipment. 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Practices and maintains familiarity with Cooperative and departmental safety related work practices, safety procedures, and other safety requirements.
  2. Provides safe, reliable broadband service to members.
    1. Completes routine maintenance on aerial and underground cables and equipment.
    2. Troubleshoots issues on the Cooperative’s side of service, including OTDR and light meter readings, making repairs as needed or requesting additional crews for major repairs.
    3. Splices fiber optic cables as needed, using fusion and mechanical methods.
    4. Tests repaired, new, or updated equipment to ensure proper functions.
    5. Continually inspects structures and equipment for active or potential hazards to service.  Responds to all work requests in a timely manner.
    6. Performs construction related duties including buried and aerial drops and network extensions.
  3. Provides oversight and performs quality control of external drop and splicing contractors.
  4. Maintains appropriate operations and care of all vehicles, tools, and equipment used in the performance of tasks.
    1. Ensures necessary tools, equipment, and materials are readily available on his/her assigned truck.
    2. Reports any damaged and /or faulty vehicles, tools, and equipment to appropriate personnel as soon as possible. 
    3. Operates two-way radio according to the Cooperative Policy Manual and department procedures.
    4. Reports vehicle mileage as requested.
  5. Maintains an awareness of Cooperative policies, plans, procedures, and equipment relating to the FTTP subsidiary. 
    1. Maintains knowledge of the capabilities of devices and equipment.
    2. Researches ,recommends, and implements changes and upgrades to improve and expand the system.
  6. Promotes the member-owned, community-oriented functions of the Cooperative.
    1. Participates in school and community activities with manager approval.
  7. Practices and promotes respect towards members and their property.
    1. Receives property owners’ permission prior to performing work, when applicable.
    2. Interacts with members in a helpful, professional manner at all times.
    3. Exercises great care to avoid damage to subscriber’s property and reports any damage to appropriate personnel as soon as possible.
    4. Removes discarded Cooperative equipment and other materials from the job site.
  8. Maintains knowledge of and research related technologies to further the goals of the Cooperative. 
    1. Attends training, conferences, and trade shows to obtain industry knowledge and career development in areas related to job functions. 
  9. Provides information and technical advice to Cooperative personnel, subscribers, members, and the public.
    1. Collaborates with Cooperative personnel to ensure overall success of the subsidiary and the Cooperative. 
    2. Converses with members and the public in matters regarding FTTP services. 
  10. Manages and coordinates the activities of his/her direct reports to ensure prompt and efficient performance of all tasks.
    1. Supervises assigned employees, providing training, guidance and direction, and resolving issues as needed.
    2. Evaluates and maintains schedules to ensure the department is adequately equipped, recommending changes in force levels to the Manager of Fiber and Broadband as needed.
    3. Assigns work and delegates projects as needed.
    4. Issues tools and equipment as needed.
  11. Monitors, evaluates, and documents performance of assigned employees.
    1. Provides continuous feedback on adherence of safety practices, quality, and quantity of their work, and develops plans to resolve issues. 
  12. Evaluates and encourages training for assigned employees to install safe, efficient performance of tasks and appropriate interactions with members and the public.
  13. Assist with District and Annual Meetings as required.

 

This job description includes the major responsibilities of this position.  It is not intended to cover every aspect of the position, as the scope and duties may change or be temporarily altered based on the business needs of the Cooperative. The basic requirement of every position is to perform all tasks as assigned by the supervisor, in accordance to the Employee Policy Manual.