Field Service Technician-Network - TDS Telecom

Overview

As the 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). This position performs work associated with splicing and maintaining outside plant facilities and equipment. This position installs, splices, repairs, and maintains aerial, buried, and/or underground fiber optic and copper cable. The FST-Network has knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures within the field of telecommunications.The FST-Network has direct, face-to-face contact with our customers and is expected to be proactive with the sales of TDS services and products. Services include, but are not limited to, Telephony, Video/CATV/DBS, Internet, and/or high speed networks.

This position exceeds customer expectations by performing extraordinary customer service, identifying customer needs, and providing them with communications solutions. This position also understands how to use and demonstrate TDS products and seeks sales opportunities while educating the customer. Products & services include (but are not limited to): Local Service, Central Office Services, Structured Cabling, MAC (Moves, Adds and Changes), Voice Mail, Audio and/or Video Conferencing and Non-regulated CPE.

The FST-Network may be responsible for performing varied or additional duties to meet demands of TDS which may include duties of other Field Services Technician positions.

This position can be hired at either a Field Service Technician (requisition ID #2024-24066) or a Field Service Technician-Network (requisition ID #2024-24067) level depending on the skills and qualifications of the candidate. Different job postings exist for each of these positions. Please reference each job posting for the minimum qualifications required for each role and submit an application for each level that you are both interested and qualified for.

The pay range listed for this position represents the low and high end of the base compensation range. The actual offer amount will carefully consider multiple factors, such as relevant skills, qualifications, work experience, location and/or competencies that align with the specified role. Certain positions are eligible for additional forms of compensation such as bonuses and equity awards. 

TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS Telecom/TDS®) delivers high-speed internet, TV entertainment, and phone services to a mix of small to mid-sized urban, suburban and rural communities throughout the U.S. With 1.2 million connections, TDS’ mission is to create a better world through its communications services. Powered by fiber-optics and new industry-leading technologies, TDS delivers up to 8 Gigabit internet speeds and offers internet-protocol based TV entertainment solutions along with traditional phone services. TDS also offers businesses VoIP advanced communications solutions, dedicated internet service, data networking, and hosted-managed services. Visit tdstelecom.com.   TDS Telecom, headquartered in Madison, Wis., employs 3,400 people and is a subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. [NYSE: TDS]. Founded in 1969, Telephone and Data Systems provides wireless, broadband, video and voice; and hosted and managed services to approximately 6 million connections nationwide through its businesses: UScellular and TDS Telecom. Visit tdsinc.com. 

Responsibilities

• Installs, troubleshoots, tests, splices, repairs, and maintains telephone equipment and general network equipment, customer premise equipment, Video/CATV/DBS, fiber optic/copper facilities and/or 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 facilities from being damaged.
  • Keeps orderly log of all locate requests in our 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.).
• Provides excellent customer service. Proactively educates and sells TDS products and services to customers.
• Performs project management of the installation of systems and performs related functions as requested by supervisor.
• Completes all related paperwork in a timely manner such as forms, timesheets, material usage, and special data requests.
  • May require working on project teams.
  • Maintains work equipment and company vehicle.
  • Stocks vehicle and notifies appropriate person when supplies and materials are low.
• Promotes safety and accident prevention as day-to-day part of the normal job functions and attends safety meetings as required.
  • Follows safety policies and procedures, applies safety training and follows Department of Transportation requirements as they apply to the job.
  • Responsible for routine vehicle maintenance & adherence to TDS Vehicle Safety Policy.
• Maintains inventory including purchasing, receiving, stocking, and tracks regulated and non-regulated equipment and materials. Provides equipment maintenance, operating instructions, and diagnostics as needed.
• Utilizes MS Office Suite, Trouble/Repair/Dispatch Systems, Plant Record Systems, and other TDS applications to ensure accurate facility assignment and verification.
  • Utilizes staking sheets and cut sheets. Assigns facilities and updates system records and maps.

The functions listed above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by associates assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities; other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 1+ year 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 the TDS attendance guidelines in order to meet TDS's business needs including but not limited to our obligations to our customers and to our customers' needs.

Other Qualifications

• Upon hire, must successfully complete customer-specific requirements, which may include a background check administered by the customer.
• Requires being available for on-call/standby responsibilities and may require 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 in relation to 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: 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 (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.
• Ability to operate vehicles with manual transmissions.

Do you meet all of the Required Qualifications, but aren't sure if your experience meets the Other Qualifications? We encourage you to apply! Research shows that some candidates may not apply for jobs unless they feel they meet 100% of the qualifications, when, in fact, they have the skills and experience to be successful in the role!  Experience and skills come in many different forms and may not always look identical to what we have on paper, but still lead to success in the role. If you meet the Required Qualifications and believe you have what it takes to be successful in the position, apply today! 

Physical Demands and Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to sit, stand, write and operate a computer keyboard, standard office equipment and telephone. The associate regularly communicates with customers. The associate is frequently required to move about and reach for items. Frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. May be required to balance or climb. Frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

This position may require working outdoors, in mechanical/equipment rooms, and possible extreme weather conditions. While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and heavy equipment. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Benefits

Associates scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week have access to medical, dental, vision, life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and paid time off benefits such as vacation (15 days accrued per year for full-time; pro-rated for part-time associates working between 20-39 hours), sick leave (10 days accrued per year for full-time and pro-rated for all other associates), seven paid national holidays and one floating holiday, paid parental leave (2 weeks after 12 months of employment), among others.  Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability coverage is also available for associates working 30 or more hours per week and Education Assistance is available to full-time associates.  Associates scheduled to work under twenty hours per week or for a limited term (i.e. interns) are eligible for medical coverage, the 401(k) plan (if 18 or older), as well as sick leave (10 days accrued per year for full-time and pro-rated for all other associates). 

At TDS, we embrace Equal Employment Opportunity by valuing our differences and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by law.

Pay Range (Hr./Yr.)