What are the responsibilities and job description for the Telecommunications/Fiber Technician position at Lewis County PUD?
About the Position
The Telecommunications/Fiber Technician is responsible for the installation, maintenance, and repair of the District’s fiber optic network system.
The District is hiring for two positions, located at our Chehalis and Morton headquarters. These roles require residency within a 45-mile radius of the headquarter, with proof of residency required within six months of the job offer.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned.
Construction
- Installing, splicing, and terminating fiber optic cable.
- Mounting equipment in cabinets, on poles and structures.
- Assist other departments in installing, testing, and implementing new fiber systems for the District.
- Ability to use the tools and equipment of the trade and be knowledgeable of the materials used in installation, maintenance, and repair of fiber and wireless communications network equipment.
Operations and Maintenance
- Analyze and troubleshoot fiber optic cable system.
- Required to have working knowledge of equipment/machinery in the performance of underground and aerial fiber installation.
- Testing of fiber strands with optical power meter and optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR).
- Audit existing and new fiber to ensure strand management data is accurate.
- Identify and document problems in fiber system and pass information to appropriate department.
Other
- Recognize potential and actual safety problems involving District facilities and equipment. Report these to proper authority promptly.
- Conduct visual inspection of assigned vehicle prior to daily operation. Report all required maintenance to proper department.
- Ability to work after-hours in scheduled and unscheduled conditions.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Position Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
Education and/or Experience:
High school diploma or equivalent. Must have two (2) years of technical training or certification in telecommunications system with a minimum two (2) years of construction and maintenance experience in fiber optics or an equivalent amount of related knowledge and experience.
Certificates, Licenses, or Registrations:
- Must have a valid Driver’s License and have a Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL with no air brake restrictions) or must be able to obtain from within three (3) months of hire.
- Must have or the ability to obtain a valid First Aid Card with CPR.
- Must have or ability to obtain a Washington State Flagger’s Certification Card.
Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be proficient in MS Outlook, Excel, and Word.
Other:
- Must have positive interpersonal and customer service skills to courteously deal with and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, other District employees, outside vendors, and District customers.
- Have working knowledge of all Washington State telecommunications safety standards, rules, and regulations; WAC 296-32.
- Must be able to work independently, be self-motivated, and exercise sound judgement.
- Must be able to pass the District’s background check and reference checks, physical examinations, including but not limited to, periodic CDL physicals, random drug and alcohol screening mandated by law.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently required to walk, maintain balance, climb inclines/stairs/ladders, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, push, pull, twist, uses hands to finger, grip, handle, or feel, and sit or stand for extended periods of time. Must be able to work in tight spaces and from heights. Required to lift and carry up to 50 pounds. Must have correctable, color vision, and correctable hearing. Occasionally required to hoist material unassisted by hand-line to an elevated position and look up for extended periods of time. Required to speak and hear clearly when communicating over the telephone and in person. Wears personal protective equipment as required. Mechanical ability to operate the tools of the trade. Must be able to pass a physical examination appropriate to the position.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently required to walk, maintain balance, climb inclines/stairs/ladders, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, push, pull, twist, uses hands to finger, grip, handle, or feel, and sit or stand for extended periods of time. Must be able to work in tight spaces and from heights. Required to lift and carry up to 50 pounds. Must have correctable, color vision, and correctable hearing. Occasionally required to hoist material unassisted by hand-line to an elevated position and look up for extended periods of time. Required to speak and hear clearly when communicating over the telephone and in person. Wears personal protective equipment as required. Mechanical ability to operate the tools of the trade. Must be able to pass a physical examination appropriate to the position.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to indoor and outdoor environments. Outdoor settings include all types of property and site conditions including open spaces, timberlands, urban developments, flat and hilly terrain, building construction sites, and road rights-of-way and weather conditions. Working on utility poles, bucket trucks, or climbing gear. Indoor settings include commercial and industrial sites that can involve cramped spaces, moving machinery, etc. Individuals may be exposed to hazardous conditions, including but not limited to obstacles, heights, open trenches, highway traffic, electric lines, all types of vegetation, fiberglass insulation, paint fumes, wood preservatives, solvents, oils, and cleaning compounds. The noise level in the work environment may range up to 85 decibels.
Supplemental Information
Department: Broadband
Job Code: BB0003
Location: Chehalis
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Union/Non-Union: Union
Travel: Local travel up to 50%; Regular field work and attendance at various meetings or trainings.
Reports to: Broadband Engineer and OSP Supervisor
Lewis County PUD believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. This position description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not limit our employees nor the organization to just the work identified. It is our expectation that each employee will offer his/her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of the company.
This position is regarded as a safety sensitive position under RCW 49.44.240 and is subject to pre-employment drug screening including cannabis.