GCI's Technician III, OSP Construction & Implementation is responsible for oversight and quality control of system wide network signal processing. Construct, maintain, and repair network facilities, systems, and cabling equipment and related components involved in signal processing, amplification, and transmission. Troubleshoot and repair problems with transmission levels, signal losses, off-air interference, and equipment failures, to include network analysis, headend, and outside plant construction. 

* Work location may be assigned throughout Alaska.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AT ALL LEVELS: Perform routine maintenance, surveillance, and construction operations on all Radio Frequency / Microwave / Fiber Optic / AC / DC / Wireless / HFC Networks, Facilities, and related components providing video, voice, and data services.  Complete routine balancing, aligning, sweeping, proof of performance, and required compliance adjustments of components and equipment used to amplify and process signals.  Monitor and support critical network elements to maintain the continuous operation of network and system infrastructure. Perform underground cable locates, outage response, rewiring or upgrading cabling and equipment, impairment mitigation, system drive off, and repairs.  Responsible for carrying out assigned construction activities in support of new plant construction, rebuilds, and existing plant upgrades adhering to applicable construction codes and safety regulations.  Dig holes, lay foundation, place poles, lay cable, and unreel, pull, and string wire from pole to pole.  Dismantle, move, or remove aerial, underground, or building wire, cable equipment, poles, and hardware.  Install and replace power supplies, converters, and terminal boxes. Operate heavy-duty power equipment and hand tools. Support senior staff technicians and mentor junior technicians with install, test, and repair of custom service orders. Responsible for basic vehicle maintenance, truck stock, and following company’s safe driving and other applicable policies. 

This position may be assigned to any of the following areas as needed to support Network Repairs:

Outside Network Repairs Construction Facilities

 

COMPETENCIES: ACCOUNTABILITY- Takes ownership for actions, decisions, and results; openly accepts feedback and demonstrates a willingness to improve. Knowledgeable and responsive to financial accountability for vehicles, inventory (i.e., test equipment), paperwork, and safety procedures to minimize claims. BASIC PRINCIPLES - Interacts with people in a way that builds mutual trust, confidence, and respect; adheres to GCI’s Code of Conduct for Employees – the Basic Principles. COLLABORATION - Works effectively with others to accomplish common goals and objectives; maintains positive relationships even under difficult circumstances. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain positive rapport with customers, vendors, contractors, utilities, agencies, etc.    Ability to promote teamwork and encourage a professional, courteous work ethic. COMMUNICATION- Conveys thoughts and expresses ideas appropriately and professionally. Able to articulate technical information clearly and concisely in written and electronic follow-up reports and work orders regarding system damages and outages, and accurately complete written and electronic route sheets.  Able to verbally communicate technical information accurately and effectively to customers, contractors, utility workers, fellow employees, and the public in a manner appropriate to their level of understanding.  COMPLIANCE - Follows internal controls; protects confidential information; abides by GCI’s Code of Business Conduct & Ethics. Ability to maintain confidential company and customer information. CUSTOMER FOCUS - Demonstrates commitment to service excellence; gives high priority to customer satisfaction. RELIABILITY - Consistently follows through on assigned tasks as expected; demonstrates timely attendance at meetings, training, and other work obligations. RESULTS - Uses a combination of job knowledge, initiative, sound decision making, innovation, adaptability, and problem solving. Knows and adheres to applicable construction codes and safety regulations. Working knowledge of, and ability to, accurately interpret and apply NEC, NESC, OSHA, FCC and company rules and regulations. Knowledge of routine maintenance, repair procedures, surveillance, and construction operations including Radio Frequency / Microwave / Fiber Optic / AC / DC / Wireless / Wireline / HFC Networks, Facilities, and related components providing video, voice, and data services.  Knowledge of signal ingress/egress preventative and corrective maintenance requirements, coaxial and fiber cable splicing and facility locating, outage restoration, system design calculations, network installation, activation, and maintenance. Knowledge of basic electronic fundamentals and mathematical skills. Knowledge of video, voice, and data, baseband, and optical signal delivery.  Working knowledge in the operation of related field equipment signal level meters, AC/DC power test equipment including optical, time, and frequency domain reflectometers, underground cable locators, and leakage detection equipment. Demonstrated ability to accurately calculate signal losses and amplification from headend to customer premise equipment and able to synthesize multiple pieces of technical information to develop timely solutions to network problems. Demonstrated ability to accurately read, interpret, evaluate, apply, and implement information from system maps, equipment readings, test parameters, construction, and design work orders.  Must be able to expeditiously route and navigate with the ability to accurately read system and city maps and grids.  Familiar with cable modem systems to include any OTN interface devices, troubleshooting techniques and monitoring. Knowledge of home/business wiring, adjusting, installation, and service of consumer electronics equipment. Knowledge of industry specific programs that track signal leakage, outages, system monitoring, etc. Ability to organize assignments, equipment, and routing to maximize productivity. SAFETY & SECURITY - Supports a safe work environment by following all workplace safety rules and guidelines; complies with applicable Security policies and procedures. Proficient computer skills and MS Office knowledge (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) to complete job duties effectively. 

 

 OSP Construction & Implementation Technician III

Additional Job Requirements:

This is an advanced level position within the discipline that gains more comprehensive technical knowledge from the company’s certification and education programs, and by supporting and working with senior technicians. Performs more complex tasks that require advanced knowledge and understanding of construction and repair of field and network facilities/plants that provide video, voice, data, and wireless services. Applies good judgement and initiative to anticipate, analyze, prevent, and resolve problems and roadblocks before they occur. Work locations include customer’s residential property, business properties, field, and central offices. Receives minimal instructions on routine work and general instructions on new assignments. Works under minimal supervision with review by senior staff for timeliness, accuracy, and following correct procedures.

Essential Duties:

Perform advanced construction, installation, routine testing, and repair of facilities providing video, voice, and data services. Evaluate field conditions, perform tests and measurements to determine signal quality. Handle semi-routine maintenance duties, problems, and repairs. Recognize deviation from accepted practices and confirm with senior staff appropriate next steps. Gain proficiency in and working knowledge of several areas of plant systems and construction. Organize daily workload and perform work utilizing industry standard test equipment, hand tools, and heavy equipment to install, maintain, or repair services and facilities.  Perform preventative or corrective maintenance, underground cable locates, outage response, rewiring or upgrading facilities, cabling, and equipment, impairment mitigation, system drive off and repairs. Communicate with the Service Management Center (SMC) or Dispatch to update and complete repair or trouble tickets.  Assist with new installations and trouble tickets in a timely manner.  Verify accuracy of written work order, confirm discrepancies, collect payments and customer signatures, ensure all documentation is updated in a timely manner. Escalate more complex issues as needed to the appropriate department, or management team. Work with senior technicians to respond to outages or other duties as required.  Design test fixtures, analyze test results, and document tests performed on components. Guide and train less experienced technicians.

Additional Competencies:

Demonstrated advanced knowledge of several areas, including plant systems and construction practices. Advanced knowledge of routine maintenance procedures, surveillance, and construction operations including Radio Frequency / Microwave / Fiber Optic / AC / DC / Wireless / Wireline / HFC Networks, Facilities, and related components providing video, voice, and data services. Advanced knowledge of signal ingress/egress preventative and corrective maintenance requirements, coaxial and fiber cable splicing and facility locating, outage restoration, system design calculations, network installation, activation, and maintenance. Advanced knowledge of video, voice, and data, baseband, and optical signal delivery.

Minimum Qualifications: 

Required: *A combination of relevant work experience and/or education sufficient to perform the duties of the job may substitute to meet the total years required on a year-for-year basis

High School diploma or equivalent. Minimum of eight (8) years of experience within a telecommunications environment or related field background, including a minimum of six (6) years of related fieldwork or on-site operations NCTI Service Technician certification or approved equivalent: New hires are required to enroll within 90 days and successfully complete the course within 6 months of hire. Required for internal promotions from Technician II to Technician III. Upon hire may be required to successfully complete certifications and courses within a defined period, e.g., Defensive Driving, Company on-line Installer, Pole/Tower Climbing, AK DOT Bucket Truck, AK DOT approved Flagger Certification. 

Preferred: 

Associate degree in electronics or related field, telecommunications trade school, or equivalent training. Telecommunications experience.  Relevant telecom industry or job specific certifications.  

 

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS: 

This position requires driving a company-owned vehicle, company provided vehicle, or a personal vehicle on behalf of the company. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, a satisfactory driving record, and successfully complete Defensive Driving course. May be required to obtain commercial driver’s license within 6 months of employment.

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and WORKING CONDITIONS:   Work includes working inside and outside in typical cold weather conditions. Subject to adverse weather and driving conditions, must be able to cope with a remote arctic environment. Work involves heights up to 40 feet on poles, ladders, buckets, or towers up to 250 feet. Work performed below overhead construction and in trenches to 10 feet in depth. Tasks performed around high-power electrical conductors and gas lines. Work areas can be cramped, dark, dusty, damp, wet, stuffy, sticky, smelly, hot and/or cold.  May encounter unrestrained animals/pets.  High degree of balance, coordination, and strength needed to safely and routinely  ascend, descend, and work atop poles, towers, and ladders with tools and equipment.  Daily moving, traversing, and positioning self on varied uneven or unstable surfaces such as roofs and in trenches, often hampered by weather elements. Safely move, transport, position, install, remove, and maneuver equipment and supplies of up to 70-pound loads occasionally, up to 50-pounds more regularly, up to 20 pounds frequently. High degree of dexterity and coordination to operate hand tools and to connect, separate, and twist multiple smaller items on a daily basis. Visual acuity necessary to identify, inspect, observe, and assess details at near, mid, and far ranges. Ability to clearly distinguish colors for driving, identifying cables or other electrical components, and safety signage. Auditory acuity necessary to operate equipment; capable of distinguishing between equipment signals and the human voice often amidst background noises, such as wind, rain, and traffic. Ability to tolerate temperature and weather extremes found in the Alaskan environment (fumes and odors, dust, low light conditions, rain, sleet, snow, hail, wind, temperature extremes.) Ability to work shifts as assigned, work in standard office/home office setting, and operate standard office equipment. Ability to accurately communicate information and ideas to others effectively. Physical agility and effort sufficient to perform job duties safely and effectively. Ability to make valid judgments and decisions.    Available to work additional time on weekends, holidays, before or after normal work hours when necessary.  Must work well in a team environment and be able to work with a diverse group of people and customers. Must be able and willing to work flexible hours including, but not limited to, overtime, on-call, and/or additional time on weekends, holidays, evenings, before or after normal shift hours. Travel may be required to assist other systems personnel.

 

Drug Testing: Participation in a DOT or non-DOT drug and alcohol testing program may be required to satisfy conditions of a contract or proposed contract with a business partner or client. This includes pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return to duty, and follow-up testing. Fitness For: Duty: Ability to pass a pre-employment or return to work physical and fitness for duty examination may be required to satisfy conditions of a contract or proposed contract with a business partner or client.

 

The company and its subsidiaries operate in a 24/7 environment providing critical services to Alaskans and may need to respond to public health and safety matters or other business emergencies. Due to business needs employees may be contacted outside of the core business hours to respond to the immediate emergency. As such, you will be requested to provide emergency after hours contact numbers, to include your home and cell phone numbers if you have those services.

 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: At GCI, we foster a culture of inclusivity by nurturing an environment where the varied perspectives of our employees, customers, and fellow Alaskans are celebrated. We add value to our community as we grow and empower a diverse workforce that provides equitable opportunity for every Trailblazer. 

EEO: GCI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, veteran status, or any other status or classification protected under applicable state or federal law. 

 

DISCLAIMER:  The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

 

All employees of GCI work in support of the GCI Mission Statement and Declaration of Principles which are located on the GCI Career page and Employee portal.