Outside Plant Construction Technician II

As the Outside Plant Construction Technician II in Billings, MT, you will perform the installation of PON/fiber network communications facilities (both buried and aerial) in accordance with industry and TDS standards. You will operate construction equipment which includes, but is not limited to, trenchers, backhoes, end loaders, and plows in order to place fiber facilities. Installs, tests, troubleshoots, and repairs aerial and underground fiber facilities within TDS Telecom serving areas.

Training:

As an Outside Plant Construction Technician II, you will have the opportunity to obtain a Class A CDL through our in-house training program. You will attend safety training at one of our new facilities where you will also be trained on Pole Climbing and Bucket Trucks. On-the-job training includes exposure to various construction equipment including Directional Drill Rigs, Mini Excavators, Trenchers, and Locators. Fiber optic training includes Fusion Splicing, Fault Detection, and exposure to OTDRs and other advanced testing equipment.

This position is eligible for a $5,000 sign-on bonus! (Payout terms apply)

This position can be hired at either a Outside Plant Construction Technician I (requisition ID #2024-24073), or an Outside Plant Construction Technician II (requisition ID #2024-24074) 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.

**This position may be eligible for relocation assistance.  For further information, please contact the Talent Acquisition team.**

TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS Metrocom/TDS) is a leading provider of fiber internet service. With more than 50 years of experience, the growing communications company is building and deploying new, fiber optic networks in neighborhoods across the country to deliver up to 8 Gigabit internet speeds to homes and up to 10 Gigabit internet speeds to businesses. In addition, TDS provides innovative TV entertainment and advanced phone services. Visit tdsfiber.com to learn more.  
 
TDS provides communications services to a mix of small to mid-sized urban, suburban and rural communities throughout the United States. The company employs more than 3,400 people nationwide and is a subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS 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  for more information.

• Performs general construction labor in various weather conditions while utilizing safety fundamentals.
  • Operates construction and other excavating equipment to construct and maintain outside plant fiber facilities.
  • Performs the placement of new aerial and buried fiber according to maps, staking sheets, and locate markings.
  • Reviews and updates GIS, maps, addresses, as-builds.
  • Sets peds, vaults, and handholes along with marking/labeling fiber optic and/or copper facilities.
  • Proficiently operates all test equipment associated with outside plant facilities and construction duties.
  • Installs, troubleshoots, tests, splices, repairs, and maintains fiber optic facilities.
  • Identifies location of defective fiber using various test equipment and repairs buried, aerial, underground, and/or customer fiber.
  • Locates cable and fiber in response to customer requests and/or construction needs.
  • Performs cable fault acceptance tests on newly constructed facilities.
  • Ensures worksite and landscape is fully restored after project completion.
• Trains and mentors personnel as directed by supervisor or team lead.
• Services, cleans, maintains, and repairs equipment.
• Completes all related paperwork in a timely manner
• Provides assistance to field services technicians, as needed

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.

Required Qualifications

• 1+ years of construction equipment operation utilizing various underground and aerial construction equipment such as directional drills, trencher/plow/rocksaw, backhoe, or bucket trucks -OR- current military service, or prior military service with honorable discharge.
• 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.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and remain eligible for DOT requirements.

Other Qualifications

• Must have the ability to obtain a Class A CDL. A current CDL is preferred at hire, but TDS will train and certify eligible associates through its in-house CDL certification program after hire.
• Physical requirements may vary based on company needs: Ability to climb poles, ladders, towers, and other structures as needed. Ability to kneel, dig, lift, and pull.
• Upon hire, must successfully pass all components of the Safety Training course curriculum.
• Upon hire, must successfully complete customer-specific requirements, which may include a background check administered by the customer.
• Preferred 1+ years’ experience in the construction of fiber optic cable outside plant networks -OR- installation of any underground or overhead utilities will be considered.
• Understanding of telecommunication products and services.
• Proven organizational skills and ability to multi-task.
• May require occasional travel.
• Must be willing to work overtime as needed. May be required to work various/swing shifts as business needs dictate.
• Must be able 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 employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must also be able to climb poles, ladders, towers or other structures.  The employee is occasionally required to sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and taste or smell.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions and may have to work in attics and crawl spaces, or high-risk areas such as high voltage electrical, trenches, and manholes. The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and heavy equipment; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; and vibration.  The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, and extreme heat.  The noise level in the work environment is at times loud.

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.