As the Fiber Splicer-Outside Plant Construction in Helena, MT, you will be responsible for the placement of enclosures, splicing, testing, and documentation of outside plant fiber optic facilities with relation to Outside Plant Construction projects. Perform advanced operation of fiber fusion splicer, OTDR, and optical light testers to ensure adherence to TDS fiber splicing standards and ensuring accuracy and timely documentation of the final product for project closing. You will manage fiber splicing for projects while coordinating with TDS outside plant (OSP) construction, OSP construction contractors, and internal construction teams, ensuring project timelines are met with relation to new network turnup activities.

Training:

As the Fiber Splicer-Outside Plant Construction, 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)

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. 

• Receives maps and staking sheets for full construction project and ensures project is spliced, tested, and documented with limited guidance.
  • Communicates updates to the project team as required.
  • Manages daily and weekly project work based on deadlines, material and equipment availability, weather, and other factors. Coordinates with supervisor to ensure continual supply of work and availability of materials.
  • Drafts and submits redlines and splice documentation upon completion of project.
  • Sets splice enclosures and splice cases according to design, splices fiber, tests, and documents all project fiber locations as part of daily activity.
  • Regularly engages Network Services OSP construction teams, OSP construction contractors, internal construction teams, suppliers, and property owners to smoothly coordinate project tasks and avoid disputes.
  • Reads construction plans and determines best approach for completing fiber splicing work.
  • Maintains all project documentation and records costs of project materials and material transfers.
  • Ensures DOT inspections are performed on equipment where required.
  • Works with project managers, OSP construction contractors, and internal construction teams to ensure projects remain on schedule and within budget.
• Performs advanced operation of fiber optic fusion splicer, OTDR, and light level testing equipment to facilitate splicing and light level quality according to TDS standards.
  • Performs advanced operation of all test equipment associated with fiber optic plant facilities splicing, testing, and documentation.
  • Installs fiber enclosures and optical tap cases, splices, troubleshoots, tests, repairs, and documents all fiber as part of OSP construction projects.
  • Identifies the location of defective cable using various test equipment and repairs buried and aerial fiber optic cables.
  • Performs cable fault acceptance tests on newly constructed facilities.
  • Completes all testing documentation and returns as part of project closing requirements.
• Actively trains, mentors, and coaches team members while sharing fiber splicing/testing knowledge and experience.
• Performs quality control inspections and makes training recommendations.
• Ensures safety protocols are enforced.
• 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

• 2+ years of fiber optic splicing and testing experience -OR- current military service or prior military service with honorable discharge.
• 2+ years of telecommunications inside or outside plant experience working with fiber optic networks.
• 1 + years of experience organizing and prioritizing project workloads is a must.
• 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

• Understanding of telecommunication products and services with relation to fiber optic technology.
• 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.
• 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 associate is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The associate is frequently required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The associate must also be able to climb poles, ladders, towers or other structures. The associate is occasionally required to sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and taste or smell. The associate 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 associate 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 associate is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and heavy equipment; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; and vibration. The associate 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.