Outside Plant Technician I

Industry: Telecommunications
Position Type: Full-Time
Reports To: BWFN Outside Plant Manager
Location: Franklin NC (Within the Western North Carolina Footprint)
Years of Experience: 1-3 years in Outside Fiber Plant
Education Level: Telecommunications Training or On-The-Job Experience
Date Posted: 9/29/26

OVERVIEW:

An outside plant technician performs maintenance on plant communication equipment and cabling systems for voice data and video imaging. Your responsibilities in this job include installing testing troubleshooting locating fiber and repairing the cable and fiber network in all phases or assisting. Other duties include the installation of wire strands and cables from poles. You perform fiber optic cable fusion splicing using the best techniques and splice and seal copper cable. Some jobs require the use of construction equipment to dig holes for each pole and bury fiber cables. You may perform site surveys and fiber/cable locations as needed. You need to have experience with fiber optic test and splicing equipment and understand the best splicing techniques. You must have skills in troubleshooting and repairing phone and telecom systems copper and fiber. You are expected to stay updated on industry trends and technology and take advantage of continuing education opportunities. You must be able to work alone be detail-oriented and have a professional demeanor when working with clients. Must have color vision in order to perceive differences in wire and fiber colors.


JOB DUTIES & QUALIFICATIONS:

Monitor and inspect outside plant projects to meet network quality requirements.

When necessary locate fiber/cable underground.

Place rearrange repair and remove all outside plant structures as needed.

Drive to and from each work location in the company vehicle to perform work outdoors in all weather conditions.

Must be knowledgeable in and abide by all National Electrical Safety codes and company safety practices.

Climb poles ladders enter tunnels buildings vaults trenches crawl spaces or manholes to place maintain or remove equipment.

Perform construction work such as digging holes placing equipment laying cable/fiber in the ground unreeling pulling and stringing wire and cable from point to point through conduit.

Dismantle move or remove aerial underground or building wire cable associated equipment poles and hardware.

Work in remote and rough terrain locations.

Operate power equipment such as compressors pumps blowers winches etc. and hydraulic equipment such as aerial lifts (buckets) mounted on trucks etc.

Work with heavy-duty power equipment and hand tools in the construction repair and maintenance of outside plant facilities.

Load tools and equipment onto trucks and/or trailers

Perform various splicing operations on Polyethylene Insulated Conductors (PIC) connected cables and/or lightguide (Fiber)

Connect wires and cables to terminals and attach or detach various kinds of hardware to wires cables buildings or poles.

Move and/or lift weights up to 100 pounds.

Perform work with other utilities such as gas electric telecommunications water etc.

Work safely in consideration of self the public and other utility workers.

Work outside and will be exposed to all weather conditions as well as dirt grease and wood preservatives poison ivy oak bee stings etc.

Wear appropriate safety equipment and follow established safety practices and procedures.

May be required to perform additional duties and tasks as required by the company.

May be required to work day evening or night shifts and overtime emergency call-outs weekends and holidays as assigned.

The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Receive and follow verbal and written work orders and instructions from supervisors and senior employees.

When directed communicate and coordinate with other work groups to perform tests on work in progress or completed and obtain additional information regarding work assignments as needed.

Perform preventative maintenance on assigned company tools equipment and motor vehicles.

Perform repetitive tasks e.g. manually burying fiber/cable and/or digging holes.

Must have vision that enables you to distinguish colors.

Must have a current valid drivers license.

May be required to take bucket truck safety class.

May be required to operate and drive a bucket truck.

Due to the nature of BWFNs business model and customer base Outside Plant Technicians must be available for both scheduled and non-scheduled network management or on-call availability: