Department: Network Operations Reports To: Operations Manager Employment Type: Full-Time Location: STN Service Territory On-Call: Required
Compensation: $32.00–$40.00 per hour, based on experience and qualifications.
Position Summary:
STN is seeking an Outside Plant Fiber Technician to install, maintain, splice, test, troubleshoot, and restore STN’s fiber optic network.
This field-focused position supports STN’s outside plant infrastructure, network expansion, customer connections, preventative maintenance, and emergency restoration. The technician will work independently and alongside STN personnel, contractors, customers, utilities, municipalities, and other partners.
The successful candidate will have strong technical and troubleshooting abilities, attention to detail, and a commitment to completing work safely and in accordance with STN standards.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
• Perform fusion splicing of single-mode fiber optic cable.
• Install, enter, rebuild, and maintain fiber optic splice closures.
• Prepare loose-tube and ribbon fiber cables for splicing as applicable.
• Perform mid-span cable entries when required.
• Install and maintain fiber optic cable, patch panels, jumpers, and associated equipment.
• Perform OTDR, optical power meter, light source, and visual fault locator testing.
• Analyze test results to identify fiber breaks, excessive loss, poor splices, damaged cable, and other network faults.
• Perform acceptance and post-repair testing to verify work meets STN standards.
• Outside Plant Maintenance.
• Inspect and maintain STN aerial and underground fiber facilities.
• Perform preventative maintenance and corrective repairs.
• Identify damaged, deteriorated, improperly installed, or otherwise deficient infrastructure.
• Perform small-scale fiber construction, repairs, relocations, and network modifications.
• Assist with aerial cable, underground cable, handholes, cabinets, splice locations, building entrances, and other OSP facilities.
• Assist with utility locate activities and identification of STN facilities as needed.
• Support network expansion, customer connections, relocations, maintenance projects, and other field projects.
Outage & Emergency Restoration:
• Respond to fiber outages and network emergencies throughout the STN service territory.
• Locate damaged facilities and determine appropriate restoration methods.
• Perform emergency fiber splicing and repairs.
• Coordinate restoration activities with STN operations personnel, contractors, customers, utilities, and other involved parties.
• Participate in an after-hours on-call rotation and respond to nights, weekends, and holidays as required.
Documentation & Closeout:
• Maintain accurate documentation of all work performed.
• Complete splice documentation and update fiber records following network changes.
• Produce accurate as-built documentation.
• Document cable routes, cable footage, slack locations, splice locations, fiber assignments, and other relevant network information.
• Photograph completed work in accordance with STN standards.
• Maintain OTDR traces and other required fiber test results.
• Ensure field documentation is complete and accurate before closing work orders and projects.
• Communicate network changes to appropriate STN personnel to ensure mapping and network records remain current.
Required Qualifications:
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3 years of experience with fiber optic installation, splicing, maintenance, telecommunications, or outside plant construction.
• Working knowledge of fiber preparation and fusion splicing.
• Ability to operate and understand OTDRs, optical power meters, visual fault locators, and related test equipment.
• Ability to read fiber splice diagrams, construction prints, maps, and network documentation.
• Knowledge of standard fiber optic color codes and identification practices.
• Strong mechanical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities.
• Basic computer and mobile-device skills.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Ability to participate in an on-call rotation and respond to emergency outages.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Five or more years of fiber optic, telecommunications, or outside plant experience.
• Experience working with aerial and underground fiber optic networks.
• Experience with FOSC450 or similar fiber splice closures.
• Experience performing OTDR trace analysis and fiber characterization.
• Experience troubleshooting active telecommunications networks.
• Familiarity with GIS, fiber management, mapping, or work-order systems.
• Fiber optic manufacturer or industry training/certifications.
The Outside Plant Fiber Technician should demonstrate:
• Strong fiber optic splicing and troubleshooting skills.
• Mechanical aptitude and attention to workmanship.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve problems during time-sensitive network outages.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple assignments.
• Accurate recordkeeping and documentation.
• Effective verbal and written communication.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Professional interaction with customers, contractors, municipalities, utilities, and other partners.
• Commitment to safe work practices and STN construction and maintenance standards.
Physical & Work Requirements:
This position requires significant field work throughout the STN service territory. The employee must be able to:
• Work outdoors in heat, cold, rain, snow, and other weather conditions.
• Work around roadways, utility rights-of-way, construction sites, and telecommunications facilities.
• Lift and carry tools, cable, equipment, and materials associated with OSP work.
• Climb ladders and work from elevated positions when required.
• Enter and work around handholes, vaults, cabinets, and telecommunications facilities.
• Stand, kneel, bend, climb, and work in restricted areas for extended periods.
• Safely operate company vehicles, tools, and field equipment.
• Travel throughout the STN service territory.
• Work extended or irregular hours during outages, emergencies, and scheduled maintenance.
Performance Expectations:
The Outside Plant Fiber Technician is expected to take ownership of assigned field work from initial assignment or troubleshooting through repair, testing, documentation, and final closeout.
All work must be completed safely and in accordance with STN standards. Completed installations and repairs are expected to be properly spliced, tested, labeled, photographed, documented, and left in a condition that supports the safe and reliable long-term operation of STN’s fiber optic network.
Benefits: STN offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance, providing employees with premium coverage at no cost. STN offers Holiday, Vacation and Sick Pay.
Applicants: Please send all inquiries/resumes to Jobs@southerntiernetwork.org
