What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sr FST-Network Specialist position at TDS Telecom?
Overview
As a Sr FST-Network Specialist in Hotchkiss, CO you will be responsible for providing functional leadership and direction to all central office and field personnel in the assigned TDS Field Services office. You will provide strong technical leadership in the areas of circuit installation and/or integration of digital devices. Performs advanced ATM support, packet switching support and/or complex business systems support, voice, video, and/or data network support. First level support for Management issues. Proactive in identifying and correcting obstacles and issues, as well as teaching and/or sharing problem-solving techniques. Primary contact for internal & external customers (TDS & vendors). Performs project management duties that may include system upgrades, translations, and overseeing coordination and/or facilitation of projects. Performs a variety of complicated tasks. Ensure team maintains proper understanding of TDS' goals and is coached through process improvements as those needs arise.
Management point of contact for all TDS network equipment and customer related issues in specific market(s). Ensure compliance with all TDS policies, processes and procedures Provide leadership to direct team and all other teams involved in Network growth and maintenance activities that creates and maintains a challenging and rewarding environment. Direct activities necessary for the proper maintenance of all TDS network equipment and other company assets.
Overall responsibility for maintaining a highly reliable network of systems including the central office switch, carrier and/or transmission equipment, fiber electronics, business communication systems, and/or all other auxiliary equipment. Installs, maintains, and repairs telecommunications products that TDS sells and leases (Key Systems, PBX, Centrex Systems, and other business systems). Installs, maintains, repairs network equipment, including switches, remotes, and/or related transmission equipment. Installs, maintains, repairs switching equipment including carrier, DSAs, remotes and related transmission equipment as well as complex PBX systems. Services include but are not limited to Telephony, Video/CATV/DBS, Internet, and/or high speed networks.
Has direct, face-to-face contact with our customers and is expected to be proactive with the sales of TDS services and products. Exceeds customer expectations by performing extraordinary customer service, identifying customer needs, and providing them with communications solutions. Understands how to use and demonstrate TDS products and seeks sales opportunities while educating the customer. Proactively seeks and learns about new and updated product & service offerings to meet the changing needs of the business & the customer. Products & services include (but are not limited to): Local Service, Central Office Services, Structured Cabling, MAC (Moves, Adds and Changes), Voice Mail, Audio and/or Video Conferencing and Non-regulated CPE. May be responsible for performing varied or additional duties to meet demands of TDS, which may include duties of other Field Services Technician positions.
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.
TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS Telecom/TDS®) delivers high-speed internet, TV entertainment, and phone services to a mix of rural and suburban communities throughout the U.S. With 1.2 million connections, TDS is a rapidly growing technology company. Powered by fiber-optics and new industry-leading technologies, TDS delivers up to 8 Gigabit internet speeds and offers internet-protocol based TV entertainment solutions along with traditional phone services. TDS also offers businesses VoIP advanced communications solutions, dedicated internet service, data networking, and hosted-managed services. Visit tdstelecom.com.
TDS Telecom, headquartered in Madison, Wis., employs 3,500 people and is a subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. [NYSE: TDS], a Fortune 1000® company. 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, TDS Telecom, and OneNeck IT Solutions. Visit tdsinc.com.
Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS), a Fortune 1000® company, provides wireless; broadband, video and voice; and hosted and managed services to approximately 6 million connections nationwide through its businesses, UScellular, TDS Telecom, and OneNeck IT Solutions. Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Chicago, TDS employed approximately 9,300 associates as of March 31, 2023.
Responsibilities
- Primary contact for internal and external customers (TDS and vendors). First level support for Management issues. Performs project management for the installation of complex systems and/or performs related functions as requested by supervisor.
- Installs, troubleshoots, tests, splices, repairs, and maintains telephone equipment and general network equipment, customer premise equipment, DBS, fiber optic/copper facilities and/or other TDS products for new and existing customers.
- Installs, configures, maintains, and repairs PBX, Key Systems, Centrex Systems, business systems, fiber terminals, POTS, ISDN, DSL, T-1s, and/or DS3s (carriers, paging & wireless).
- Identifies location of defective cable using various test equipment and repairs buried, aerial and/or customer cable.
- Locates cable and fiber in response to customer requests and/or construction needs.
- Pole climbing and operating construction equipment is required.
- Locates, identifies and marks company underground and buried facilities to prevent facilities from being damaged.
- Keeps orderly log of all locate requests in our exchange area.
- Performs cable fault acceptance tests on newly constructed facilities.
- Completes all related paperwork in a timely manner such as forms, timesheets, material usage, and special data requests.
- May require leading project teams.
- Stocks vehicle and notifies appropriate person when supplies and materials are low.
- Performs advanced packet switching support. Supports large complex business systems and networks including voice and data networking.
- Provides excellent customer service. Proactively educates and sells TDS products and services to customers.
- Provides advanced troubleshooting support techniques & corrections. Responds to “trouble” dispatches.
- Promotes safety and accident prevention as day-to-day part of the normal job functions and attend safety meetings as required. Follows safety policies and procedures, applies safety training and follows Department of Transportation requirements as they apply to the job. Responsible for routine vehicle maintenance and adherence to TDS Vehicle Safety Policy
- Utilizes MS Office Suite, Trouble/Repair/Dispatch Systems, Plant Record Systems, and other TDS applications to ensure accurate facility assignment and verification. Utilizes staking sheets and cut sheets. Assigns facilities and updates systemrecords and maps.
- Provides high level support for enhancing and maintaining record systems (cross connects, line groups, network elements, etc)
- Requires on-call/standby responsibilities. On-call requires carrying a pager and/or cell phone, being available to report to work (24 hours a day) and remain in a limited geographic area
- Maintains inventory including purchasing, receiving, stocking, and tracks regulated and non-regulated equipment and materials. Provides equipment maintenance, operating instructions, and diagnostics as needed.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Associate degree (or higher) -OR- 2 years professional work experience -OR- current military service, or prior military service with honorable discharge.
- 4 years basic technical telecommunications experience.
- 2 years of basic fiber optic and/or copper cable splicing and repair, installation and repair or switch training.
- 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. Commercial Driver's License () may be required
Other Qualifications
- Upon hire, must successfully complete customer-specific requirements, which may include a background check administered by the customer.
- Requires an understanding of telecommunication products and services: Inside Wiring/ Cable, Internet/Intranet, Bonding & Grounding, Data & Computers/Transmission Concepts, Fiber Optic Transmission, Static Sensitive Equipment, Color Codes, Structured Wiring, Video/CATV/DBS Installation, Inventory Systems, Cable Locating, Battery Maintenance, Key Systems/PBX, Centrex, Switch Maintenance, Voicemail, Special Circuits, Fiber Terminals, Subscriber Terminals, T-1s, ISPs, , ISDN Voice & Data, Testing & Certifying Loops To Support Data, Voice, and/or Video, IP Telephony Systems/Applications, DSA, DSLAM/, Connecting company testing, WAN//Data Networks, Switch Installations & Additions and/or ATM Switches and Networks
- Practical knowledge/experience with computer applications including (but not limited to): Databases, Trouble/Repair/Dispatch Systems, Plant Record Systems, MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Explorer, and CD-ROMs
- Ability to work and make timely decisions independently with little or no supervision
- Demonstrated customer service and sales skills, as well as effective communications skills (verbal and written) for interaction with internal and external customers
- Proven ability to work well with others, including demonstrated success at leading and coaching team members
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task, as well as flexibility and adaptability
- Self motivated, as well as proven initiative taking and problem solving ability • Physical requirements may vary based on company needs: Operation of heavy construction machinery, such as bucket truck, drop plow, and backhoe. Ability to dig, lift and climb.
- Requires being available for on-call/standby responsibilities and 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 have and maintain a valid driver's license. Commercial Driver's License (CDL) may be required
- 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 sit, stand, write and operate a computer keyboard, standard office equipment and telephone. The associate regularly communicates with customers. The associate is frequently required to move about and reach for items. 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 5 associate is frequently required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The associate must also be able to climb poles and ladders. 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). For more detail on the benefits we offer click here.
At TDS, we embrace Equal Employment Opportunity by valuing our differences and consider all qualified applicants without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by law. To learn about our diversity & inclusion philosophy and culture, click here!
Pay Range
$28.98 - $43.48Salary : $29 - $43