Telecom Repairers: Installation & Maintenance Jobs

Also called: Antenna Installer, Automatic Equipment Technician, Broadband Installer, Broadband Technician, Cable Technician

Telecom Repairers: Installation & Maintenance Jobs

Varies

estimated salary

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers, install, set up, rearrange, or remove switching, distribution, routing, and dialing equipment used in central offices or headends. Service or repair telephone, cable television, Internet, and other communications equipment on customers' property. May install communications equipment or communications wiring in buildings.

  • Demonstrate equipment to customers and explain how it is to be used, and respond to any inquiries or complaints.
  • Test circuits and components of malfunctioning telecommunications equipment to isolate sources of malfunctions, using test meters, circuit diagrams, polarity probes, and other hand tools.
  • Test repaired, newly installed, or updated equipment to ensure that it functions properly and conforms to specifications, using test equipment and observation.
  • Climb poles and ladders, use truck-mounted booms, and enter areas such as manholes and cable vaults to install, maintain, or inspect equipment.
  • Assemble and install communication equipment such as data and telephone communication lines, wiring, switching equipment, wiring frames, power apparatus, computer systems, and networks.
  • Run wires between components and to outside cable systems, connecting them to wires from telephone poles or underground cable accesses.
  • Test connections to ensure that power supplies are adequate and that communications links function.
  • Note differences in wire and cable colors so that work can be performed correctly.
  • Inspect equipment on a regular basis to ensure proper functioning.
  • Collaborate with other workers to locate and correct malfunctions.
  • Remove loose wires and other debris after work is completed.
  • Repair or replace faulty equipment such as defective and damaged telephones, wires, switching system components, and associated equipment.
  • Maintain computer and manual records pertaining to facilities and equipment.
  • Communicate with bases, using telephones or two-way radios to receive instructions or technical advice, or to report equipment status.
  • Remove and remake connections to change circuit layouts, following work orders or diagrams.
  • Clean and maintain tools, test equipment, and motor vehicles.
  • Perform database verifications, using computers.
  • Request support from technical service centers when on-site procedures fail to solve installation or maintenance problems.
  • Analyze test readings, computer printouts, and trouble reports to determine equipment repair needs and required repair methods.
  • Adjust or modify equipment to enhance equipment performance or to respond to customer requests.
  • Remove and replace plug-in circuit equipment.
  • Refer to manufacturers' manuals to obtain maintenance instructions pertaining to specific malfunctions.
  • Dig holes or trenches as necessary for equipment installation and access.
  • Review manufacturer's instructions, manuals, technical specifications, building permits, and ordinances to determine communication equipment requirements and procedures.
  • Drive crew trucks to and from work areas.
  • Route and connect cables and lines to switches, switchboard equipment, and distributing frames, using wire-wrap guns or soldering irons to connect wires to terminals.
  • Designate cables available for use.
  • Diagnose and correct problems from remote locations, using special switchboards to find the sources of problems.
  • Program computerized switches and switchboards to provide requested features.
  • Enter codes needed to correct electronic switching system programming.
  • Examine telephone transmission facilities to determine requirements for new or additional telephone services.
  • Measure distances from landmarks to identify exact installation sites for equipment.
  • Install updated software, and programs that maintain existing software or provide requested features such as time-correlated call routing.
  • Perform routine maintenance on equipment, including adjusting and lubricating components, and painting worn or exposed areas.
  • Determine viability of sites through observation, and discuss site locations and construction requirements with customers.
  • Install telephone station equipment, such as intercommunication systems, transmitters, receivers, relays, and ringers, and related apparatus, such as coin collectors, telephone booths, and switching-key equipment.
  • Clean switches and replace contact points, using vacuum hoses, solvents, and hand tools.
  • Provide input into the design and manufacturing of new equipment.
  • Address special issues or situations, such as illegal or unauthorized use of equipment, or cases of electrical or acoustic shock.
  • Place intercept circuits on terminals to handle vacant lines in central office installations.
Work Context

Work Context information for this career will be available soon.

Work Activities
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Gather information about work conditions or locations.
  • Test electrical circuits or components for proper functioning.
  • Test communications equipment to ensure proper functioning.
  • Drive trucks or other vehicles to or at work sites.
  • Inspect telecommunications equipment to identify problems.
  • Repair electronic equipment.
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Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service
  • Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Telecommunications
  • Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Computers and Electronics
  • Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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Skills

Troubleshooting
  • Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Repairing
  • Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Quality Control Analysis
  • Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Operation Monitoring
  • Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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Abilities

Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Visual Color Discrimination
  • The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
Near Vision
  • The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Problem Sensitivity
  • The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Web platform development software
  • Apache Struts Hot Technology
Industrial control software
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software Hot Technology
Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
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