Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers

Also called: Aerial Installer, Aerial Lineman, Block Cableman, Broadband Cable Installer, Broadband Cable Specialist

Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers

Varies

estimated salary

Telecommunications line installers and repairers install and repair telecommunications cable, including fiber optics.

  • Set up service for customers, installing, connecting, testing, or adjusting equipment.
  • Travel to customers' premises to install, maintain, or repair audio and visual electronic reception equipment or accessories.
  • Measure signal strength at utility poles, using electronic test equipment.
  • Inspect or test lines or cables, recording and analyzing test results, to assess transmission characteristics and locate faults or malfunctions.
  • Splice cables, using hand tools, epoxy, or mechanical equipment.
  • Access specific areas to string lines or install terminal boxes, auxiliary equipment, or appliances, using bucket trucks, or by climbing poles or ladders, or entering tunnels, trenches, or crawl spaces.
  • Clean or maintain tools or test equipment.
  • String cables between structures and lines from poles, towers, or trenches and pull lines to proper tension.
  • Pull up cable by hand from large reels mounted on trucks.
  • Lay underground cable directly in trenches or string it through conduits running through trenches.
  • Pull cable through ducts by hand or with winches.
  • Dig trenches for underground wires or cables.
  • Explain cable service to subscribers after installation and collect any installation fees that are due.
  • Place insulation over conductors or seal splices with moisture-proof covering.
  • Compute impedance of wires from poles to houses to determine additional resistance needed for reducing signals to desired levels.
  • Install equipment such as amplifiers or repeaters to maintain the strength of communications transmissions.
  • Use a variety of construction equipment to complete installations, such as digger derricks, trenchers, or cable plows.
  • Fill and tamp holes, using cement, earth, and tamping devices.
  • Participate in the construction or removal of telecommunication towers or associated support structures.
  • Dig holes for power poles, using power augers or shovels, set poles in place with cranes, and hoist poles upright, using winches.
Work Context

Work Context information for this career will be available soon.

Work Activities
  • Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Read More
Detailed Work Activities
  • Travel to work sites to perform installation, repair or maintenance work.
  • Inspect telecommunications equipment to identify problems.
  • Analyze test or performance data to assess equipment operation.
  • Connect electrical components or equipment.
  • Measure equipment outputs.
  • Test communications equipment to ensure proper functioning.
  • Read More

Knowledge

Telecommunications
  • Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Read More

Skills

Complex Problem Solving
  • Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operation Monitoring
  • Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Read More

Abilities

Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Near Vision
  • The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Extent Flexibility
  • The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Read More

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
Read More

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Computer aided design CAD software
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Hot Technology
Internet protocol IP multimedia subsystem software
  • Voice over internet protocol VoiP system software Hot Technology
Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
Read More