Careers

Telecommunications Technicians

Job Grid

Switching & Transport Installers & Repairers

Also known as:
Communications Technician Customer Communications Technician
Network Center Technician Switching Equipment Technician

Meet the Tech(s) currently employed in this job category.

Position summary
There are two main categories of Central Office Technicians.

Technicians working in a Central Office maintain the central office equipment
Technicians working in a Network Center monitor the central office equipment for existing and potential problems

Both technician categories work with computers and networks, monitor and repair switches, test and document complete work.

Central Office Technicians
Maintain central office switching, transport, power, and frame equipment
Installing the services and coordinating with other employees
Schedule software back-up and updates

Network Center Technicians
Monitor and maintain central office switching, transport, power, and frame equipment
Survey and analyze alarms, test lines and trunks
Install translation software to complete customer orders
Schedule/perform software back-up and update procedures
Provides the first tier of support for Central Office technicians.

Work Environment

Indoors with banks of computers and networks
Work independently as part of a team
May require significant overtime
Requires excellent communication skills
Primarily works with internal customers

Personality Profile

Self-starter, highly organized, and able to work with minimum supervision
Analytical and patient with technical details
Able to prioritize projects
Able to concentrate and complete procedures in an error-free manner even when under pressure
Able to visualize how the lines will be set up at the customer's location
Have negotiation skills to be able to schedule routine system interruptions with minimal disruption

Skills Needed

Requires a practical knowledge of electronics and electricity.
Ability to use various types of test equipment, computer terminal or PC while sitting for extended periods of time monitoring systems
Good verbal communication skills
Ability to interface with customers
Basic keyboard and Windows based software skills
Understanding of computer networks

Educational/Experience Qualifications

High school diploma or GED required; some college courses in telecommunications desired
Previous technician experience desired
NACTEL's Telecommunications Essentials Certificate and degree in Associate of Science in Applied Information Technology, Telecommunications target this job category.
Must pass qualifying exams

Pay Range
$51,700 to $85,000 depending on the amount of prior experience, region of the country, the company, and the amount of overtime.


Careers Telecom Technicians • Job Grid - Complex & Special Svcs - Line/Station Installers - Switching & Transport - Cable Splicing • Meet the Techs			Careers - Telecommunications Technicians - Job Grid Switching & Transport Installers & Repairers Also known as: Communications Technician Customer Communications Technician Network Center Technician Switching Equipment Technician Meet the Tech(s) currently employed in this job category. Position summary There are two main categories of Central Office Technicians. Technicians working in a Central Office maintain the central office equipment Technicians working in a Network Center monitor the central office equipment for existing and potential problems Both technician categories work with computers and networks, monitor and repair switches, test and document complete work. Central Office Technicians Maintain central office switching, transport, power, and frame equipment Installing the services and coordinating with other employees Schedule software back-up and updates Network Center Technicians Monitor and maintain central office switching, transport, power, and frame equipment Survey and analyze alarms, test lines and trunks Install translation software to complete customer orders Schedule/perform software back-up and update procedures Provides the first tier of support for Central Office technicians. Work Environment Indoors with banks of computers and networks Work independently as part of a team May require significant overtime Requires excellent communication skills Primarily works with internal customers Personality Profile Self-starter, highly organized, and able to work with minimum supervision Analytical and patient with technical details Able to prioritize projects Able to concentrate and complete procedures in an error-free manner even when under pressure Able to visualize how the lines will be set up at the customer's location Have negotiation skills to be able to schedule routine system interruptions with minimal disruption Skills Needed Requires a practical knowledge of electronics and electricity. Ability to use various types of test equipment, computer terminal or PC while sitting for extended periods of time monitoring systems Good verbal communication skills Ability to interface with customers Basic keyboard and Windows based software skills Understanding of computer networks Educational/Experience Qualifications High school diploma or GED required; some college courses in telecommunications desired Previous technician experience desired NACTEL's Telecommunications Essentials Certificate and degree in Associate of Science in Applied Information Technology, Telecommunications target this job category. Must pass qualifying exams Pay Range $51,700 to $85,000 depending on the amount of prior experience, region of the country, the company, and the amount of overtime.