Regional Maintenance Technician

Regional Maintenance Technician

GCI (Nasdaq: GNCMA) is an Alaska-based company providing voice, video and data communication services to residential, commercial and government customers.

Founded in 1979, GCI introduced long-distance competition to Alaska and has since grown to be one of the nation's premier integrated telecommunication providers. The company employs 1,200 Alaskans and has a current run rate of $400 million.

GCI has a 45 percent share of the state's long-distance market, and is the state's largest provider of Internet services with dial-up, cable modem, wireless, digital subscriber line (DSL) and dedicated access. Its cable television services pass 90 percent of the state's households with 64 percent penetration. Digital cable and cable modem service is available to 90 percent of its subscribers. The company offers facilities-based local telephone services in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau, and has obtained a 25 percent statewide market share.

GCI's services are connected through company-owned fiber optic, satellite and metropolitan area network facilities to the lower 48 states. This broadband platform is the only one of its kind in Alaska and allows the company to provide customized services to the Alaska market.

GCI offers competitive wages and an exceptional benefits plan. We offer medical, dental, vision, life, and short and long term disability insurance programs to qualified employees. Educational reimbursements, paid annual leave and holidays, a health and wellness program, employee assistance program, and a 401(k) program are also available.

GCI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, mental or physical disability, veteran status or any other status or classification protected under applicable state or federal law. Individuals needing assistance in the recruitment process are encouraged to contact Human Resources.

Salary: Base wage available with Geographical Allowance for position work location in Ketchikan, Alaska.

Purpose of Position: Assist with Regional OSP Maintenance Plan, ensuring FCC compliance and providing assistance to technical workforce throughout regional systems.

Position's Customers: Regional/system management and technical staffs and service workforce in the region; ultimately, services rendered will benefit GCI customers dependent upon reliable plant and operations for quality products and services.

Essential Duties of Position:
' 40% - Perform and provide assistance with OSP system(s) corrective and preventative maintenance and repairs for all coaxial, optical and copper outside plant facilities. Ensure compliance with company and industry DOCSIS RF and DLPS performance testing and tracking.
' 15% - Review and catalog with key field service personnel existing MDU installations for proper security, and plant condition and work with OSP Design and local Plant Manager to ensure proper distribution design for proper levels and compliance with 8 hour back-up requirement for SLR. Address any rehabilitation concerns to plant manager for corrective action or generation of capital replacement plan. Oversee rehabilitation projects as they are approved and develop an on-going program of maintenance for these facilities.
' 10% - Provide outside plant assistance to include installation and backup for technical personnel as necessary (emergencies, vacancies, vacations, unscheduled leave, etc.)
' 10% - Perform and provide assistance with construction, splicing and activation of replacement or new build fiber, coaxial and copper outside plant facilities in accordance with company procedures and industry standards.
' 10% - Perform and provide assistance with system(s) signal leakage tests, Proof of Performance testing, system sweeps, repairs and equipment calibration. Ensure compliance with power supply monitoring, drop plant performance and noise mitigation.
' 5% - Perform 'on-site' quality control inspections of all existing and new construction outside plant facilities. Evaluate compliance with construction specifications and detail corrective measures when necessary. Report and publish performance and compliance results via scorecards and other measurement methods.
' 5% - Complete written / electronic paperwork and reports for all assigned jobs on a regular basis. Provide status updates to Regional and System personnel. Develop and publish maintenance calendar forecasting remote site visits and coverage.
' 5% - Assist with the development and delivery of technical training as deemed necessary for regional technical staff. Assist with building and managing capital and operating budgets, project development, oversight, adjustments and reconciliations.

Job Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
' In-depth knowledge of and ability to accurately interpret and apply NEC, NESC, OSHA, FCC and company rules and regulations.
' In-depth knowledge of fiber optics, analog and digital signal transmissions and outside plant construction practices.
' In-depth knowledge of signal leakage maintenance and requirements, coaxial and fiber cable splicing and cable facility locating, outage restoration, system design calculations, forward and reverse path activation and maintenance.
' Thorough knowledge of basic electronic fundamentals and mathematical skills.
' Thorough knowledge of MDU and MBU wiring systems design and operation.
' Advanced knowledge of voice, data, baseband and optical signal delivery.
' Working knowledge in the operation of equipment such as SLM, VOM, TDR, Locators, and leakage detector.
' Demonstrated ability to accurately calculate signal loss and amplification from headend to house.
' Demonstrated ability to accurately read, interpret/evaluate and apply/implement information from system maps, equipment readings, test parameters, construction and design work orders. Demonstrated ability to synthesize multiple pieces of technical information to develop timely solutions to system plant problems. Must be able to expeditiously route and navigate, accurately reading system and city maps/grids.
' Must be able to articulate technical information clearly and concisely in writing and electronically; ability to participate in productive brainstorming sessions. Verbally communicate technical information to customers, contractors, utility workers, fellow employees and general public in an effective manner commensurate with their level of understanding.
' Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain positive rapport with customers, vendors, contractors, utilities, agencies, etc. Ability to promote teamwork and encourage a professional, courteous work ethic.
' Working knowledge of Excel, MS Word, and industry specific programs that track signal leakage, outages, system monitoring, etc. DOCSIS performance and return path monitoring preferred; willingness to keep up-to-date on latest technical software to facilitate work processes.

Years of experience required to meet minimum qualifications: Five (5) years in telecommunications technical field with at least 2 years as OSP Maintenance Technician or equivalent telecommunications outside plant experience.

Level of education required to meet minimum qualifications: High school diploma, GED or equivalent. AA in electronics, telecommunications trade school or equivalent training required but relevant experience may be substituted for degree on a year for year basis.

Reporting Relationships:
Position reports to: Chief Technician
Number of direct reports: None

Physical Requirements:
' High degree of balance, coordination and strength needed routinely in climbing poles, towers, ladders, etc. and avoiding obstacles.
' Daily walking, crawling, bending, stooping and kneeling on varied surfaces such as roofs and in trenches often hampered by weather elements.
' Lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling to maneuver equipment/supplies of up to 70-pound loads occasionally, less weight more regularly.
' High degree of hand dexterity and eye/hand coordination to operate trenching/plowing/boring equipment, aerial construction equipment, hand tools and to connect, separate, twist multiple smaller items on a daily basis.
' Clarity of vision at every distance with good depth perception and ability to distinguish colors routinely for driving and performing assigned tasks.
' Good hearing, capable of distinction between equipment signals and the human voice often amidst background noises, such as wind, rain and traffic.

Working Conditions:
Technician may be subject to adverse weather and driving conditions. Work involves heights up to 40 feet on poles, ladders, and buckets. Work performed below overhead construction and in trenches to 10 feet in depth. Tasks performed around high power electrical conductors and gas lines. Work areas can be cramped, dark, dusty, damp, wet, stuffy, sticky, smelly, hot and/or cold. Technician may encounter unrestrained animals/pets.

Must be able and willing to work flexible hours including, but not limited to, overtime, on-call, and/or additional time on weekends, holidays, evenings, before or after normal shift hours. Work will require extended periods of travel sometimes with short notification, to systems within the region(s).

Driving Requirements: Valid Alaska driver's license with a satisfactory driving record.

EEO: Responsible for fair and equitable treatment of people in the workplace.

Disclaimer: The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualification required of employees assigned to this job.

Five (5) years in telecommunications technical field with at least 2 years as OSP Maintenance Technician or equivalent telecommunications outside plant experience.

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