What Does a Telecommunications Technician Do?
Telecommunications technicians install, maintain, and repair telecom systems such as broadband internet, cable TV, and telephone lines. They understand how to configure and troubleshoot electronics, wiring, and other related technologies to verify proper functionality. They also must be familiar with local and national telecom and wiring regulations to ensure compliance.
Telecommunications technicians typically work for enterprise organizations, installers, or voice, data, and internet service providers, but may also work as contractors for these organizations. Success in the role requires strong technical knowledge, problem-solving capabilities, customer service, and communication skills, and the ability to work independently.
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National Average Salary
Telecommunications technician salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Telecommunications Technician is:
$64,785
Telecommunications Technician Job Descriptions
Crafting the perfect job description may be the key to finding an exceptional telecommunications technician. To help you with your recruiting search, our team has put together some examples from past openings.
Example 1
We’re in the business of delivering the future. Our award-winning service and state-of-the-art technology has kept us ahead of the pack and allowed us to create a reputation for world-class customer service. But we know the best technology in the world and groundbreaking game plans are nothing without having the experts we need to back them up. This is why [Your Company Name] is currently looking for a telecommunications technician to join our team! You’ll be responsible for communicating and demonstrating your expertise with network and server installation, wired and wireless access, and telephony equipment. If you’re looking to be at the center of innovation and work for the industry’s leading company while getting your hands on cutting-edge tech, we would love to hear from you!
Typical duties and responsibilities
- Become an expert on a wide range of services and technology provided by the company
- Provide technical assistance and telephony support for multiple centers
- Routine maintenance on network and telephony systems
- Physical routing and organizing of wires, cables, splitters
- Organization and management of cables and equipment systems
- Subject matter expert on current systems deployed by clients and customers
- Lift up to 50 pounds
- Bend, twist, squat, and stretch repeatedly
Education and experience
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related engineering field or equivalent trade education
- 1 year experience in telecommunications systems position
Required skills and qualifications
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Great organization skills
- Great time management
- Analytical thinking skills
- Technical understanding of network hardware and software, servers, routers, splitters, wire and cable management, and telephony systems
Preferred qualifications
- 3 years experience in a telecommunication systems position
- Excellent troubleshooting and futureproofing skills
- Excellent documentation skills
- Experience working in a call center environment
Example 2
ABC Company is a leading utility construction firm providing critical infrastructure for the Power, Communications, Oil & Gas Pipeline, and Gas Distribution markets throughout North America. ABC Company is seeking multiple Technicians to join our team working out of our (City, State) office.
While working under the direction of the Foreman or Team Lead, the Technician provides leadership and training to installers and junior technicians. Must rely upon experience and good judgment to plan and accomplish daily and weekly milestones.
Duties and responsibilities
Primarily responsible for maintaining job site productivity, ensuring high quality workmanship, and ensuring a safe work environment. Installation of structured cabling systems including all aspects of the installation process.
- Perform system testing and troubleshooting as required
- Mentors installers to complete their tasks and responsibilities
- May work and direct a crew of 2-4 installers or junior crew members
- Embrace ABC Company’s safety culture by following safe work practices and policies
- Able to read and interpret drawings, floor plans, specifications, and cut sheets
- Maintain compliance with customers’ security requirement ensuring junior team members comply
- Solid team player exhibits a positive attitude, high attention to detail, and the ability to meet deadlines
- Ability to listen carefully and follow instructions and make recommendations
- Proactively manage job site organization and housekeeping
- Assist with other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- 2-4 years of structured cabling experience required
- Fiber optic cabling experience preferred/not required
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Outlook applications a plus
- BICSI Certification a plus
- Industry Certifications a plus. (i.e. CommScope, Hilti, Panduit, etc.)
- Must be able to stoop, kneel, or crouch
- Must be able to climb ladders and perform the necessary work while on the ladder
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs. and carry 25 lbs.
- Must have own tools
- Occasional overtime and out of town travel may be required
- Ability to travel to multiple locations within the (City) area
- No relocation provided, local candidates only
Example 3
Position overview:
ABC Technology Solutions is a division within ABC Company, one of the fastest growing, turnkey, utility construction contractors in the telecom industry. ABC Company provides a diverse set of technology services including AV, Collaboration, Connectivity, Infrastructure, MiCiv, and MSP. We recognize our PEOPLE as our greatest asset ensuring that their Safety is our number one priority. Our culture is values driven, performance-based, and team focused. We devote ourselves to delivering results for our clients and giving back to our community.
The Layer 1installation group of ABC Company provides implementation, and support services for partners and clients ranging from Small to Fortune 100, including government and military branches. ABC Company’s relationship with the customer are either direct or on behalf of strategic partners. The group supports all aspects of Rack and Stack, Small Wireless Surveys to include Active, Passive, and Validation.
Roles and responsibilities:
- Perform Inside Plant Operations including, but no limited to, Lace cable, test/certify copper, terminate mechanical fiber, install conduit, layout cable paths, etc.
- Interpret and understand installation blueprints, resolve drawing issues when needed
- Properly mount displays
- Basic understanding of bonding and grounding racks
- Perform the addition or removal of energized equipment
- Test/Certify Copper utilizing various testing equipment and technologies
- Provide assignments, technical support, and leadership to technicians on site
- Troubleshoot Network issues
Success factors:
- A strong belief in ZERO- Being Safe 100% of the time is the expectation
- Alignment with company mission, vision, and values
- A high level of customer centricity
- Strong work ethic with an ALL IN attitude
- Strong team player with the ability to adapt to diverse team members
- Ability to perform in a fast paced/high volume environment
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Exceptional Critical Thinking skills
- Detail Oriented- a high level of attention to detail is required
- A high level of time management, accountability, and prioritization skills
- Self-motivated, goal- oriented, and driven to accomplish department goals
- Ability to be organized, problem solve, and be solution oriented
- Experience with CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ (preferred)
Work environment:
- This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers, projectors, copy/fax, and smartphones
- Must be able to work in a variety of physical positions, including climbing, sitting, standing, walking, and driving
- May be exposed to uncomfortable or distracting sounds or noise levels on sites of projects being managed or coordinated
- When working on site, will be required to wear common protective of safety equipment, such as safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, and life jackets
Experience and education:
- 2-4 years in Layer 1
- High School Diploma or equivalent required
Example 4
Overview:
Function as a Comm Tech for ABC Company; installing new electrical systems and repairing existing electrical systems while maintaining compliance with national, state, and local electrical codes along with all ABC Company policies and procedures. Support activities at commercial, industrial, institutional and residential locations.
Duties and responsibilities:
- Establishes voice and data networks by running, pulling, terminating, and splicing cables
- Installing telecommunications equipment, routers, switches, multiplexors, cable trays, alarm, and and fire-suppression systems
- Building ironwork and ladder racks
- Establishing connections; programming features
- Establishing connections and integrations
- Following industry standards
Physical demands and work environment:
- Physical Demands: The employee may require the ability to do the following:
- Lift 50 lbs. from ground and pull 50 lbs. of force
- Perform ladder climbing, wire pulling and conduit pulling
- Fully squat, stoop or kneel while wearing a 25 pound tool belt
- Maintain a standing position for long periods of time while performing repetitive actions such as grasping or manipulating wires
- Work off of ladders, man lifts or reach booms
- Working Environment: While performing duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to:
- A variety of weather conditions including cold, snow, rain, heat, etc.
- High noise levels
Candidate Certifications to Look For
- TCM. This foundational course provided by the ETA international group provides the underlying knowledge of wired and wireless communication systems. Candidates will learn the concepts and best practices for installing and maintaining systems, equipment, cables, and the protocols and distribution methods for doing so. After completion, candidates will demonstrate they’ll be able to conceptualize, install, document, maintain, and troubleshoot telecommunication systems with confidence.
- Network 5 Certification. Much the same as the TCM, EC-Council’s N5 teaches the underlying basics of the singular most important system in a home or business – the data network. Candidates will be taught basic networking concepts, both hardware and software and the premise for what keeps our entire digital world up and running. After obtaining this degree, candidates will demonstrate their competence in creating and maintaining network infrastructure for a home or business.
- CCNA. Cisco’s Certified Network Associate is the first level of certification of the Cisco Career path. The CCNA certifies that candidates are professionals who can install, configure, and operate LAN, dial access services, WAN, and understand and implement IP, Serial, IP RIP, Ethernet, and IGRP protocols.