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GCI's Network Maintenance Technician II – Core RF is responsible for maintaining and repairing system wide oversight and quality control of network signal processing. Troubleshoots and repairs problems with transmission levels, and/or equipment failures to included network analysis, headend and outside plant maintenance and integrity, technical leadership of outside plant maintenance, personnel, and all relevant. Responsible for constructing, maintaining, and repairing network facilities, systems, cabling including equipment and related components involved in signal processing, amplification, and transmission. Troubleshoots and repairs problems with transmission levels, signal losses, off-air interference, and equipment failures. The primary customer is “the public” considering purchasing and/or using GCI facilities’ products; other departmental personnel and/or outside agencies, vendors, utilities, etc.

This position could be assigned to any or all areas needed to support Network Repairs:

+ Outside Network Maintenance

+ Construction

+ Facilities

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AT ALL LEVELS:

+ Performs routine maintenance, surveillance, and construction operations on all Radio Frequency / Microwave / Fiber Optic / AC / DC / Wireless / HFC Networks, Facilities, and related components providing video, voice, and data services.

+ Completes routine balancing, aligning, sweeping, proof of performance and required compliance adjustments of components and equipment used to amplify and process signals. Monitors and supports critical network elements to maintain the continuous operation of network and system infrastructure.

+ Performs preventative or corrective maintenance, such as underground cable locates, outage response, rewiring or upgrading cabling and equipment, impairment mitigation, system drive off and repairs.

+ Responsible for carrying out assigned construction activities in support of new plant construction, rebuilds and existing plant upgrades. Knows and adheres to applicable construction codes and safety regulations. Digs holes; lays foundation; places poles; lays cable; unreels, pulls, and strings wire from pole to pole.

+ Dismantles, moves, or removes aerial, underground, or building wire, cable equipment, poles, and hardware. Installs and replaces power supplies, converters, and terminal boxes. Operates heavy-duty power equipment and hand tools.

+ Support senior staff technicians and mentor junior technicians with install, test, and repair of custom service orders.

+ Responsible for basic vehicle maintenance, truck stock, and follows the company’s safe driving and other applicable policies. May be required to pass, background check, pre-employment, and random controlled substance screening, and obtain commercial driver’s license within 6 months of employment.

COMPETENCIES:

+ ACCOUNTABILITY- Takes ownership for actions, decisions, and results; openly accepts feedback and demonstrates a willingness to improve. Responsive to financial accountability for vehicles, inventory (i.e., test equipment), paperwork, and safety procedures to minimize claims.

+ BASIC PRINCIPLES - Interacts with people in a way that builds mutual trust, confidence, and respect; adheres to GCI’s Code of Conduct for Employees – the Basic Principles.

+ COLLABORATION - Works effectively with others to accomplish common goals and objectives; maintains positive relationships even under difficult circumstances.

+ COMMUNICATION- Conveys thoughts and expresses ideas appropriately and professionally. Articulate technical information clearly and concisely in written and electronic follow-up reports and work orders regarding system damages and outages, complete written and electronic route sheets. Able to communicate technical information effectively verbally to customers, contractors, utility workers, fellow employees, and the public in an effective manner commensurate with their level of understanding.

+ COMPLIANCE - Follows internal controls; protects company and customer confidential information; abides by GCI’s Code of Business Conduct & Ethics. Interprets and accurately applies applicable codes, regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines, etc.

+ CUSTOMER FOCUS - Develops positive rapport with customers. Demonstrates commitment to service excellence; gives high priority to customer satisfaction. Ability to promote teamwork and encourage a professional, courteous work ethic.

+ RELIABILITY - Consistently follows through on assigned tasks as expected; demonstrates timely attendance at meetings, training, and other work obligations. Organize assignments, equipment, and routing to maximize productivity.

+ RESULTS - Calculate signal losses and amplification from headend to customer premise equipment and able to synthesize multiple pieces of technical information to develop timely solutions to network problems. Read, interpret/evaluate and apply/implement information from system maps, equipment readings, test parameters, construction, and design work orders. Expeditiously route and navigate, accurately reading system and city maps/grids.

+ SAFETY & SECURITY - Supports a safe work environment by following all workplace safety rules and guidelines; complies with applicable Security policies and procedures.

+ Basic MS Office knowledge (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) and industry specific programs that track signal leakage, outages, system monitoring, etc.

Additional Job Requirements:

This is an intermediate level position within the telecommunications field outside network maintenance that will support and learn from the company’s certification, education, and senior technicians the in depth understanding for routine preventative and corrective network maintenance, repairs to field and network facilities and plant providing video, voice, data, and wireless services at varying locations including customer’s residential and/or business properties, field and central offices. Works under moderate supervision and work is reviewed by senior staff.

Essential Duties:

+ Advanced knowledge and ability to perform construction, installation, routine preventative, and corrective maintenance, testing and repairs of facilities providing video, voice, and data and wireless services.

+ Evaluates field conditions, performs tests, and measurements to determine signal quality.

+ Handles semi-routine maintenance duties, problems, and repairs. Recognizes deviation from accepted practices and confirms with senior staff appropriate next steps.

+ Receives general instructions on routine work and detailed instructions on new assignments. Work is regularly supervised and reviewed for timeliness, accuracy, and correct procedures.

+ Demonstrates advanced knowledge of several areas including plant systems and construction practices.

+ Organizes daily workload and performs work utilizing industry standard test equipment, hand tools, and heavy equipment to install, maintain, or repair services and facilities.

+ Performs preventative or corrective maintenance, underground cable locates, outage response, rewiring or upgrading facilities, cabling, and equipment, impairment mitigation, system drive off and repairs.

+ Communicates with SMC or Dispatch to update and complete repair or trouble tickets.

+ Assists with new installations and trouble tickets in a timely manner.

+ Verify accuracy of written work order, confirm discrepancies, collect payments and customer signatures, ensures all documentation is updated in a timely manner.

+ Escalates more complex issues as needed to the appropriate department, or management team.

+ Work with senior technicians and respond to outages or other duties as required and guide and train less experienced technicians.

+ Design test fixtures, analyze test results, and document tests performed on components.

Additional Competencies:

+ Knowledge of and ability to accurately interpret and apply NEC, NESC, OSHA, FCC and company rules and regulations.

+ Knowledge of routine maintenance procedures, surveillance, and construction operations including Radio Frequency / Microwave / Fiber Optic / AC / DC / Wireless/Wireline / HFC Networks, Facilities, and related components providing video, voice, and data services.

+ Knowledge of signal ingress/egress preventative and corrective maintenance requirements, coaxial and fiber cable splicing and facility locating, outage restoration, system design calculations, network installation, activation, and maintenance.

+ Knowledge of basic electronic fundamentals and mathematical skills.

+ Knowledge of video, voice, and data, baseband, and optical signal delivery.

+ Knowledge in the operation of related field equipment signal level meters, AC/DC power test equipment including optical, time, and frequency domain reflectometers, underground cable locators, and leakage detection equipment.

+ Knowledge of cable modem systems to include any OTN interface devices, troubleshooting techniques and monitoring.

+ Knowledge of home/business wiring, adjusting, installation, and service of consumer electronics equipment.

+ Knowledge of satellite, and RF related theory and equipment and a general understanding of satellite communication ground station equipment including modems, converters, HPA, SPAs, LNA, and antenna systems

Minimum Qualifications:

Required: *A combination of relevant work experience and/or education sufficient to perform the duties of the job may substitute to meet the total years required on a year-for-year basis

+ High School diploma or equivalent.

+ Minimum of six (6) years in a telecommunications role or related background. *

+ Including two (2) years of complex related field experience.

+ Upon hire may be required to successfully complete certifications and courses within a defined period, e.g., Defensive Driving, Company on-line Installer, Pole Climbing, AK DOT Bucket Truck, AK DOT approved Flagger Certification.

Preferred:

+ Associate degree in electronics or relevant field, telecommunications trade school, or equivalent training.

+ Telecommunications experience.

+ Other telecom industry or job specific certifications.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires driving a company-owned vehicle, company provided vehicle, or use of a personal vehicle on behalf of the company. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, a satisfactory driving record, and successfully complete Defensive Driving course.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and WORKING CONDITIONS:

+ High degree of balance, coordination, and strength needed to ascend, descend, and work atop poles, towers, ladders, and buckets with tools and equipment at heights up to 40 feet safely and routinely.

+ Daily moving, traversing, and positioning self on varied uneven or unstable surfaces such as roofs and in trenches, often hampered by weather elements.

+ Safely move, transport, position, install, remove, and maneuver equipment and supplies of up to 70-pound loads occasionally, up to 50-pounds more regularly, up to 20 pounds frequently.

+ High degree of dexterity and coordination to operate hand tools and to connect, separate, and twist multiple smaller items daily.

+ Visual acuity is necessary to identify, inspect, observe, and assess details at near, mid, and far ranges.

+ Ability to clearly distinguish colors for driving, identifying cables or other electrical components, and safety signage.

+ Auditory acuity necessary to operate equipment; capable of distinguishing between equipment signals and the human voice often amidst background noises, such as wind, rain, and traffic.

+ Subject to adverse weather and driving conditions.

+ Ability to tolerate temperature and weather extremes found in the Alaskan arctic environment (fumes and odors, dust, low light conditions, rain, sleet, snow, hail, wind, temperature extremes).

+ 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.

+ 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. Travel may be required to assist other systems personnel.

+ Drug Testing: Participation in a DOT or non-DOT drug and alcohol testing program may be required to satisfy conditions of a contract or proposed contract with a business partner or client. This includes pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return to duty, and follow-up testing.

+ Fitness For: Duty: Ability to pass a pre-employment or return to work physical and fitness for duty examination may be required to satisfy conditions of a contract or proposed contract with a business partner or client.

The company and its subsidiaries operate in a 24/7 environment providing critical services to Alaskans and may need to respond to public health and safety matters or other business emergencies. Due to business needs employees may be contacted outside of the core business hours to respond to an immediate emergency. As such, you will be requested to provide emergency after hours contact numbers, to include your home and cell phone numbers if you have those services.

Culture, Engagement, and Connection: At GCI, we foster an environment where the unique perspectives of our employees, customers, and fellow Alaskans are celebrated. We add value to our community by nurturing and empowering each member of our workforce, ensuring equal opportunities for every Trailblazer.

EEO: GCI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, veteran status, or any other status or classification protected under applicable state or federal law.

DISCLAIMER: The above information in 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 qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

All employees of GCI work in support of the GCI Mission Statement and Declaration of Principles which are located on the GCI Career page and Employee portal.