Telecom Field Operations Fiber Technician
Job Description
Telecom Field Operations Fiber Technician
JOB SUMMARY:
The Telecom Field Operations Fiber Technician is responsible for project and operational support of Southern Company’s outside plant (OSP) and campus fiber infrastructure. This role supports critical optical transport systems, including DWDM, GPON, MPLS, SEL-ICON, and SCADA networks. Work is performed in accordance with established standards, service-level expectations, operational procedures, and applicable work agreements to ensure safe, consistent, and high-quality service delivery.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education & Experience:
- A two-year advanced education degree (college/technical/vocational certification) in a technology field, telecommunications field, equivalent military training, or 5 years equivalent hands-on experience in a technology or a fiber optic field is required.
- Fundamental understanding of various types of fiber optic cable, installation practices, installation materials, and testing equipment.
- Fundamental understanding of various optical network topologies, e.g., general telecommunications, DWDM, GPON, MPLS, SEL-ICON and SCADA and how they operate.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license is preferred.
General Competencies:
- Maintain a “safety first” mindset and foster a positive safety culture
- Exhibit Southern Company’s Core Values (Safety First, Unquestionable Trust, Superior Performance, and Total Commitment)
- Work independently with minimal supervision, be a self-starter, and demonstrate excellent communication and time management skills.
- Collaborate and coordinate contractors and/or vendors associated with the Field Operation function as appropriate.
- Work with internal business partners, vendors, contractors, and other Technology Organization (TO) groups related to projects and operational support.
- Understand and adhere to all Southern Company billing and performance processes and procedures.
- Maintain accurate documentation and equipment inventories for assigned jobs.
Ability to work extended hours during emergency restoration.
Technical Competencies
- Responsible for the project and operational support of Southern Company’s outside plant (OSP) fiber, campus fiber, and optical transport networks
- Ability to logically troubleshoot and repair fiber optic infrastructure along with all associated peripheral hardware (line hardware, distribution panels, splice enclosures, patch cables, etc.)
Proficient in single/ribbon splicing and terminating single-mode and multi-mode fiber optic cables
Proficient in reading, testing, and documenting using an Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer (OTDR)
Fundamental understanding of CD (Chromatic Dispersion) and PMD (Polarization Mode Dispersion) and bi-directional fiber optic testing is preferred
Experience with Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) fiber cable of various types. (e.g., stainless steel tube, tight buffer tube, star, etc.) is preferred
Experience with All-Dielectric Self-Supporting (ADSS) and other aerial fiber optic cables
Experience documenting fiber optic route information (traces, power levels, splice points, etc.)
Experience installing and maintaining ancillary equipment (alarm systems, DC/AC power systems, etc.) is preferred
General Requirements:
Annual Department of Transportation (DOT) physical exam
Valid US drivers license
Ability to tow a trailer up to 10,000 lbs
Ability to drive long distances, walk on uneven surfaces, climb ladders, work at heights of 50 feet or less, and carry at least 50 lbs.
- Support fiber infrastructure across the state of Georgia, requiring regular overnight travel
24x7 365 “on-call” support
Telecom Field Operations Fiber Technician
JOB SUMMARY:
The Telecom Field Operations Fiber Technician is responsible for project and operational support of Southern Company’s outside plant (OSP) and campus fiber infrastructure. This role supports critical optical transport systems, including DWDM, GPON, MPLS, SEL-ICON, and SCADA networks. Work is performed in accordance with established standards, service-level expectations, operational procedures, and applicable work agreements to ensure safe, consistent, and high-quality service delivery.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education & Experience:
- A two-year advanced education degree (college/technical/vocational certification) in a technology field, telecommunications field, equivalent military training, or 5 years equivalent hands-on experience in a technology or a fiber optic field is required.
- Fundamental understanding of various types of fiber optic cable, installation practices, installation materials, and testing equipment.
- Fundamental understanding of various optical network topologies, e.g., general telecommunications, DWDM, GPON, MPLS, SEL-ICON and SCADA and how they operate.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license is preferred.
General Competencies:
- Maintain a “safety first” mindset and foster a positive safety culture
- Exhibit Southern Company’s Core Values (Safety First, Unquestionable Trust, Superior Performance, and Total Commitment)
- Work independently with minimal supervision, be a self-starter, and demonstrate excellent communication and time management skills.
- Collaborate and coordinate contractors and/or vendors associated with the Field Operation function as appropriate.
- Work with internal business partners, vendors, contractors, and other Technology Organization (TO) groups related to projects and operational support.
- Understand and adhere to all Southern Company billing and performance processes and procedures.
- Maintain accurate documentation and equipment inventories for assigned jobs.
Ability to work extended hours during emergency restoration.
Technical Competencies
- Responsible for the project and operational support of Southern Company’s outside plant (OSP) fiber, campus fiber, and optical transport networks
- Ability to logically troubleshoot and repair fiber optic infrastructure along with all associated peripheral hardware (line hardware, distribution panels, splice enclosures, patch cables, etc.)
Proficient in single/ribbon splicing and terminating single-mode and multi-mode fiber optic cables
Proficient in reading, testing, and documenting using an Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer (OTDR)
Fundamental understanding of CD (Chromatic Dispersion) and PMD (Polarization Mode Dispersion) and bi-directional fiber optic testing is preferred
Experience with Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) fiber cable of various types. (e.g., stainless steel tube, tight buffer tube, star, etc.) is preferred
Experience with All-Dielectric Self-Supporting (ADSS) and other aerial fiber optic cables
Experience documenting fiber optic route information (traces, power levels, splice points, etc.)
Experience installing and maintaining ancillary equipment (alarm systems, DC/AC power systems, etc.) is preferred
General Requirements:
Annual Department of Transportation (DOT) physical exam
Valid US drivers license
Ability to tow a trailer up to 10,000 lbs
Ability to drive long distances, walk on uneven surfaces, climb ladders, work at heights of 50 feet or less, and carry at least 50 lbs.
- Support fiber infrastructure across the state of Georgia, requiring regular overnight travel
24x7 365 “on-call” support
About Southern Company
Southern Company is one of the largest energy providers in the United States. Based in Atlanta, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states, natural gas distribution utilities in seven states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America and a nationally recognized provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications.
The men and women who work at Southern Company understand that we don’t simply provide a product or service. Clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy is essential to our way of life. More than 100 years ago, our company played a major role in the growth and prosperity of the South – and we continue to play a role today through our support of economic development and our philanthropic efforts. We believe the communities we serve should be better off because we’re there.
Our principal business is to make, move and sell energy. Those are the “whats” of our business. But it’s the “hows” that make us different. The actions of our employees are what truly define us and have earned us a high level of trust among our customers, shareholders and regulators.