Appalachian Electric Cooperative (AEC) provides electric service to 50,000 members in East Tennessee. We own and maintain an electric distribution system that covers 600 square miles in parts of Grainger, Hamblen, Hawkins, Jefferson, and Sevier counties.
We currently have an opportunity for an Outside Plant Technician position in our New Market, Tennessee office. The Outside Plant Technician is responsible for the effective installation, troubleshooting, repair and maintenance of fiber to the x (FTTx) outside plant including but not limited to fiber optic cables, drop cables, optical splitters, and associated equipment.
AEC offers a competitive salary and benefits plan including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, short and long term disability, paid parental leave, 401k and a company funded pension plan. Benefits eligibility is first of the month following 30 days of employment.
Appalachian Electric Cooperative is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
AEC IS A TENNESSEE DRUG FREE WORKPLACE
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Perform all necessary activities in the installation, maintenance, repair and ongoing operations of the outside fiber plant used to deliver residential and commercial services
Scope jobs for direct installation, maintenance, and repair of residential and commercial accounts and fiber plant extensions
Provide timely and courteous service and communication to members, coworkers and the general public
Interface effectively with other AEC departments
Properly use and maintain all trucks, tools and equipment
Understand, communicate and comply with company policies, safety policies, rules and regulations
Understand and utilize necessary safety and protective equipment
Mandatory on-call duty with overtime and on-call shift rotations are required
Perform all duties in accordance with established safety practices
Performs other duties as directed
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
High school diploma or equivalent required with additional training in electronics, engineering, networking or telecommunications preferred
Have or acquire the skills and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed live parts from other parts of electric equipment, determine the nominal voltage of exposed live parts, and the clearance distances
Strong working knowledge of OTDR operation and testing, light testing, fiber troubleshooting and fiber plant design
Able to splice fiber using industry standards
Have or acquire an effective knowledge of office procedures, practices and equipment
Have or acquire necessary certifications and training required for the safe and proficient installation of fiber and wireless RF services and related equipment
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS
Must hold a valid Tennessee Driver's License with an insurable driving record
Certification through the Electronics Technicians Association (ETA) as a Fiber Optics Installer (ETA FOI) and a Fiber Optics Technician – Outside Plant (ETA FOT-OSP) or ability to become certified within 12 months
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Available for overtime as required including assisting outside of normal work hours during emergency or outage situations
Must be able to climb poles with hooks if required, and effectively operate bucket truck and related equipment
Must be able to acquire and maintain any certifications required for operating fiber equipment, or working on aerial and buried fiber optic cable
Ability to work independently and in a team environment
Availability for occasional overnight travel for training and meetings
Ability to legibly write routine reports and correspondence
Ability to speak effectively and clearly to members and employees of the Cooperative
Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form
Proficient with computers and software complete paperwork including but not limited to, Microsoft Office, time and attendance systems, maintenance tasks, installation and fiber documentation
Regular on time attendance is required
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The position requires regularly working outside in varying weather conditions with risk of electrical shock
Must be able to walk over uneven, steep and difficult terrain for distances of over one mile on a regular, recurring basis
Must be able to climb and work in high places
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:
stand, walk, climb, balance, sit, bend, stoop, kneel
use hands to finger, handle or feel
reach further than arm’s length, work below waist level, work above shoulder level
operate tools or machinery and operate motorized vehicle/equipment
Must be able to regularly lift, carry, push and/or pull up to 50 lbs.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally:
Required to lift, carry, push and/or pull over 100 lbs. with assistance
Exposed to moving parts
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud
Other
Full time residence must be within 45 minute response time of the Cooperative main office within 90 days of hire
Appalachian Electric Cooperative (AEC) provides electric service to 48,000 members in East Tennessee. We own and maintain an electric distribution system that covers 600 square miles in parts of Grainger, Hamblen, Hawkins, Jefferson, and Sevier counties.
AEC offers a competitive salary and benefits plan including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, short and long term disability, paid parental leave, 401k and a company funded pension plan. Benefits eligibility is first of the month following 30 days of employment.
Appalachian Electric Cooperative is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
AEC IS A TENNESSEE DRUG FREE WORKPLACE