Telecommunications Equipment Installers & Repairers
Install, set up, rearrange, or remove switching, distribution, routing, and dialing equipment used in central offices or headends. Service or repair telephone, cable television, Internet, and other communications equipment on customers' property. May install communications equipment or communications wiring in buildings.
Technology Tools
Key Tasks
- Demonstrate equipment to customers and explain its use, responding to any inquiries or complaints.
- Test circuits and components of malfunctioning telecommunications equipment to isolate sources of malfunctions, using test meters, circuit diagrams, polarity probes, and other hand tools.
- Test repaired, newly installed, or updated equipment to ensure that it functions properly and conforms to specifications, using test equipment and observation.
- Climb poles and ladders, use truck-mounted booms, and enter areas such as manholes and cable vaults to install, maintain, or inspect equipment.
- Assemble and install communication equipment such as data and telephone communication lines, wiring, switching equipment, wiring frames, power apparatus, computer systems, and networks.
- Run wires between components and to outside cable systems, connecting them to wires from telephone poles or underground cable accesses.
- Drive crew trucks to and from work areas.
- Note differences in wire and cable colors so that work can be performed correctly.
- Inspect equipment on a regular basis to ensure proper functioning.
- Test connections to ensure that power supplies are adequate and that communications links function.
- Collaborate with other workers to locate and correct malfunctions.
- Remove loose wires and other debris after work is completed.
- Repair or replace faulty equipment, such as defective and damaged telephones, wires, switching system components, and associated equipment.
- Maintain computer and manual records pertaining to facilities and equipment.
- Route and connect cables and lines to switches, switchboard equipment, and distributing frames, using wire-wrap guns or soldering irons to connect wires to terminals.
- Communicate with bases, using telephones or two-way radios to receive instructions or technical advice, or to report equipment status.
- Designate cables available for use.
- Remove and remake connections to change circuit layouts, following work orders or diagrams.
- Diagnose and correct problems from remote locations, using special switchboards to find the sources of problems.
- Clean and maintain tools, test equipment, and motor vehicles.
- Perform database verifications, using computers.
- Request support from technical service centers when on-site procedures fail to solve installation or maintenance problems.
- Program computerized switches and switchboards to provide requested features.
- Enter codes needed to correct electronic switching system programming.
- Examine telephone transmission facilities to determine requirements for new or additional telephone services.
- Analyze test readings, computer printouts, and trouble reports to determine equipment repair needs and required repair methods.
- Measure distances from landmarks to identify exact installation sites for equipment.
- Install updated software and programs that maintain existing software or provide requested features, such as time-correlated call routing.
- Perform routine maintenance on equipment, including adjusting and lubricating components and painting worn or exposed areas.
- Adjust or modify equipment to enhance equipment performance or to respond to customer requests.
- Determine viability of sites through observation, and discuss site locations and construction requirements with customers.
- Remove and replace plug-in circuit equipment.
- Refer to manufacturers' manuals to obtain maintenance instructions pertaining to specific malfunctions.
- Install telephone station equipment, such as intercommunication systems, transmitters, receivers, relays, and ringers, and related apparatus, such as coin collectors, telephone booths, and switching-key equipment.
- Dig holes or trenches as necessary for equipment installation and access.
- Review manufacturer's instructions, manuals, technical specifications, building permits, and ordinances to determine communication equipment requirements and procedures.
- Clean switches and replace contact points, using vacuum hoses, solvents, and hand tools.
- Provide input into the design and manufacturing of new equipment.
- Address special issues or situations, such as illegal or unauthorized use of equipment, or cases of electrical or acoustic shock.
Skills
Knowledge
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Abilities
Work Activities
Work Context
How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?
94%
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?
93%
Frequency of Decision Making
How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
92%
Telephone Conversations
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
92%
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
89%
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
87%
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
84%
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
83%
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?
82%
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?
81%
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
79%
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
79%
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
78%
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?
77%
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
72%
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?
72%
Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
71%
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?
70%
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?
69%
Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions
How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?
69%
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
69%
Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
67%
Spend Time Standing
How much does this job require standing?
64%
Physical Proximity
To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?
62%
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
61%
Duration of Typical Work Week
Number of hours typically worked in one week.
60%
Exposed to High Places
How often does this job require exposure to high places?
59%
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?
58%
Health and Safety of Other Workers
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
57%
Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People
How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
56%
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
55%
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?
52%
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
51%
Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body
How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
51%
Conflict Situations
How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
50%
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?
50%
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?
47%
Spend Time Walking or Running
How much does this job require walking or running?
46%
Written Letters and Memos
How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?
45%
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
44%
Level of Competition
To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
44%
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?
43%
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?
42%
Consequence of Error
How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?
41%
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
40%
Outdoors, Under Cover
How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?
37%
Spend Time Sitting
How much does this job require sitting?
36%
In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment
How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?
31%
Exposed to Disease or Infections
How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
22%
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?
19%
Public Speaking
How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?
18%
Degree of Automation
How automated is the job?
17%
Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People
How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?
10%
Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?
10%
Work Schedules
How regular are the work schedules for this job?
9%
Exposed to Radiation
How often does this job require exposure to radiation?
3%
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
3%
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Post-secondary certificate
Interests
Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f
Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis
Artistic
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,
Work Styles
Work Values
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