Tower Technician

Climb poles and ladders, use truck-mounted booms, and enter areas such as manholes and cable vaults to install, maintain, or inspect equipment.

Run wires between components and to outside cable systems, connecting them to wires from telephone poles or underground cable accesses.

Review manufacturer's instructions, manuals, technical specifications, building permits, and ordinances to determine communication equipment requirements and procedures.

Remove and remake connections to change circuit layouts, following work orders or diagrams.

Repair or replace faulty equipment such as defective and damaged telephones, wires, switching system components, and associated equipment.

Request support from technical service centers when on-site procedures fail to solve installation or maintenance problems.

Demonstrate equipment to customers and explain how it is to be used, and respond to any inquiries or complaints.

Program computerized switches and switchboards to provide requested features.

Collaborate with other workers to locate and correct malfunctions.

Note differences in wire and cable colors so that work can be performed correctly.

Assemble and install communication equipment such as data and telephone communication lines, wiring, switching equipment, wiring frames, power apparatus, computer systems, and networks.

Test connections to ensure that power supplies are adequate and that communications links function.

Enter codes needed to correct electronic switching system programming.

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.

Remove and replace plug-in circuit equipment.

Maintain computer and manual records pertaining to facilities and equipment.

Place intercept circuits on terminals to handle vacant lines in central office installations.

Provide input into the design and manufacturing of new equipment.

Analyze test readings, computer printouts, and trouble reports to determine equipment repair needs and required repair methods.

Refer to manufacturers' manuals to obtain maintenance instructions pertaining to specific malfunctions.

Test circuits and components of malfunctioning telecommunications equipment to isolate sources of malfunctions, using test meters, circuit diagrams, polarity probes, and other hand tools.

Drive crew trucks to and from work areas.

Inspect equipment on a regular basis to ensure proper functioning.

Install updated software, and programs that maintain existing software or provide requested features such as time-correlated call routing.

Remove loose wires and other debris after work is completed.

Determine viability of sites through observation, and discuss site locations and construction requirements with customers.

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.

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.

Test repaired, newly installed, or updated equipment to ensure that it functions properly and conforms to specifications, using test equipment and observation.

Clean and maintain tools, test equipment, and motor vehicles.

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.

Dig holes or trenches as necessary for equipment installation and access.

Diagnose and correct problems from remote locations, using special switchboards to find the sources of problems.

Examine telephone transmission facilities to determine requirements for new or additional telephone services.

Clean switches and replace contact points, using vacuum hoses, solvents, and hand tools.