Telecommunications Equipment Installer

Working Schedule

• Telecommunications Equipment Installers may work outside or travel to residences to work inside homes or rooftops. They may offer round-the-clock response times, depending on the employer. 
• Some telecom techs stay indoors, performing duties in central offices or headends, with night, early morning, or holiday shifts possible. 

Typical Duties

• Install equipment and components in homes and offices, including buildings that may be under construction
• Set up, inspect, calibrate, test, and repair or replace routing equipment, wiring, and phone jacks
• Clean and lube equipment to keep it in good operational order
• Review blueprints and work instructions; run cables or wiring
• Refer to technical manuals as needed
• Work with various hand tools and diagnostic equipment 
• Climb ladders to access rooftop equipment 
• Work with customers to explain products and services
• Travel to various job sites (especially for residential installers)
• Collaborate with peers to identify and fix issues

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain records of work performed, including installations, maintenance, and repair work, as well as associated costs for parts
• Train ends users on operation, as needed
• Inspect and maintain work vehicle
• Install computer programs

Soft Skills

• Ability to work independently
• Attention-to-detail
• Critical thinking
• Customer service orientation
• Good communication skills 
• Good hand-eye coordination
• Normal color vision
• Organized and methodical workmanship
• Sound judgment and decision-making
• Troubleshooting

Technical Skills

• General familiarity with computers (PC or Apple)
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and Macintosh software
• Repair and installation skills
• Quality control analysis
• Fluke ClearSight Analyzer or Fluke Networks TechAdvisor Field Access System
• Communications server software such as IBM Domino
• Database user interface and query software 
• Industrial control software such as SCADA
• Internet protocol IP multimedia subsystem software 
• Use of hand tools, such as wrenches, cable splicers, circuit testers, pliers, hex keys, scissors, screwdrivers, multimeters, stripping tools, tape measures, utility knives, wire cutters, and test sets

• Telecommunications companies
• Electrical contractors    
• Other technical service providers
• Cable networks

The life of a Telecommunications Equipment Installer isn’t always as glamorous as it sounds! Techs might have to climb, crouch, or crawl to access hard-to-reach areas. Once they get to those areas, they may have to take safety precautions to avoid injuries, such as electrical shock. At times they’ll need to move things around to gain access. 
 
Because of the proximity to powered equipment and the need to work at heights sometimes, this field is exposed to higher than average risks of physical injury. Indeed, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it has one of the highest rates of injuries out of all occupations.  However, with proper training, precautions, and personal protective gear, workers are able to stay safe. 
 
Another sacrifice is time. Some employers provide 24/7 availability for residential services. Headends and central offices might need employees to work shifts, holidays, or weekends. If you’re looking for a standard 8-5 job, this may not be the best fit! 

The telecommunication industry is changing, with wireless and mobile services replacing older, less efficient technologies. As a result, the demand is shifting and also shrinking, as newer tech requires less time to install. It’s predicted that workers in this sector should beef up their credentials with an associate’s degree or higher, in order to stay competitive as older workers leave and companies hire fewer people to replace them. 
 
For example, many residential cable providers simply mail customers a do-it-yourself kit instead of sending a technician out on the job. The Bureau of Labor Statistics points to a -3% decline in job growth in the coming years, compared to the national 4% average increase for other jobs. The key to staying relevant is to learn about current technology and systems while staying flexible enough to adapt as those change in the future, too! 

Telecommunications Equipment Installers often enter the field after learning about it from a friend or family member. Many served in the military and received training that they put to use later as civilians. In general, employees in this field enjoy working with their hands and troubleshooting problems. They may have been inquisitive as kids, content to spend time digging into topics related to science and technology. To succeed in telecom, they need patience and the ability to read and understand relatively complicated texts, which are skills often learned at an early age.