Fiber Technician I/II

Position Description

Objective: BARC Connects is a customer-focused Internet, voice, and video service provider based in Lexington, VA. We are building a world-class fiber network and have an immediate need for an experienced fiber technician to join our growing team. BARC Connects is owned by BARC Electric Cooperative, a not-for-profit electric cooperative whose sole mission is to improve the quality of life in the community it serves.

The ideal candidate will have experience in (1) the maintenance of both aerial and underground fiber optic cable, (2) use of bucket trucks and experience with pole climbing, (3) splicing, and (4) service testing and problem resolution. BARC reserves the right to waive requirements at its discretion.

Primary Responsibilities

• Use a fusion splicer to splice fiber-optic cable.
• Read, interpret, and update splice diagrams, maps and construction prints.
• Perform aerial and underground construction and maintenance activities.
• Use fiber-optic test equipment, including a power meter and OTDR.
• Troubleshoot damaged fiber.
• Work from heights, including pole, ladder, and bucket truck.
• Respond to trouble tickets.
• Perform indoor fiber installation and deploy ONTs at customer premises.
• Perform various tests following installation to validate all services are working as expected.
• Oversees crew assignments including daily work assignments, path determination and communication with the crew, customer, and public.
• Design and run moderately complex queries and reports defined to pull data from graphical and non-graphical databases.
• Ability to handle, instruct, or oversee daily work components including: o Operating a fiber blower, pulling cable, operating various equipment to install fiber optic cable, and other means of pneumatic construction.
• Work in inclement weather.
• Be available for on-call duties as required. o Perform underground locates for BARC-owned electric and fiber optic cables; and o Perform any other duties assigned to provide top-notch customer service.

Education:

• High School or GED equivalent
• Some college or post high school education preferred.

Experience:

• Two to four (2 – 4) years of practical, hands-on experience with aerial and underground fiber builds, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair
• Demonstrated knowledge of how to use OTDR, fusion splicer, and power meter equipment.
• Previous experience extending fiber from outside NID to indoor customer premises.
• Previous experience with patch panel/rack management and fiber connector preparation
• Previous experience working with GPON technology, preferably Calix.
• Previous experience working from a bucket truck.
• Previous experience climbing poles to perform construction and/or maintenance activities.
• Previous experience locating electric and/or fiber optic underground cables.

Additional Information:

• Must be in good physical condition.
• Must be able to pass pre-employment screening that includes background and drug testing.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must have a demonstrated history of operating company vehicles safely.
• May be required to work long and unpredictable hours, including work after normal business hours in the event physical restoration of fiber plant is needed.
• Position requires working outdoors in all types of weather and terrain.
• Good interpersonal skills as this position will regularly interface with both residential and commercial customers for new installation and problem resolution.

Preferred Training:

• Procedures to be followed in emergency situations.
• First aid training, including instruction in artificial respiration.
• Bucket truck operation.
• Bucket truck rescue; and
• Proper use of fall restraint equipment.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination in employment because of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Federal law also prohibits other types of discrimination such as age, citizenship, disability, veteran status, attainment of benefits, and participation in union activities. The laws of most states and many localities also prohibit some or all of the above types of discrimination as well as some additional types including, but not limited to, discrimination based upon ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, or source of income. The Fair Credit Reporting Act imposes restriction with respect to credit data. This list, however, is not exhaustive of the grounds on which discrimination is prohibited.