Network Construction Technician

Salary

$39.87 - $48.45 Hourly

Location

Tacoma, WA

Job Type

Classified

Job Number

5540-24

Department

Power

Division

Power - T&D

Opening Date

09/17/2024

Closing Date

10/1/2024 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

Position Description

Tacoma Public Utilities is establishing an eligible list for Network Construction Technician which will be used to fill vacancies for one year.

Network Construction Technician's build, install, activate and maintain aerial and underground hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) systems. Ensure workmanship is completed to standards and specifications and construction and safety guidelines.

Responsibilities Include:

• Ensure all work is completed within construction and safety guidelines and specifications

• Ensure proper placement and location of HFC systems in the rights-of way and on private property; assist in ensuring the integrity of the system

• Operate construction equipment associated with major utility construction activities

• Operate a variety of office, test, and construction equipment

• Work in conjunction with other utilities and contractors

• Operate spectrum analyzer, field strength meter, DDM, sweep frequency response equipment, optical power meter, fiber splicer, optical domain reflectometer, cable locator, digital modulation meters, and Time Domain Reflectometers (TDR)

• Coordinate with contractors to facilitate construction and installation projects and to adjust project plans as necessary following inspections; account for contract bid items in preparation of payment to contractors

• Build and maintain aerial and underground telecommunications system

• Perform underground wire placement and aerial to underground system conversions

• Troubleshoot problems in the optical transmission network using specialized optical test equipment

• Prepare reports documenting fiber loss, system performance, and OTDR test documents

• Respond to and correct signal outages, plant damage during normal business hours and outside of normal hours when assigned to a rotational standby status

Qualifications

An equivalent combination to:

Graduation from high school supplemented by a minimum of three years telecommunications construction experience within the last five years

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Valid Washington State Driver's License at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter

• Obtain a Class "A" Commercial Driver License prior to competition of probation and maintain thereafter

• Obtain a valid First Aid/ CPR card and Washington State Flagging card before completion of probation and maintain thereafter

• Complete Fiber Optics 1-2-3 training and obtain Electronics Technicians Association (ETA) certification within 12 months of hire with maintenance thereafter

Knowledge & Skills

• Construction specifications and plans

• Applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures

• Record-keeping techniques

• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy

• Aerial telecommunication plant design; utility construction; tool functions and maintenance; and aerial splicing and activation, sweep and certification

• Underground telecommunication plant design; utility construction; and splicing and activation, and sweep and certification

• Perform aerial construction including installing coax and fiber optic cables

• Perform backhoe trenching, rock-saw trenching, chain trenching and plowing for underground construction

• Operate assigned construction equipment

• Utilize hand tools to install connectors, fasteners and wire

• Communicate professionally orally and in writing

• Perform basic algebra

• Plan, organize, and execute work

• Work independently with little direction

• Meet schedules and time lines.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

This recruitment is being managed by Elise Drennen, if you would like to be notified of similar opportunities or stay connected with things going on at Tacoma Public Utilities and the City of Tacoma, connect with me on LinkedIn! (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alissanoland/)

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:

• Subject to carrying and lifting loads up to 70 pounds.

• Subject to bending, twisting, sitting and physical exertion for extended periods.

• Subject to performing tasks while sitting at a desk or in a vehicle for extended periods of time.

• Subject to working outdoors in all weather conditions.

• Subject to climbing ladders, towers, poles and other structures as needed.

• Incumbents in this classification will be exposed to working in high traffic areas around heavy equipment and may be required to work over rugged terrain.

Apply

All interested individuals must apply online and attach a resume and cover letter that includes major responsibilities and accomplishments related to the position.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their supplemental question responses reviewed by a panel of subject matter experts as part of the civil service examination. Applicants who pass the examination will be placed on the eligible list for interview and hiring consideration. Part of the interview process may include a practical test.

Appointment is subject to passing a background check and will include a pre-employment medical examination and drug screen. This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the City of Tacoma and Local 483. New employees must successfully complete a nine-month probationary period prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:

We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from cityoftacoma.org and/or neogov.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.

For assistance with the NEOGOV application process, questions regarding this job announcement, or if you are experiencing complications while applying, please contact the Human Resources office at 253-591-5400 by 4:00 pm of the closing date of the job announcement. This will allow time to assist you before the job announcement closes. (For technical difficulties using the NeoGov system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time.)

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

01

Responses to supplemental questions must be original content created by the applicant using their own words. The use of online tools or resources to create responses, such as Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT, etc.), Google, Bing, etc., or plagiarism in any form, is considered cheating and falsification of the application. I understand that any form of cheating or falsification will disqualify my application for further consideration.

• Yes

• No

  02

  Did you graduate from high school or do you have an equivalent education such as a GED?

• Yes

• No

  03

  Do you have three years of telecommunications construction experience within the last five years?

• Yes

• No

  04

  Do you have a valid Washington State Driver's License or ability to obtain one by time of appointment?

• Yes

• No

  05

  Please indicate in which of the following areas you have professional work experience. Check all that apply:

• Five (5) or more years of telecommunications construction experience

• Perform aerial construction including installing coax and fiber optic cables

• Fiber splicing

• Building and maintaining underground hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) systems

• Coordinate with contractors to facilitate construction and installation projects

• Working with Construction specifications and plans

• Aerial telecommunication plant design

• Splicing and activation, and sweep and certification

• Perform backhoe trenching, rock-saw trenching, chain trenching and plowing for underground construction

• Performing basic algebra

• None of the above

  06

  INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING TEST:

  Questions #7-9 are the experience and training test that will be used to establish the eligibility list. These questions will be scored by subject matter experts who will not have access to any of your application materials, and will provide scores based solely upon your answers to the questions. Your answers must stand on their own merit. DO NOT RESPOND WITH "SEE RESUME" in lieu of answering this question, as raters will not have access to your resume or application and this will result in a score of 0 points and you will fail the test. Your score on the experience and training test will ONLY reflect your response to the questions asked.

Please indicate "Yes" that you have read and understand the instructions for questions #7-9.

• Yes

• No

  07

  Describe in detail your aerial telecommunications field experience performing the following tasks: a. Strand placement b. Cable lashing c. Coaxial cable placement d. Fiber cable placement e. Pole transfers

  08

  Describe in detail your underground telecommunications field experience performing the following tasks: a. Backhoe trenching b. Chain trenching c. Boring d. Cable pulling e. Conduit placement

  09

  Describe in detail your fiber field experience with the following tasks and equipment. a. Ribbon fiber splicing, prep tools, cleaver, jacket stripper etc. b. Loose tube fiber splicing, prep tools, cleaver, jacket stripper etc. c. Fiber test launch box d. (OTDR) Optical Time Domain Reflectometer e. Ribbonizing of loose tube fiber f. Armor cable prep g. Emergency fiber restoration and fault troubleshooting

  10

  One of the City's Principles that guides us is Equity. Describe what equity means to you and describe an experience you have working with diverse groups of people.

  11

  Please tell us how you first learned about this job opening.

• Job Interest Card notification

• Internet search

• Professional organization

• Military organization

• Union job posting

• City of Tacoma employee

• Online job board posting

• Word of mouth

• LinkedIn

• SEED

• TTEP (Tacoma Training and Education Program)

• Indeed

• Facebook

• Instagram

• Government Jobs

• NWPPA

• Outreach Event

  12

  Please provide specific information regarding how you learned about this job opening. Thank you, your feedback will be used to evaluate our success reaching the public and refine our methods for future job postings.

  Required Question

Agency

City of Tacoma

Address

Human Resources Department 747 Market Street Tacoma, Washington, 98402-3764

Phone

253-591-5400

Website

http://www.cityoftacoma.org

Apply

Please verify your email address Verify Email