What is a Telecommunications Technician?
A telecommunications technician is expected to be able to service and install telecommunication systems. Oftentimes, telecommunications technicians may work as either a contractor or under companies that specialize in telecommunication servicing. A telecommunications technician is usually tasked with setting up and managing local area networks, setting up and updating phones and fax machines, and upgrading old and expiring equipment when new updates become available. A telecommunications technician can be beneficial to any company with large computer networks that relies on these for communication.
Although telecommunications technicians work in most office environments, these technicians will usually travel between the office or network locations in order to fully service the network. Technicians must be analytical, able to work with and troubleshoot networking issues, and able to communicate with office workers and superiors. Oftentimes, it is beneficial to hire a telecommunications technician with previous experience or who has the latest certifications for their position.
Are you a job seeker?
Browse our
comprehensive list
of job openings and
apply online
Average Salary and Compensation
Telecommunications technician salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. To explore salary ranges by local market, please visit our sister site zengig.com.
The average U.S. salary for a Telecommunications Technician is:
$55,700
How to Hire a Telecommunications Technician
When hiring a telecommunications technician, first consider the following:
- Recruiting: Do you have the knowledge, tools, and resources to attract and screen candidates?
- Complexity: Do you need a senior professional, or will mid or junior-level skills and experience suffice?
- Duration: Is this a one-time project or an ongoing need?
- Management: Do you have the time and expertise to direct the work effectively?
- Urgency: How soon does the work need to be completed?
- Headcount: Do you have the budget and approval for an internal employee, or should you consider alternate options?
Answering these questions will help determine the best course of action for your current hiring need. Fortunately, great options exist for every scenario. These are our recommendations:
1. Use 4 Corner Resources (or another professional recruiting firm)
The heavy lifting is done for you when working with a top-tier staffing company like 4 Corner Resources. We source, screen, recruit, and deliver only the most qualified candidate(s), saving you significant time and effort throughout the hiring process while you remain focused on your core business. Understanding your needs and ensuring the right candidate for the position is the key to our success.
This is the best route to take when:
- You need to fill the position quickly
- You want access to a vast talent pool of high-quality, prescreened candidates
- You intend to hire on a temporary, contract, or contract-to-hire basis and direct the work activity
- You are hiring a direct employee but aren’t able to recruit effectively or efficiently with your internal staff
- You aren’t familiar with current salary rates, market trends, and available skill sets
2. Advertise your opening on a top job board
Your best option may be to advertise your opening on a proven job board. There are many widely used job sites out there that draw visits from qualified candidates. If you have someone internally who can dedicate the time and energy to sort through applications and screen individuals effectively, this can be a great choice.
We recommend using a job board when:
- Your internal recruiting team has the knowledge and experience to assess candidate qualifications
- You are hiring a direct employee and have time to manage the entire recruiting effort
- You have a process for receiving, screening, and tracking all resumes and applications
- You are prepared to respond to all applicants
There are many career sites out there. Here are the two we recommend for a telecommunications administrator opening:
CareerBuilder
CareerBuilder has been a trusted source for hiring since 1995. Reach 80+ million unique, diverse U.S. job seekers annually by posting your jobs through their talent acquisition channels. Through CareerBuilder, you can engage candidates and drive them into your sourcing pipeline. We recommend using CareerBuilder for hiring when you have the internal resources and processes to review, screen, and reply to all applicants.
LinkedIn is a social network for job seekers, professionals, and businesses. With this popular job site, you can enhance your brand and advertise your open position to a wide audience of motivated, qualified candidates. Job postings on LinkedIn are also extremely streamlined and user-friendly, making it even easier for candidates to apply. Additionally, applicants can use their LinkedIn profile instead of a resume to expedite the process.
3. Leverage your internal resources
You can utilize your own website, social media, and employees to assist in your search for top candidates.
A company website posting should be the first step in notifying prospective candidates that you are hiring. Social media can also be a powerful tool for spreading the word about your new opening. As far as exposure is concerned, this option can be as good as some job boards when you have a large enough following across various platforms, like LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter.
Current employees are every organization’s greatest asset. Encourage your internal team to promote job openings to their network by offering cash and other incentives.
We recommend these options when:
- Your brand has great name recognition
- You can consistently monitor and respond to candidate activity through your website and social media accounts
- You have a process in place to quickly and broadly communicate job openings and requirements
- You have an effective employee referral program in place
If you aren’t sure which path is best, schedule a discovery call today with our seasoned recruiting professionals. The 4 Corner team is on standby to help you find the best option for your unique hiring need.
Sample Job Descriptions
Example 1
ABC Company is a leading utility construction firm providing critical infrastructure for the Power, Communications, Oil & Gas Pipeline, and Gas Distribution markets throughout North America. ABC Company is seeking multiple Technicians to join our team working out of our (City, State) office.
While working under the direction of the Foreman or Team Lead, the Technician provides leadership and training to installers and junior technicians. Must rely upon experience and good judgment to plan and accomplish daily and weekly milestones.
Duties and responsibilities
Primarily responsible for maintaining job site productivity, ensuring high quality workmanship, and ensuring a safe work environment. Installation of structured cabling systems including all aspects of the installation process.
- Perform system testing and troubleshooting as required
- Mentors installers to complete their tasks and responsibilities
- May work and direct a crew of 2-4 installers or junior crew members
- Embrace ABC Company’s safety culture by following safe work practices and policies
- Able to read and interpret drawings, floor plans, specifications, and cut sheets
- Maintain compliance with customers’ security requirement ensuring junior team members comply
- Solid team player exhibits a positive attitude, high attention to detail, and the ability to meet deadlines
- Ability to listen carefully and follow instructions and make recommendations
- Proactively manage job site organization and housekeeping
- Assist with other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- 2-4 years of structured cabling experience required
- Fiber optic cabling experience preferred/not required
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Outlook applications a plus
- BICSI Certification a plus
- Industry Certifications a plus. (i.e. CommScope, Hilti, Panduit, etc.)
- Must be able to stoop, kneel, or crouch
- Must be able to climb ladders and perform the necessary work while on the ladder
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs. and carry 25 lbs.
- Must have own tools
- Occasional overtime and out of town travel may be required
- Ability to travel to multiple locations within the (City) area
- No relocation provided, local candidates only
Example 2
Position overview:
ABC Technology Solutions is a division within ABC Company, one of the fastest growing, turnkey, utility construction contractors in the telecom industry. ABC Company provides a diverse set of technology services including AV, Collaboration, Connectivity, Infrastructure, MiCiv, and MSP. We recognize our PEOPLE as our greatest asset ensuring that their Safety is our number one priority. Our culture is values driven, performance-based, and team focused. We devote ourselves to delivering results for our clients and giving back to our community.
The Layer 1installation group of ABC Company provides implementation, and support services for partners and clients ranging from Small to Fortune 100, including government and military branches. ABC Company’s relationship with the customer are either direct or on behalf of strategic partners. The group supports all aspects of Rack and Stack, Small Wireless Surveys to include Active, Passive, and Validation.
Roles and responsibilities:
- Perform Inside Plant Operations including, but no limited to, Lace cable, test/certify copper, terminate mechanical fiber, install conduit, layout cable paths, etc.
- Interpret and understand installation blueprints, resolve drawing issues when needed
- Properly mount displays
- Basic understanding of bonding and grounding racks
- Perform the addition or removal of energized equipment
- Test/Certify Copper utilizing various testing equipment and technologies
- Provide assignments, technical support, and leadership to technicians on site
- Troubleshoot Network issues
Success factors:
- A strong belief in ZERO- Being Safe 100% of the time is the expectation
- Alignment with company mission, vision, and values
- A high level of customer centricity
- Strong work ethic with an ALL IN attitude
- Strong team player with the ability to adapt to diverse team members
- Ability to perform in a fast paced/high volume environment
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Exceptional Critical Thinking skills
- Detail Oriented- a high level of attention to detail is required
- A high level of time management, accountability, and prioritization skills
- Self-motivated, goal- oriented, and driven to accomplish department goals
- Ability to be organized, problem solve, and be solution oriented
- Experience with CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ (preferred)
Work environment:
- This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers, projectors, copy/fax, and smartphones
- Must be able to work in a variety of physical positions, including climbing, sitting, standing, walking, and driving
- May be exposed to uncomfortable or distracting sounds or noise levels on sites of projects being managed or coordinated
- When working on site, will be required to wear common protective of safety equipment, such as safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, and life jackets
Experience and education:
- 2-4 years in Layer 1
- High School Diploma or equivalent required
Example 3
Overview:
Function as a Comm Tech for ABC Company; installing new electrical systems and repairing existing electrical systems while maintaining compliance with national, state, and local electrical codes along with all ABC Company policies and procedures. Support activities at commercial, industrial, institutional and residential locations.
Duties and responsibilities:
- Establishes voice and data networks by running, pulling, terminating, and splicing cables
- Installing telecommunications equipment, routers, switches, multiplexors, cable trays, alarm, and and fire-suppression systems
- Building ironwork and ladder racks
- Establishing connections; programming features
- Establishing connections and integrations
- Following industry standards
Physical demands and work environment:
- Physical Demands: The employee may require the ability to do the following:
- Lift 50 lbs. from ground and pull 50 lbs. of force
- Perform ladder climbing, wire pulling and conduit pulling
- Fully squat, stoop or kneel while wearing a 25 pound tool belt
- Maintain a standing position for long periods of time while performing repetitive actions such as grasping or manipulating wires
- Work off of ladders, man lifts or reach booms
- Working Environment: While performing duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to:
- A variety of weather conditions including cold, snow, rain, heat, etc.
- High noise levels
Sample Interview Questions
- What would you do if you couldn’t locate replacement components for a necessary piece of equipment?
- How would you handle customers or clients with unreasonable timeframes or deadlines?
- What measures would you take to protect customers while conducting wiring work in a building?
- How do you generally keep up to date on technology in the telecommunication industry?
- Can you describe a time in which you made a costly or time consuming mistake? How did you recover and what was learned?
- How would you test a fiber optic cable?
- How would you test a fiber circuit?
- How would you test a wireless access point?
- How would you handle an angry customer?
- Can you give me the first few things you’d try to resolve a telephony issue with a customer?
- Can you explain VoIP?
- Can you explain a time you had to approach a problem with creative problem solving? What was the outcome?