Aerial Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Location: In-Field: Phelan, CA.
Location Status: Work will be primarily performed at a designated field worksite location based out of a central Race Communications worksite. Frequent travel to and work from other Race offices or other off-site locations will be required.
100% Company-Paid Medical and Dental Benefits
Free Fiber Internet Service certain service areas
Comp: $24 to $26 per hour
5 Days/8 Hours
Who We Are:
We're more than a fiber internet provider, we're your neighbors, committed to connecting California communities since 1994. At Race, relationships matter as much as speed. We combine cutting-edge technology with a genuine, people-first approach that makes every interaction feel personal. Our team operates like family: collaborative, supportive, and dedicated to making a real difference. When you join Race, you're not just accepting a job, you're becoming part of a team that values integrity, celebrates wins together and believes that meaningful work happens when great people connect with great purpose.
Position Impact:
The Aerial Maintenance Technician serving as a primary responder for aerial access and support activities associated with the maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and restoration of aerial fiber optic network infrastructure. This role provides critical field support to fiber splicers and network maintenance personnel by operating and positioning bucket trucks, boom equipment, ladders, and other aerial access tools required to safely reach elevated network facilities. The technician assists with inspections, preventative maintenance, repairs, outage response, and restoration efforts throughout the outside plant (OSP) network, ensuring crews have safe and efficient access to aerial infrastructure. This position requires a working knowledge of aerial fiber optic systems, utility pole infrastructure, aerial access procedures, and safe work practices, along with the ability to work effectively as part of a team in time-sensitive environments. Participation in overtime, including nights, weekends, holidays and overnight travel, is expected to support maintenance activities, outage response, emergency restoration efforts, and network continuity. A commitment to safety, teamwork, quality workmanship, and accurate documentation is essential to success in this role.
Requirements
Qualifications and Experience:
• Eligibility for US Employment without sponsorship
• Minimum of 18 years of age
• High School Diploma or GED or equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred
• A valid California driver's license, subject to successful verification through a DMV check, is mandatory
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in aerial telecommunications construction, maintenance, or fiber optic network operations required
• Prior experience in the telecommunications industry required
• Experience working with aerial fiber optic cable systems, including cable placement, maintenance, repair, and restoration activities required
• Ability to safely operate bucket trucks, ladders, and other aerial access equipment required
• Working knowledge of fiber optic network infrastructure and basic fiber handling practices required
• Experience identifying, troubleshooting, and resolving aerial network faults and infrastructure issues required
• Familiarity with utility pole attachments, strand, anchors, guying, aerial hardware, and outside plant (OSP) construction practices required
• Ability to read and interpret network prints, construction drawings, and maintenance documentation preferred
• OSHA 10 certification preferred; training will be provided if needed
• Experience working in emergency restoration and outage response environments preferred
• Ability to work nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime, and travel overnight as needed to support emergency response, outage restoration, and urgent maintenance for 24/7 operations
• The ability to effectively communicate in English, including speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension, as necessary for effective job performance and workplace communication
• Proficiency in Spanish Language desirable
Skills:
• Proficient use of MS Office applications including Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; teleconferencing applications
• Functional use of common office equipment, computers, and office software
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Aerial Maintenance & Network Restoration Support
• Support the maintenance, inspection, troubleshooting, and repair of aerial fiber optic network infrastructure, working collaboratively to identify defects, resolve network issues, and restore service efficiency
• Utilize bucket trucks, ladders, climbing equipment, and other aerial access tools to safely access and maintain elevated network facilities
• Respond to damaged plant conditions caused by weather, accidents, construction activities, or equipment failures
• Assist with aerial cable replacements, emergency restorations, fiber cut repairs, and network recovery efforts to minimize service interruptions
• Read and interpret network maps, construction prints, maintenance records, and fiber route documentation to accurately locate and resolve network issues
• Prepare fiber cables, splice locations, and work areas for restoration activities and support splicing personnel as needed
• Conduct visual inspections of aerial facilities to identify potential maintenance concerns and ensure network integrity
Outage Response
• Respond to scheduled and unscheduled outages, including after-hours, weekends, holidays, and emergency restoration events as required
• Be available for emergency response, overtime work, and overnight travel when necessary
• Work under time-sensitive conditions to restore service safely and efficiently
• Coordinate with Maintenance Splice Technicians, OSP, NOC, Engineering, and Construction teams to prioritize and resolve outages
Quality Assurance & Network Integrity
• Ensure all maintenance and repair activities meet company standards, engineering specifications, and safety requirements
• Verify proper installation and condition of aerial cable, hardware, attachments, and restoration work following repairs
• Perform post-repair inspections to confirm network reliability and service continuity
• Maintain proper cable routing, slack storage, hardware installation, and overall aerial plant organization
Documentation & Reporting
• Document maintenance, inspection, outage, and restoration activities accurately and completely
• Update maps, prints, and system records to reflect repairs and infrastructure changes
• Complete required reports, time tracking, vehicle inspections, and production documentation accurately and on time
• Capture site photos and maintain clear records of work performed, damage assessments, and completed repairs
Equipment Operations and Site Maintenance:
• Climbs poles up to 40 feet and operates in bucket trucks with 32' plus ladders
• Manages deployment and removal of traffic control devices to ensure safety in work areas on streets or roadways
• Adheres to and operates within the weight capacity limits specified by manufacturers for equipment and machinery:
o Bucket Truck: 350-pound manufacturers maximum load capacity
o Ladders: 300-pound manufacturers maximum load capacity
Vehicle Maintenance and Travel:
• Maintains vehicle/equipment pre-op/post-op to be prepared to perform required duties
• Maintains a clean driving record as defined by the current fleet insurance underwriter
• Spends a significant portion of the workday traveling in a vehicle visiting various locations and spending time both indoors and outdoors including businesses and/or residents depending on the nature of the job
• Overtime, nights, and weekends may be required
Safety Protocols:
• Adheres to safety protocols and guidelines outlined in the Race employee handbook and job description to promote a safe work environment
Additional duties as required.
Benefits
Why Join Our Team:

• Join a tight-knit crew-no faceless corporation vibes here
• Growth potential: promotions and new challenges are part of our DNA
• Competitive base salary
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: 100% company-paid medical and dental insurance (starting the 1st of the month following your start date), PTO (vacation, sick), 11 paid holidays, paid birthdays, 401k matching (4%)
• Free fiber internet service for all employees living in our service area
• A culture built on integrity, mutual respect, and a shared purpose

Call to Action:
Let's chat. If you're ready to move forward, click "Apply" below, our team can't wait to meet you.