Drop Technician Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative is seeking a Broadband Drop Technician.

Summary

The Broadband Drop Technician is responsible for safely constructing, installing, replacing, and maintaining aerial and underground fiber optic service drops for the Cooperative's fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) subsidiary. This position installs fiber drops from the distribution network to the exterior of homes and businesses, prepares locations for customer activation, and assists with basic service-related work as assigned.

The Broadband Drop Technician works closely with members and property owners to determine appropriate drop routes and equipment locations while protecting member property.

Core Competencies

• Must be supportive of Cooperative business concepts and principals.
• Must be of high integrity, dependable and professional.
• Punctual and conscientious about work hours and perform overtime when requested.  Communicate with supervisor when unable to work at the appointed time.
• Accept responsibility for the duties of your position.  Work diligently toward complete accurate work assignments.
• Develop the necessary skills and knowledge to perform the duties of the position.  Attend meetings and seminars as directed.
• Continually develop and recommend more efficient and effective ways of carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Review and abide by established policies and procedures of the Cooperative.
• Must have a high regard for the safety of themselves and others.  Promote safety in every activity and attend scheduled safety meetings as directed.  Become familiar with and abide by the PPEC safety rules and procedures.
• Must have the desire to work as part of a team and contribute to the high morale in the organization.  Promote teamwork through communication and cooperation.  Treat co-workers in a professional manner and consider the opinions and personal needs of others.
• Accept and adapt positively to changes in your position and within the Cooperative.  Develop a commitment to accept ongoing change.
• Be a positive influence within and outside the Cooperative.
• Support the Cooperative's mission by staying current with information to cultivate and positively project the Cooperative's philosophy.

Job Responsibilities

• Practices and maintains familiarity with Cooperative and departmental safety-related work practices, procedures, and requirements.
  • Uses required PPE and follows safe work-zone and traffic-control practices.
  • Inspects the work area, tools, and equipment before beginning work.
  • Stops work and reports unsafe conditions, damaged facilities, or unmarked utility conflicts.
• Installs aerial and underground fiber optic service drops from the distribution network to homes and businesses.
  • Reviews work orders, maps, staking information, locate markings, and property conditions before installation.
  • Determines a safe and practical route for the drop in accordance with Cooperative standards.
  • Installs, replaces, reroutes, and removes fiber drop cable as assigned.
  • Maintains required clearances, burial depth, bend radius, slack, support, and attachment standards.
  • Installs conduit, innerduct, pedestals, handholes, brackets, anchors, clamps, and related materials as assigned.
• Performs underground drop construction.
  • Operates trenchers, vibratory plows, boring equipment, and hand tools in a safe and responsible manner.
  • Hand digs when required near marked utilities, structures, landscaping, and other sensitive areas.
  • Buries or places fiber drop cable and conduit at the required depth and location.
  • Backfills, compacts, and restores disturbed areas to a safe and acceptable condition.
  • Reports utility conflicts, damaged facilities, blocked paths, or restoration concerns promptly.
• Performs aerial drop construction.
  • Installs and secures aerial fiber drops using approved attachments, clamps, and support hardware.
  • Maintains required separation and clearance from electric, communications, roads, driveways, and structures.
  • Uses ladders and bucket trucks in accordance with training and Cooperative safety requirements.
  • May climb poles only after receiving appropriate training, authorization, and required safety equipment.
• Installs and prepares exterior customer-premises equipment.
  • Installs network interface devices, demarcation boxes, slack storage, conduit, grounding or bonding components, and exterior mounting hardware as assigned.
  • Routes the fiber drop neatly to the approved entry or demarcation location.
  • Coordinates equipment location and routing with the member or property owner when required.
  • Seals exterior penetrations and weatherproofs installed equipment according to Cooperative standards.
• Performs basic testing and quality verification.
  • Inspects completed drops for damage, excessive bends, improper support, clearance issues, and installation defects.
  • Performs basic optical testing, continuity checks, or visual fault location when trained and assigned.
  • Documents readings, material usage, route changes, photographs, and completed work in the designated system.
  • Notifies the appropriate technician or supervisor when splicing, advanced testing, or network repair is required.
• Supports service restoration and maintenance activities.
  • Responds to damaged, cut, low, exposed, or improperly routed service drops.
  • Replaces or temporarily restores drops during outages or emergency situations as assigned.
  • Assists fiber technicians, construction crews, and contractors with drop-related work.
  • Participates in on-call or standby duties as requested.
• Protects members, property, and Cooperative facilities.
  • Obtains property-owner permission before performing work when applicable.
  • Interacts with members and the public in a helpful, respectful, and professional manner.
  • Uses care to avoid damage to buildings, driveways, lawns, landscaping, fences, irrigation systems, and other property.
  • Reports property damage, utility damage, and member concerns to the appropriate personnel immediately.
  • Removes debris, unused materials, retired equipment, and construction waste from the job site.
• Maintains appropriate operation and care of vehicles, tools, materials, and equipment.
  • Keeps the assigned vehicle stocked with required tools, materials, safety equipment, and supplies.
  • Completes routine equipment inspections and basic maintenance as assigned.
  • Reports damaged, missing, or faulty vehicles, tools, and equipment promptly.
  • Maintains accurate vehicle mileage, material, work-order, and inventory records.
• Maintains awareness of Cooperative policies, plans, procedures, construction standards, and equipment related to the FTTP subsidiary.
• Attends required safety meetings, training, conferences, and other development activities related to job responsibilities.
• Promotes the member-owned, community-oriented purpose of the Cooperative and supports positive relationships with members and the public.
• Collaborates with Cooperative personnel and contractors to support safe, timely, and successful completion of fiber projects.
• Assists with District Meetings, Annual Meetings, storm response, and other Cooperative activities as requested.
• Subject to random drug and alcohol testing consistent with DOT regulation and Paulding-Putnam Electric policies.
• Perform all other tasks and duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to: Broadband OSP Manager

Supervises and Directs work of: N/A

External relationships: Member Services, Construction crews, Line Operations, Contractors

Specifications

Education and Experience:

• High school or vocational school graduate or have satisfactorily completed the General Education Development (GED).
• One year of construction, utility, telecommunications, installation, landscaping, excavation, or related experience preferred.

Additional Expectations:

• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Experience operating trenchers, vibratory plows, boring equipment, or other utility construction equipment preferred.
• Experience working from ladders, bucket trucks, or around aerial utility facilities preferred.
• Home construction, remodeling, low-voltage cabling, or customer-premises installation experience preferred.
• Basic knowledge of aerial and underground fiber drop construction methods.
• Working knowledge of utility construction and job-site safety practices.
• Ability to identify underground utilities, follow locate markings, and recognize potential hazards.
• Ability to read electronic and paper maps, staking sheets, work orders, drawings, and other technical documents.
• Basic computer, mobile device, and tablet skills.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office applications preferred.

Requirements:

• Normal work schedules may include extended hours, nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency response outside regular Cooperative business hours.
• Must reside in, or within a reasonable distance of, the Cooperative service area unless otherwise authorized by management and the CEO.
• Must be able to perform physically demanding work outdoors in varying weather and terrain conditions.
• Must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull tools, materials, and equipment commonly used for fiber drop construction.
• Must be able to work around traffic, electrical facilities, underground utilities, uneven terrain, animals, insects, and confined or restricted areas.
• Must comply with all Cooperative safety policies, vehicle requirements, and drug-free workplace standards.

Physical Demands and Woking Conditions

• This position is subject to adverse weather elements/hazards, and subject to work-related hazards while performing the job.
• Outside work with physical exertion requiring upper body strength and stamina.
• Must be physically able to function in the position.
• Must have strength in walking, sitting, and standing.
• Must be able to safely lift, carry, push, or pull up to 75 pounds.
• Must be able to climb and balance.
• Must be able to stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl.
• Must be able to reach and handle items.
• Must have good communication skills.
• Must have good sight, depth perception, and color vision.
• Must shovel dirt and work around noisy construction equipment.
• Will frequently work near energized lines and equipment requiring safe work habits performed in accordance with established work procedures and specifications to avoid electric shock and injury.
• May be at risk from exposure to blood borne pathogens.

Definition of frequency examples:

• Frequently - Every day to once a week occurrence.
• Occasionally - Less than once a week or seasonal occurrence.
• Not Applicable - Not likely to happen.

Physical Demands Required To Perform Duties:

• Standing - Frequently
• Walking - Frequently
• Sitting - Frequently
• Lifting, Carrying - Frequently
• Twisting, Pushing, Pulling - Frequently
• Climbing, Balancing - Frequently
• Kneeling, Crawling - Frequently
• Talking  - Frequently
• Hearing - Frequently
• Communication - Frequently
• Visual Ability - Frequently
• Bending - Frequently
• Gripping, Grasping - Frequently
• Other Physical Demands - Frequently
• Exposure to Outdoor Conditions - Frequently
• Low Visibility - Not Applicable
• Extreme Noise - Not Applicable
• Moving Parts - Frequently
• Electric Shock - Not Applicable
• High, Exposed Places - Occasionally
• Radiant Energy - Not Applicable
• Exposure to Chemicals - Not Applicable
• Vehicular Traffic - Occasionally
• CRT Screens - Not Applicable
• Slippery Conditions - Occasionally