What You'll Do

  • Note differences in wire and cable colors so that work can be performed correctly.
  • Test circuits and components of malfunctioning telecommunications equipment to isolate sources of malfunctions, using test meters, circuit diagrams, polarity probes, and other hand tools.
  • Test repaired, newly installed, or updated equipment to ensure that it functions properly and conforms to specifications, using test equipment and observation.
  • Drive crew trucks to and from work areas.
  • Inspect equipment on a regular basis to ensure proper functioning.
  • Repair or replace faulty equipment, such as defective and damaged telephones, wires, switching system components, and associated equipment.
  • Remove and remake connections to change circuit layouts, following work orders or diagrams.
  • Demonstrate equipment to customers and explain its use, responding to any inquiries or complaints.
  • Analyze test readings, computer printouts, and trouble reports to determine equipment repair needs and required repair methods.
  • Adjust or modify equipment to enhance equipment performance or to respond to customer requests.

Essential Skills

Troubleshooting 3.88/5
Repairing 3.88/5
Critical Thinking 3.62/5
Operations Monitoring 3.62/5
Quality Control Analysis 3.62/5
Active Listening 3.5/5
Equipment Maintenance 3.5/5
Reading Comprehension 3.38/5
Monitoring 3.38/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.38/5
Speaking 3.25/5
Installation 3.25/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Dependability, Integrity, Attention to Detail, Cooperation, Adaptability/Flexibility

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 3.88/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.88/5
Near Vision 3.88/5
Visual Color Discrimination 3.88/5
Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.75/5
Manual Dexterity 3.62/5
Finger Dexterity 3.62/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.5/5

Technologies & Tools

Apache Struts Autodesk AutoCAD Cisco IOS Firewall software Fluke ClearSight Analyzer Fluke Networks Fluke TechEXPERT Fluke Networks TechAdvisor Field Access System Geographic information system GIS systems IBM Domino Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word Operating system software Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software Voice over internet protocol VoIP system software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Dependability (High importance: 4.36/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.3/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.25/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 4.24/5)
  • Adaptability/Flexibility (High importance: 4.11/5)

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How to Become One

This career typically requires vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some specialized training or certification may also be required.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Antenna Installer Automatic Equipment Technician Broadband Installer Broadband Specialist Broadband Technician Cable Technician Cable Television Installer (Cable TV Installer) Cable Television Line Technician (Cable TV Line Technician) Cable TV Tech (Cable Television Technician) Call Box Wirer Call Circuit Worker Central Office Equipment Installer Central Office Frame Wirer Central Office Installer Central Office Mechanic Central Office Repairer Central Office Technician Central Office Trouble Shooter Central Office Worker (CO Worker) Combination Technician Communication Equipment Mechanic Communication Equipment Repairer Communications Equipment Installer Communications Equipment Repair Technician Communications Technician Community Antenna Television Line Technician Customer Service Technician (CST) Data Communications Technician Electronic Systems Technician (EST) Electronics Installer Electronics Mechanic Equipment Installer Equipment Mechanic Equipment Tester Exchange Mechanic Exchange Trouble Shooter Facility Examiner Facility Technician Facility Worker Fiber Optic Central Office Installer Fiber Technician (Fiber Tech) Field Installation Tech (Field Installation Technician) Field Service Technician (Field Service Tech) Field Technician Headend Technician In Building Wireless Installation Technician Information Transport Systems Technician Inside Wirer Install and Repair Technician Installation Technician Installer Installer Technician Instrument Adjuster Instrument Installer Instrument Mechanic Instrument Repairer Instrument Setter Interior Block Wirer Maintenance Technician Manual Equipment Mechanic Matrix Repairer Network Cable Installer Network Cabler Network Operations Center Technician Network Specialist Network Technician Office Electrician Outside Plant Technician PBX Installer (Private Branch Exchange Installer) PBX Mechanic (Private Branch Exchange Mechanic) PBX Repairer (Private Branch Exchange Repairer) Plant and Equipment Worker (P&E Worker) Power Technician Premises Technician Premises Wire Technician Public Address Servicer Relay Adjuster Relay Mechanic Repair Technician Satellite Communications Antenna Installer Satellite Communications Operator Satellite Installation Technician (Satellite Installation Tech) Satellite Installer Satellite Specialist Satellite Technician Service Engineer Service Technician Simplex Printer Installer Sound System Installer Sound Technician Special Equipment Technician Splicer Station Inspector Station Installer Station Mechanic Station Repairer Submarine Cable Equipment Technician Submarine Cable Technician Switch Box Installer Switch Technician Switchboard Installer Switchboard Mechanic Switchboard Troubleshooter Switchboard Wirer Switchman Telecommunication Equipment Repairer Telecommunications Facility Examiner Telecommunications Field Technician (Telecom Field Tech) Telecommunications Installer (Telecom Installer) Telecommunications Repairer Telecommunications Switch Technician Telecommunications Technician Telegraph Installer Telegraph Mechanic Telegraph Plant Maintainer Telegraph Printer Mechanic Telegraph Repeater Installer Telegraph Repeater Mechanic Telegraphic Typewriter Installer Telegraphic Typewriter Mechanic Telephone Installer Telephone Maintainer Telephone Maintenance Mechanic Telephone Mechanic Telephone Repairer Telephone Station Installer Telephone Station Repairer Telephone Technician (Phone Technician) Telephone Worker Teletype Adjuster Teletype Installer Teletype Mechanic Teletype Technician Teletypewriter Installer Test Desk Operator Test Deskman Test Technician Test Worker Testboard Operator Ticker Installer Ticker Maintainer Ticker Wirer Time Signal Wirer Toll Mechanic Toll Test Desk Worker Toll Test Worker Toll Testboard Worker Toll Transmission Worker Transmission Systems Operator Transmission Tester Transmission Worker Voltmeter Operator Wire Technician Wireless Installation Technician Wireless Technician Wirer