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Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers

Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers

Overview
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Examples

These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.

Repair, install, or maintain mobile or stationary radio transmitting, broadcasting, and receiving equipment, and two-way radio communications systems used in cellular telecommunications, mobile broadband, ship-to-shore, aircraft-to-ground communications, and radio equipment in service and emergency vehicles. May test and analyze network coverage.

Salary Salary

Salary at 10th Percentile: $32K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $41K
Median Salary: $57K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $78K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $97K

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

Climb communication towers to install, replace, or repair antennas or auxiliary equipment used to transmit and receive radio waves.

Perform maintenance or repair work on existing tower equipment, using hand or power tools.

Read work orders, blueprints, plans, datasheets or site drawings to determine work to be done.

Inspect completed work to ensure all hardware is tight, antennas are level, hangers are properly fastened, proper support is in place, or adequate weather proofing has been installed.

Bolt equipment into place, using hand or power tools.

Climb towers to access components, using safety equipment, such as full-body harnesses.

Lift equipment into position, using cranes and rigging tools or equipment, such as gin poles.

Run appropriate power, ground, or coaxial cables.

Test operation of tower transmission components, using sweep testing tools or software.

Install, connect, or test underground or aboveground grounding systems.

Transport equipment to work sites, using utility trucks and equipment trailers.

Check antenna positioning to ensure specified azimuths or mechanical tilts and adjust as necessary.

Replace existing antennas with new antennas as directed.

Install all necessary transmission equipment components, including antennas or antenna mounts, surge arrestors, transmission lines, connectors, or tower-mounted amplifiers (TMAs).

Take site survey photos or photos of work performed, using digital cameras.

Locate tower sites where work is to be performed, using mapping software.

Complete reports related to project status, progress, or other work details, using computer software.

Install or repair tower lighting components, including strobes, beacons, or lighting controllers.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Analytical or scientific software
Zoho WebNMS Cell Tower Manager
Data base user interface and query software
Data entry software
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Outlook
Facilities management software
Maintenance documentation software
Map creation software
Location mapping software
Operating system software
Microsoft Windows
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Project management software
Microsoft Project
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Personal computers
Construction and maintenance support equipment
Extension ladders
Hand tools
Ball peen hammers
Heavy construction machinery and equipment
Bucket trucks
Hydraulic machinery and equipment
Hydraulic wire crimpers
Material handling machinery and equipment
Forklifts
Measuring and observing and testing instruments
Analog ohmmeters
Metal cutting machinery and accessories
Cable cutters
Motor vehicles
Utility trucks
Oil and gas drilling and exploration equipment
Concrete pumpers
Personal safety and protection
Safety glasses
Photographic or filming or video equipment
Digital cameras
Portable Structure Building Components
Gin poles
Vehicle bodies and trailers
Equipment trailers
Welding and soldering and brazing machinery and accessories and supplies
Butane soldering irons
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Telecommunications
91%
Importance

Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Computers and Electronics
88%
Importance

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Engineering and Technology
79%
Importance

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Mechanical
75%
Importance

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

English Language
74%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Clerical
69%
Importance

Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Administration and Management
68%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Mathematics
68%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Customer and Personal Service
67%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Communications and Media
64%
Importance

Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Top 10 Skills
Equipment Maintenance
70%
Importance

Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Repairing
70%
Importance

Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Active Listening
68%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking
65%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Installation
65%
Importance

Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.

Troubleshooting
65%
Importance

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Monitoring
63%
Importance

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Reading Comprehension
63%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking
63%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Coordination
60%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Top 10 Abilities
Problem Sensitivity
75%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Near Vision
73%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Deductive Reasoning
68%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Finger Dexterity
68%
Importance

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Arm-Hand Steadiness
65%
Importance

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Information Ordering
65%
Importance

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Oral Comprehension
65%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Inductive Reasoning
63%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Manual Dexterity
63%
Importance

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Oral Expression
63%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Top 10 Work Activities
Getting Information
88%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
88%
Importance

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
87%
Importance

Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
85%
Importance

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
83%
Importance

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Interacting With Computers
75%
Importance

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
74%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Performing General Physical Activities
74%
Importance

Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
74%
Importance

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Handling and Moving Objects
72%
Importance

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Detailed Work Activities

Read work orders or descriptions of problems to determine repairs or modifications needed.

Interpret blueprints, specifications, or diagrams to inform installation, development or operation activities.

Inspect completed work to ensure proper functioning.

Bolt objects into place.

Test communications equipment to ensure proper functioning.

Lay cables to connect equipment.

Inspect telecommunications equipment to identify problems.

Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.

Replace worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.

Install electrical components, equipment, or systems.

Record images needed to address work issues.

Document operational activities.

Climb equipment or structures to access work areas.

Maintain work equipment or machinery.

Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.

Test electrical equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.

Assemble electrical components, subsystems, or systems.

Connect electrical components or equipment.

Move large objects using heavy equipment.

Gather information about work conditions or locations.

Repair electrical components.

Calibrate equipment to specifications.

Control power supply connections.

Install audio or communications equipment.

Position equipment using hand tools, power tools, or heavy equipment.

Solder parts or connections between parts.

Repair electrical circuits or wiring.

Test electrical circuits or components for proper functioning.

Repair electronic equipment.

Inspect safety equipment to ensure proper functioning.

Adjust the tension of nuts or bolts.

Work Context
Face-to-Face Discussions

How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

Responsible for Others' Health and Safety

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

Electronic Mail

How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

Deal With External Customers

How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Frequency of Decision Making

How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

Structured versus Unstructured Work

To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?

Responsibility for Outcomes and Results

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

Education
Majors
Major
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
Interests
Realistic
100%
Importance

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Conventional
43%
Importance

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Investigative
34%
Importance

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Enterprising
29%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Social
24%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Artistic
15%
Importance

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Top 10 Work Styles
Attention to Detail
93%
Importance

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Dependability
91%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Integrity
89%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Analytical Thinking
85%
Importance

Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Stress Tolerance
85%
Importance

Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Cooperation
84%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Initiative
84%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Persistence
81%
Importance

Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Self Control
80%
Importance

Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Independence
79%
Importance

Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Work Values
Achievement
62%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Support
62%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Working Conditions
55%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Independence
43%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Relationships
43%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Recognition
39%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.