Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers
Overview
SaveJob 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, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
Install, set up, rearrange, or remove switching, distribution, routing, and dialing equipment used in central offices or headends. Service or repair telephone, cable television, Internet, and other communications equipment on customers' property. May install communications equipment or communications wiring in buildings.
Yearly Salary
| High: | $90K |
| Median: | $61K |
| Low: | $34K |
Demand
Core Tasks
- Demonstrate equipment to customers and explain its use, responding to any inquiries or complaints.
- 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.
- Assemble and install communication equipment such as data and telephone communication lines, wiring, switching equipment, wiring frames, power apparatus, computer systems, and networks.
- Climb poles and ladders, use truck-mounted booms, and enter areas such as manholes and cable vaults to install, maintain, or inspect equipment.
- Run wires between components and to outside cable systems, connecting them to wires from telephone poles or underground cable accesses.
- Drive crew trucks to and from work areas.
- Test connections to ensure that power supplies are adequate and that communications links function.
- Inspect equipment on a regular basis to ensure proper functioning.
- Note differences in wire and cable colors so that work can be performed correctly.
- Collaborate with other workers to locate and correct malfunctions.
- Remove loose wires and other debris after work is completed.
- Repair or replace faulty equipment, such as defective and damaged telephones, wires, switching system components, and associated equipment.
- Maintain computer and manual records pertaining to facilities and equipment.
- Route and connect cables and lines to switches, switchboard equipment, and distributing frames, using wire-wrap guns or soldering irons to connect wires to terminals.
- Communicate with bases, using telephones or two-way radios to receive instructions or technical advice, or to report equipment status.
- Designate cables available for use.
- Diagnose and correct problems from remote locations, using special switchboards to find the sources of problems.
- Remove and remake connections to change circuit layouts, following work orders or diagrams.
- Clean and maintain tools, test equipment, and motor vehicles.
- Perform database verifications, using computers.
- Request support from technical service centers when on-site procedures fail to solve installation or maintenance problems.
- Program computerized switches and switchboards to provide requested features.
- Analyze test readings, computer printouts, and trouble reports to determine equipment repair needs and required repair methods.
- Enter codes needed to correct electronic switching system programming.
- Examine telephone transmission facilities to determine requirements for new or additional telephone services.
- Measure distances from landmarks to identify exact installation sites for equipment.
- Adjust or modify equipment to enhance equipment performance or to respond to customer requests.
- Install updated software and programs that maintain existing software or provide requested features, such as time-correlated call routing.
- Perform routine maintenance on equipment, including adjusting and lubricating components and painting worn or exposed areas.
- Determine viability of sites through observation, and discuss site locations and construction requirements with customers.
- Refer to manufacturers' manuals to obtain maintenance instructions pertaining to specific malfunctions.
- Remove and replace plug-in circuit equipment.
- Install telephone station equipment, such as intercommunication systems, transmitters, receivers, relays, and ringers, and related apparatus, such as coin collectors, telephone booths, and switching-key equipment.
- Dig holes or trenches as necessary for equipment installation and access.
- Clean switches and replace contact points, using vacuum hoses, solvents, and hand tools.
- Review manufacturer's instructions, manuals, technical specifications, building permits, and ordinances to determine communication equipment requirements and procedures.
- Provide input into the design and manufacturing of new equipment.
- Address special issues or situations, such as illegal or unauthorized use of equipment, or cases of electrical or acoustic shock.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Customer and Personal Service
89%
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.
Telecommunications
88%
Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Computers and Electronics
84%
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
English Language
80%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Mathematics
70%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Public Safety and Security
67%
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Mechanical
65%
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Engineering and Technology
64%
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.
Education and Training
61%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Administration and Management
58%
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.
Top 10 Skills
Repairing
78%
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Troubleshooting
78%
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Critical Thinking
73%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Operations Monitoring
73%
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Quality Control Analysis
73%
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Active Listening
70%
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.
Equipment Maintenance
70%
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Complex Problem Solving
68%
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Monitoring
68%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension
68%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Top 10 Abilities
Near Vision
78%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Comprehension
78%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Problem Sensitivity
78%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
Visual Color Discrimination
78%
The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
Arm-Hand Steadiness
75%
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Finger Dexterity
73%
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Manual Dexterity
73%
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Deductive Reasoning
70%
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning
70%
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Information Ordering
70%
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).
Top 10 Work Activities
Getting Information
89%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Working with Computers
89%
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
88%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
83%
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
82%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
81%
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
80%
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
77%
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
76%
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Processing Information
75%
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Detailed Work Activities
- Gather information about work conditions or locations.
- Test electrical circuits or components for proper functioning.
- Test communications equipment to ensure proper functioning.
- Drive trucks or other vehicles to or at work sites.
- Inspect telecommunications equipment to identify problems.
- Repair electronic equipment.
- Rewire electrical or electronic systems.
- Explain use of products or services.
- Analyze test or performance data to assess equipment operation.
- Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
- Confer with coworkers to resolve equipment problems.
- Clean work areas.
- Assemble electrical components, subsystems, or systems.
- Install electrical components, equipment, or systems.
- Interpret blueprints, specifications, or diagrams to inform installation, development or operation activities.
- Climb equipment or structures to access work areas.
- Read technical information needed to perform maintenance or repairs.
- Determine types of equipment, tools, or materials needed for jobs.
- Run wiring to connect equipment.
- Repair electrical components.
- Connect electrical components or equipment.
- Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order.
- Maintain work equipment or machinery.
- Service vehicles to maintain functionality.
- Install programs onto computer or computer-controlled equipment.
- Troubleshoot equipment or systems operation problems.
- Document operational activities.
- Enter codes or other information into computers.
- Verify information or specifications.
- Investigate legal issues.
- Paint surfaces or equipment.
- Lubricate equipment to allow proper functioning.
- Measure distances or dimensions.
- Dig holes or trenches.
- Advise others on issues related to repairs, installation, or equipment design.
Education
Interests
Realistic
93%
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
Conventional
68%
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
Investigative
35%
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
Social
26%
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Enterprising
23%
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
Artistic
15%
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.
Work Values
Support
81%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
72%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Working Conditions
69%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Relationships
62%
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.
Achievement
58%
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.
Recognition
39%
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.