Network Specialist- Outside Plant Construction

Overview

At TDS Telecom, connecting people is at the heart of everything we do. We are forward thinkers who leverage cutting‑edge fiber internet technology to strengthen communities. We are dedicated to excellence, which drives us to succeed together, creating a better world through meaningful connections. Ready to make an impact?

The Network Specialist – OSP Construction is responsible for coordinating, planning, and supervising outside plant field construction and splicing operations in multiple locations. Depending on workload, this person may also supervise consulting resources during engineering and construction phases. The candidate works independently with representatives from network operations, associate managers, consultants, design engineers, and construction contractors to ensure our network services meet company needs.

Implementation of fiber networks must comply with TDS Outside Plant (OSP) guidelines and standards. The role requires staying current with the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) and ensuring construction compliance with NESC standards. The specialist may assist in engineering OSP projects, including creating labor, material, and overhead estimates, monitoring costs and progress, ensuring projects complete on time and within budget, and maintaining ongoing communication with governmental agencies to protect the network.

The position may involve negotiations with municipalities or utility companies for purchase, lease, or sale of ducts, fiber, or complete networks. The ideal candidate resides in or within an 80‑mile radius of Mooresville, NC.

• Coordinate OSP projects and supervise consultants responsible for coordinating outside plant field construction and splicing operations in multiple locations.
• Provide technical support for special request projects such as major road moves or potential on‑net builds.
• Work with Finance to ensure proper accounting of facilities placed and with the legal department to ensure the company is not at risk in any asset transfers.
• Assist in the engineering phase of projects, creating labor, material, and overhead cost estimates.
• Provide audits of OSP projects and coach consultants and/or contractors to ensure accuracy and consistency. The audits will ensure compliance with NESC standards and current TDS OSP standards.
• Review all required reports from field personnel and contractor invoicing for accuracy; manage construction projects by reviewing quality of work, clean‑up resolution, proper maintenance of documentation, and continual review of progress.
• Ensure that the TDS OSP group complies with Sarbanes‑Oxley guidelines and other departments such as Network Operations, Network Planning, Rights‑of‑Way, and Contract Administration.
• Conduct pre‑staking, pre‑bid, and pre‑construction meetings as required, verifying that right‑of‑way, easements, and permits are obtained and that designs properly size cable and route facilities.
• Verify that all documentation required to complete projects successfully, including bid jobs, build orders, job start agreements, VMOPs, and close‑out documentation, is complete.
• Adapt quickly in an ever‑changing environment to new GIS‑based construction tracking methods, new construction methods, and rapidly changing architecture types.

• Associate’s degree (or higher) or 2+ years of professional work experience.
• 2+ years experience in voice, data, or video networking, or 6+ months of TDS Telecom technical internship experience.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and insurance.

• Ability to travel to construction sites daily.
• Experience in OSP construction and/or engineering (fiber, copper, or coax) or related utility/municipal construction and/or engineering, or construction project management, utility installation technician, or general trades experience preferred.
• Fiber optic implementation experience.
• Excellent leadership, customer relations, and communication skills.
• Self‑directed with ability to work independently.
• Experience with ESRI ArcGIS, AGOL, spatial analysis, or other GIS tools.
• Proficient digital environment skills.
• Understanding of…