Field Network Technician

Description

Incorporated in 1948, Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC) provides reliable, cost-effective, environmentally balanced, wholesale electric services to our 11-member distribution cooperatives in Virginia,Maryland and Delaware. Our core business is generating,purchasing and delivering electricity to our members. ODEC is a not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative thatoperatesfor the benefit of our members, who are our owners.

Our office is located in Glen Allen, Virginia.

Purpose of Job:

Supports ODECs communications and data networks at our diesel generation sites, transmission substations, power stations, and other remote or satellite facilities. Install, test, and maintain network equipment so operations, SCADA/OT, and corporate systems stay connected. Regular travel across the service territory is required, including overnight trips to manned and unmanned locations.

Essential responsibilities include:

• Travel to remote and satellite sites to install, replace, and commission routers, switches, firewalls, wireless radios, cellular/modem equipment, and related hardware.
• Assist with fiber optic work: patching, basic testing, labeling, and documenting paths between sites.
• Help rack, cable, ground, and power network gear in substations, control buildings, and communications shelters.
• Perform routine inspections and preventive maintenance on field network and communications equipment.
• Troubleshoot connectivity issues, supporting IT and operations staff; gather logs, photos, and site conditions; implement approved fixes.
• Support LTE, satellite, and last-mile links that serve isolated facilities.
• Understand and follow all site access procedures; work only within authorized areas and under required supervision.
• Update diagrams, asset records, ticket notes, and as-built documentation after each site visit.
• Respond to after-hours outages that affect field communications, working with senior-level network Network Administrators to resolve.
• Use company vehicles, tools, and equipment safely; maintain assigned inventory and PPE in good condition and return all company property in the same condition as received.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Work Experience :

• Utilities industry experience, especially in generation, transmission, and distribution, preferred.
• 1 year of basic IT networking knowledge (routing and switching) from coursework, military training, self-study, or internships.
• 1 year of basic IT system security knowledge from coursework, military training, self-study, or internships.
• 1 year of network subnetting from coursework, military training, self-study, or internships.

Critical Knowledge,Skillsand Abilities :

• Knowledge of business continuity and disaster recovery principles.
• Knowledge of enterprise network security principles.
• Knowledge of network media types (Ethernet, fiber, coaxial, etc.)
• Working knowledge of network network diagnostic, monitoring, and troubleshooting tools, such as Wireshark, InSSIDer, and TCPView; experience with PuTTY preferred.
• Knowledge of Project management software and tools.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Windows and Linux desktop operating systems.
• Basic understanding of IP networking (addressing, switching, routing concepts) from coursework, military training, self-study, or internships.
• Ability to read simple network diagrams, rack elevations, and work orders.
• Problem identification, research, analysis, and resolution.
• Comfortable working independently at remote sites after check-in and safety briefing.
• Collaborative approach to team membership.
• Focus on quality.
• Understanding of IT process controls and compliance audits (e.g., Sarbanes-Oxley).
• Effective communication - oral, written, and presentation delivery.
• Continuous professional development with an ability to…