Field Service Technician

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, driving us to succeed together and create a better world through meaningful connections. Ready to make an impact? As a Field Service Technician you will assist with on‑site installations, troubleshooting, repairs, and maintenance of telecommunications products and equipment that TDS sells and leases.

You will have direct customer contact and be expected to proactively sell TDS services and products. Services include, but are not limited to, Telephony, Video/CATV/DBS, Internet, and high‑speed networks.
Due to in‑field support and on‑call requirements, the individual selected for this position will be required to reside within a 60‑minute driving distance from the New London, MN warehouse at 7901 Chapin Dr NE, New London, MN 56273.

• Assist with on‑site installation, troubleshooting, testing, splicing, repairing, and maintaining telephone equipment, general network equipment, customer premise equipment, Video/CATV/DBS, fiber optic/copper facilities, and other TDS products and services for new and existing customers.
• Identify the location of defective cable using test equipment and repair buried, aerial, underground, and customer cable. Locate cable and fiber in response to customer requests and/or construction needs.
• Perform pole climbing and operate construction equipment. Mark company underground and buried facilities to prevent damage. Keep an orderly log of all locate requests in the exchange area and perform cable fault acceptance tests on newly constructed facilities.
• Respond to “trouble” dispatches and provide troubleshooting support techniques and corrections.
• Maintain record systems (cross connects, line groups, network elements, etc.). Provide excellent customer service and proactively educate and sell TDS products and services.

• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Must follow TDS attendance guidelines to meet business needs, including obligations to customers.

• Successfully complete customer‑specific requirements, which may include a background check administered by the customer.
• Be available for on‑call/standby responsibilities and may require occasional travel; willing to work overtime as needed.
• Successfully pass all components of the Safety Course curriculum.
• Maintain DOT (Department of Transportation) requirements for operating vehicles with a combined GVRW >10,000 lbs.
• Hold A+ certification and have computer networking experience.
• Understand telecommunication products and services:
  Inside Wiring/Cable, Internet/Intranet, Bonding & Grounding, Data & Computers/Transmission Concepts, Fiber Optic Transmission, Static Sensitive Equipment, Color Codes, Structured Wiring, Video/CATV/DBS Installation, Inventory Systems, Cable Locating, Battery Maintenance, Key Systems/PBX, Centrex, Switch Maintenance, Voicemail, Special Circuits, Fiber Terminals, Subscriber CXR Terminals, T‑1s, ISPs, DSL, ISDN Voice & Data, Testing & Certifying Loops to support Data, Voice, and/or Video.
• Practical knowledge/experience with computer applications:
  Databases, Trouble/Repair/Dispatch Systems, Plant Record Systems, MS Outlook, MS Word, and MS Excel.
• Operate vehicles with manual transmissions.
• Work independently with little or no supervision.
• Demonstrate customer service and sales skills, effective verbal and written communication for internal and external customers.
• Prove organizational skills and ability to multi‑task.

Perform duties while sitting, standing, writing, operating a computer keyboard, and using standard office equipment and telephone. Communicate with customers, move about, reach for items, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, balance or climb, and lift up to 50 pounds (occasionally 100 pounds). Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

May work outdoors, in mechanical/equipment rooms, in…