Network Specialist - OSP Construction

Network Specialist I – OSP Construction

Job Location:

Missoula, Montana, USA

Pay Range: $69,100 – $112,300 per year

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?

Our Network Services team has an exciting opportunity for a Network Specialist I – OSP Construction to join us in our Missoula, Montana market! In this role, you’ll be responsible for coordinating, planning, and supervising outside plant field construction and splicing operations in multiple locations. Depending upon workload you may be required to supervise consulting resources in the engineering and/or construction phase of the projects.

You will be expected to work independently with representatives from network operations, associate managers, consultants, design engineers and construction contractors for TDS Telecom Network Services to ensure that the needs of the company are being met. You will be responsible for the implementation of fiber networks while conforming to existing TDS Outside Plant (OSP) guidelines and TDS OSP standards established for the Telecom Network Services.

You’ll be expected to stay current with National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) and ensure our construction is always in compliance with NESC standards. Depending on the area, you may be required to assist in the engineering of the OSP projects. This involves, among other things, creating the labor, material, and overhead project estimates.

As a Network Specialist I – OSP Construction you’ll be expected to oversee numerous construction projects, possibly located in multiple locations. You will continually monitor costs and job progress to ensure that construction projects are completed on time and within budget. You’ll also be responsible for ongoing communication with various governmental agencies to protect the TDS OSP network from being jeopardized by proposed road improvements and may be required to negotiate with municipalities or other utility companies from a network and a legal perspective for the purchase, lease and/or sale of inner ducts, fiber and/or complete fiber networks.

The ideal candidate will reside within 30 miles of Missoula, Montana in order to be available for in‑market support and travel.

This position can be hired at either a Network Specialist – OSP Construction (2025‑28436) or a Network Specialist I – OSP Construction (2025‑28439) level depending on the skills and qualifications of the candidate. Different job postings exist for each of these positions. Please reference each job posting for the minimum qualifications required and submit an application for each level that you are both interested in and qualified for.

• Responsible for the coordination of OSP projects and/or supervision of consultants who are responsible for coordinating outside plant field construction and splicing operations in multiple locations and states. Provide technical support for special request projects such as major road moves or potential on‑net builds. The successful candidate must work with Finance to ensure proper accounting of facilities placed and interact with the legal department to ensure that the company is not at risk in any asset transfers.
  
  If needed, assist in the engineering phase of projects. This involves creating labor, material, and overhead project 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 project documentation and continual review of project progress.
• Ensure that the TDS OSP group complies with Sarbanes‑Oxley guidelines and other departments such as Network Operations, Network Planning,…