Telecom Construction Project Specialist

Telecom Construction Project Manager I

Job Location s: US-MI-Lansing | Company: TDS Telecom | :

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 Telecom Construction Project Manager I to join us in our Michigan 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 Telecom Construction Project Manager I 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.

Work Schedule: This is a hybrid position with in‑office and field work. You will have the flexibility to work from home 2 days a week and 3 days a week will be reporting into our offices in Augusta, MI (212 S Webster St. Augusta, MI 49012) or Perry, MI (129 S Main St. Perry, MI 48872). Due to the nature of the role, it will require you to be available to travel within 50 miles of this area for in‑market field support.

The ideal candidate will reside within 50 miles of Perry, Lansing, or Augusta, or the surrounding areas in Michigan, in order to be available for this in‑market support and travel.

• Coordinate OSP projects and/or supervise consultants who coordinate 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.
• Work with Finance to ensure proper accounting of facilities placed and interact with the legal department to mitigate risk in 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. 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 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.
• Verify that proper right‑of‑way, easements,…