Senior Outside Plant Construction Technician; Foreperson

Position: Senior Outside Plant Construction Technician (Foreperson) with $5k Sign on Bonus
Overview

At TDS Telecom, we don't just build networks-we build the backbone of modern communities. Our construction teams are on the front lines, installing high-quality fiber infrastructure that keeps businesses running and families connected. If you're a skilled construction professional who takes pride in quality work, job-site leadership, and doing things the right way, this is your opportunity to make your mark.

About the Role

If you have experience leading teams and want to be based close to home, this role is for you. As a Senior Outside Plant Construction Technician (Foreperson), you'd oversee the construction and maintenance of fiber networks, and ensure the team operates according to safety protocols. This is a full-time, year-round position where you'll be hands-on in the field while coordinating people, equipment, and timelines to get the job done safely and efficiently.
What You'll Do

• Lead and coordinate construction crews building fiber communications facilities.
• Operate advanced construction equipment, including:
  • Horizontal directional drills
  • Trenchers
  • Backhoes
  • End loaders
  • Plows
• Oversee day-to-day project execution, production, and quality.
• Coordinate with internal teams, contractors, inspectors, and utility partners.
• Enforce safety standards and ensure every job site meets TDS safety expectations.
• Troubleshoot field challenges and keep projects moving forward.

What's in It for You

• $5,000 sign-on bonus (payout terms apply).
• Weekly performance incentives - earn up to $75/week when your team hits production goals.
• Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates.
• Stable, full-time, year-round work-no seasonal layoffs.
• Build infrastructure that will serve communities for decades.

Training & Career Growth

• Opportunity to earn a Class A CDL through TDS's in-house training program.
• Participate in 2-3 weeks of paid safety training after hire.
• Join a company with 50+ years of telecom experience and a strong reputation for fiber innovation.
• Grow your career with a team that values skill, leadership, and accountability.

Why TDS Telecom?

• Real construction work with real impact.
• Strong safety culture that supports getting home safe every day.
• Modern equipment and forward-thinking fiber projects.
• A company that invests in its people-not just the job.

Responsibilities

• Receives maps and staking sheets for the full construction project and ensures project is built, with limited guidance from supervisors.
• Communicates updates to the project team as required.
• Manages daily and weekly project work based on deadlines, material and equipment availability, weather, and other factors.
• Coordinates with supervisor to ensure continual supply of work and availability of materials.
• Drafts and submits redlines upon completion of project.
• Ensures locates are performed on time and prior to team and equipment arriving at the worksite.
• Regularly engages municipalities, utility companies, suppliers, contractors, and property owners in order to smoothly coordinate project tasks and avoid disputes.
• Reads construction plans and municipality permits, and determines approach for completing work.
• Maintains all project documentation and records costs of project materials and material transfers.
• Ensures DOT inspections are performed on equipment.
• Works with project managers to ensure projects remain on schedule and within budget.
• Performs general construction labor in various weather conditions while utilizing safety fundamentals.
• Advanced operation of trenchers, backhoes, end loaders, plows, and other excavating equipment to construct and maintain outside plant cable facilities.
• Advanced operation of all test equipment associated with outside plant facilities and construction duties.
• Installs, troubleshoots, tests, splices, repairs, and maintains fiber optic facilities.
• Identifies location of defective cable using various test equipment and repairs buried, aerial, underground, and/or customer cable.
• Locates cable and fiber in response to customer requests and/or construction needs.
• Performs cable fault acceptance tests on newly constructed facilities.
• Actively trains, monitors, and coaches team members while sharing construction knowledge and experience. Performs quality control inspections and makes training recommendations. Ensures safety protocols are enforced.
• Services, cleans, maintains, and repairs equipment.
• Completes all related paperwork in a timely manner.
• Provides assistance to field services technicians, as needed.

The functions listed above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by associates assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities; other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 2+ years of construction equipment operation utilizing various underground and aerial construction equipment such as directional drills, trencher/plow/rock saw, backhoe, or bucket trucks
  -OR- current military service, or prior military service with honorable discharge.
• 1+ years of…