Outside Plant Construction Specialist

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, which drives us to succeed together, creating a better world through meaningful connections. Ready to make an impact?

 

Note: This position offers opportunity to telecommute from a home office, however, due to required in-market support individuals must reside within a 50-mile radius of Eau Claire, WI.   

 

The Outside Plant Construction Specialist is responsible for coordinating, planning, and supervising outside plant field construction and splicing operations in multiple locations. Depending upon workload this person may be required to supervise consulting resources in the engineering and/or construction phase of the projects. The successful candidate is 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. The successful candidate 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. The successful candidate is 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, the Outside Plant Construction Specialist 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. 

  

The Outside Plant Construction Specialist  is expected to oversee numerous construction projects, possibly located in multiple locations. The successful candidate will continually monitor costs and job progress to ensure that construction projects are completed on time and within budget. The successful candidate is also 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. 

 

This position can be hired at an Network Specialist (2025-27976), Network Specialist I (2025-27977) or Network Specialist II (2025-27978) level depending on the skills and qualifications of the candidate. Separate job postings outline the minimum requirements for each role. Please review both postings and apply to any level for which you are qualified and interested. 

Responsibilities

• 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.   
• 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 overheads 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, Rights-of-Way and Contract Administration.  

• This position requires the conducting of pre-staking, pre-bid and pre-construction meetings as required.  The successful candidate must verify that proper right-of-way, easements, and permits are obtained and designs for proper cable sizing and facility routing.  

• Verify that all documentation required to complete projects successfully, including bid jobs, build orders, job start agreements, VMOPs and close out documentation is complete. 

• Adap