OSP Aerial Lead Bucket Truck Operator

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary:

Swyft Fiber is seeking an experienced OSP Aerial Lead Technician to lead field crews in the installation, maintenance, and repair of aerial fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) plant. This role is responsible for troubleshooting and restoring aerial fiber infrastructure, directing the work of maintenance technicians and contractors, and ensuring all aerial construction and maintenance activities are completed safely, on schedule, and in compliance with company and regulatory standards. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with deep bucket truck and aerial construction experience who can diagnose network issues, mentor junior technicians, and represent Swyft Fiber professionally in the field.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate daily activities of an aerial maintenance crew, including scheduling, job assignments, and on-site direction of technicians and subcontractors.
• Operate a bucket truck (aerial lift device) to install, splice, maintain, and repair aerial fiber optic cable, strand, and associated hardware on utility poles.
• Diagnose and resolve outside plant (OSP) fiber network outages and service issues, including cable damage, hardware failures, and pole attachment problems.
• Perform make-ready work, pole attachment surveys, strand mapping, and lashing of fiber cable in accordance with NESC and utility joint-use requirements.
• Inspect aerial plant for compliance with clearance, tension, grounding, and bonding standards; identify and remediate code violations.
• Lead safety briefings (tailgate/toolbox talks) and enforce compliance with OSHA, company safety policy, and traffic control/work zone protocols.
• Coordinate pole attachment permitting, utility locates (call-before-you-dig), and make-ready with third-party pole owners (electric utilities, ILECs).
• Maintain, inspect, and certify company vehicles and aerial equipment (bucket trucks, digger derricks, tensioning equipment); complete daily pre-trip inspections.
• Document completed work, red-line as-builts, splice records, and test results using company GIS/OSP mapping and ticketing systems.
• Respond to emergency and after-hours outage calls as part of an on-call rotation.
• Train, mentor, and evaluate junior technicians on aerial construction techniques and safety practices.
• Communicate clearly with dispatch, engineering, and customers regarding job status, delays, and restoration timelines.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• The company reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Job Qualifications:

• 5+ years of aerial construction/maintenance experience in telecommunications, cable, or utility field environments, including FTTH/fiber optic networks.
• 2+ years in a lead, foreman, or crew-lead capacity directing field technicians.
• Demonstrated bucket truck / aerial lift operation experience, including working aerial fiber and strand at height on live utility poles.
• Working knowledge of fiber optic cable splicing, OTDR/light-loss testing, and troubleshooting aerial FTTH plant.
• Strong understanding of NESC (National Electrical Safety Code), pole attachment standards, and joint-use/make-ready procedures.
• Experience with strand mapping, lashing machines, pole climbing (as backup to aerial lift), ladder usage and rigging.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record; Chauffeur’s License preferred.
• Proficiency with OSP documentation tools, GIS mapping software, and standard mobile field applications.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical/trade school training in telecommunications or electrical construction preferred.

Required Safety Certifications & Licenses:

• OSHA 10-Hour or OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety Certification.
• Aerial Lift / Bucket Truck Operator Certification (ANSI A92.2 compliant).
• Pole Climbing Certification.
• First Aid / CPR / AED Certification.
• Competent Person – Trenching & Excavation (if performing associated UG work) – preferred.
• Flagger / Traffic Control Certification (ATSSA or state-equivalent)-preferred.
• RF Awareness / Electrical Hazard Awareness training – preferred.
• Must pass pre-employment and random drug screening and background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• BICSI, FOA (Fiber Optic Association), or equivalent fiber optic installer/technician certification.
• Prior experience with a fiber ISP, MSO, or telecom construction contractor.
• Experience leading crews on FTTH greenfield or overbuild construction projects.

Work Schedule

• This is a full time position with a various work schedule.
• Work schedules may vary based on business needs, operational demands, and assigned responsibilities.
• While typical scheduling may align with standard business hours, employees may be required to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, or non-standard shifts as needed.
• Flexibility in scheduling is required to support field operations, customer service demands, project timelines, and peak service periods.
• Schedules may be adjusted periodically at management’s discretion based on organizational requirements.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Retirement plan options with employer matching
• Professional development opportunities
• Stable and growing regional company environment

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit; climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision depth perception, and ability to focus.

The conditions listed are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by managers as deemed appropriate.

Swyft Fiber is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This position is safety-sensitive and subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations.