Senior Outside Plant Construction Technician

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? This position is full‑time, year‑round, and typically works close to home with only limited travel required for training. Senior Outside Plant Construction Technician – Madison, WI This role includes a $5,000 sign‑on bonus (payout terms apply) and may qualify for relocation assistance. Outside Plant Construction Technicians can also earn up to $75 per week in incentives when your team meets production targets. Training As a Senior Outside Plant Construction Technician, you will have the opportunity to obtain a Class A CDL through our in‑house training program. You will attend safety training at one of our new facilities where you will also be trained on Pole Climbing and Bucket Trucks. On‑the‑job training includes exposure to various construction equipment including Directional Drill Rigs, Mini Excavators, Trenchers, and Locators. Fiber optic training includes Fusion Splicing, Fault Detection, and exposure to OTDRs and other advanced testing equipment. Responsibilities Receive maps and staking sheets and ensure the project is built with limited guidance from supervisors. Communicate updates to the project team as required. Manage daily and weekly project work based on deadlines, material and equipment availability, weather, and other factors. Coordinate with supervisor to ensure continual supply of work and availability of materials. Draft and submit redlines upon project completion. Ensure locates are performed on time and prior to team and equipment arriving at the worksite. Regularly engage municipalities, utility companies, suppliers, contractors, and property owners to coordinate project tasks and avoid disputes. Read construction plans and municipality permits, and determine approach for completing work. Maintain all project documentation and record costs of project materials and material transfers. Ensure DOT inspections are performed on equipment. Work with project managers to ensure projects remain on schedule and within budget. Perform general construction labor in various weather conditions while utilizing safety fundamentals. Perform advanced operation of trenchers, backhoes, end loaders, plows, and other excavating equipment to construct and maintain outside plant cable facilities. Perform advanced operation of all test equipment associated with outside plant facilities and construction duties. Install, troubleshoot, test, splice, repair, and maintain fiber optic facilities. Identify location of defective cable using various test equipment and repair buried, aerial, underground, and/or customer cable. Locate cable and fiber in response to customer requests and/or construction needs. Perform cable fault acceptance tests on newly constructed facilities. Actively train, monitor, and coach team members while sharing construction knowledge and experience. Perform quality control inspections and make training recommendations. Enforce safety protocols. Service, clean, maintain, and repair equipment. Complete all related paperwork in a timely manner. Provide 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. 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 or prior military service with honorable discharge. 1+ year of experience leading construction projects as a crew foreperson or project manager. Follow the TDS attendance guidelines to meet TDS’s business needs. Hold and maintain a valid driver’s license and remain eligible for DOT requirements. Other Qualifications Ability to obtain a Class A CDL; a current CDL is preferred at hire. Physical requirements: ability to climb poles, ladders, towers, and other structures; kneel, dig, lift, and pull. Successfully pass all components of the Safety Training course curriculum upon hire. Successfully complete customer‑specific requirements, which may include a background check administered by the customer. Preferred 2+ years of experience in the construction of fiber optic cable outside plant networks – or 2+ years installing any underground or overhead utilities. Understanding of telecommunication products and services. Proven organizational skills and ability to multi‑task. May require occasional travel. Willingness to work overtime and various/swing shifts as business needs dictate. Ability to operate vehicles with manual transmissions. If you meet the Required Qualifications but are unsure whether your experience aligns with the Other Qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Research shows that many candidates hesitate to apply unless they meet 100% of the qualifications, even when they possess the skills and experience needed to succeed in the role. Experience and skills come in many forms, and they may not always match exactly what’s listed on paper, but they can still lead to success. If you meet the Required Qualifications and believe you have the potential to thrive in this role, apply today! Physical Demands and Work Environment While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must also be able to climb poles, ladders, towers or other structures. The employee is occasionally required to sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions and may have to work in attics and crawl spaces, or high‑risk areas such as high voltage electrical, trenches, and manholes. The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and heavy equipment; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is at times loud. Benefits We believe in taking care of our team, which is why we offer comprehensive benefits to support your health, financial well‑being, and overall happiness. Join us and experience a work environment where your well‑being is a top priority! Benefits for 20+ hours per week Medical Coverage Dental Coverage Vision Coverage Life Insurance 401(k) Plan Generous Vacation & Paid Sick Leave Seven Paid National Holidays & One Floating Holiday Paid Parental Leave (6 weeks after 12 months of employment) Adoption & Surrogacy Assistance Employee Assistance & Wellness Programs Additional benefits for 30+ hours per week Short‑Term & Long‑Term Disability TDS Service Discounts Education Assistance Paid Volunteer Time In addition to these benefits, all associates will have the opportunity to participate in our Associate Resource Groups, which are designed to encourage community and facilitate professional development. To learn more, click here. Who is TDS Telecom? TDS Telecom provides high‑speed internet, TV entertainment, and phone services to a diverse range of communities, including small to mid‑sized urban, suburban, and rural areas across the U.S. With over 50 years of experience, TDS is committed to building and expanding fiber optic networks that bring cutting‑edge connectivity to neighborhoods nationwide. Serving over 1 million connections, our mission is to create a better world by delivering innovative communication solutions that enhance the way people live, work, and connect. Visit tdstelecom.com to learn more! At TDS, we are committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and value the diversity of our workforce. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by law. Pay Transparency The listed pay range reflects the minimum and maximum base salary. Actual offers will be based on factors such as skills, qualifications, experience, location, and role‑specific competencies. Some positions may also offer additional compensation, such as bonuses or equity awards. Pay Range (Hr./Yr.) $30.15/Hr. - $45.23/Hr. #J-18808-Ljbffr TDS Telecommunications LLC