Outside Plant Engineer

The ILEC Outside Plant Engineer is responsible for the engineering planning & design of projects and may also assume the duties of the Project Manager. The ILEC Outside Plant Engineer is responsible for determining the best routes to service new and existing customers, evaluating safety, cost, and the integrity of the network. In addition, the ILEC Outside Plant Engineer is responsible to create project designs and construction prints that comply with all RUS and industry standards and to prepare detailed work plans for construction, removal or rearrangement of existing copper, fiber optic cable, aerial and underground lines. This regularly requires site visits. The ILEC Outside Plant Engineer selects the routing of lines and determines equipment requirements as appropriate. In addition, the Outside Plant Engineer will be responsible for gathering data such as, but not limited to, pole surveys, site surveys, mapping, and structure locations.

The ILEC Outside Plant Engineer must be motivated and passionate about providing exceptional service to our customers, be professional and able to work with a variety of people. Individual must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, sound judgment and an understanding of all engineering aspects in the ILEC network.

JOB DUTIES:

Some expected duties include, but are not limited to:

• Conducts pre-Engineering Ride outs and Data gathering such as with Site Surveys.
• Accurately maintains and inputs all Plant records in the Plant Database; keeping records up to date.
• Interprets pre-construction staking sheets and updates work orders with all necessary information for plant personnel to locate and install facilities and equipment. May require field verification work.
• Prepares construction prints and assists Contractors as required.
• Keeps abreast of technical developments and the skills needed to assume expanded job responsibilities in the sophisticated telecommunication service offerings.
• Travels to customer sites and field locations to procure OSP project information, determining equipment requirements and best routing of lines as appropriate.
• Conducts pole surveys and geographic information systems (GIS) surveys to update and maintain OSP databases.
• Designs and prepares detailed methods of procedures (MOP) for construction or rearrangement of existing fiber optic cable, aerial, underground lines, and buried feeders.
• Maintains a working knowledge of the ILEC network.
• Completes special projects and other duties as assigned to support the business.
• Perform other related tasks as required.

RELATIONSHIPS:

INTERNAL: Maintain effective working relations by working closely with the ILEC Outside Plant Engineers, Customer Service team, Field Service Technicians, Central Office Technicians, and others. Must establish and maintain an excellent team-oriented relationship with all other FirstLight Departments as well. Willing to be a team player and demonstrate consideration for the needs of others.

EXTERNAL: Responds to customers and communities with a positive approach to ensure positive public relations. Serves as a liaison between the Company, contractors, and customers.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Broad experience designing Outside Plant work plans with a thorough understanding of right-of-way, DOT and local municipal permitting.
• Ability to read, interpret and follow complex maps, diagrams and schematics.
• Familiarity with NESC guidelines.
• Technical aptitude and strong computer skills, with the ability to maneuver through several operating systems (such as NetSuite, CHR, VETRO, M4 and Google Earth).
• Skilled at evaluating data to make sound decisions with the ability to organize and prioritize multiple work assignments.
• Must have strong work ethic, be well organized and reliable.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and with a team in a fast-paced and high-volume environment with emphasis on accuracy and timeliness.
• Ability to communicate professionally through all types of media with customers, managers, associates and contractors.
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly motivated.
• Self-starter and able to work independently.
• Possess excellent time management, organizational and multi-tasking skills.
• Flexible and able to switch gears.
• Ability to effectively handle change.
• Able to work with all types of people and customers.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Computer knowledge

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have valid and unencumbered driving license.
• Must pass pre-employment drug testing.
• Must be honest and ethical in all dealings.
• Must present professional appearance and demeanor.

LIGHT DUTY ASSIGNMENTS This position can be performed under light duty restrictions.

About FirstLight

FirstLight, headquartered in Albany, New York, provides fiber-optic data, Internet, data center, cloud and voice services to enterprise and carrier customers throughout the Northeast connecting more than 13,000 locations in service with more than 125,000 locations serviceable by our more than 25,000-route mile network. FirstLight offers a robust suite of advanced telecommunications products featuring a comprehensive portfolio of high bandwidth connectivity solutions including Ethernet, wavelength, and dark fiber services as well as dedicated Internet access solutions, data center, cloud and voice services. FirstLight’s clientele includes national cellular providers and wireline carriers and many leading enterprises, spanning high tech manufacturing and research, hospitals and healthcare, banking and financial, secondary education, colleges and universities, and local and state governments.

FirstLight is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. We recognize that our differences are assets that strengthen us as a team, and FirstLight is committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels welcomed, valued, respected and recognized. FirstLight Fiber is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with state and federal laws, FirstLight’s equal opportunity policy is that all applicants and employees are treated equally by the company with respect to employment opportunities, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status or veteran disability.