Operations Route Manager - Telecommunications

Position Title: Field Services Operations Route Manager

Location: Field-Based (25%) / Remote (75%)

Regions: As Assigned (Full route is Seattle to Minneapolis)

Department: Field Service Operations

Job Type: Full-Time

Salary Range: $100,000-$130,000 per year, DOE.

Position Summary

The Route Manager is responsible for the overall condition, maintenance, and lifecycle management of post constructed plant infrastructure within an assigned geographic area. Serving as the primary point of accountability for assigned routes, this role maintains comprehensive knowledge of network assets, identifies and resolves infrastructure deficiencies, and ensures route records, GIS data, ROW compliance, and as-built documentation remain accurate and current.

The Route Manager leads maintenance activities, minor network modifications, relocations, and capital improvement projects while providing hands-on oversight of direct reports & contractors (as required), project scope, budgets, schedules, quality, and field execution. The position works closely with Construction, Engineering, Field Services, utilities, regulatory agencies, contractors, and private landowners to protect network assets, resolve conflicts, and support the long-term reliability of the network.

This role requires regular field presence, independent decision-making, strong cross-functional and stakeholder management, and the ability to respond to changing priorities and emergency restoration needs. The successful candidate will take ownership of their assigned routes from a safety, reliability, compliance, cost, and asset-lifecycle perspective

Responsibilities

Route & Asset Management

• Serve as the primary accountable party and subject matter expert for all assigned post construction plant assets and routes
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of route infrastructure locations, permitting constraints, maintenance requirements, and operational risks
• Ensure route records, GIS data, as-built documentation, and asset inventories remain current and accurate. Investigate and resolve discrepancies as identified
• Develop and maintain route-specific maintenance, risk mitigation, and lifecycle management plans
• Maintain all requirements associated with permits and easements within assigned areas of responsibility
• Act as a key point of contact for internal stakeholders, Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), utilities, contractors, and private landowners within assigned areas
• Work closely with engineering and permit agencies to design, engineer and permit new lateral network extensions.
• Directly support, coordinate and manage the construction process for new lateral extensions to existing backbone network

Operational Management

• Assist with the secondary management of construction contractors and closeout inspections to drive completion of route modifications
• Develop scopes of work, obtain pricing, and oversee the execution of maintenance projects
• Monitor direct report & contractor performance, quality, safety, and productivity
• Conduct field inspections to verify completed work meets company standards, specifications, and general obligations
• Track built route deficiencies, escalate issues as appropriate, and ensure timely corrective action
• Support annual maintenance planning, budgeting, and forecasting activities
• Provide oversight and support for assigned capital projects

Network Modifications & Capital Improvements

• Manage moves, adds, changes, relocations, and route adjustments not allocated to capital construction
• Support engineering and permitting activities associated with move, add, change, and relocation projects
• Lead contractor procurement and field execution activities for assigned projects
• Review proposed utility, transportation, and third-party projects for potential conflicts with existing facilities
• Attend utility coordination meetings and represent the company regarding assigned outside plant infrastructure
• Research and assist in resolving encroachment disputes involving private landowners or third parties
• Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, and risk assessments for route modification projects
• Ensure all modifications are properly documented and incorporated into GIS, as-built documentation, and route records upon completion

Emergency Response Support

• Serve as a secondary escalation point during network outages and emergency restoration events
• Provide route-specific knowledge, jurisdictional coordination, and contractor support to Operations-led restoration efforts
• Support post-incident reviews and assist with identifying and implementing long-term corrective actions

Collaboration

• Ability to work effectively across organizational boundaries, both internally and externally, is critical to success in this role
• Ability to build productive relationships with Operations, Construction, Engineering, contractors, utilities, landowners, and jurisdictional authorities

Skills & Competencies

• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including internal Field Operations and Construction teams, external utilities, contractors, landowners, and jurisdictional authorities
• Ability to read, interpret, and update network data within required tools, including GIS, Netbox and VETRO
• Ability to identify conflicts between planned infrastructure projects and existing network assets
• Working knowledge of underground fiber construction and maintenance practices
• Strong organizational and documentation skills, including the ability to track issues, develop and issue scopes of work, and provide mapping teams with accurate and updated network information
• Experience with contractor scope development, pricing and bid evaluation, and contractor performance oversight
• Ability to support budgeting, forecasting, and expense tracking associated with annual maintenance planning
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to independently prioritize multiple projects, field issues, and operational needs

Preferred Qualifications

Education & Certifications

• High school diploma or GED required
• Post-secondary education, technical training, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience in construction, utilities, telecommunications, or a related field is preferred
• Familiarity with one-call systems, utility damage prevention practices, OSHA 10/30, or equivalent safety certifications is desirable
• Strong working knowledge of fiber construction standards, right-of-way requirements, and permitting processes
• Including route acceptance and operations & maintenance activities
• Ability to read and interpret construction prints, schematics, splice diagrams, and network maps
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Excellent communication and team leadership skills
• Hands-on experience working with or alongside construction crews (aerial and underground), including trenching, boring, and aerial placement

Experience

• Minimum of three years of experience outside utility construction and/or operations preferred
• Experience supervising direct reports and/or managing third-party contractor relationships is desirable

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to:

• Perform work in varied outdoor and indoor environments, including exposure to extreme weather conditions such as heat, cold, wind, and rain
• Lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50-75 pounds as required
• Climb ladders and work at heights for extended periods
• Work in confined spaces, including handholes and equipment shelters, in accordance with applicable safety regulations
• Operate hand tools, power tools, and telecommunications-specific locating equipment
• Bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, stand, and walk for extended periods
• Walk safely on uneven terrain, including construction sites, trenches, rural areas, and undeveloped locations
• Work extended hours, or on-call shifts as needed to support project timelines and network outages
• Wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats, safety vests, gloves, and eye protection

Driving & Compliance Requirements

• Must possess a valid driver’s license at all times
• Must maintain a clean and safe driving record in accordance with company policy
• Ability to pass motor vehicle record (MVR) checks and ongoing driving compliance reviews
• Must adhere to all company vehicle policies, including safe driving practices and vehicle inspections
• Ability to operate company vehicles, including trucks and vans, in a safe and responsible manner

Work Environment

• Combination of field-based work and administrative responsibilities
• This position requires frequent field visits, which may involve travel, exposure to varying weather conditions, and work on or around active construction sites
• Flexibility in working hours may be required to accommodate project schedules, planned maintenance activities, emergencies, and network outages
• Periodic overnight travel may be required

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits -100% paid
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Unlimited Paid time off (PTO)
• Paid holidays

Compensation

Salary is dependent upon the education, skills, qualifications, and experience of the candidate.

Salary Range: $100,000-$130,000 per year, DOE.

*Equal Opportunity Statement: Intermountain Infrastructure Group, LLC complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io

*Offers of employment will be made conditionally pending successful completion of background and MVA check.