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Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers Occupation Detailed Description

Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers

The main tasks and work activities of Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers are to travel to work sites to perform installation, repair or maintenance work, analyze test or performance data to assess equipment operation, inspect telecommunications equipment to identify problems, connect electrical components or equipment. In general, for the Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers, critical Thinking, speaking, operation Monitoring, complex Problem Solving and other 8 skills are required.
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers Job Description
EducationThese occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related ExperienceSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers jobs. 59.59% of Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 14.05% of Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
13.10%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
59.59%
Post-Secondary Certificate
14.05%
Some College Courses
12.37%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0.89%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
0.00%

Tasks and Work Activities of Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers

  • Travel to customers' premises to install, maintain, or repair audio and visual electronic reception equipment or accessories.
  • Inspect or test lines or cables, recording and analyzing test results, to assess transmission characteristics and locate faults or malfunctions.
  • Splice cables, using hand tools, epoxy, or mechanical equipment.
  • Measure signal strength at utility poles, using electronic test equipment.
  • Set up service for customers, installing, connecting, testing, or adjusting equipment.
  • Place insulation over conductors or seal splices with moisture-proof covering.
  • Access specific areas to string lines or install terminal boxes, auxiliary equipment, or appliances, using bucket trucks, or by climbing poles or ladders, or entering tunnels, trenches, or crawl spaces.
  • String cables between structures and lines from poles, towers, or trenches and pull lines to proper tension.
  • Install equipment such as amplifiers or repeaters to maintain the strength of communications transmissions.
  • Lay underground cable directly in trenches or string it through conduits running through trenches.
  • Clean or maintain tools or test equipment.
  • Explain cable service to subscribers after installation and collect any installation fees that are due.
  • Compute impedance of wires from poles to houses to determine additional resistance needed for reducing signals to desired levels.
  • Use a variety of construction equipment to complete installations, such as digger derricks, trenchers, or cable plows.
  • Dig trenches for underground wires or cables.
  • Dig holes for power poles, using power augers or shovels, set poles in place with cranes, and hoist poles upright, using winches.
  • Fill and tamp holes, using cement, earth, and tamping devices.
  • Participate in the construction or removal of telecommunication towers or associated support structures.
  • Pull up cable by hand from large reels mounted on trucks.
  • Pull cable through ducts by hand or with winches.
  • Performing General Physical ActivitiesPerforming physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRunning, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside OrganizationCommunicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Travel to work sites to perform installation, repair or maintenance work.
  • Analyze test or performance data to assess equipment operation.
  • Inspect telecommunications equipment to identify problems.
  • Connect electrical components or equipment.
  • Measure equipment outputs.
  • Install audio or communications equipment.
  • Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
  • Test communications equipment to ensure proper functioning.
  • Install insulation in equipment or structures.
  • Climb equipment or structures to access work areas.
  • Lay cables to connect equipment.
  • Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order.
  • Maintain work equipment or machinery.
  • Collect payments for goods or services.
  • Explain use of products or services.
  • Calculate requirements for equipment installation or repair projects.
  • Move large objects using heavy equipment.
  • Dig holes or trenches.
  • Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
  • Assemble structural components.

Skills and Abilities for Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers

  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Equipment MaintenancePerforming routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Extent FlexibilityThe ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Multilimb CoordinationThe ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Trunk StrengthThe ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Adjustable wrenchese.g. Adjustable hand wrenches
  • Boring machinese.g. Borers
  • Levelse.g. Bubble levels
  • Articulating boom lifte.g. Bucket trucks
  • Stripping toolse.g. Buffer strippers
  • Wire or cable cuttere.g. Cable cutters
  • Stripping toolse.g. Cable jacket strippers
  • Electrical power sensorse.g. Cable locators
  • Trenching machinese.g. Cable plows
  • Sheaves or pulleyse.g. Cable sheaves
  • Shearse.g. Cable slitters
  • Stripping toolse.g. Cable strippers
  • Banderse.g. Cable tie guns
  • Cable reelse.g. Cable trees
  • Specialty wrenchese.g. Can wrenches
  • Card key locke.g. Card access devices
  • Locking plierse.g. Channel lock pliers
  • Claw hammere.g. Claw hammers
  • Security camerase.g. Coaxial security cameras
  • Wire lug crimping toole.g. Combo crimping tools
  • TelecommunicationsKnowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • Communications and MediaKnowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.