Outside Plant Construction Technician I

Join Our Team as an Outside Plant Construction Technician II in Coeur d'Alene, ID!

Are you ready to be part of a team that's transforming the way communities stay connected? Join us as an Outside Plant Construction Technician I in Coeur d'Alene, ID, where you'll play a hands-on role in building the infrastructure powering tomorrow's communication networks.

From installing cutting-edge fiber optic systems to ensuring compliance with state and local regulations, this position offers the perfect blend of physical, technical, and impactful work. If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in dynamic environments, keep reading to discover how you can shape the future with us!

Please note: This position may be filled as an Outside Plant Construction Technician I (ID #2025-24310) or II (ID #2025-24311), based on the candidate's skills and qualifications. Separate job postings outline the minimum requirements for each role. Please review both postings and apply to any level for which you are qualified and interested.

This position is eligible for a $1,000 sign-on bonus! (Payout terms apply)

Schedule:

This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week role with a *flexible schedule.

*Please note that the schedule may vary depending on the specific market.

Compensation:

The pay for this position ranges from *$22.62 to $33.94 per hour.

*This range reflects the minimum and maximum base compensation for the role. The actual offer amount will carefully consider multiple factors, such as relevant skills, qualifications, work experience, location and/or competencies that align with the specified role. Certain positions are eligible for additional forms of compensation such as bonuses and equity awards.

Why Join Us?

As a member of our Construction and Service Enablement team at TDS, you'll play a critical role in building and maintaining cutting-edge fiber optic networks that connect communities nationwide. With over 50 years of experience, TDS is a leader in fiber internet innovation, delivering up to 10 Gigabit speeds to homes and businesses. Join our team and be part of a collaborative environment where your skills in construction, safety, and technology will directly impact the future of connectivity in urban, suburban, and rural areas.

What We're Looking For:

Self-Motivated: You're driven, ambitious, and always looking for ways to improve.
• Attention to Detail: You are committed to following safety protocols, and you take pride in precision, ensuring every measurement and assembly is accurate.
• Teamwork and Communication: You have strong communication skills and thrive in collaborative environments.

What You'll Do:

Conduct general construction tasks in various weather conditions, adhering to safety standards.

• Aids in transporting construction equipment to and from the worksite.
• Assists with and executes the installation of aerial and buried fiber based on maps, staking sheets, and locate markings.
• Operates hand tools, cable locators, and testing equipment as needed.
• Installs and sets enclosures, including buried and aerial vaults, pedestals, and handholes.
• Climbs poles, ladders, towers, and other structures as required, utilizing a bucket truck when necessary.
• Labels and marks fiber optic and copper facilities accurately.
• Utilizes dispatching applications and relevant tools for project coordination.
• Supports fiber splicing, repairs, and outside plant maintenance activities.
• Restores landscapes to original condition upon project completion.

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

• 6+ months experience in any combination of the following areas: customer service, electrical or utility construction, -OR-technical certification (or higher) -OR- current military service, or prior military service with honorable discharge.
• Must follow the TDS attendance guidelines in order to meet TDS's business needs including but not limited to our obligations to our customers and to our customers' needs.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and remain eligible for DOT requirements.

Other Qualifications

• Ability to obtain a Class A CDL (current CDL preferred; in-house training and certification available).
• Ability to operate manual transmission vehicles.
• Successful completion of safety training and customer-specific requirements, including possible background checks.
• Physically capable of climbing, kneeling, digging, lifting, and pulling as needed.
• Basic knowledge of telecommunications products and services.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills.
• Willingness to travel, work overtime, and adapt to various shifts as needed.

Do you meet all of the Required Qualifications, but aren't sure if your experience meets the Other Qualifications? We encourage you to apply! Research shows that some candidates may not apply for jobs unless they feel they meet 100% of the qualifications, when, in fact, they have the skills and experience to be successful in the role! Experience and skills come in many different forms and may not always look identical to what we have on paper, but still lead to success in the role. If you meet the Required Qualifications and believe you have what it takes to be successful in the position, apply today!

Training:

As an Outside Plant Construction Technician I, 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.

The duration of training varies based on the team assignment. Training for underground teams is 3 weeks, with an additional 1 week required for aerial training. Depending on factors such as market needs, prior skills, and team size, some individuals may only complete underground training, while others may undergo the full 4-week program, including aerial training.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

This role involves frequent physical activity, including standing, walking, kneeling, climbing, and lifting up to 50 pounds regularly (occasionally over 100 pounds). Vision requirements include close, distance, color, and depth perception.

Work conditions often include outdoor weather, attics, crawl spaces, and high-risk areas like high voltage zones, trenches, and manholes. Exposure to heavy equipment, fumes, vibration, extreme temperatures, and loud noise is common.

Benefits

Associates scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week have access to medical, dental, vision, life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and paid time off benefits such as vacation (15 days accrued per year for full-time; pro-rated for part-time associates working between 20-39 hours), sick leave (10 days accrued per year for full-time and pro-rated for all other associates), seven paid national holidays and one floating holiday, paid parental leave (2 weeks after 12 months of employment), among others. Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability coverage is also available for associates working 30 or more hours per week and Education Assistance is available to full-time associates. Associates scheduled to work under twenty hours per week or for a limited term (i.e. interns) are eligible for medical coverage, the 401(k) plan (if 18 or older), as well as sick leave (10 days accrued per year for full-time and pro-rated for all other associates).

At TDS, we embrace Equal Employment Opportunity by valuing our differences and 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.