Outside Plant Technician I

BalsamWest FiberNET; Sylva (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Company car

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Opportunity for advancement

Paid time off

Training & development

Vision insurance

Job summary

BalsamWest FiberNET is seeking an Outside Plant Technician I to maintenance fiber networks, install cabling, and perform tests across Western North Carolina. The role includes locating fiber, splicing, and repairing copper and fiber systems while adhering to safety standards.

Requirements include 1-3 years in outside plant, telecommunications training or on-the-job experience, and a valid driver's license with color vision.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years in Outside Fiber Plant (Outside Plant experience).
• Education: Telecommunications Training or On-The-Job Experience.
• Must have color vision and a valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Install, test, troubleshoot, locate fiber, and repair the cable and fiber network.
• Perform fiber optic fusion splicing and related techniques.
• Work outdoors in all weather, driving to sites in company vehicle.
• Follow National Electrical Safety codes and safety practices.

Skills

Fiber testing

Splicing

Color vision

Driver's license

Education

Telecommunications training or on-the-job experience

Tools

Fiber test equipment

Job description

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Company car
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Opportunity for advancement
• Paid time off
• Training & development
• Vision insurance

Outside Plant Technician I

Industry: Telecommunications

Position Type: Full-Time

Reports To: BWFN Outside Plant Manager

Location: Franklin, NC (Within the Western North Carolina Footprint)

Years of Experience: 1-3 years in Outside Fiber Plant

Education Level: Telecommunications Training or On-The-Job Experience

Date Posted: 9/29/26

OVERVIEW:

An outside plant technician performs maintenance on plant communication equipment and cabling systems for voice, data, and video imaging. Your responsibilities in this job include installing, testing, troubleshooting, locating fiber, and repairing the cable and fiber network in all phases, or assisting. Other duties include the installation of wire strands and cables from poles. You perform fiber optic cable fusion splicing using the best techniques, and splice and seal copper cable. Some jobs require the use of construction equipment to dig holes for each pole and bury fiber cables. You may perform site surveys and fiber/cable locations as needed. You need to have experience with fiber optic test and splicing equipment, and understand the best splicing techniques. You must have skills in troubleshooting and repairing phone and telecom systems, copper, and fiber. You are expected to stay updated on industry trends and technology and take advantage of continuing education opportunities. You must be able to work alone, be detail-oriented, and have a professional demeanor when working with clients. Must have color vision in order to perceive differences in wire and fiber colors.

JOB DUTIES & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Monitor and inspect outside plant projects to meet network quality requirements.
• When necessary, locate fiber/cable underground.
• Place, rearrange, repair, and remove all outside plant structures as needed.
• Drive to and from each work location in the company vehicle to perform work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Must be knowledgeable in and abide by all National Electrical Safety codes and company safety practices.
• Climb poles, ladders, enter tunnels, buildings, vaults, trenches, crawl spaces or manholes to place, maintain, or remove equipment.
• Perform construction work such as digging holes, placing equipment, laying cable/fiber in the ground, unreeling, pulling, and stringing wire and cable from point to point through conduit.
• Dismantle, move, or remove aerial, underground, or building wire, cable, associated equipment, poles, and hardware.
• Work in remote and rough terrain locations.
• Operate power equipment such as compressors, pumps, blowers, winches, etc., and hydraulic equipment such as aerial lifts (buckets), mounted on trucks, etc.
• Work with heavy-duty power equipment and hand tools in the construction, repair, and maintenance of outside plant facilities.
• Load tools and equipment onto trucks and/or trailers
• Perform various splicing operations on Polyethylene Insulated Conductors (PIC), connected cables, and/or lightguide (Fiber)
• Connect wires and cables to terminals, and attach or detach various kinds of hardware to wires, cables, buildings, or poles.
• Move and/or lift weights up to 100 pounds.
• Perform work with other utilities such as gas, electric, telecommunications, water, etc.
• Work safely in consideration of self, the public, and other utility workers.
• Work outside and will be exposed to all weather conditions as well as dirt, grease, and wood preservatives, poison ivy, oak, bee stings, etc.
• Wear appropriate safety equipment and follow established safety practices and procedures.
• May be required to perform additional duties and tasks as required by the company.
• May be required to work day, evening, or night shifts and overtime, emergency call-outs, weekends, and holidays as assigned.
• The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Receive and follow verbal and written work orders and instructions from supervisors and senior employees.
• When directed, communicate and coordinate with other work groups to perform tests on work in progress or completed, and obtain additional information regarding work assignments as needed.
• Perform preventative maintenance on assigned company tools, equipment, and motor vehicles.
• Perform repetitive tasks, e.g., manually burying fiber/cable and/or digging holes.
• Must have vision that enables you to distinguish colors.
• Must have a current, valid driver’s license.
• May be required to take bucket truck safety class.
• May be required to operate and drive a bucket truck.

Due to the nature of BWFN’s business model and customer base, Outside Plant Technicians must be available for both scheduled and non-scheduled network management or “on-call availability”:

• Construction/cutover activities, at times, will require after-hours work (middle of the night).
• Emergency locates and fiber cuts require a timely response (24 hours a day).