Fiber Optics Technician

No matter the role, everyone at Expanse brings it. EVERY. DAY.

Our smart, gritty team supports, challenges, and motivates each other to think hard, work with craft, and build things that last. We serve a broad operating footprint, with headquarters in Oklahoma City and field offices across New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah. Across the energy value stream, from energy production through the delivery of electricity, Expanse delivers scalable, data-driven solutions that reduce costs and increase productivity for our customers. We shorten timelines. We increase uptime. And we push the energy industry forward.

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Position Summary:

The Fiber Optics Technician is responsible for the installation, preparation, splicing, termination, testing, troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair of aerial and underground fiber optic systems. This position performs fusion and mechanical splicing of single-mode (SM) and multimode (MM) fiber optic cables and utilizes specialized testing equipment, including Optical Time Domain Reflectometers (OTDR), optical power meters, fiber identifiers, scopes, and other applicable test equipment to verify system performance and troubleshoot fiber optic networks. The Fiber Optic Technician is responsible for completing assigned work safely, efficiently, and according to applicable project specifications, quality standards, customer requirements, and company procedures. The position also maintains accurate project documentation, production information, timesheets, test results, and customer-required paperwork. The Fiber Optic Technician may provide technical guidance and support to junior technicians and apprentices and must be capable of responding to emergency service-restoration calls when required.

Essential Functions

• Install, prepare, terminate, splice, test, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair aerial and underground fiber optic systems.
• Prepare and perform fusion and mechanical splicing of single-mode (SM) and multimode (MM) fiber optic cables in indoor and outdoor environments.
• Prepare various fiber optic cable types and properly organize fibers for splicing.
• Construct and assemble fiber optic splice closures and cases.
• Work with pressurized and non-pressurized splice cases.
• Perform proper grounding, bonding, isolation, slack storage, sealing, and cable management.
• Perform mid-sheath and ring-cut splicing on applicable loose-tube buffer and ribbon fiber optic cables.
• Perform fiber optic testing using OTDRs, optical power meters, fiber identifiers, tone meters, scopes, and other applicable testing equipment
• Interpret fiber test results and use results to troubleshoot fiber optic systems.
• Identify fiber faults, losses, damaged cables, improper splices, and other system deficiencies.
• Perform corrective splicing and repairs as required.
• Verify completed fiber installations and repairs meet applicable performance and quality requirements.
• Review and interpret aerial and underground cable records, maps, plans, drawings, and field information.
• Provide detailed reports of field-splicing activities to OSP Engineers and appropriate project personnel.
• Maintain accurate production sheets, timesheets, test documentation, and customer-required paperwork.
• Prepare material lists based on project plans and scope of work.
• Assist with ordering, organizing, and staging materials required for assigned projects and crews.
• Make appropriate recommendations regarding fiber optic cable routing and construction methods based on field conditions.
• Participate in engineering, permitting, and construction processes when required.
• Coordinate field changes with appropriate Engineers, Project Managers, Supervisors, and customers.
• Communicate project status, changes, issues, concerns, and results to appropriate personnel.
• Maintain assigned vehicles, tools, fiber-splicing equipment, and test equipment.
• Keep assigned vehicles and equipment clean, stocked, organized, and secure.
• Maintain proper care of specialized fiber optic splicing and testing equipment.
• Assist and provide technical support to junior Fiber Optic Technicians and Apprentices when directed.
• Work flexible schedules, including nights, weekends, and after-hours assignments when required.
• Participate in an on-call rotation and respond to emergency service-restoration calls.
• Respond on short notice to damaged fiber optic systems and assist with restoration until service is restored.
• Travel to customer and project locations as required.
• Maintain regular and timely attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Fiber Splicing & Testing Responsibilities

Fiber Preparation – Properly prepare single-mode and multimode fiber optic cables for termination, splicing, testing, and installation.

Fiber Splicing – Perform fusion and mechanical splicing using appropriate equipment, procedures, and quality standards.

Splice Closures – Construct and maintain applicable splice cases and closures, including proper grounding, bonding, isolation, sealing, slack storage, and cable management.

Mid-Sheath Splicing – Perform mid-sheath and ring-cut splicing on applicable loose-tube and ribbon fiber.

OTDR Testing – Perform OTDR testing and interpret traces and results to identify loss, faults, events, and other fiber conditions.

Optical Testing – Use optical power meters, fiber identifiers, scopes, tone meters, and other applicable equipment to test and troubleshoot fiber systems.

Troubleshooting – Diagnose fiber optic faults and determine appropriate repairs or corrective actions.

Emergency Restoration – Respond to fiber outages and damaged cable situations and assist with restoration of service.

Safety Responsibilities

The Fiber Optics Technician is expected to:

• Make safety a priority in all assigned activities
• Follow company, customer, OSHA, and applicable regulatory safety requirements.
• Participate in required job briefings and safety meetings.
• Identify hazards associated with aerial, underground, construction, and fiber optic work.
• Use required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Follow appropriate procedures when working near electrical systems, traffic, underground utilities, elevated work areas, and construction equipment.
• Properly inspect and use hand tools, fiber-splicing equipment, ladders, test equipment, vehicles, and other assigned equipment.
• Immediately report unsafe conditions, incidents, injuries, damaged equipment, and other safety concerns.
• Maintain clean and organized work areas.
• Follow applicable Installation, Technical, Operations, and Safety Manuals.
• Perform only work for which the employee has been properly trained, qualified, and authorized.
• Exercise Stop Work Authority when unsafe conditions cannot be adequately controlled.

Customer & Project Responsibilities

• Maintain professional communication with customers, project owners, Engineers, Project Managers, and other project personnel.
• Communicate field conditions or scope changes to appropriate personnel.
• Coordinate with customers and Engineers regarding applicable changes in project scope.
• Ensure scope changes are communicated to the Project Manager.
• Provide timely updates regarding project status, issues, concerns, changes, and results.
• Support quality customer service throughout installation, testing, troubleshooting, and restoration activities.
• Provide accurate field information to support project documentation and engineering requirements.
• Maintain professionalism while working at customer and project locations.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge

• Fiber optic cable construction and installation
• Single-mode and multimode fiber
• Fusion and mechanical splicing
• Fiber optic splice closures
• Loose-tube and ribbon fiber
• Mid-sheath and ring-cut splicing
• Aerial and underground fiber optic systems
• OTDR testing
• Optical power testing
• Fiber optic troubleshooting
• Fiber loss and fault identification
• Fiber optic test equipment
• Cable routing and construction methods
• Grounding and bonding applicable to fiber installations
• Fiber cable management and slack storage
• Applicable OSHA, FCC, NESC, and NEC requirements.
• Project documentation and reporting

Skills

• Fiber optic cable preparation.
• Fusion splicing.
• Mechanical splicing.
• OTDR operation and interpretation.
• Optical power meter operation.
• Fiber identifier and scope operation.
• Fiber troubleshooting and repair.
• Splice closure construction.
• Mid-sheath and ring-cut splicing.
• Reading cable records, maps, plans, and project documentation.
• Material planning and preparation
• Technical documentation and reporting.
• Basic computer skills
• Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel.
• Customer service.
• Verbal and written communication.
• Problem-solving and organization.

Abilities

• Independently perform fiber optic splicing and testing activities.
• Interpret OTDR and other fiber optic test results.
• Diagnose fiber optic faults and determine appropriate corrective actions.
• Work with different fiber optic cable types and splice closures.
• Interpret aerial and underground cable records
• Develop material lists based on plans and scopes of work
• Communicate technical field conditions clearly
• Work effectively with Engineers, Project Managers, customers, and field personnel.
• Assist and mentor less-experienced Fiber Optic Technicians and Apprentices.
• Respond effectively to emergency service-restoration situations.
• Work independently with appropriate supervision.
• Work flexible schedules and respond to changing operational priorities.
• Travel to various customer and project locations.

Minimum Education Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED) preferred.
• Fiber optic technical training or equivalent industry training preferred.
• FOA or ETA OSP Certification required or preferred based on operational requirements.

Minimum Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of fiber optic splicing experience required.
• Working knowledge of fiber optic splicing tools, equipment, and techniques.
• Experience performing fusion and/or mechanical fiber splicing.
• Experience with single-mode and multimode fiber
• Experience using OTDR and optical test equipment.
• Ability to interpret fiber optic test results.
• Knowledge of aerial and underground fiber optic systems.
• FOA or ETA OSP Certification.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel.
• Safety-minded and committed to following applicable safety requirements.
• Valid Driver's License required.
• Commercial Driver's License (CDL) may be required based on assigned responsibilities.
• Reliable transportation to travel when necessary.
• Ability and willingness to participate in an on-call rotation.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, after-hours, and emergency assignments.
• Ability and willingness to travel to customer and project locations.
• Willing to submit to pre-employment, random, and for-cause drug testing.
• Ability to effectively and regularly converse and comprehend in English.

Leadership & Mentoring

Although the Fiber Optic Technician is not necessarily a formal supervisory position, an experienced Technician may be expected to:

• Assist less-experienced employees with assigned work.
• Share technical knowledge and field experience.
• Mentor junior Fiber Optic Technicians and Apprentices.
• Support a crew in successfully completing assigned work.
• Demonstrate proper splicing, testing, troubleshooting, and safety practices.
• Communicate technical concerns to Foremen or Supervisors.
• Lead by example in safety, quality, productivity, and professionalism.

Competencies

Safety-Minded – Consistently follows established safety requirements and recognizes hazards associated with fiber optic construction and field operations.

Technical Competency – Demonstrates proficiency in fiber preparation, splicing, testing, troubleshooting, and repair.

Quality Focused – Performs fiber work accurately and according to applicable project, customer, and quality requirements.

Problem Solver – Effectively diagnoses fiber faults and develops appropriate corrective solutions.

Detail-Oriented – Maintains accuracy when splicing, testing, documenting, and reporting fiber optic work.

Team-Oriented – Works effectively with technicians, field crews, Engineers, Project Managers, and customers.

Customer Focused – Provides professional service and supports reliable customer fiber optic systems.

Dependable – Responds reliably to scheduled assignments, on-call rotations, and emergency restoration needs.

Accountable – Takes ownership of assigned work, documentation, tools, equipment, vehicles, and results.

Physical & Work Requirements

• Ability to regularly lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds
• Ability to grasp and manipulate hand tools and specialized fiber optic equipment
• Ability to twist, bend, pull, push, reach, stoop, kneel, and work in various positions
• Ability to stand for extended periods, potentially up to 14 hours per day based on project or emergency requirements
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors
• Ability to work in varying and extreme weather conditions
• Ability to work around aerial and underground utilities, vehicles, construction equipment, and active project sites
• Ability to use required PPE
• Ability to work nights, weekends, after-hours, and emergency restoration assignments
• Ability to travel to various customer and project locations

Driving****Requirements:

Must possess a valid driver's license, and must be at least 21 years of age with a minimum of three (3) years of driving

history. Must maintain a satisfactory driving record to safely operate company vehicles.

Other:

This position is safety sensitive. It is subject to pre-employment and/or periodic background checks, motor vehicle records (MVR) and drug testing.

*This position description is a general guideline for work behavior and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all job duties. Therefore, it is also not, nor can it be implied to be, a contract of employment. Responsibilities may change based on business needs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Must be able to successfully complete an intense background investigation.*