The Network Specialist (within the Centralized Field Support team) is responsible for centrally supporting Field Service Technicians (FSTs) working trouble, maintenance, installation, on-premise, and Proactive Network Maintenance (PNM) related tasks. Centralized Field Support (CFS) technicians will use their expert level knowledge and experience with outside plant and related troubleshooting concepts and tools to remotely work with FSTs to assist in diagnosing and resolving Layer 1 issues on all Copper, Fiber Optic, and RF/DOCSIS technologies.

Members of the Centralized Field Support Team will also use their expertise and experience to advocate and participate in the continuous improvement of test equipment, tools, processes and standards to best equip our FSTs to meet the daily demands of their work efficiently and effectively.

This position has the ability to work remotely in any of the 40+ States in which TDS Telecom operates.

This position can be hired at either a Network Specialist, Network Specialist I, Network Specialist II, or Senior Network Specialist level depending on the skills and qualifications of the candidate. Different job postings exist for each of these positions. Please reference each job posting for the minimum qualifications required for each role.

TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS Telecom/TDS) delivers high-speed internet, TV entertainment, and phone services to more than 1,000 rural, suburban, and metropolitan communities across the U.S. With 1.2 million connections, TDS is a rapidly growing technology company. Powered by fiber-optics and new industry-leading technologies, TDS delivers up to 2 Gigabit internet speeds and offers internet-protocol based TV entertainment solutions along with traditional phone services. TDS also offers businesses VoIP advanced communications solutions, dedicated internet service, data networking, and hosted-managed services. Visit tdstelecom.com.

Remotely provides support to field technicians at the distribution layer of the TDS service provider network. This includes on-demand assistance and troubleshooting (and on-the-fly training) with facilities and tools, including remoted access to network devices and diagnostic tools to provide immediate verification to a field resource.
• Responsible for the day to day administration and tracking of the Proactive Network Maintenance (PNM) initiative. This work will include proactive monitoring, ticket creation, and continual tracking of network performance with a specific focus on the network segment from access equipment to the customer equipment for both residential and commercial product lines. The PNM program will be used to continuously optimize the health and performance of vectored DSL, xPON, and RF/DOCSIS facilities and network components.
• Provides installation and configuration support to field technicians for high value products and services, both commercial and residential. This may include assistance with CPE configuration, software management, and the identification of systemic issues with CPE or access equipment. This may also include records updates and/or order generation for port moves/configuration changes.
• Participates in the creation and distribution of training and informational materials as it relates to troubleshooting and maintenance of our Copper, Fiber, and HFC facilities.
• Responsible for the identification and escalation of systematic network problems through ticketing and call analytics (among others), as well as from direct feedback from the team members and escalations from Field Managers.
• Participates in training and related professional development activities to stay on top of industry trends and new developments in troubleshooting and maintenance technologies and toolsets.
• Travel to Field Services locations to observe, participate in maintenance and/or troubleshooting activities, and/or provide 1:1 or small group advanced training.

Required Qualifications

• Associate's degree (or higher) -OR- 2+ years professional work experience
• 2+ years experience in Voice/Data/Video networking

Other Qualifications

• Positive attitude and team focus.
• Good organizational and written/verbal communication skills.
• Expert knowledge of, and experience with, DOCSIS/DSL/PON troubleshooting techniques methodologies.
• Proficient in the use of hand-held test sets including, but not limited to, Exfo-635, Exfo-700, Exfo OX-1, Exfo FTB-1,Viavi 620/630, Viavi Seeker D/X, Midtronics, Sencore SLM 1530, Fluke CableIQ
• Expert level knowledge of copper/fiber splicing and repair.
• Transport/Access knowledge and experience (DWDM, SONET).
• Broadband and narrowband access technologies including (but not limited to) POTS, xDSL, T1, DS3, PRI, BRI, WiFi, WiMAX, PON, OCX, Ethernet.
• TCP/IP technologies including (but not limited to) routing and routing protocols (e.g., OSPF, BGP, RIP etc.), subnetting, VoIP and IPTV.
• Power concepts associated with AC and DC power equipment and HVAC implementations in both cabinet and building applications.
• Power concepts associated with grounding of telecommunications systems.
• Customer premises equipment including (but not limited to) Routers, WiFi Access Points, PBX, Handsets, set-top boxes, home wiring concepts.
• The ability to coordinate a small group to work specific network issues.
• The ability to manage changing priorities and to handle several network tasks concurrently with minimum assistance required to help set priorities.
• The ability to organize priorities to achieve maximum performance cost effectively.
• The ability to make timely decisions.
• Able to work with diverse individuals/teams/customers.
• Able to interact and work with others as part of a team.
• Understanding of their role within the team and how their work supports the team's goals.
• Sometimes leads small groups and projects.
• Ability to take the lead to get complex issues resolved. May require assistance for more difficult issues.
• Ability to work within a changing environment.
• Software knowledge and skills in business and office applications, such as spreadsheets, database applications, word documents, network drawing tools, basic network applications (telnet, FTP Client, FTP Server) and basic Unix tools.
• Basic mathematical and statistical analysis.

Benefits

As a part of your total compensation, TDS provides a comprehensive, competitive benefit package. The benefit plans address both the immediate and long term needs that you and your family may have. For an overview of what we have to offer for full-time employees including vacation, health benefits and retirement options please click here.

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. To learn about our diversity & inclusion philosophy and culture, click here!