Job Description
Job Description
Position Summary
Aquila Corporation is seeking experienced and dependable Underground Cable Placement Technicians to support the construction and installation of underground fiber-optic telecommunications infrastructure. This position is responsible for safely and efficiently placing fiber through underground conduit systems using pneumatic, mechanical, and conventional cable-placement methods.
Experience operating a Larson cable/fiber placement trailer and Hurricane fiber blower is strongly preferred and is a key qualification for this position. Candidates should also have experience with, or the mechanical aptitude to operate, other fiber-blowing and cable-placement applications.
Primary Responsibilities
· Install underground fiber-optic cable through conduit, innerduct, and multi-duct systems.
· Set up, operate, and maintain Larson cable/fiber placement trailers and associated placement equipment.
· Set up and operate Hurricane fiber-blowing equipment safely and efficiently.
· Operate other pneumatic, hydraulic, and mechanical fiber-blowing and cable-placement systems as required.
· Properly load, secure, transport, stage, and handle fiber reels.
· Determine appropriate fiber-placement methods based on conduit size, cable type, footage, route conditions, and project specifications.
· Properly set air pressure, cable-feed speed, pushing force, and related operating parameters for successful fiber placement.
· Monitor cable tension and placement conditions to prevent excessive pulling force, kinking, twisting, fiber damage, or violation of manufacturer specifications.
· Lubricate conduit and cable when required and assist with rodding, proofing, mandreling, cleaning, and preparing conduit.
· Identify blocked, damaged, crushed, flooded, or otherwise compromised conduit and immediately communicate field issues.
· Place fiber through handholes, vaults, pedestals, cabinets, and other underground telecommunications structures.
· Maintain proper cable slack and coil management at handholes, cabinets, splice locations, and designated points.
· Assist with pull rope, mule tape, winch-assisted placement, and conventional cable-pulling methods when blowing is not appropriate.
· Support service-drop fiber placement, underground drop-bury operations, and directional drilling crews when required.
· Read and interpret construction prints, fiber routes, maps, conduit assignments, and project specifications.
· Accurately document installed footage, routes, reel assignments, redlines, photographs, and information required for project as-builts.
· Maintain assigned trucks, trailers, fiber blowers, compressors, tooling, and related equipment; perform pre-use/post-use inspections and basic troubleshooting.
· Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and professional jobsite.
Required Equipment Knowledge
· Larson cable/fiber placement trailers
· Hurricane fiber blowers
· Other pneumatic fiber-blowing systems and applications
· Mechanical cable pushers and cable-placement equipment
· Air compressors used for fiber placement
· Fiber reel trailers, reel stands, reel brakes, and payout systems
· Hydraulic/mechanical cable-placement equipment and winches
· Conduit rodding, proofing, mandreling, and duct-cleaning equipment
· Pull rope, mule tape, hand tools, and power tools used in OSP construction
· Drop-bury plows and service-drop placement equipment when required
Required Qualifications
· Previous underground telecommunications, fiber construction, cable placement, or closely related experience preferred.
· Hands-on experience with Larson trailers and Hurricane fiber blowers is highly preferred.
· Working knowledge of fiber-blowing principles and proper cable-handling practices.
· Ability to safely operate compressors and understand pressure requirements associated with pneumatic fiber placement.
· Understanding of cable limitations, minimum bend radius, pulling tension, and proper fiber-handling procedures.
· Ability to read and interpret OSP construction prints and underground fiber routes.
· Ability to identify conduit, handholes, vaults, pedestals, and other telecommunications infrastructure.
· Ability to accurately document installed footage and completed cable routes for as-built records.
· Basic mechanical troubleshooting abilities.
· Ability to work outdoors in varying weather and terrain and perform physically demanding construction work.
· Valid driver's license and ability to meet company driving requirements.
· Ability to travel and work extended hours when project schedules require it.
Safety Expectations
· Follow all Aquila Corporation safety policies and customer/project requirements.
· Complete required JSA/JHA documentation before beginning work and wear required PPE.
· Establish appropriate work-zone signage, cones, barricades, and traffic-control measures.
· Inspect equipment before operation and never exceed manufacturer operating limitations.
· Maintain awareness of underground and overhead utilities and verify applicable utility locates before excavation activities.
· Immediately report utility strikes, fiber damage, equipment damage, injuries, near misses, or unsafe conditions.
· Never operate equipment without proper training and authorization.
Performance Expectations
Technicians are expected to arrive prepared with the materials, equipment, and tooling required to complete assigned work without unnecessary delays. Work must be completed safely, efficiently, professionally, and to production-quality standards while protecting customer facilities and Aquila Corporation equipment.
Employees must immediately communicate field conditions preventing completion, including blocked or damaged conduit, missing infrastructure, incorrect prints, inaccessible handholes, equipment failures, or other plant-related issues.
Preferred Experience
· Long-distance fiber blowing and underground backbone/distribution fiber placement
· FTTH construction and service-drop placement
· Directional drilling and conduit installation
· Handhole and vault installation
· Aerial fiber construction
· Fiber splicing and testing
· Restoration, construction-print interpretation, field redlines, and as-built documentation
Professional Standards
Employees represent Aquila Corporation on every project and are expected to demonstrate professionalism when interacting with customers, property owners, municipalities, utility representatives, inspectors, subcontractors, and other contractors. Quality, safety, accountability, equipment care, communication, and production are essential requirements of this position.