Fiber Maintenance Technician

Are you an experienced fiber technician who enjoys solving problems, working in the field, and helping keep people connected? At East Central Energy (ECE), we’re looking for a Fiber Maintenance Technician to install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair the fiber network and services our members rely on.

In this role, you’ll work across ECE’s fiber network, from splicing and testing fiber to repairing outages, completing aerial and underground construction, and installing service at homes and businesses. You’ll use your technical experience to identify problems, restore service, support quality construction, and help ensure each job is completed safely and correctly.

If you take pride in hands-on work and want to see the direct impact of what you do, consider this your sign to apply.

Why You’ll Love Working at ECE

• Values-Driven Culture: ECE is guided by our RICH values: Respect, Integrity, Courage, and Humility. These values shape how we work, make decisions, and support one another.
• Competitive Pay: Starting wage between $37.20 and $41.86 per hour, based on qualifications, education, and experience.
• Outstanding Benefits: 100% employer-paid medical with employer contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA) plus dental, vision, Short-Term Disability (STD), Long-Term Disability (LTD), tuition reimbursement, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and other valuable benefits.
• Future-Ready: Build your financial security with a 401(k)-plan featuring up to a 10% employer contribution.
• Rest and Renewal: Receive 40 hours of PTO after your first eight-hour workday, with additional PTO accrued weekly based on years of service, in addition to ten paid holidays.
• Community Focused: Be part of a cooperative that actively supports local initiatives and strengthens the communities we serve.

A Day in the Life

Your day will focus on keeping ECE’s fiber network operation reliably and providing members with high-quality service.

• Installing and repairing fiber: You’ll splice single-mode loose tube and ribbon fiber, replace fiber optic connectors, and install or repair splice closures, trays, terminals, drops, and related equipment.
• Troubleshooting service issues: You’ll use tools such as an optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) to identify and resolve no-light and low-light issues, locate damaged underground fiber, and help restore service following outages.
• Supporting fiber construction: You’ll read and interpret construction prints, assist with designs and redlines, and complete aerial and underground fiber construction, including conduit, handhole, and Multiport Service Terminal placements.
• Maintaining the network: You’ll install, route, inspect, maintain, and repair aerial and underground fiber optic cables and equipment, including work within the Power Supply Space while maintaining required safe working distances.
• Connecting members: You’ll install, terminate, test, troubleshoot, and repair fiber, Cat 5/6 cabling, ONTs, gateways, and Voice over Internet Protocol telephone service at homes and businesses.
• Coordinating service work: You’ll meet with members before installation or repair work, explain the planned approach, and provide information about internet services and equipment.
• Responding to outages: You’ll request emergency locates, document outage-related incidents, isolate damaged fiber, and help oversee contractor restoration efforts.
• Supporting safe, quality work: You’ll inspect vehicles, tools, personal protective equipment, and company-provided equipment while following established safety procedures.
• Working across the team: You’ll coordinate with the Broadband department and provide oversight and quality control for contract installation technicians.
• Documenting field work: You’ll maintain inventory and work-order records and manage field progress using an iPad or laptop.

Success in this role means completing technically accurate work, responding calmly when service issues arise, and treating members and coworkers with respect. You’ll be trusted to work safely, protect ECE’s fiber infrastructure, and help deliver dependable service.

What You’ll Need

Required Qualifications

• Two-year technical degree and seven years of experience; or
• A minimum of ten years of fiber optic construction experience that includes single-mode and multimode fiber splicing, construction, repair, bucket truck operation, and maintenance of a fiber optic network; or
• A combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge.
• Valid driver’s license.
• DOT Medical Card or the ability to obtain one within the first month of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate will also need the ability to:

• Understand GPON and XGS-PON fiber-to-the-home infrastructure, including optical power behavior and loss.
• Identify and maintain minimum approach distances when working around aerial fiber optic cables.
• Read and interpret construction prints and manufacturer specifications.
• Understand Rural Utilities Service codes, rights-of-way, and building construction.
• Perform basic mathematical calculations to resolve optical loss problems and locate faults.
• Communicate clearly with members, coworkers, contractors, and other audiences.
• Use standard office technology and work-management systems.
• Follow safety procedures, report unsafe conditions, and report near misses.
• Obtain qualifications aligned with OSHA 1910.268 for telecommunications work in the Power Supply Space.

Additional Details

• Schedule: Onsite, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Superior Operations Center located in Superior, WI.
• Work Arrangement: This is an on-site and field-based position. A hybrid work option is not available. Training includes travel to other ECE locations within our service territory.
• Travel: A work truck is provided for business use but must be returned to an ECE location at the end of each workday.
• Safety: This position must be able to safely perform telecommunications work, recognize hazards, follow established procedures, and maintain required distances from energized electrical equipment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

ECE embraces diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and value the unique perspectives and experiences they bring.

Ready to Apply?

Ready to use your fiber experience to help keep our communities connected? Submit your resume and cover letter by Wednesday, November 4 to start your journey with East Central Energy.