According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Demonstrate equipment to customers and explain its use, responding to any inquiries or complaints. | 87% |
| Test circuits and components of malfunctioning telecommunications equipment to isolate sources of malfunctions, using test meters, circuit diagrams, polarity probes, and other hand tools. | 86% |
| Test repaired, newly installed, or updated equipment to ensure that it functions properly and conforms to specifications, using test equipment and observation. | 86% |
| Climb poles and ladders, use truck-mounted booms, and enter areas such as manholes and cable vaults to install, maintain, or inspect equipment. | 85% |
| Assemble and install communication equipment such as data and telephone communication lines, wiring, switching equipment, wiring frames, power apparatus, computer systems, and networks. | 84% |
| Run wires between components and to outside cable systems, connecting them to wires from telephone poles or underground cable accesses. | 84% |
| Drive crew trucks to and from work areas. | 83% |
| Test connections to ensure that power supplies are adequate and that communications links function. | 82% |
| Note differences in wire and cable colors so that work can be performed correctly. | 81% |
| Inspect equipment on a regular basis to ensure proper functioning. | 81% |
| Collaborate with other workers to locate and correct malfunctions. | 80% |
| Remove loose wires and other debris after work is completed. | 80% |
| Repair or replace faulty equipment, such as defective and damaged telephones, wires, switching system components, and associated equipment. | 80% |
| Route and connect cables and lines to switches, switchboard equipment, and distributing frames, using wire-wrap guns or soldering irons to connect wires to terminals. | 78% |
| Maintain computer and manual records pertaining to facilities and equipment. | 78% |
| Communicate with bases, using telephones or two-way radios to receive instructions or technical advice, or to report equipment status. | 77% |
| Designate cables available for use. | 77% |
| Remove and remake connections to change circuit layouts, following work orders or diagrams. | 76% |
| Diagnose and correct problems from remote locations, using special switchboards to find the sources of problems. | 76% |
| Clean and maintain tools, test equipment, and motor vehicles. | 75% |
| Perform database verifications, using computers. | 74% |
| Request support from technical service centers when on-site procedures fail to solve installation or maintenance problems. | 74% |
| Program computerized switches and switchboards to provide requested features. | 73% |
| Analyze test readings, computer printouts, and trouble reports to determine equipment repair needs and required repair methods. | 71% |
| Examine telephone transmission facilities to determine requirements for new or additional telephone services. | 71% |
| Enter codes needed to correct electronic switching system programming. | 71% |
| Measure distances from landmarks to identify exact installation sites for equipment. | 70% |
| Install updated software and programs that maintain existing software or provide requested features, such as time-correlated call routing. | 69% |
| Adjust or modify equipment to enhance equipment performance or to respond to customer requests. | 69% |
| Perform routine maintenance on equipment, including adjusting and lubricating components and painting worn or exposed areas. | 69% |
| Determine viability of sites through observation, and discuss site locations and construction requirements with customers. | 68% |
| Remove and replace plug-in circuit equipment. | 67% |
| Refer to manufacturers' manuals to obtain maintenance instructions pertaining to specific malfunctions. | 67% |
| Install telephone station equipment, such as intercommunication systems, transmitters, receivers, relays, and ringers, and related apparatus, such as coin collectors, telephone booths, and switching-key equipment. | 64% |
| Dig holes or trenches as necessary for equipment installation and access. | 61% |
| Clean switches and replace contact points, using vacuum hoses, solvents, and hand tools. | 61% |
| Review manufacturer's instructions, manuals, technical specifications, building permits, and ordinances to determine communication equipment requirements and procedures. | 60% |
| Provide input into the design and manufacturing of new equipment. | 58% |
| Address special issues or situations, such as illegal or unauthorized use of equipment, or cases of electrical or acoustic shock. | 58% |
| Place intercept circuits on terminals to handle vacant lines in central office installations. | 57% |
