Telecommunications Technician I, II, III, IV or JL

• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance servicing of equipment as required to ensure compliance with all NERC/FERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation/Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) Regulations.
• Install and test Telecommunications, Data and EMS equipment as required.
• Operate and maintain off‑road and all‑terrain vehicles.
• Record and enter maintenance data into the computerized maintenance system.
• Adhere to and demonstrate compliance with appropriate electric utility industry regulatory requirements.  Attain knowledge and remain knowledgeable of development in regulations, laws, standards and best practices applicable to the functional area including, but not limited to, Standards of Conduct, Environmental, Employment Law, NERC Reliability Standards and Safety.  Must be familiar with, and comply with, all aspects of Corporate Policy C-54, Compliance. 
• Demonstrate behavior consistent with Tri-State’s culture embodied in the Cooperative principles and spirit and core values of technical competency, respect and dignity, accountability, integrity, trustworthiness, and servant leadership to empower or otherwise enable others to optimally perform their job responsibilities. Demonstrate and promote ethics and behaviors consistent with Tri-State’s culture, Board policies, and business practices. Understand and fulfill the role and responsibility for all compliance programs within the company.
• Because Tri-State is an electric utility with continuous service obligations to its customers, regular, reliable, and predictable performance of the essential functions and responsibilities is an essential function of the job.
• Because Tri-State has an obligation to provide continuous, reliable electric service to its customers, the ability to work overtime at any time of the day or week is considered an essential function of the job.

OTHER DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform other related duties as assigned

SUCCESS FACTORS/JOB COMPETENCIES: 

• Planning:  ability to think ahead and plan within timelines and resources; develop scopes, plan and schedule work; set priorities and goals; anticipate and adjust for problems; evaluate workloads; measure and evaluate performance against established goals.
• Time management: ability to successfully plan and implement objectives within established timelines and work schedules.
• Ability to analyze problems and develop effective solutions at both strategic and functional levels.
• Commitment to company values.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong team player: accomplishes tasks by working with others and being a good team player.  Recognizes how his/her decisions may impact others; seeks input from others.
• Computer proficiency in operating a personal computer and standard business office applications including Microsoft Office suite, databases, and other related applications.
• Ability to work independently, with minimal direction as a highly motivated self-starter.

Education and Training

• The equivalent of technical training received in an Associate Degree program in Electronics Engineering Technology with advance studies in radio communications (including microwave), data communications and digital systems (including microprocessors, peripheral equipment, and programming), and networking principles.

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:

• Must be able to demonstrate that he/she can perform all of the essential functions of the position.
• Willingness to obtain switchman certification as per Tri-State SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) and willingness to perform switching operations in high voltage electric power substations.
• Knowledge of first‑aid and safety requirements specific to the electrical utility industry.
• Ability to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) within 6 months of the date of hire.
• Willingness to work in or around high voltage specific to the electrical utility industry
• Willingness to work on antenna systems and tower structures in excess of 300 feet in height.
• Must be capable of satisfactorily interpreting electrical schematic diagrams, wiring diagrams and control logic.

Experience:

• Four (4) years or more of practical experience and/or be able to demonstrate knowledge in maintenance of telecommunication systems as follows (years of required experience listed below can be concurrent):
  • Two (2) years of practical experience and/or the equivalent knowledge in maintenance of two‑way radio, telephone systems, fiber optic systems, microwave radio, to include digital microwave radio systems, and carrier systems.
  • Two (2) years of practical experience and/or the equivalent knowledge in maintenance of long haul fiber optic communications system.
  • Two (2) years of practical experience and/or the equivalent knowledge in maintenance of digital remote terminal units, LAN/WAN hardware and software, and microprocessors and computer systems.

Other:

• Willingness to travel up to 75 percent of working time, including overnight travel. (Must possess a valid driver's license.)
• Willingness to be on call on a 24‑hour basis.
• Must reside within a one hour response time to the base location.
• Must have a satisfactory work record.

DESIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Electrical utility experience desirable.

Note: The above requirements describe the experience and education qualifications for the Journey Level Telecommunications Technician. Those with less experience will be hired at the I, II, III or IV job grade level.

Tri-State is a wholesale power supply cooperative, operating on a not-for-profit basis, with 43 members, including 40 utility electric distribution cooperative and public power district members in four states: Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming. Together with its members, Tri-State delivers reliable, affordable and responsible power and energy services to more than a million electricity consumers across nearly 200,000 square miles of the West.

Tri-State was founded in 1952 by its member systems to provide a reliable, cost-based supply of electricity. Headquartered in Westminster, Colo., approximately 1,200 people are employed by Tri-State across five states.

Tri-State's electricity is generated from coal, natural gas and hydropower, with a rapidly increasing supply generated from wind and solar. Tri-State delivers power to its members through a transmission system that includes substation facilities, telecommunications sites and over 5,700 miles of high voltage transmission lines. Tri-State's transformative Responsible Energy Plan is reducing emissions, increasing renewable resources, developing new energy services and delivering more flexibility for its members.