IT Field Technician II

Primary purpose:

Responsible for the installation, maintenance, testing, troubleshooting, and repair of network equipment, cables, and telecommunications systems at various field locations. Ensures optimal network performance and quality. Accurately documents and verifies equipment issues and repairs.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Responsibilities include supporting all production and development systems, as well as the installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of network and telecommunications equipment at various locations. This includes, but is not limited to, 4G/5G modems, Office Networks (LAN/WAN), Industrial Wireless Systems, LEO satellites, and Office Phone Systems 
• Monitor and maintain the integrity of Tallgrass' telecommunications network, including but not limited to 4G/5G modems, licensed and unlicensed frequency radios, LEO satellites, VSAT, DSL, and Private Line (PL) 
• Responsible for the installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of physical cabling, including CAT5/CAT6, multimode and singlemode fiber, coax cable, and low voltage systems up to 48 VDC
• Conduct comprehensive troubleshooting and installation tasks for Layer 1 of the OSI model, including diagnosing and resolving issues related to physical media such as cables and connectors, ensuring proper signal transmission, performing tests on network interfaces, and installing and configuring hardware components to maintain optimal network performance.
• Assist with foundational troubleshooting for Layer 2 of the OSI model, including diagnosing and resolving MAC address conflicts, configuring and managing VLANs for network segmentation, adjusting switch settings to optimize performance, and ensuring proper communication between network devices
• Perform installation tasks involving power tools, ladders, and fixtures to mount antennas, run cables, and complete conduit work efficiently and safely
• Monitors network performance and conducts testing to diagnose and resolve issues
• Capable of thoroughly analyzing and understanding problems or requests to provide the most suitable solutions
• Implement and maintain system management and monitoring tools.
• Develop and follow all system change control procedures.
• Share after-hours support with others in the group including escalations.
• Regularly work under deadlines.
• Utilize software and hardware tools (including but not limited to Netcloud, SolarWinds, Cisco, Ubiquiti) to identify, diagnose and drive resolution of problems and factors affecting network integrity.
• Deal with a wide variety of people with tact, courtesy, and professionalism.
• Speak clearly in person and by telephone, using a high level of verbal skills and listen carefully.
• Maintain a regular, dependable attendance and a consistently high level of performance.
• Will work non-traditional hours as needed.
• Maintain a high regard for personal safety, for the safety of company assets and employees, and the general public.
• Other daily, weekly, monthly or special project duties as identified and defined.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education:

• Associate’s degree from an accredited institution in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Management, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of two (2) years direct work experience in IT or a related discipline may be considered as a substitute for a degree.

Experience/Specific Knowledge:

• Minimum of 2-4 years overall IT infrastructure experience.
• Troubleshoot and install Layer 1 Ethernet, coaxial cables, multimode and singlemode fiber optics, and radio frequency systems
• Experience with VLANs, MAC addresses, Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP), and Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)
• Experience with Cisco Enterprise network equipment
• Experience with Cradlepoints 4G/5G modems
• Experience with Aprisa and Ubiquiti radios
• Experience in effectively communicating business and technical issues to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience in working on multiple assignments during the same time frame juggling tasks based on relative priorities with supervision commensurate with grade level.

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers.

Competencies, Skills & Abilities:

• Must be customer service oriented.
• Excellent organizational, time management and communication skills; must communicate effectively with all levels of company personnel.
• Ability to work well both individually with minimal supervision and in a team environment where the sharing of knowledge is highly regarded and expected.
• Ability to multitask effectively and meet deadlines.
• Good interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to communicate systems requirements verbally and in writing.
• Must be able to perform all essential and marginal functions of the job.
• Must be able to work with a team, take direction from management, adhere to required work schedules, focus attention to details, and follow work rules.
• Ability to successfully perform multiple tasks with strict deadlines.
• Ability to organize and prioritize daily work.
• The analytical thinker can utilize a functional understanding of the various components of systems in conjunction with technical knowledge to identify effective and efficient problem resolutions.

Physical Demands:

All of the physical requirements listed below are those that may be necessary for an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Capable of lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 44 pounds, including tasks such as installing network equipment and handling cables.
• Able to carry up to 44 pounds up to 15 feet during setup and repair tasks.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, climb ladders and stairs, and perform tasks at various heights, including overhead reaching and shoulder reach.
• Performs manual material handling activities that involve reaching overhead, at waist level, and to the floor, with occasional use of extension ladders and heavy equipment.
• Must be able to bend, twist, pivot, and perform lateral flexion of the lumbar and cervical spine for various installation and troubleshooting tasks.
• Required to perform fine motor movements, grasping, pinching, and vibratory tool handling with upper extremities.
• Able to stoop, crouch, kneel, crawl, and squat to access low or hard-to-reach areas.
• Can operate in environmental conditions with exposure to hot ambient temperatures, loud noise, and whole body vibration.

Working Conditions:

• Travel as needed up to 75%.
• Travel is required to maintain sites.
• Non-traditional hours anticipated.
• Required to carry an activated cell phone and be available to respond during working and non-working hours.
• The selected candidate must successfully pass a drug screening, background check, and fit-for-duty examination, including credit reports for specific positions—after receiving a job offer and before commencing employment

Supervisory Responsibility:

• None.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, & ABILITIES: 

Above the minimum requirements; not required but advantageous in this position:

• Previous experience with networking and telecommunication equipment a plus.
• CompTIA Network+ Certification
• Associate’s/Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Management, or a related discipline.
• Three (3) years direct work experience in IT or a related discipline may be considered as a substitute for a degree.

Other responsibilities:

• The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed.  This position may perform other duties as assigned.