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Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers - 49-9052.00

O*NET-SOC Description

String and repair telephone and television cable, including fiber optics and other equipment for transmitting messages or television programming.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Combination Technician
  • Service Technician
  • Installation and Repair Technician (I & R Technician)
  • Cable Splicer
  • Cable Technician
  • Installer
  • Outside Plant Technician
  • Construction Technician
  • Construction Worker
  • Lineman

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Access specific areas to string lines or install terminal boxes, auxiliary equipment, or appliances, using bucket trucks, or by climbing poles or ladders, or entering tunnels, trenches, or crawl spaces.
  • Clean or maintain tools or test equipment.
  • Compute impedance of wires from poles to houses to determine additional resistance needed for reducing signals to desired levels.
  • Dig holes for power poles, using power augers or shovels, set poles in place with cranes, and hoist poles upright, using winches.
  • Dig trenches for underground wires or cables.
  • Explain cable service to subscribers after installation and collect any installation fees that are due.
  • Fill and tamp holes, using cement, earth, and tamping devices.
  • Inspect or test lines or cables, recording and analyzing test results, to assess transmission characteristics and locate faults or malfunctions.
  • Install equipment such as amplifiers or repeaters to maintain the strength of communications transmissions.
  • Lay underground cable directly in trenches or string it through conduits running through trenches.
  • Measure signal strength at utility poles, using electronic test equipment.
  • Participate in the construction or removal of telecommunication towers or associated support structures.
  • Place insulation over conductors or seal splices with moisture-proof covering.
  • Pull up cable by hand from large reels mounted on trucks; then pull lines through ducts by hand or with winches.
  • Set up service for customers, installing, connecting, testing, or adjusting equipment.
  • Splice cables, using hand tools, epoxy, or mechanical equipment.
  • String cables between structures and lines from poles, towers, or trenches and pull lines to proper tension.
  • Travel to customers' premises to install, maintain, or repair audio and visual electronic reception equipment or accessories.
  • Use a variety of construction equipment to complete installations, such as digger derricks, trenchers, or cable plows.

Detailed Work Activities

  • answer customer or public inquiries
  • apply cleaning solvents
  • bend tubing or conduit
  • calibrate or adjust electronic equipment or instruments to specification
  • clean equipment or machinery
  • climb ladders, scaffolding, or utility or telephone poles
  • collect fees
  • compute production, construction, or installation specifications
  • dig holes or trenches for foundations, posts, poles, or related items
  • distinguish colors
  • erect power or communication poles or towers
  • install electrical conduit or tubing
  • install electrical fixtures or components
  • install electronic power, communication, control, or security equipment or systems
  • install lead-in wires to control boxes and other components
  • install or replace meters, regulators, or related measuring or control devices
  • install power or communication lines, lead-in lines or cables
  • install/string electrical or electronic cable or wiring
  • maintain or repair work tools or equipment
  • move or fit heavy objects
  • operate hoist, winch, or hydraulic boom
  • operate pneumatic tamper to patch pavement or tamp earth
  • read blueprints
  • read schematics
  • read tape measure
  • read technical drawings
  • repair or replace electrical wiring, circuits, fixtures, or equipment
  • repair power or communication lines
  • splice electric cable
  • splice electric or communications trunk lines
  • test electrical/electronic wiring, equipment, systems or fixtures
  • use electrical line repair equipment
  • use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
  • use hand or power tools
  • use interpersonal communication techniques
  • use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
  • use soldering equipment
  • use two-way radio or mobile phone
  • use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Basic Communications Marine (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Cable and Antenna Systems Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Cable and Antenna Systems Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Cable and Antenna Systems Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Cable and Antenna Systems Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Cable Systems Installer-Maintainer (Army - Enlisted)
  • Cable Systems Technician (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Construction Wireman (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Signal Support Systems Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Tactical Switching Operator (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Telephone Technician - Outside (Coast Guard - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Cable Television Installer
  • Line Installer-Repairer

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Cable Television Installer
  • Line Installer-Repairer