GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

The TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNICIAN 2 provides various telecommunications technician services to include the installation, testing, modification, repair, maintenance, and day-to-day technical support of new and existing telephone systems, voice network equipment, telephone switchroom equipment, outside cable plant, and related telecommunications cabling and wiring infrastructure. Responsibilities include the configuration design, installation, testing, modification, trouble diagnosis, maintenance, repair, database support, and systems software support required for move, add and change activity, new system installs, and installation of outside cable plant and riser distribution systems. Also responsible for ensuring the accuracy of all cable records, station equipment databases, and any other related documentation and records required to maintain accurate inventories, facilities management systems and customer billing records. Some positions in this class may supervise or function as lead workers, but are not statutorily excluded from collective bargaining.


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is the second level of a two-level series of classes. This class is distinguished from the lower level class by the level of in-depth technical knowledge and expertise required in the functional operation of PABX, PBX and EKTS systems and how those systems are designed, configured, programmed and engineered for digital and analog service on both the station extension side and the network connectivity side of the respective common equipment hardware and software systems and components. The Telecommunications Technician 2 also is distinguished from the Data Communications Technician classification by the specialized technical and focused nature of work performed on voice communications systems and related infrastructure rather than the data network hardware and systems software focus of the data communications network support classes. The Telecommunications Technician 2 focuses more on the PBX, PABX and EKTS common equipment hardware and software and related telecommunications switchroom work versus the lower level class focus on customer premise station equipment move add and change activity, field work, and station wiring and cabling work. This class is responsible for providing technical guidance and instructions to the Telecommunications Technician 1 level positions and must possess knowledge of and experience in the typical duties and responsibilities of the lower level class.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Allocation of positions to this class will depend on the total work performed, which may include the performance of some or all of the following duties, tasks or responsibilities, and other associated duties or tasks.

• Installation and Configuration of Telecommunications Systems. Typical tasks include: installs line cards, network cards, circuit packs, and related PBX hardware for customer move, add and change activity, changes in network trunking, changes in switch configuration, PBX upgrades, and other system install activity typically performed in switchrooms which house PBX cabinetry, network interface points, MDF's, BET's, and the like; performs work on MDF's and network interface locations found in switchrooms; installs or oversees the installation of various customer premise station equipment such as PBX featurephones, PBX digital sets, key system sets, key system common equipment, and associated ancillary hardware; performs all switchroom related work associated with customer premise move, add and change activity; configures switch or makes recommendations for switch configurations to ensure optimum utilization of switch and network circuitry as well as switchroom space and facilities; performs switch translations and other engineering changes for network or switch upgrades.
• Design and Installation of Telecommunications Cabling/Wiring Infrastructure. Typical tasks include: performs site surveys, conducts needs analyses, reviews blueprints/as-builts, and uses appropriate industry standards to design and install telecommunications outside cable plan, riser and horizontal wiring and cabling systems including wire, cable, terminal blocks, jacks, MDF's, IDF's or BET's; determines materials, resources and labor time required for wiring and cabling installation projects, and provides information to supervisor for preparation of project cost estimates or cost/benefit analyses; oversees or conducts testing of installed and terminated wire to ensure proper connectivity and transmission throughput in accordance with appropriate standards; ensures all required labeling and documentation is accurate and complete. This may require the employee to work in a wide variety of workspaces including ceiling spaces, under raised floors, various sizes of terminal closets or rooms, crawlspaces, facility tunnels, and other cable/wire termination or pathway locations.
• Maintenance and Repair. Typical tasks include: analyzes, diagnoses, troubleshoots and repairs all problems associated with telecommunications cabling systems, PBX hardware and software, and customer premise station equipment based on system or customer generated trouble reports or alarms; works with end users, central repair and network operations centers, various vendors, and other technical peers to diagnose and resolve repair issues; functions as primary escalator to higher level repair resources in repair reporting procedures when incumbent cannot identify or resolve repair problem on site with resources at hand; performs various maintenance work on PBX's and customer premise station equipment and related infrastructure to include appropriate preventative maintenance on switches, voice mail systems, station hardware, housekeeping in switchrooms, replacing worn parts or equipment, and training or advising end users, peers and subordinates in the proper maintenance and use of equipment to minimize or prevent future repair problems or visits.
• Documentation, Recordkeeping, and Inventory. Typical tasks include: maintains and provides all necessary records and documentation associated with PBX installation, operations and maintenance, and related switchroom infrastructure, telecommunications outside plant, riser and horizontal station cabling/wiring installation work and customer premise move, add and change activity to ensure accurate inventory of PBX and other switchroom equipment, station equipment, telecommunications cabling/wiring infrastructure records, and billing information for all service request/work order and repair work performed; updates as-built drawings, facilities management documents and cable plant records as necessary to reflect changes, new installs or deletions; reconciles service requests/work orders with actual work done to ensure customer needs and requirements are met, resources are used efficiently, and customer billing information is correct.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS

Employees in this class have regular in-person and telephone contact with technical peers, other telecommunications staff, vendor technical support staff, and a wide variety of departmental and student customers and end users regarding service requests/work orders, repair problems or issues, questions regarding use of various telephone features, or other telephone service related matters. Employees regularly contact vendors and contractors to obtain technical information on hardware and software supplied as well as future product releases. Employees in this class also have occasional contact with local telephone company central office and network support personnel as well as those providing network technical support for the various interexchange carriers.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Employees in this class receive general supervision from a technical or administrative supervisor or manager who assigns broad project objectives, assigns or schedules work; checks work in progress and upon completion; and periodically monitors and reviews project requirements, technician performance, adherence to appropriate installation and work standards, and compliance with department/institution standards. However, the employee is afforded considerable latitude in determining best methods, practices or resources to accomplish project goals or otherwise get the work done. Guidelines used by employees in this class include technical manuals; switchroom operating standards and procedures; various industry standards for installation, switchroom operations, and repair escalation procedures; service requests/work orders; repair requests; contract requirements; various building construction codes; relevant institution or program policies, guidelines and procedures; and any other applicable state or federal laws, rules or regulations.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Employees in this position must possess a "limited energy" or "low voltage" Oregon Building Codes Division certification/license for wire pulling and installation work. Additionally, this position requires working knowledge of EIA/TIA or BICSI installation standards and requirements for telecommunications cabling and wiring work, switchroom facility requirements, and terminal closet design and construction requirements; an understanding of construction blueprints and as-built drawings as they pertain to telecommunications requirements; and working knowledge of PBX/PABX hardware and software on both the station equipment and network sides of the common equipment. Occasional travel may be required to various locations within the state. Work occasionally can be stressful due to customer complaints regarding telephone service problems.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Two years of experience equivalent to the Telecommunications Technician 1 class; AND
• One year of technical training in the installation, operation and maintenance of PBX/PABX telephone systems and one year of experience installing or maintaining these systems; OR
• Six months of technical training in the installation, operation and maintenance of PBX/PABX telephone systems and two years of experience installing or maintaining these systems; OR
• An equivalent combination of training and experience.