Ritter Communications has been at the forefront of the local communications industry for more than a century. We began providing telephone service in Northeast Arkansas in 1906. Today, Ritter Communications serves over 100 communities across Arkansas, northeast Texas, southeast Missouri, and west Tennessee. The company has grown steadily over the years, expanding rapidly and is now the largest privately-held regional broadband fiber, telecom, video and cloud services provider in the Mid-South. Ritter invests heavily in the communities it serves by deploying proven, best-in-class infrastructure and technology, while coupling it with a world-class customer focused experience. 

General Summary:

The Fiber Splicer plays a vital role in ensuring quality and timely delivery of telecommunications services to our customers. This position is responsible for reading and interpreting schematics and diagrams to splice, terminate, and test fiber-optic, coaxial, and copper for new construction and new service installations. The role also maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs damaged cable and related issues in the outside plant network.

Essential Job Functions:

• Works with Construction Managers and/or OSP Engineers to perform splicing as directed;
• Provides detailed reports of field splicing activity;
• Preps cable and performs both fusion and mechanical splices for aerial and underground applications;
• Ensures all splice closures and termination points are airtight and free of moisture;
• Installs protectors and demarcation equipment at customer premise;
• Inspects and notates condition of vaults, mini-vaults, and manholes to ensure integrity of plant.
• Installs actives and passives (nodes, amplifiers, taps, splitters, power inserts);
• Demonstrates appropriate Customer Service Skills, especially ability to work effectively with landowners and utility service providers;
• Ensures proper bonding and grounding of aerial and underground plant’
• Performs all work in accordance with industry and Company standards and per all government regulations including OSHA, DOT, FCC, etc.;
• Tracks and enters time for capital projects as required;
• Participates in on-call rotation and occasionally performs work during scheduled maintenance windows at nonpeak hours;
• Travels to customer sites, project areas, business related events, and other Ritter Communications locations;
• Performs all other related duties as assigned by management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Thorough understanding of telecommunication construction practices including:
  • Fiber and cable installation practices and procedures;
  • Identifying individual fiber cables at splice and node locations;
  • Fiber optic splice enclosure handling and maintenance practices;
  • Depth/distance requirements;
  • Marking and/or identifying cable routes/types;
  • Work area restoration and easement/Right of way management
  • Emergency service restoration procedures and practices
• Up-to-date on RUS and NEC Standards and FCC, OSHA, and DOT regulations;
• Knowledgeable of company products, services, policies and procedures;
• Ability to use all functions of RF meters, optical meters, spectrum analyzer, TDR, OTDR, volt/ohm/amp meters, and monitoring software;
• Basic PC software skills including Outlook, Excel, Word, Auto Cad Map Viewer;
• Skill in reading cable schematics, fiber count reports, and verification reports;
• Ability to communicate with co-workers and various business contacts in a professional and courteous manner;
• Ability to follow detailed instructions for complex tasks;
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as maps, staking sheets, and cable schematics, fiber count reports, and verification reports;
• Ability to pay close attention to detail;
• Ability to work independently and make sound technical decisions using information at hand;
• Ability to effectively function as a team player;
• Ability to pass DOT physical;
• Ability to safely tow trailers or other equipment;
• Ability to travel for business requirements; must possess a valid Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record.

Education and Experience:

High School diploma or equivalent plus 5 years of experience in telecommunications construction or maintenance operations required. Minimum of 3 years of experience splicing fiber preferred.

Ritter Communications is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We strive to maintain a drug-free workplace.

We offer competitive compensation and an outstanding benefits package including health, dental, vision, cancer, accident and life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, 401(k) with company match, flexible spending accounts, free gym membership, company discounts, tuition reimbursement, paid training, paid leave, and much more!