System Maintenance Technician

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 100 communities and more than 45,000 customers 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 Systems Maintenance Technician is responsible for preventative maintenance and repair of a Broadband Distribution Systems delivered via Coax, Copper or Fiber. This role works to maintain the system through use of sophisticated test equipment and troubleshoots problems created by nodes, line extenders, power supplies, and field equipment.

Essential Job Functions:

• Organizes daily, weekly, and monthly schedules for project completion;
• Routine maintenance and resolution of system faults, plant degradation and damaged plant from acts of nature;
• Performs all FCC checks on outside plant with regard to signal-to-noise ratios, cable leakage and hum modulation;
• Performs maintenance and installation of optical and electrical devices in the outside CATV and telephone plant;
• Available for emergency restoration work, when needed;
• Performs preventative and corrective maintenance on standby power supplies and generators by preventative maintenance of the system;
• Maintains and uses proper equipment to clean up work area upon completion of work;
• Determines cause of abnormal input or output amplifier levels and implements appropriate corrective action;
• Calculates signal levels and verifies proper distribution system performance through use of signal level meter and test set;
• Performs detection and correction of signal leakage (CLI) in a broadband network corrects equalization problems;
• Climbs poles, ladders, towers, and other structures as needed; lifts and carries loads of at least 70 lbs.; uses bucket truck when necessary;
• Checks, maintains, and uses proper safety equipment as issued in conformance with Occupational Safety and Health Act and Company safety rules and regulations;
• Works in conjunction with Head end Techs when necessary to set up the front end of the system;
• Assures all Company property is properly utilized, maintained, and secured;
• Compiles, maintains, and submits records and reports as required;
• Restores system to equal or better than original physical and/or electronic condition after replacement of connectors splices or other devices;
• Travels to customer sites, project areas, business related events, and other Ritter Communications locations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:                                                          

• Knowledge of cable communications, fiber optic splicing and/or basic telephony;
• Knowledge of CATV and fiber equipment operations and maintenance;
• Knowledge of AC/DC theory and application;
• Knowledge of company policies and procedures;
• Skill in operating service equipment including various hand tools and testing equipment;
• Ability to use test equipment Locator, TDR, Analyzers, Telephony Test equipment, and Fiber Optic Test equipment;
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as maps, operating and maintenance instruction manuals;
• Ability to pay close attention to detail;
• Ability to evaluate, test, and repair sophisticated equipment;
• Knowledge of 90-60 volt power design;
• Ability to work independently and make sound technical decisions using information at hand;
• Ability to effectively function as a team player;
• 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 required. Experience in installation, building, wiring, or construction and customer service 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!