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Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers

SOC 49-9052.00Job Zone 2 · Some Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers field installation, maintenance, testing, and repair of telecommunications lines and customer-premises equipment across residential, small-business, aerial, buried, and confined-space environments.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Basic hand tools and safety gear — identify and handle under direct supervisor guidance at a residential installation site.
  2. Cable types and connector fittings — distinguish and select following written instructions during an entry-level field assignment.
  3. Customer premises equipment — assist with unpacking, positioning, and connecting under close technician supervision.
  4. Electronic test meters and signal-strength gauges — observe correct readings and record results on paper logs as directed.
  5. Pole-climbing harnesses and bucket-truck safety protocols — follow step-by-step procedures under direct supervision before ascending utility structures.
  6. Splicing hand tools and epoxy materials — prepare and organize prior to a supervised cable-splice task on a job site.
  7. Service activation checklists — complete each step in sequence under technician direction when setting up a new customer account.
  8. Tools and test equipment — clean and store according to posted maintenance schedules at the end of each shift.
  9. Work orders and route assignments — read and interpret with supervisor assistance to locate the correct customer address.
  10. Public safety and traffic-control guidelines — follow posted instructions when working in roadway or trench environments under direct oversight.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Residential cable and telecommunications lines — string between structures and pull to specified tension with minimal oversight on standard installations.
  2. Signal-strength readings at utility poles — measure using electronic test equipment and document results accurately in a field log.
  3. Customer service appointments — manage arrival, conduct equipment installation, and confirm service activation with routine supervision.
  4. Coaxial and fiber-optic cables — splice using hand tools and mechanical equipment following standard operating procedures on familiar line types.
  5. Terminal boxes and auxiliary equipment — mount and connect in attics, crawl spaces, or trenches using appropriate climbing or access tools.
  6. Transmission-fault data — record, compare against acceptable thresholds, and escalate abnormal results to a senior technician when needed.
  7. Audio and visual reception equipment — inspect, adjust, and test at customer premises to confirm proper signal quality after installation.
  8. CRM and work-order software — enter job completion details, parts used, and customer notes accurately at the close of each service call.
  9. Ladder and bucket-truck operations — conduct pre-use inspections and operate safely during pole-top and aerial line work.
  10. Common line malfunctions — apply learned troubleshooting steps to diagnose and resolve routine faults within a defined service territory.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Complex cable faults and signal anomalies — independently diagnose using advanced electronic test equipment across aerial, buried, and in-building environments.
  2. Full service setups for residential and small-business customers — plan, install, test, and commission without supervisory oversight from start to finish.
  3. Non-routine splicing scenarios involving damaged or legacy cable — select and execute the appropriate mechanical or epoxy method under field conditions.
  4. Transmission characteristic data — analyze test results from multiple line segments to pinpoint intermittent faults and recommend corrective action.
  5. Bucket trucks, pole-climbing gear, and tunneling access — coordinate safe equipment use across varied terrain and structure types on multi-task jobs.
  6. Audio and visual reception systems — troubleshoot end-to-end signal path issues and adjust or replace components to restore full service quality.
  7. Escalated customer complaints involving recurring outages — investigate root cause, implement a lasting fix, and document findings in facilities management software.
  8. Junior technicians on site — provide real-time technical guidance and demonstrate correct splicing, testing, and safety techniques during joint assignments.
  9. Preventive maintenance schedules for assigned line segments — evaluate equipment condition, prioritize repairs, and update records in spreadsheet or office software.
  10. High-stress or hazardous field conditions such as storm damage or confined-space access — apply critical judgment to maintain personal safety and service continuity.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Departmental installation and repair standards — develop, document, and implement updated procedures that reflect new cable technologies and regulatory requirements.
  2. Cross-functional field crews — lead coordination across installation, maintenance, and customer-service teams to resolve large-scale outages or infrastructure upgrades.
  3. Training curricula for entry-level and mid-level technicians — design and deliver hands-on programs covering splicing, test equipment use, and safety protocols.
  4. Territory-wide signal-quality metrics — monitor trends using facilities management and CRM data to identify systemic issues and drive proactive infrastructure investment.
  5. Capital equipment needs and tool-replacement cycles — evaluate organizational requirements and present evidence-based recommendations to management.
  6. Safety culture and compliance programs — champion adherence to public-safety and OSHA standards across all field crews and subcontractors.
  7. Complex multi-site projects such as aerial-to-underground cable migrations — plan sequencing, assign crews, and oversee execution from initiation through customer sign-off.
  8. Vendor and contractor relationships — negotiate service agreements, audit work quality, and ensure adherence to company specifications on outsourced line projects.
  9. Emerging telecommunications technologies including fiber-to-the-premises and small-cell installations — assess readiness and lead pilot deployments for the organization.
  10. Organizational knowledge retention — mentor senior technicians for leadership roles and establish succession pathways within the installation and repair workforce.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Show O*NET source anchors53 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Cable Television Installer · Aerial Installer · Aerial Lineman · Block Cableman · Broadband Cable Installer · Broadband Cable Specialist · Broadband Technician · Buried Wire Technician · Cable Assembler · Cable Inspector · Cable Installation Tech (Cable Installation Technician) · Cable Installer
RAPIDS apprenticeships
0263 · Cable Television Installer
O*NET skills
Complex Problem SolvingOperations MonitoringSpeakingCritical ThinkingEquipment MaintenanceCoordinationOperation and ControlTroubleshootingJudgment and Decision MakingActive ListeningMonitoring
Knowledge domains
TelecommunicationsCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityComputers and ElectronicsMechanicalEducation and TrainingCommunications and Media
Abilities
Near VisionOral ExpressionOral ComprehensionArm-Hand SteadinessProblem SensitivityExtent FlexibilityMultilimb CoordinationManual DexterityDeductive ReasoningInformation Ordering
Work styles
DependabilityAttention to DetailCautiousnessPerseveranceStress ToleranceAdaptability
Technology
Computer aided design CAD softwareOperating system softwareCustomer relationship management CRM softwareElectronic mail softwareFacilities management softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareWord processing softwareTransaction security and virus protection softwareCloud-based data access and sharing software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Set up service for customers, installing, connecting, testing, or adjusting equipment.
  2. Travel to customers' premises to install, maintain, or repair audio and visual electronic reception equipment or accessories.
  3. Measure signal strength at utility poles, using electronic test equipment.
  4. Inspect or test lines or cables, recording and analyzing test results, to assess transmission characteristics and locate faults or malfunctions.
  5. Splice cables, using hand tools, epoxy, or mechanical equipment.
  6. Access specific areas to string lines, or install terminal boxes, auxiliary equipment, or appliances, using bucket trucks, climbing poles or ladders, or entering tunnels, trenches, or crawl spaces.
  7. Clean or maintain tools or test equipment.
  8. String cables between structures and lines from poles, towers, or trenches, and pull lines to proper tension.
CIP education codes
47.0103

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.