A telephone technician is someone who installs, tests, and fixes telephone systems and wiring. A person with this title is frequently in charge of installing telephone wiring in a person’s home or office building. After that, he connects that telephone wiring to the outside wiring that is maintained by the telephone service provider. He may also be responsible for ensuring that switchboards are in good working order and repairing equipment that isn’t performing as it should.
Installing, testing, and repairing residential telephone wiring takes up a lot of time for many telephone technicians. A telephone technician is frequently given a truck that he can use to travel from one customer to the next while carrying the tools he needs to serve residents. As he travels from house to house, he may install the necessary telephone wiring and test it to ensure that it functions properly. He may also make repairs if they are required.
Working as a telephone technician is frequently a physically demanding occupation. To access telephone wiring, a person with this job may have to climb ladders, bend, or kneel down. In order to access outside telephone wiring, he may have to climb telephone poles. Telephone technicians also drill holes in walls to gain access to or install wires, as well as connect them as needed.
A telephone technician may be called upon to install telephone systems in office buildings. Much of the work is similar to that of a residential technician, but the technician may be required to make more complicated connections. For example, he may need to direct calls to specific extensions rather than a single office phone number. He may also need to set up a system that allows employees in the same office to call each other using extension numbers. Additionally, telephone technicians may be called in to fix malfunctioning office switchboards.
The requirements for working as a telephone technician are determined by the employer’s preferences. Some employers prefer candidates with high school diplomas, while others require at least an electronics certification. From within the company, companies may promote people to the position of technician. Companies that hire telephone technicians frequently require them to pass mechanical ability exams before they are hired or trained, and those who are colorblind or have poor eyesight may not be suitable candidates for this position. On-the-job training is frequently provided.