Outside Plant Technician

Position Title: Outside Plant Technician

Location: Fort Knox, KY

Clearance Type: SECRET

Compensation: $31.79/hr.

Responsibilities:

• Receive, process, coordinate, and execute cable locate requests for all proposed excavation areas to identify buried or underground government telecommunications cables.
• Conduct physical site inspections and locate cable paths using contractor-furnished GPS equipment with accuracy to within 1 meter, and mark cable paths using inverted fluorescent orange paint and/or stakes.
• Provide digital time-stamped photographs of the marked areas and submit red-line drawings to the Government’s CAD/GIS team upon completion.
• Accurately document all locate activity on the digging permit, return completed permits to DPW, and maintain internal file copies.
• Identify whether NEC-owned cables are present within the area of concern and ensure compliance with government standards for cable locate response times (within 1 working day).
• Prepare and submit paperwork necessary for obtaining digging permits and environmental clearances for all excavation projects.
• Support 24/7 on-call emergency locate requests related to utility damage or urgent infrastructure repairs, including third-party damage and acts of God.
• Avoid digging in paved or sensitive areas; follow proper boring procedures where required.
• Ensure all open trenches or pits are properly marked and secured, using plywood covers (if possible), orange safety cones, and yellow caution tape when left overnight

Qualifications

Education and Certifications:

• High school diploma required, technical training in telecommunications, construction, or underground utility locating preferred.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• OSHA 10 – Workplace safety.
• NULCA (National Utility Locating Contractors Association) Certification.
• CPR / First Aid Certification.
• OSHA Confined Space Entry Training
• DOT (Department of Transportation) Flagger Certification

Knowledge and Experience:

• Knowledge of Industry Standards – Understanding of best practices related to underground utility locating (e.g., 811 Call Before You Dig regulations).
• 2+ Years of Utility Locating Experience – Experience with electromagnetic locating equipment (e.g., RD7100, Metrotech, Vivax).
• 2+ years of experience working in OSP cable locating, trenching, or telecom utility inspection roles.
• Experience with GIS and Mapping Software – Some employers prefer knowledge of GIS applications or mobile mapping software. Experience using GPS locating equipment, red-lining methods, and working with GIS/CAD systems.
• Ability to accurately interpret utility maps, drawings, and field sketches.
• Familiarity with Blueprints and As-Built Drawings – Ability to read and interpret technical documents.
• Familiarity with digging permit processes, construction safety standards, and field documentation.
• Willingness and availability to work on-call and respond to after-hours emergencies.

Desired Qualifications:

• Prior experience supporting Army NEC or government telecom infrastructure.
• Knowledge of Fort Knox or other military installation OSP systems and permit processes.
• Familiarity with environmental and base-level digging clearance protocols.
• OSHA 30-Hour Certification, NFPA 70E, or similar safety credentials.