Cable Technician Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a cable technician. Feel free to use our cable technician job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a cable technician.
Who is a Cable Technician?
A cable technician is also called a cable installer. He is an individual who installs, maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs residential cabling for internet and television services. The responsibilities of a cable technician are the installation of feeder lines so that it is easy for cable accessibility in homes and businesses, laying ground cable, and setting up associated equipment for clients. Cable technicians that are experienced often work on trunk lines which are the main lines for an entire service area. Other duties cable technician performs are laying ground cable, inspecting cable lines, repairing poles and towers, and driving work vehicles to various job sites.
To become a successful cable technician, you will need to have strong knowledge of electrical systems and cable technology. The work of a cable technician entails working in cramped spaces, at heights, and also the ability to interact with clients in a friendly manner. A good cable technician will bring about tremendous development in the company when employed.
The ideal cable technician is highly passionate about high-quality services and is not downcasted when faced with challenges but is highly passionate to sort out complex issues. The role of a cable technician requires dexterity such as problem-solving skills to function successfully. Most cable technicians work full time and some may work overtime if the demand arises. They typically work on a shift schedule, which may include evenings or weekends. Cable technicians may be exposed to adverse weather conditions when working outdoors.
Cable Technician Job Description
Below are the cable technician job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a cable technician job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a cable technician include the following:
- Maintain cable systems by installing, repairing, programming, and upgrading cable infrastructure
- Identify, track and remove the abandoned cable
- Test or try every newly installed cable by the stipulated procedure
- Installations of televisions, routers, and internet technology services
- Troubleshooting issues with cable network
- Ensuring all cables are neatly tied and bundled according to safety regulation
- Develop deep knowledge of National Building Codes and standard
- Record time and materials used on daily assignment
- Manage pole climbing and working at heights and small remote places
- Work outdoors or indoors during adverse weather conditions
- Operate vehicles, hand tools, power tools, ladders, leakage detection devices, and test equipment
- Assist other employees or coworkers with routine installation and routine maintenance of structured cabling systems
- Complete required paperwork including installation checklist, timesheets, service orders, vehicle inspection reports, and various other logs
- Comprehend, follow and promote environmental health & safety policies
- Return all equipment and supplies to their respective locations after the job completion
- Work-on-call 24 hours a day for emergency repairs
- Training new employees
Qualifications
- A High school diploma or GED
- Previous work experience as a cable technician
- Ability to install complex internet and television equipment
- Ability to diagnose, troubleshoot, and fix any problems that may arise
- Ability to work at heights and lift 50+ pounds
- Ability to identify independent colors and learn color codes
- Valid driver’s license
- Absence of criminal record in a background check
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work in cramped spaces
- Strong knowledge of mathematics, science, and electrical systems
- Knowledge of industry-standard cable specifications
- Organized, reliable, and driven
- Commitment to adhere to OSHA and all other safety standards and procedures
- Solid Problem-solving capabilities
Essential Skills
There are some core skills and competencies cable technicians need to have to discharge their duties as expected and they are:
- Communication Skills: For cable technicians to be efficient in their duties, they need to possess communication skills. This communication is highly requisite in relating with customers. Customers may book appointments and you can reply to them by calling them on the phone. It is highly crucial for customers to effectively interpret your message as a cable technician to avoid any distractions. You should also be able to listen to customers because without effective feedback; communication is not complete.
Communication is also very necessary in collaborating with other team members or co-workers. You must effectively pass out information for the development of the company.
- Good Working Ethic: As a cable technician. You are going to be very busy; you will be required to do hard work, travel to different places between jobs, and work alone, especially for small residential jobs. That means it is the only motivation that can keep you going. Have the mindset o do your work and deliver the best to customers irrespective of the situation. When you possess a good work ethic and deliver the best to customers; there will be high patronage of your services.
- Problem-solving Skills: as a cable technician, you may run your work smoothly but sometimes you may encounter a challenge when you install cable, satellite, and internet equipment. You will need to identify what the problem is and consider how to fix it. This is very important when you are handling a client’s work in order not to disappoint them. A cable technician is not someone that gets paranoid when solving a problem but always looks for a solution to a problem.
- Knowledge of Basic Electronics: this very important because you will be using electronics mostly when you are working. It will also help you to understand how to install systems and troubleshoot them. You will get to know concepts such as Ohm’s law; series, parallel and combination circuits, resistance, magnetism, inductance, and more. Being abreast with these theories and basic operations will have you have an in-depth understanding of concepts. It will broaden your mindset and help you practice your career effectively.
- Knowledge of System Installation: to become an effective cable technician, you need to acquire knowledge of system installation such as installing wired and wireless systems. You need to know about equipment, tools, and materials and how to do different types of installation,and the processes involved. You should know to install, terminate, and repair copper, coaxial, and fiber optic communications cables and to use them with telephone systems, multiplexers, and modular. You will be well equipped to start a job if you can simulate real-world situations in a lap setting as you learn.
- Customer Service: A cable technician must know how to provide excellent customer service to make customers happy. To do this, start with a pleasant, positive,and professional attitude towards your client. Be very attentive to them and be willing to answer all their questions in a friendly manner. As an expert in your field, make sure that customer’s demands are met before they leave your working environment or office. For instance, you may need to show them how a particular cable works or how they can gain access to the internet; show them in a way they will understand and answer all their questions. Sometimes, they may want you to help them personalize their computers. Just keep in your mind that technology can be difficult for people, so you will need to patiently attend to your customers when the need arises.
- Time- Management: As a good cable technician, know how to manage time judiciously. Do not take the whole time working on a customer’s cable while others are waiting for you. Do your work very fast and perfectly. You should maintain integrity; deliver a customer’s need at the appropriate scheduled time.
How to become a Cable Technician
An individual considering becoming a cable technician should follow the stipulated steps:
- Earn a high school diploma
- Most employers that hire a cable technician require at least a high school diploma because the job is more practical than theoretical. While most employers are not really on the look for academic qualifications when it comes to hiring a cable technician but how much dexterity does the cable technician have. If you are an adult without a high school diploma, there are opportunities for you to attend night classes to earn your GED to balance your work schedule
- Attend a technical school
You should be able to locate a school that offers communication or telecommunication programs. You can also enroll in online classes that can balance your work schedule. Do thorough research on several schools to discover which one matches your skills and interests. Attend the one you feel can give you the knowledge you need to become a cable technician.
If you are not interested in a technical school, you can take continuing education courses in subjects that to cable installation and electronics. Ensure you share your educational qualification on your resume so that the recruitment manager will have knowledge about your background and be confident that you are the ideal candidate for the job.
- Enroll in related courses: after you have signed up for technical classes or college; take extra classes to prepare you for your career as a cable technician, be very selective in the courses you sign up for so that you will not study a course that is irrelevant to your career. Consider enrolling in courses like physics, electrical engineering, communications, and electronics. With the knowledge you acquire from these classes, you will be able to confidently speak with the recruiting manager during an interview session and share the skills you have acquired.
- Enroll in an apprenticeship program to have the requisite experience
An apprenticeship is a platform that provides a wonderful opportunity for you to learn from current professionals in the field through participating in, seminars, and job shadowing. Employers or professionals in your field can help you get a job once your training is over. Many employers apprenticeships to individuals who are dedicated to their chosen field or will recommend you to another company that needs an apprentice. This experience you acquire will help you to know all the key things a cable technician needs to know to become successful. You will also get to harness skills; feel free to add that to your resume.
- Pass the Certification test and get a Licensure
Having a certification is not mandatory for you to work as a cable technician but obtaining a certification can make you the ideal job candidate among your peers applying for the same position. Certification will prove to the hiring manager that you have experience and knowledge in relevant topics in cable installation such as fiber optics, telecommunications connection, signal quality, and cable testing.
In addition, obtain state licensure to practice from your state for you to legally practice your career.
- Apply for open positions
Draft your resume and search for open positions in your locality or ask your network if they are aware of any vacancies. Study the required qualifications for the positions to make sure you have the requisite experience the employer is after. Write your resume and cover letter with the required qualifications for the job to show the hiring manager that you are the perfect candidate for the job.
- Keep Abreast with the trend in your career
One of the trends cable technicians need to stay abreast with is the need for more technical skills. This is a result of the increased complexity of technology; as devices become more complex so do the software and hardware that powers them. This requires technicians to have a deeper understanding of the work and this can only be achieved through years of training and experience.
In addition, the demand for faster internet is also very crucial. Cable technicians need to increase their speed of maintaining fast connections through the internet for them to grow. As the world is becoming more digital every day and the need for fast internet connections keeps increasing, cable technicians must know how to maintain these connections to remain relevant. They will also need to be able to troubleshoot any issues that may bring up with these connections such as slow speeds or connection drops
Where can a Cable Technician Work?
Cable technicians can work in customers’ homes, businesses, cable television networks, Electric distribution Companies, Government organizations, and firms.
Cable Technician Salary Scale
- In the United States, the national average salary of a cable technician is $45,999 per year. Although this solely depends on your years of experience and location. Other benefits of cable technicians are health, dental, and vision insurance because of how risky the job is.
- In Nigeria, the salary of a cable technician is 446,000NGN per year with an average of 110,000NGN per year.