Job Description

Fiber Route Patroller

Role Overview

The Fiber Route Patroller is a field-based role focused on proactive fiber route patrol, infrastructure inspection, and damage prevention. The position supports the integrity and security of long-haul fiber infrastructure by identifying potential risks, monitoring activity near fiber routes, documenting field conditions, and escalating concerns when appropriate.

The role requires a combination of field awareness, basic knowledge of telecommunications and underground utilities, and the ability to safely operate in construction and outside-plant environments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regular patrols of long-haul fiber routes to identify potential risks, damage, construction activity, or environmental threats.
• Inspect fiber infrastructure, including cabinets, handholes, markers, access points, and buried cable routes.
• Monitor third-party construction and excavation activity near fiber routes to help prevent damage to critical infrastructure.
• Support utility locating activities using standard locating techniques and available mapping and utility records.
• Read and interpret maps, utility prints, construction drawings, and other records to understand fiber placement and identify potential risks.
• Respond to active construction sites or other areas of concern near fiber infrastructure and assess potential exposure or risk.
• Identify and escalate conditions that may threaten fiber infrastructure, including excavation activity, damaged facilities, exposed infrastructure, or changes in site conditions.
• Document field activities, site conditions, construction activity, infrastructure observations, and utility information.
• Support damage investigations by collecting field information, photographs, site observations, and other relevant documentation.
• Maintain infrastructure security and site integrity through routine inspections and timely reporting of concerns.
• Coordinate and communicate effectively with field technicians, engineers, utility locators, contractors, construction crews, and other stakeholders.
• Follow applicable safety requirements, including OSHA guidelines and established field safety procedures.
• Operate effectively in both independent and team environments.
• Maintain assigned vehicles, tools, and field equipment in safe working condition.
• Perform other related field and damage-prevention duties as required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Two (2) or more years of relevant field, utility, telecommunications, construction, or outside-plant experience preferred.
• Basic knowledge of telecommunications infrastructure, underground utilities, construction, or fiber optic systems preferred.
• Familiarity with utility locating practices and equipment is preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret maps, utility prints, construction drawings, and related field documentation.
• OSHA or other applicable safety certifications preferred.
• Ability to develop technical knowledge related to fiber infrastructure, utility locating, construction practices, and damage prevention.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather, terrain, and environmental conditions.
• Ability to work safely around construction sites, roadways, and utility infrastructure.
• Strong attention to detail, situational awareness, communication skills, and willingness to learn.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to safely operate a vehicle as required for field responsibilities.