Telephone Installers and Repairers install residential and pay telephones, connect the installed telephones to central office equipment, and maintain and repair telephone equipment as requested or required.

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION

Station Installers and Repairers may:

Interpret the work order to determine the type of installation and equipment required

Ask the customer about the placement of telephone equipment, if working on a residential installation

Inspect the work areas to determine the method of installation

Connect a wire from a telephone pole or underground cable access to the dwelling or booth

Run telephone wire to the proper location and connect wire leads to the terminals in the mounting bracket

Attach mounting bracket to wall

Assemble and attach telephone equipment

Test phones to make sure they work properly

Repair or replace faulty equipment

Provide information and instruction about telephone services and operations

Telephone Maintenance Mechanics may:

Analyze malfunctions with testing devices such as oscilloscopes, generators, meters, and electric bridges to locate and diagnose the nature of the defect

Determine the type of repairs to be made

Examine the equipment and disassemble its components

Replace, clean, adjust, or repair parts, wires, switches, relays, circuits, or signaling units

Assemble, operate, and test the equipment to ensure that the malfunction has been eliminated

Machines, tools, equipment, and work aids used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Telephone Installers and Repairers may specialize in these areas:

822.684-010 FRAME WIRERS assist in telephone service installation by running wire on a distributing frame and soldering the connections to connect telephone lines and cables to central office switching equipment. They may also install wires for burglar alarm systems intended to connect a business to either an alarm company's monitoring equipment or a police station.

822.261-022 STATION INSTALLERS-AND-REPAIRERS install residential and pay telephones, connect the installed telephones to central office equipment, and maintain and repair telephone equipment as requested or required. Because of increasing use of modular (plug-in) telephone connections and customer-owned telephones, residential telephone installers may be required to install outside and inside wiring and modular telephone jacks.

822.281-018 TELEPHONE MAINTENANCE MECHANICS install and test communications equipment such as public address systems, and intercom systems, wired burglar alarms, switchboards, telephones, and pay phones.

822.361-026 TRANSMISSION TESTERS test and operate telephone equipment in offices that service lines between communities.

822.361-030 TEST DESK TROUBLE LOCATORS assist repairers and maintenance mechanics by testing telephone lines to find the cause and location of malfunctions, using a switchboard equipped with audible and visual alarms, and electrical testing devices such as voltmeters and resistance meters. They report the nature of the trouble to maintenance crews and direct or coordinate trouble-clearing activities.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Station Installers and Repairers and Telephone Maintenance Mechanics usually work alone, away from direct supervision. However, on large installations, they may work as members of a crew. Frame Wirers and Test Desk Trouble Locators usually work with others. They also work indoors in well lighted, well ventilated central offices of telephone companies. Some Installers and Repairers work both indoors and outdoors in all kinds of weather. Workers assigned to construction sites might work in an unheated, dirty, and dusty environment. Hazards may include climbing ladders and telephone poles, and working with power tools, electrical circuits, batteries, generators, and soldering irons.

Telephone Installers and Repairers usually work a 5-day, 40-hour week. Shift, weekend, and holiday work are necessary to provide continuous service. Some overtime may be needed to complete an installation or repair job or when working on a special project.

Most safety equipment and tools are provided by the employer. However, workers might be required to furnish their own safety glasses.

Most Telephone Installers and Repairers are members of The Communications Workers of America of The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Union members must pay dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities dealing with things and objects

• Activities involving machines and techniques

• Activities which bring satisfaction from working on/producing things

You Should Be Able To:

• Read blueprints and diagrams

• Perceive detail and differences in objects or drawings

• Make decisions based on measurable information

• Work within precise standards of accuracy

• Perform a variety of duties

• Work at heights

• Deal effectively with people, if a Station Installer and Repairer

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

A small-signal tuned amplifier has a voltage gain of 100 at the resonant frequency 1 MHz. If the parallel tuned circuit Q is 10, determine the gain and phase shift at 0.95 MHz and 1.1 MHz.

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Capacitive coupling is not very common in RF work for two reasons. For one, transformers are simple to build, and the turns-ratio can be changed with relative ease for maximum power transfer. Secondly, solid-state circuits involving oscillators and medium-to-high power amplifiers have high order distortion products.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare a written estimate for a telephone repair job at the request of a potential customer.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Should be able to demonstrate excellent analytical skills and be detail oriented in installing, repairing, and maintaining telephone equipment.

Most telephone companies require applicants for craft jobs to take tests which measure their aptitude for the work and their ability to learn the skills needed for the job. Some companies require applicants to have formal electronics training and pass a background investigation before being hired for craft jobs.

Telephone Installers and Repairers who operate company vans or trucks must have a valid driver's license and a good driving record. Some heavy equipment drivers may also be required to have a commercial driver's license which is issued by the Michigan Department of State.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent or a High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes or a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond high school) or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0500 BUILDING TRADES , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1200 ELECTRONICS , 2200 MATH , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

033 ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS REPAIR

Approved vocational education programs in Electrical and Electronics repair prepare students to test, install, maintain, and repair electrical and electronics systems and components. These programs generally prepare students to operate, maintain, and repair electronic business machines, communications equipment, large and small appliances, and vending machines. Instruction includes the use of testing equipment.

The following courses may be required for completion of this program:

056 ELECTRO-MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY

Approved vocational education programs in Electro-Mechanical Technology train students in electronics, communications, electricity, automation/maintenance, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Students are allowed to select courses from more than one area of study. The 2 phase program teaches foundation skills as well as a common set of electro-mechanical skills which are generic to all like occupations.

Courses in other trade & industrial programs may be required for completion of this program.

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

196 ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLER & REPAIRER

267 TELEPHONE SYSTEMS INSTALLER & REPR.

Programs in Electrical and Electronics Equipment Installation and Repair provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment installing, servicing, maintaining, and/or repairing electrical and electronics systems, machines, appliances, and related equipment.

Courses within this program will vary but may include:

            Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military web site at http://www.myfuture.com

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT REPAIRERS

The military relies on communication equipment to link ground, sea, and air forces. This equipment allows the military to track and direct troop, aircraft, and ship movements. Communications equipment repairers ensure this equipment operates properly.

What They Do

Communications equipment repairers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Maintain, test, and repair communications equipment using frequency meters, circuit analyzers, and other electrical and electronic test equipment

• Install and repair circuits and wiring using soldering iron and hand tools

• Calibrate and align equipment components using scales, gauges, and other measuring instruments

• String overhead communications and electric cables between utility poles

Physical Demands

For some specialties, normal color vision is required. Some repairers may work from ladders or on tall utility poles.

Helpful Attributes

• Interest in working with electrical, electronic, and electromechanical equipment

• Interest in solving problems

Special Requirements

Although there are women communications equipment repairers, some specialties in this occupation are open only to men.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian communications equipment repairers often work for firms that design and make communications and electronic equipment. They may also work for the federal government. They perform duties similar to military communications equipment repairers. They may be called radio repairers, radio mechanics, teletype repairers, or station installers and repairers, depending on their specialty.

Work Environment

Communications equipment repairers usually work in repair shops, laboratories, and outdoors, depending on the specialty.

Training Provided

Job training consists of 8 to 40 weeks of classroom instruction, including practice with equipment. Course content typically includes:

• Mechanical, electronic, and electrical principles

• Preventive maintenance procedures

• Line installation and wiring techniques

• Communication security policies and procedures

The Army, Navy, and Marine Corps offer certified apprenticeship training programs for some specialties in this occupation.

Opportunities

The services have about 40,200 communications equipment repairers. On average, the services need about 2,400 new repairers each year. After job training, repairers make simple repairs or installations under close supervision. With experience, they perform more difficult repairs and train other repair personnel. Eventually, they may become supervisors of communications units or maintenance shops.  

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Training and experience as an Installer and Repairer may be available in any branch of military service. High school students may gain practical experience through a co-op portion in vocational education programs in electrical and electronics repair or electromechanical technology.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Telephone Installer & Repairer employer

internships

volunteer work with a Telephone Installer & Repairer employer

community service work with an agency

Work-experience opportunities through postsecondary programs in electrical and electronics equipment installation and repair may offer related experience.

There are many different telephone companies in each state, each with different hiring requirements. To find employment as a Telephone Installer and Repairer, apply directly to an employer.

Because this is one of the highest paid craft jobs available in phone companies, many current employees of these companies try to enter the occupation. Some companies, therefore, have a policy of hiring only from within. You may have to start as a frame wirer or an office clerk and be promoted after gaining several years of experience.

In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank

America's Job Bank

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM  

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.  

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Telephone Installers and Repairers depend on the individual's amount of experience, skill level of the job, the employing company, and geographic location where employed.

Nationally, in 1998 Telephone Installers and Repairers had median earnings of $750 per week or $18.75 per hour.

Base weekly earnings for Telephone Installers and Repairers working for one major telephone company in Michigan in 1999 were:

Workers generally receive a pay raise every 6 months and reach the maximum pay rate after 5 years. In addition to their base rates, workers receive a cost-of-living allowance which is based on the consumer price index. Telephone Installers and Repairers working evenings and nights receive a shift premium. Depending on the employer, Installers and Repairers may receive 1 1/2 or 2 times their base hourly rate for overtime. Nationally, one large company paid 1 1/2 times the base rate for up to 8 hours of overtime per week and 2 times the base rate for overtime exceeding 8 hours per week.

Most Telephone Installers and Repairers receive paid vacations and holidays; life, health, accident, and disability insurance; retirement plans; and sick pay. Some Installers and Repairers may also receive dental and vision insurance.

Most workers in this occupation begin in Frame Wirer or other entry level jobs, such as clerk or telephone operator. They may advance, when an opening occurs for a craft worker, if they have passed the exam for the particular job. After obtaining several years of experience and demonstrating leadership abilities, Installers and Repairers may advance to a supervisory position.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 36,600 Telephone Installers and Repairers employed in 1996. Employment of both Station Installers and Repairers and Frame Wirers is expected to decline through the year 2006. Almost all telephone installers and repairers work for telephone companies.

Technological advances, prewired buildings, modular (plug-in) telephones and telephone components, have reduced or eliminated some functions and required skills, and have reduced the demand for Installers and Repairers. However, these workers will still be needed for the growing number of business telephone systems. In addition, communities near military bases and colleges, where people move often, will continue to provide a strong demand for telephone installation and removal. Demand for Frame Wirers will decrease as more computerized central office equipment is installed.

Decreased demand for all Telephone Installers and Repairers could be affected somewhat by population growth, which could lead to more buildings needing installation and increased transmission capacity required by the telephone companies to service the increased number of customers.

Most openings will occur as workers transfer, advance, retire, or die. Because this is not normally an entry-level job, most openings will be filled by other telephone workers who wish to change jobs or to advance. Some positions, however, may be available for new workers.

There were approximately 75 telephone Installers and Repairers employed in Michigan. Nearly all worked in the telephone communications industry in urban areas. A few worked for the Federal government, primarily for military employers.

Employment of Telephone Installers and Repairers in Michigan is expected to decline through the year 2005.

Technological advances which reduce telephone maintenance and increase efficiency of these workers will offset most of the demand caused by population growth. Examples are: modular telephone equipment, neoprene covered wires and cords, and automatic testing devices.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from sources below.

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development