Communications Technician

This is your opportunity to work for an Employer of Choice and play an integral role in our employee workplace culture. Cedar Falls Utilities is currently recruiting for a full-time Communications Technician to join our Communications Operations department. This position performs complex installations, repairs, maintenance and construction of broadband communications services.

CFU takes pride in finding people that align with our core values of Customer Focus, Ethical & Responsible Behavior, Innovation, Employee Teamwork and Personal Growth and actively wants to help maintain our reputation of being a trusted provider of utility services. The Communications Technician works under general supervision of the Communications Supervisor.  

Interested applicants should submit completed applications by Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 11:59PM.

Once your application has been completed, you will receive an email acknowledging the submission has been successfully completed. After the posting comes down, the hiring team will review all applications, and you will be notified either way if you are selected for further steps in the hiring process. Please ensure all contact information is kept up to date.

Compensation & Benefits

• CFU offers on-the-job training and will enroll employees into a 6-step apprenticeship program, consisting of classroom and field training. 
• Non-commission, straight hourly based pay structure.
• Starting wage is based upon individual qualifications. Full position rate is $37.91/per hour once a candidate can successfully perform the essential job functions.
• First shift work schedule is Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm with a half hour unpaid lunch period. Second shift work schedule is Monday - Friday, 12:00pm - 8:00pm and Saturday 8:00am - 4:00pm with half an hour paid lunch period. Second shift work is on a rotational basis. Must be willing to work overtime when necessary.
• This position requires employees to be assigned to on-call duty for a week.  
• CFU has expanded our employee residency requirements. Employees are required to respond to emergencies and must reside within 20 mile radius of Cedar Falls Utilities main office. Click here for new residency map.
• Full-time benefits package including health, dental, vision and life insurance.  Click here for more information on CFU's benefits.
  • Health, Dental, Vision (Single or Family) – Eligible 1st of the Month Following 30 Days of Hire Date
  • Paid Vacation, Holidays, Sick Days, Bereavement Leave, and Flexible Days
  • IPERS and 457 Retirement
  • EAP Services Free to CFU Employees and Immediate Family Members
  • Educational Assistance and Professional Development
  • Employee Wellness Program and Onsite Fitness Center
  • Employee Recognition Program – Service Anniversaries
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Employer

• Makes routine and complex installations and reconnections of fiber optic services in residences and businesses; including installing fiber optic drops, splicing fiber optic cables, ONTs, Coax outlets, data outlets, set-top boxes, gateways, hooking up & programing customer TVs, routers, computers and providing customer education.
• Installs business and residential phone service as well as troubleshoots service issues and provides customer education.
• Disconnects delinquent accounts or discontinued service accounts. Installs, adjusts, and explains customers’ equipment functions with cable television service.
• Performs required system maintenance, including leakage surveys and FCC proof testing. Aids in the construction of new fiber optic facilities. Utilizes field strength meter, volt/ohm meter, radio frequency leakage detectors, and TV test sets as basic troubleshooting aids.
• Utilizes other related technical equipment such as optical time domain reflectometer, locator and fiber optic test equipment. Traces and repairs customer outages. Locates and solves problems associated with customer installation, main fiber and cabinets of the broadband communications system.
• Assists Headend Technician with headend projects, monitoring, maintenance and repair. Operates overhead and underground construction equipment when necessary. Responds to routine electric service calls during normal working hours in accordance with the letter of understanding in the CFU/AFSCME Labor Agreement.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
• Responsible for maintaining a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating in a manner that promotes positive relations with customers, co-workers and management.

Education:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or vocational school, supplemented by the required apprenticeship training course for a Communications Technician.

Experience:

• Technical experience in fiber optic communications, a minimum of three years experience, or training in the field of cable communications testing and repair.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Required to have a good driving record and valid Iowa driver’s license.

Residency Requirement:

• This position requires an employee to reside within 20 miles of the Main Office Building at 1 Utility Parkway, Cedar Falls.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of: Thorough knowledge of the working principles of broadband communications; comprehensive knowledge of the methods and practices involved in testing, repairing and maintaining a variety of communication devices and equipment; detailed knowledge of policies, ordinances and regulations concerning cable television repair and maintenance.
• Ability to: climb poles; ability to operate overhead and underground construction equipment; ability to understand and work from construction and wiring plans, blueprints, drawings and diagrams; must have the physical ability to perform detailed communications repair work; establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Physical Tasks and Environmental Conditions:

• The physical demands described here are characteristic of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee must occasionally lift at least 50 pounds, be alert to ergonomic hazards and possess the ability to climb ladders and/or stairs. The employee must possess the capability to work in difficult/awkward positions. This job requires a moderate activity level.  

Pre-employment drug screening and physical is required.