Core Network Technician IV - (Fairbanks, AK)

$2,500 Hiring Bonus! GCI's Core Network Technician IV will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the company’s core networks to ensure optimal network availability, performance, and reliability. This includes proactively monitoring and supporting critical systems and network components to ensure uninterrupted infrastructure functionality, adherence to industry standards, and alignment with performance objectives—all with a focus on maximizing customer satisfaction.

Collaborates closely with technical support teams, engineering staff, and internal business units to coordinate the installation, upgrades, testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting of network elements across multiple vendor platforms. Ensures that all planned and unplanned changes to the network infrastructure comply with established company change management policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AT ALL LEVELS:

Conduct daily operational checks and perform routine preventative maintenance on all Core Network elements and associated infrastructure to ensure optimal performance and maximize overall network availability. Responsibilities may include both remote diagnostics and on-site support, with dispatch to Urban and Rural locations as needed to address maintenance or operational issues in the field.

Provide technical support for a variety of network elements to ensure compliance with established Service Level Agreements (SLAs). Proactively monitor performance, address service-impacting issues, and escalate incidents to the appropriate next-level support teams when resolution falls outside the scope of responsibility or expertise.

Diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair network equipment and related hardware, including the replacement of electronic components as necessary, with a focus on minimizing Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) and ensuring timely restoration of services.

Delivers technical assistance and guidance to both internal teams and external partners to effectively resolve issues impacting customer experience and service delivery. This includes providing hands-on support, knowledge sharing, and targeted training to ensure prompt resolution of technical problems and to build capability within support groups. Effectively communicates real-time system status updates to relevant stakeholders, including the Technical Assistance Center (TAC) and Base Transceiver Station (BTS) teams, particularly during network outages or service disruptions. Ensures all required incident documentation and reporting are completed accurately and submitted within established timelines to support transparency and efficient issue resolution. Administers and provides ongoing support for system applications across multiple vendor platforms, ensuring optimal performance, stability, and integration within the network environment. This includes initiating, tracking, and managing vendor trouble and support tickets to ensure timely issue resolution and adherence to service-level expectations. Coordinates and executes system software, firmware, and hardware upgrades in collaboration with vendors, engineering teams, and other cross-functional groups. Ensures all upgrades are planned, tested, and implemented with minimal disruption to network operations, while adhering to established change management protocols and performance standards.

Coordinates the installation, testing, and troubleshooting of transmission facilities to ensure proper functionality and compliance with technical standards. Maintains accurate and up-to-date system documentation, including daily logs with site-specific details and operational updates.

Monitors and tracks repair parts and materials in accordance with established inventory and asset management procedures. Submits Network Change Service Requests (NCSRs) for all scheduled maintenance activities, ensuring proper documentation and adherence to change control processes.

COMPETENCIES:

• ACCOUNTABILITY- Takes ownership for actions, decisions, and results; openly accepts feedback and demonstrates a willingness to improve.
• BASIC PRINCIPLES - Interacts with people in a way that builds mutual trust, confidence, and respect; adheres to GCI’s Code of Conduct for Employees – the Basic Principles.
• COLLABORATION - Works effectively with others to accomplish common goals and objectives; maintains positive relationships even under difficult circumstances.
• Ability to communicate effectively on outage bridges, including oral reporting, working with other technicians and engineers, documenting problems, and filing reports.
• Ability to work in a team environment on maintenance bridges with minimal supervision.
• COMMUNICATION- Conveys thoughts and expresses ideas appropriately and professionally. Able to communicate technical information effectively verbally to customers, contractors, utility workers, fellow employees, and the public in an effective manner with their level of understanding.
• COMPLIANCE - Follows internal controls; protects company and customer confidential information; abides by GCI’s Code of Business Conduct & Ethics. Interprets and accurately applies applicable codes, regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines, etc.
• CUSTOMER FOCUS - Develops positive rapport with customers. Demonstrates commitment to service excellence; gives high priority to customer satisfaction.
• Ability to promote teamwork and encourage a professional, courteous work ethic.
• Dedicated to continually improving personal skills, and the group’s ability to serve the customer.
• Procedurally oriented with excellent customer service.
• RELIABILITY - Consistently follows through on assigned tasks as expected; demonstrates timely attendance at meetings, training, and other work obligations. Organize assignments, equipment, and routing to maximize productivity.
• RESULTS – Uses a combination of job knowledge, initiative, sound decision making, innovation, adaptability, and problem solving.
• Broad-based knowledge of and ability to maintain equipment typically found in Telecommunication Core transport networks.
• Familiar with all test equipment common to a core central office.
• Knowledge of telecommunication protocols, availability, redundancy, reliability monitoring, signaling, and testing.
• Ability to work in stressful situations and maintain focus on proper troubleshooting and maintenance procedures.
• SAFETY & SECURITY - Supports a safe work environment by following all workplace safety rules and guidelines; complies with applicable Security policies and procedures.
• Excellent computer skills and basic MS Office knowledge (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel), and technical applications common in a telecommunications environment.

Additional Job Requirements:

This is an advanced-level position within discipline, requiring deep expertise and a high degree of proficiency across all functional responsibilities. The role involves independently performing complex tasks and assignments with minimal to no oversight for routine duties and limited guidance for new or unfamiliar tasks.

Operates with significant autonomy, exercising sound independent judgment in decision-making and problem-solving within a broad scope of responsibilities. Serves as a technical leader and mentor, providing direction, coaching, and knowledge transfer to junior and mid-level technicians to support their growth and ensure high-quality performance across the team.

This position reflects a mature level of competency, with the expectation of contributing to strategic initiatives, enhancing operational standards, and driving continuous improvement within the technical environment.

Additional Competencies:

• Possesses an advanced understanding of telecommunications technologies, including installation, system modifications, and industry-standard testing procedures. Demonstrates a high level of expertise in executing complex equipment installations, system testing, and service turn-ups with precision and efficiency.
• Independently commissions and provisions new equipment and services, ensuring full alignment with engineering specifications and performance standards. Maintains a strong command of Change Management protocols, actively participating as a peer approver and guiding junior technicians through the change process to ensure compliance and operational integrity.
• Exhibits advanced knowledge of the company’s High Availability (HA) Policy and associated test procedures. Capable of independently executing HA Methods of Procedure (MOPs) and contributes to the peer review process of MOPs to ensure quality and risk mitigation.
• Conducts thorough inspections and preventative maintenance to maintain safe, organized, and compliant central office environments. Provides oversight and direction to junior technicians during such activities to uphold operational and safety standards.
• Advanced Technical Proficiencies Include:
  • In-depth knowledge of transport technologies such as T-Carrier, SONET, DWDM, CWDM, and PON
  • Strong command of Internet Protocol (IP), including subnetting, routing principles, and IP address scheme design
  • Expert understanding of fiber optic safety procedures and industry-standard installation practices
  • Proficiency in managing and maintaining DC power systems supporting telecommunications infrastructure
  • Skilled in operating and interpreting results from advanced testing equipment, including OTDRs, Ethernet analyzers, and a broad range of diagnostic tools used in installation, troubleshooting, and repair.

Minimum Qualifications:

Required: *A combination of relevant work experience and/or education sufficient to perform the duties of the job may substitute to meet the total years required on a year-for-year basis

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of increasing responsibility and experience within a telecommunication central office, or related environment. *

Preferred:

• Associate degree in electronics or relevant field, telecommunications trade school, or equivalent training.
• Telecom industry or job specific certifications.
• Experience with Ciena and Nokia.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires driving a company-owned vehicle, company provided vehicle, or use of a personal vehicle on behalf of the company. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, a satisfactory driving record, and successfully complete Defensive Driving course.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Daily moving, traversing, and positioning self on varied uneven or unstable surfaces such as roofs and in trenches, often hampered by weather elements.
• Safely move, transport, position, install, remove, and maneuver equipment and supplies of up to 70-pound loads occasionally, up to 50-pounds more regularly, up to 20 pounds frequently.
• High degree of dexterity and coordination to operate hand tools and to connect, separate, and twist multiple smaller items daily.
• Visual acuity is necessary to identify, inspect, observe, and assess details at near, mid, and far ranges.
• Ability to clearly distinguish colors for driving, identifying cables or other electrical components, and safety signage.
• Auditory acuity necessary to operate equipment; capable of distinguishing between equipment signals and the human voice often amidst background noises, such as wind, rain, and traffic.
• Subject to adverse weather and driving conditions.
• Ability to tolerate temperature and weather extremes found in the Alaskan arctic environment with appropriate clothing and other PPE. (fumes and odors, dust, low light conditions, rain, sleet, snow, hail, wind, temperature extremes).
• Work areas can be cramped, dark, dusty, damp, wet, stuffy, sticky, smelly, hot and/or cold.
• Overtime, shift work, and on call required. Standing, bending, standing on ladder, and talking on phone for long hours are sometimes required. Position may be required to travel to different site locations.
• Position is designated to Urban, Outlying, Arctic Regions of Alaska, or North-East US area locations based on the need and requirements of the position and or location. Work locations assignment may require different work schedules and callout provisions which will be determined by the supervisor based on the business needs of the assigned site location.
• Subject to adverse weather and driving conditions when checking on fieldwork, areas may be obstructed by weather and / or debris, requiring unscheduled clearing.
• Must be able and willing to work flexible hours including, but not limited to, overtime, on-call, and/ or additional time on weekends, holidays, evenings, before or after normal shift hours.
• Travel via commercial vehicles and commercial aircraft may be required. In addition, could include ATV access sites within the area of operations.

Background /Security Conditions: Based on the position’s business needs, background and security checks are subject to Level 1 background checks that may include but are not limited to: review of an individual’s criminal history; credit check, and review of DMV records. Job candidates may also need to comply with additional State of AK contract requirements. GCI will ensure that background checks are conducted in compliance with all applicable federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADAAA).

Badging may be required depending on assignment of work location:

(must be able to pass and maintain)

• US Government Background check within the first two (2) weeks of employment if required.
• Drug and Alcohol testing as needed.
• Alyeska Security and Safe Driver as needed.
• TWIC as needed (Transport Worker Identification Credential).
• Other government agency security badges as needed.
• Other Telecommunications Carrier badges as needed.
• North Slope Training Cooperative Certification as needed (NSTC)
• Drug Testing: Participation in a DOT or non-DOT drug and alcohol testing program may be required to satisfy conditions of a contract or proposed contract with a business partner or client. This includes pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return to duty, and follow-up testing.
• Fitness For: Duty: Ability to pass pre-employment or return to work physical and fitness for duty examination may be required to satisfy conditions of a contract or proposed contract with a business partner or client.

The company and its subsidiaries operate in a 24/7 environment providing critical services to Alaskans and may need to respond to public health and safety matters or other business emergencies. Due to business needs employees may be contacted outside of the core business hours to respond to an immediate emergency. As such, you will be requested to provide emergency after-hour contact numbers, to include your home and cell phone numbers if you have those services. Culture, Engagement, and Connection: At GCI, we foster an environment where the unique perspectives of our employees, customers, and fellow Alaskans are celebrated. We add value to our community by nurturing and empowering each member of our workforce, ensuring equal opportunities for every Trailblazer. EEO: GCI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, veteran status, or any other status or classification protected under applicable state or federal law. DISCLAIMER: The above information in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. All employees of GCI work in support of the GCI Mission Statement and Declaration of Principles which are located on the GCI Career page and Employee portal.